Abstract: A continuous web of paper is subdivided into a series of discrete webs of finite length, and successive discrete webs of the series are provided with looped sections in zig-zag formation. Successive discrete webs of the series are moved forwardly and away from the next-following webs of the series while advancing toward a stacking station to thus establish between successive discrete webs gaps of predetermined width. The making of gaps involves advancing the discrete webs with the upper reaches of three parallel foraminous endless belt conveyors which attract the webs and move them toward the stacking station. The median belt conveyor is accelerated when it is approached by the trailing end of a discrete web and then advances the trailing end at a speed exceeding the speed of the other conveyors and of the leader of the next-following discrete web.

Abstract: A running web of computer paper is provided with transversely extending rows of perforations between successive coherent panels which are thereupon folded over each other in zig-zag formations to be converted into a series of stacks. When a stack exhibits a tendency to lean forwardly or backwards, as considered in the direction of advancement of the web, the web is stretched in the regions which are to be provided with perforations and the web is thereupon permitted to contract so that certain panels are slightly shorter than the remaining panels. This eliminates the tendency of the stacks to lean forwardly or backwards. In order to eliminate the tendency of stacks to lean in one direction, the web is stretched for the making of successive or selected oddly numbered rows of perforations, and the tendency of stacks to lean in the other direction is eliminated by stretching the web during the making of successive or selected evenly numbered rows of perforations.

Abstract: A continuous running paper web is folded in zig-zag formation at a stacking station to form a pile of superimposed panels which are joined to each other by weakened fold lines. A stack containing a preselected number of superimposed panels at the bottom of the pile is moved laterally away from the stacking station so that the topmost panel of the stack or the lowermost panel of the remainder of the pile is unfolded, and the web is broken between such panels by tearing it along a weakened fold line or by severing it from one marginal portion to the other marginal portion along a weakened fold line or across one of the panels. The part or parts which move the stack from the stacking station can include or constitute the web breaking device. The remainder of the pile is supported from below during removal of the stack from the stacking station.

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking panels of a running web in zig-zag formation by folding the web along transversely extending weakened fold lines has a vertically movable table which supports successive growing stacks at a stacking station and has a concave or convex upper side serving to impart to the panels above it a concavo-convex shape. The fold lines between the panels of the growing stack are pushed downwardly and thereby caused to assume an arcuate shape by a set of rotary folding fingers and by a conveyor which cooperates with a suction chamber and pulls the adjacent fold lines of the growing stack downwardly toward the upper side of the table. The concavo-convex panels of the growing stack are stiffer than plane panels and ensure that the growing stacks resemble parallelepipeds with neighboring sides disposed at right angles to each other and without sagging of panels between the corresponding fold lines.

Abstract: An arrangement for forming successive layers of sheets of paper and the like from a stream of individual sheets supplied in succession to a collecting station by a supply conveyor, and for transferring the formed layers to a continuously advancing discharge conveyor, includes an abutment capable of interrupting the advancement of the supplied sheets to form a layer from a predetermined number of sheets, and a clamping device which grips the layer of sheets and transfers the same to the discharge conveyor. The arrangement includes a drive including a transmission, particularly a kinematic linkage transmission, causing the abutment and clamping device to perform a preselected succession of movements, and a prime mover which is kinematically separated from the main drive of the machine in which the arrangement is used and thus from the drive of the supply and discharge conveyors.