Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring a pattern from a universal surface to an ultimate package. The apparatus comprises an end effector for a pattern transfer robot. The end effector comprises a crowder plate with crowder plate slats spaced apart a distance to form openings between the crowder plate slats. The universal surface comprises a finger wall with finger wall slats spaced apart a distance to form openings between the finger wall slats. A portion of the crowder plate slats are sized to pass between a portion of mating finger wall slats.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining a pattern of non-rigid objects in a desired position and orientation. The first surface, second surface, and third surface are mutually orthogonal and meet at a point to form a lowest corner. The second and third surfaces are supported by, attached to and extend at least somewhat vertically from the apparatus. The first surface is oriented at an angle to a plane running through a bottom of the apparatus and thereby provides the lowest corner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a dimension of a non-rigid object and using the dimension to pick and place the object. A first input device conveys the object into contact with a feed forward unit, which contact conditions the object. A distance sensor is positioned over a gap in the feed forward unit to measure a distance to a surface of the conditioned object. The distance measures a dimension of the conditioned object. The measured dimension is transmitted via at least one line of communication.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a dimension of a non-rigid object and using the dimension to pick and place the object. A first input device conveys a non-rigid object into contact with a feed forward unit, which contact causes a displacement of the feed forward unit. The displacement measures a dimension of the object. The measured dimension is transmitted via at least one line of communication.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a dimension of a non-rigid object and using the dimension to pick and place the object. A first input device conveys a non-rigid object into contact with a feed forward unit, which contact causes a displacement of the feed forward unit. The displacement measures a dimension of the object. The measured dimension is transmitted via at least one line of communication.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a dimension of a non-rigid object and using the dimension to pick and place the object. A first input device conveys the object into contact with a feed forward unit, which contact conditions the object. A distance sensor is positioned over a gap in the feed forward unit to measure a distance to a surface of the conditioned object. The distance measures a dimension of the conditioned object. The measured dimension is transmitted via at least one line of communication.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring a pattern from a universal surface to an ultimate package. The apparatus comprises an end effector for a pattern transfer robot. The end effector comprises a crowder plate with crowder plate slats spaced apart a distance to form openings between the crowder plate slats. The universal surface comprises a finger wall with finger wall slats spaced apart a distance to form openings between the finger wall slats. A portion of the crowder plate slats are sized to pass between a portion of mating finger wall slats.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining a pattern of non-rigid objects in a desired position and orientation. The first surface, second surface, and third surface are mutually orthogonal and meet at a point to form a lowest corner. The second and third surfaces are supported by, attached to and extend at least somewhat vertically from the apparatus. The first surface is oriented at an angle to a plane running through a bottom of the apparatus and thereby provides the lowest corner.

Abstract: A device for transporting flat products to further processing units is provided which includes a track 4 forming a continuous loop, a plurality of gripper elements 1 and a driving module 99. The gripper elements 1 are arranged on the track 4, and include a gripper 2 for seizing a flat product 11 from a first device and releasing the flat product to a second device 13. Each gripper element 1 moves independently from each other gripper element 1 along at least a portion of the track 4. Each gripper element is selectively engaged by the driving module 99 for movement along the track. The driving module 99 may include, for example, a drive unit 9 for driving the gripper elements in a side-by-side configuration without pitch; an extended pitch driving unit 7 for driving the gripper elements at a defined pitch; an acceleration unit 6 for accelerating the gripper elements to the defined pitch; and/or a diverting unit 32 for diverting selected gripper elements to an alternate track.

Abstract: A device for slowing down signatures being transported in a folding machine is provided. The device provides a plurality of rotary grippers which positively grip signatures exiting a tape conveyor system in the folding machine traveling at a high velocity. A deceleration drum is also provided for slowing down the signatures through a smooth velocity profile. The deceleration drum has a plurality of pivot arms pivotally mounted on a pivot disc rotating about a first axis, the pivot arms being connected to a control disc by a control link, the control disc rotating about a second axis parallel to, and offset from, the first axis. The rotary grippers are attached to outward ends of the pivot arms. The rotary grippers grip the leading edges of the signatures as they exit the tape conveyor system while the trailing edges are still being controlled by the tape conveyor device.

Abstract: A device for the release of folded products transported by a rotating endless conveyor is provided. The conveyor transports identical product holders past a release module. The release module comprises rotating members, such as the links of a chain, on which swivelable blocks are mounted. As the identical product holders are transported beneath the release module, each product holder is associated with a swivelable block. Selectively actuable ramps in the release module, when actuated, cause swivelable blocks which have a tab corresponding to the actuated ramp to swivel. The swiveling of a block causes the product holder associated with it to release its product.

Abstract: A device for slowing down signatures being transported in a folding machine is provided. The device provides a plurality of rotary grippers which positively grip signatures exiting a tape conveyor system in the folding machine traveling at a high velocity. A deceleration drum is also provided for slowing down the signatures through a smooth velocity profile. The deceleration drum has a plurality of pivot arms pivotally mounted on a pivot disc rotating about a first axis, the pivot arms being connected to a control disc by a control link, the control disc rotating about a second axis parallel to, and offset from, the first axis. The rotary grippers are attached to outward ends of the pivot arms. The rotary grippers grip the leading edges of the signatures as they exit the tape conveyor system while the trailing edges are still being controlled by the tape conveyor device.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a conveyor for moving books in a spaced apart relationship along a predetermined path along which each book receives a length of adhesive. A roller is supported for rotation about its longitudinal central axis and has an outer cylindrical surface for receiving lengths of adhesive. A glue gun is provided for applying adhesive to the outer surface of the roller. The adhesive applied to the outer surface of the roller is of lengths equal to lengths of adhesive to be applied to the books. The lengths of adhesive are spaced apart by nonadhesive lengths. A nonadhesive length is equal to the spacing between adjacent lengths of adhesive on the books. A length of adhesive is transferred from the outer surface of the roller to a book when the book moves along the predetermined path and into contact with the length of adhesive.