Abstract: An overhead reverse diverter for diverting cartons passing under the diverter along a primary transport path, the diverter including a diverter frame arranged over a space through which the cartons move along the primary transport path, a divert belt, and one or more divert paddles attached to the divert belt. The divert belt may be movable along a movement profile when the diverter is triggered to divert one or more of the cartons from the primary transport path, such that the one or more divert paddles are configured to sweep through the space through which the cartons pass as the divert belt moves along the movement profile to divert one or more of the cartons from the primary transport path along one or more divert paths.

Abstract: A laser cutting system wherein a conveyor system indexes sheet material through various processing stations, the processing stations operating simultaneously during the time period when the conveyor is stopped and wherein the conveyor system is in the form of an endless belt.

Abstract: A method and device for turning a continuous supply of absorbent cores oriented in cross machine direction into a machine direction orientation and dividing the supply of absorbent cores into two or more sub-lines is provided. The device includes a plurality of turning plates which each include means for picking up, holding and releasing the absorbent cores, means for reversibly transferring the turning plates from a core pick-up point to a core release point, each turning plate being mounted rotationally on an axis, so that the absorbent cores can be re-oriented from a cross-machine direction at the pick-up point into machine direction at the release point while being held on the turning plates. Each turning plate includes means for picking up, holding and releasing two or more absorbent cores.

Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging plant and a method of operating a picker line for feeding products into packaging troughs of a packaging machine, comprising a first feed belt and a second feed belt, the speed of the second feed belt being reduced relative to the speed of the first feed belt so as to buffer the products which have not been gripped by the first picker and allow the last picker to grip all the products and to feed them in.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing flat articles, comprises a first conveyor adapted to convey the flat articles in a product flow, and a separator adapted to divide the product flow into at least two partial flows. The separator comprises a plurality of containers arranged in a row. The containers are adapted to accommodate flat articles. The containers move substantially transverse to the product flow and substantially parallel to the product flow to form the partial flows.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for displacing objects (2) relative to a transport track (10) along which the objects (2) are moved, comprising a plurality of displacement devices (4) which displace at least some of the objects (2) relative to this transport track (10), wherein the displacement devices (4) have at least one displacement element (6) which in at least one region can be brought into contact with the objects (2) in order to displace the latter relative to the transport track (10). According to the invention, the displacement elements (6) can pivot about a predefined pivot axis (S) and movement devices (8) which are respectively assigned to the displacement elements (6) are provided such that various displacement elements (6) can be displaced in their entirety relative to the transport track (10) onto different transport paths.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transfer mechanism (12) for separating conveyed objects (4) out to the side from a first conveyor system (1) onto another conveyor system (14), with a pushing unit and two parallel flexible drives (15a, b) at a distance apart extending at an angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the first conveyor system (1), each of which has an endless traction means (23) which can be driven, and the pushing unit has oppositely lying drivers secured to the traction means (23) and a profiled pushing element (29) which is able to slide out of an initial position at the side, adjacent to a conveyor path (6), into an operating position in the conveyor path (6).

Abstract: An arrangement for the distribution of products (Pn) includes a distribution device consisting of a phaser (23) that includes two belts (50, 52) driven independently and each comprising at least one cam (60) driven at a deflecting speed and selectively controlled in an operation mode for, according to a predetermined distribution sequence, contacting at least one product (Pn) of a first queue (F1) in order to deflect laterally the product (Pn) from an initial position to a determined final position which is transversally offset relative to the initial position so as to form at least a second queue of products (Pn) parallel or orthogonal to the first queue.

Abstract: A system for dividing an object flow can provide slides which are constructed and arranged to displace one or more objects at a time from the object flow toward a different location, preferably another object flow. The slides can be pivotal away from the objects being displaced, thus releasing the objects at the desired location, the slides being reusable as the slides revolve about one or more rollers to and from displacing the objects. Preferably some of the objects are displaced from the object flow at an acute angle with respect to the direction of conveyance, which can provide displacement at a lesser force.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for sorting packages, comprising means (2) for supplying the packages to at least a station (3) for their manipulation and orientation, which is characterised in that the manipulating station (3) comprises at least a manipulator head (7) having at least two degrees of freedom of motion. In particular, the manipulator head (7) is movable by translation according to the axis of an orthogonal Cartesian triad and is movable by rotation about a substantially vertical axis. A method for putting in step packages conveyed by conveyor belts set side by side including varying the speed of said belts.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first conveyor and a second conveyor, the first and the second conveyor being arranged in line with each other, having the same conveying direction and, in use, having substantially the same conveying speed, while between the first and the second conveyor a pattern former is arranged which is adapted to pick up products supplied by the first conveyor and, while maintaining the forward conveying speed, to place the products on the second conveyor, the pattern former being provided with steering means to displace each product in a direction transverse to the conveying direction, and optionally reorient it, between the pickup and placement of the product.

Abstract: A conveyor for conveying products (2), comprising a conveyor belt (1) and a moving endless guiding element (12) which includes a straight portion (4) extending between two guide wheels (5, 6), which straight portion (4) is capable of guiding products (2) that are present on the conveyor belt in lateral direction towards and over the edge of the conveyor belt, wherein the distance between the two guide wheels is adjustable.

Abstract: A system and method for grouping products for packaging, including a metering station in which a line of products is engaged by a series of metering lugs. The metering lugs urge the products into off-set positions to form multiple lanes of products. Selected ones of the products are then engaged by a series of selector lugs at a selector station to urge the products together to form product groups for packaging.

Abstract: A method for transforming a supply stream (2) of elements (1) having one flat object or a group of flat objects lying on top of one another that are conveyed overlapping one another to produce a stream in which the stream elements are distanced from one another both transverse and parallel to the conveying direction (F). The stream elements are oriented parallel to the conveying direction (F). Every stream element (1) is gripped in a same location which, in the conveying direction (F), is situated in the center of the element and in which location the element is not overlapped by adjacent elements (1). Every stream element is then displaced transverse to the conveying direction (F), while the spatial element orientation remains essentially unchanged. The displacement is different for successive stream elements (1) in a predefined sequence. For gripping the stream elements (1) in a clamping manner, clamping elements (5.

Abstract: For transforming a supply stream (2), in which stream elements (1) each comprising one flat object or a group of flat objects lying on top of one another, are conveyed overlapping one another, and in which the stream elements are essentially oriented parallel to the conveying direction (F), during unchanged onward conveyance, every stream element (1) is gripped in a same location which in the conveying direction (F) is situated in the centre of the element and in which location the element is not overlapped by adjacent elements (1) and every stream element is then displaced transverse to the conveying direction (F), the spatial element orientation remaining essentially unchanged. The displacement is different for successive stream elements (1) in a predefined sequence. For gripping the stream elements (1) in a clamping manner, in particular clamping elements (5.1) are used, which are capable of being displaced transverse to the conveying direction (F) along guide links (6).

Abstract: A high speed manufacturing system for processing articles of manufacture requiring processes to be performed on the articles at a pre-selected processing rate includes a trunk for simultaneously conveying a plurality of the articles of manufacture at the pre-selected processing rate in a first mode of motion from the beginning of the manufacturing system to the end of the system. At least one branch processing station is positioned intermediate the beginning and the end of the trunk wherein the branch processing station during its operation performs at least one process on articles of manufacture conveyed on the branch processing station and where the articles are conveyed in a second mode of motion.

Abstract: The conveyor system (11) is used for transferring rows or large cycles (66) of sheet stacks (12) from the stacking station (20) of a paper converting machine, e.g. a small format cross-cutter to several parallel-running discharge conveyor belts (24, 25). For this purpose grippers or tongs (48) are provided, which are guided on gripper supports (39) and which can draw the stacks (12) from stacking station (20) via conveyor belts (24, 25). For each stacking position (21) there are two grippers (48, 48a), which in each case alternatively grip and transfer a stack, whilst the other gripper performs the return movement and passes into its waiting position upstream of the stacking station.

Abstract: For splitting-up a supply stream (2) of piece goods into a plurality of conveying away streams, the supplied objects (3) are guided onto a plurality of conveying away paths (4.1, 4.2, 4.3) in a predetermined splitting-up sequence. The device includes a supply device for serially supplying objects (3) to a split-up point (1) and for positioning the objects (3) for being taken over by holding device (6.1, 6.2, 6.3) in the split-up point (1). The device also has a plurality of conveying away systems, each one of which defines one of the conveying away paths. Of the conveying away systems advantageously each one has a closed-loop rail track (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) and holding devices (6.1, 6.2, 6.3) movable along the rail track independently of one another and with variable distances between one another. The rail tracks (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) of the conveying away systems converge toward the split-up point (1), run through the split-up point (1) parallel to one another, and diverge after the split-up point (1).

Abstract: A high speed manufacturing system for processing articles of manufacture requiring processes to be performed on the articles at a pre-selected processing rate includes a trunk for simultaneously conveying a plurality of the articles of manufacture at the pre-selected processing rate in a first mode of motion from the beginning of the manufacturing system to the end of the system. At least one branch processing station is positioned intermediate the beginning and the end of the trunk wherein the branch processing station during its operation performs at least one process on articles of manufacture conveyed on the branch processing station and where the articles are conveyed in a second mode of motion.

Abstract: A transport-sort conveyor in which a pin of the sliding block of the sort conveyor traveling at high velocity does not cause any trouble at the sorting point and which is suitable for sorting small sized articles is provided. A pusher is provided on any one of the mounting member on one side of the bearing surface defining member and the sliding block to urge the sliding block in the sorting direction while being engaged on one side, and release engagement of the sliding block to be used for sorting operation by the actuating device in the upstream of the sorting point to move the sliding block sideways from the straight-ahead path toward the sorting path. The sliding block that has changed its direction is carried and guided by the sorting guide rail extending from the sorting point in the sorting direction, and thus no movable device such as switch rail or the like is provided at the sorting point.

Abstract: A high speed manufacturing system for processing articles of manufacture requiring processes to be performed on the articles at a pre-selected processing rate includes a trunk for simultaneously conveying a plurality of the articles of manufacture at the pre-selected processing rate in a first mode of motion from the beginning of the manufacturing system to the end of the system. At least one branch processing station is positioned intermediate the beginning and the end of the trunk wherein the branch processing station during its operation performs at least one process on articles of manufacture conveyed on the branch processing station and where the articles are conveyed in a second mode of motion.

Abstract: From a scaled stream (2) which is conveyed along a first conveying path (F.1) through a removal region (A) in a held manner, the held conveyance is deactivated at the entrance of the removal region (A) for stream sections which are to be removed from the scaled stream or from which items are to be removed and the sections or items to be removed are conveyed by means of a second conveying means (5) being adjustable for a removal onto a second conveying path (P.2), while for the rest of the stream sections (2.1) the held conveyance is maintained during conveyance through the removal region (A). The first conveying means (1) e.g. comprises clamping elements for gripping e.g. the longitudinal edges of the scaled stream (2), the clamping elements being opened selectively at the entrance of removal region (A). The second conveying means (5) e.g. comprises a pivoting conveying belt (5.2) on which stream sections (2.2) to be removed are conveyed onto the second conveying path (F.2) in a loosely laying manner.

Abstract: A high speed manufacturing system for processing articles of manufacture requiring processes to be performed on the articles at a pre-selected processing rate includes a trunk for simultaneously conveying a plurality of the articles of manufacture at the pre-selected processing rate in a first mode of motion from the beginning of the manufacturing system to the end of the system. At least one branch processing station is positioned intermediate the beginning and the end of the trunk wherein the branch processing station during its operation performs at least one process on articles of manufacture conveyed on the branch processing station and where the articles are conveyed in a second mode of motion.

Abstract: A stream of signatures is delivered by a conveyer belt to an angled conveyer. The angled conveyor grips a set of signatures from the stream. The gripped set of signatures is transported by the angled conveyer to a third conveyer belt, and deposited on the third conveyer belt. By transporting the set of signatures at an angle, a lateral offset between the individual signatures within the set of signatures is created. A diverter on the third conveyer belt grips the laterally offset signatures, separating the signatures into substreams.

Abstract: An article turner assembly for use with an article handling system such as a palletizer. The article turner assembly selectively turns articles conveyed in a single lane along a particular path so that each article may be turned or not as it is conveyed along that path. The article turner assembly includes a conveyor mechanism, an article turner, and a selector mechanism that acts on either the article turner itself, the conveyed articles, or both. The article turner is designed so that articles are turned without impact against their front or side surfaces or a reduction in their speed. The article turner includes two or more adjacent conveyors, which are run with a speed differential to turn articles. The orientation of and spacing between the conveyors can be adjusted to accommodate articles of different sizes and/or weights. The article turner assembly is well-suited for use with high speed palletizers because it can help form patterns of virtually any desired configuration at very high speeds.

Abstract: A post folder diverting apparatus includes a first and second conveyor system, each having a conveyor drive, a conveyor cable, a plurality of gripper blocks connected to each conveyor cable and a gripper element attached to each gripper block for transporting signatures from a folder apparatus to separate product streams. The first and second conveyor cables are configured to follow a parallel path for part of the way and separate paths for part of the way. Each gripper block has a first recess for receiving the cable to which it is attached, and a second recess for allowing the other cable to pass through the gripper block without contacting it. The recesses in the gripper blocks are sized and spaced so as to allow gripper blocks attached to the first conveyor cable to share a common path with gripper blocks attached to the second conveyor cable where the conveyor cables follow parallel paths and to deviate from one another where the conveyor cables diverge.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring separate products, such as eggs and fruit, from a feed conveyor to a packaging apparatus includes a feed conveyor provided with at least one row of product holders, a receiving conveyor provided with brushes for receiving the products discharged from the feed conveyor and a feed-through conveyor connecting to the receiving conveyor for further conveying the products to a packaging apparatus. The apparatus is provided with electrically operable discharge members disposed above the feed conveyor. The fall trajectory of the articles discharged from the feed conveyor is such that the articles end up at substantially the same landing location on the receiving conveyor, independently of the speed of travel of the feed conveyor at the moment of discharge.

Abstract: A slat sorter having a series of platens slidably mounted on an array of slats driven by an endless chain with each platen having a diverter pin for enabling it to be diverted between a straight-through track and at least one divert track. A switch having an elongated arm having a pivot end and a tip opposite and upstream the pivot end which is urged by a prime mover, that preferably is a limited angle torque electric motor, between a straight-through position directing a diverter pin to travel along the straight-through track and a divert position directing the diverter pin to travel along the divert track. The arm has a cutout which allows the arm to be urged from one position to the another position before the diverter pin is completely downstream and cleared of the arm. Operably associated with the arm is a brake for enabling the arm to be urged toward either the straight-through or divert position by an oncoming divert pin to prevent the divert pin from colliding head-on with the arm.

Abstract: A flow directing conveyor mechanism includes a lower conveyor defining an article supporting surface for transporting articles for movement along a path of travel extending between inlet and discharge ends of the lower conveyor; and an upper conveyor having pushing mechanisms for displacing articles, while supported by the surface, transversely of the path of travel, as an incident to movement of the articles between the inlet and discharge ends.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus, such as a folder apparatus of a web-fed printing press, having a printed product delivery with two fan wheel arrangements overlapping each other. An exemplary embodiment includes a mechanism for continuously conveying flat products. The mechanism has devices attached thereto in a timed arrangement for positioning each flat product to be delivered, in its entirety, off a centerline of the fan wheel arrangements prior to the entry of the flat product into a pocket of the fan wheel arrangements.

Abstract: A slat sorter includes a plurality of platens each supported by two slats. The slats are driven by hollow pin chain and are fastened to the chain by a ball detent pin which passes through the hollow pin of the chain into the slat end. The head of each ball detent pin acts as a bearing surface against a wear strip which confines lateral motion of the slats. The divert switches in the sorter use a switch arm driven by a motor. The arm is configured to allow rapid switching and a brake on the motor prevents rotation of the motor in the event of power failure to prevent the arm from drifting into an intermediate, potential crash, position.

Abstract: A slat sorter comprises a main line conveyor with a transport surface on which pusher elements are mounted. The main conveyor is driven by a bearing chain that cooperates with a sprocket that is in turn driven by an electric motor. The pusher elements are selectively diverted by a divert switch from forward travel in a straight-through mode to diagonal travel across the transport surface in a divert mode to engage and direct articles to a takeaway conveyor. The divert switch comprises a switch arm that is positively actuated to both a home position for straight-through mode and a divert position for divert mode by a brushless torque actuator that generates rotary driving operation, but without linear-to-rotary motion conversion. A crossover switch is provided to guide the pusher elements in the proper diagonal path. A gate is driven to pivot between limit positions by a brushless torque actuator to facilitate unobstructed pusher element travel along the desired diagonal path.

Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying articles includes a conveyor track and at least one branch track. The conveyor track includes endless circulating chains, which are spaced apart and extend parallel to each other, and support rods extending between the chains. Deflection slide members are guided on the support rods for deflecting the articles from the conveyor track onto the branch track. Each deflection slide member has a downwardly extending guide bolt. A guide rail is provided underneath the conveyor track, and a branch rail is arranged underneath the branch track. The guide rail and the branch rail meet in a branching-off point. A control body is movable into the branching-off point for deflecting the guide bolt. An elongated guide member is swingably mounted on the guide bolt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a distributing transportation device for distributing work fed in a single line into a plurality of lines. A plurality of carrier bars are driven in a form of a conveyer between a pair of chains traveling in synchronism with each other. Carrier plates are slidably supported on the carrier bars for a sliding movement in the axial direction of the carriers bars. A plurality of mutually adjacent carrier plates are connected by a connecting member having a flexibility but being rigid in the sliding direction of the carrier plate. A guide pin is projected from only one of the carrier plates grouped by such a connection. The guide pin is guided by distributing guide rails.

Abstract: A slat sorter comprises a main line conveyor with a transport surface on which pusher elements are mounted. The main conveyor is driven by a bearing chain that cooperates with a sprocket that is in turn driven by an electric motor. The pusher elements are selectively diverted by a divert switch from forward travel in a straight-through mode to diagonal travel across the transport surface in a divert mode to engage and direct articles to a takeaway conveyor. The divert switch comprises a switch arm that is positively actuated to both a home position for straight-through mode and a divert position for divert mode by a rotary solenoid. A mechanical crossover switch is provided to guide the pusher elements in the proper diagonal path. Two one-way, spring biased fingers are pivotable between a rest position and a through guide position. The pusher elements engage and pivot the appropriate guide finger to its though position to facilitate travel by the pusher elements in the divert mode.

Abstract: A high speed production line system has a product conveying section wherein a conveyor is formed from a plurality of individual and transversely extending pallets which are movable relative to one another in the transverse direction. Certain of the pallets have a cam controlled movement whereby upstanding posts can engage with packs of products to turn the packs through 90.degree. while the packs pass through the conveying section. Thereafter, the packs can be moved into different lanes as required by virtue of cam control of the pallets.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus for selective lateral alignment of packages with laterally spaced apart right-hand or left-hand vertical planes includes a conveying surface made up of support members connected together in an endless web and a pair of diverting shoes mounted to each support member. A network of guide tracks guides the movement of one of each pair of guide shoes along either a non-diverted path or a diverted path to laterally divert packages. Diverted packages are aligned by the other of each pair of shoes guided by the guide tracks in a fixed path.

Abstract: A sortation system includes a plurality of slats connected at opposite ends in spaced relation with each other to a pair of endless chains. The slats define a conveying surface moving longitudinally along a frame. A plurality of diverter shoes are provided. Each diverter shoe is movably mounted on one of the slats for lateral movement with respect to the conveying surface. Each slat is defined by a wall formed as a right cylinder including an outer surface having a planar upper portion defining the conveying surface, each diverter shoe having a support portion including a substantially continuous glide surface surrounding the wall, the glide surface having substantially the same configuration as the outer surface of the slat.

Abstract: Lane divider for conveyor systems which converts from one product path to multiple paths or from multiple paths to a single path. The lane divider system separates a product trail into discrete paths with automatic control for the flow of product.

Abstract: An endless ammunition conveyor includes a set of laterally moveable carriers and a set of laterally fixed carriers arranged in alternating relation with the moveable carriers. Incident with conveyor movement, the moveable carriers are cammed between laterally offset positions relative to the fixed carriers for respective round exchanges with a pair of ammunition storage bays and interleaved, longitudinally aligned positions with the fixed carriers for round exchanges with a gun-feeding transfer unit. Concurrently, the pitch between adjacent fixed and moveable carriers is changed between a maximum pitch at the gun end of the conveyor and a minimum pitch at the bay end of the conveyor.

Abstract: Items carried by a conveyor belt are deflected from their original path of travel by deflector members that travel at the same speed as the belt, in some embodiments, or by deflector members that travel in a wave-like motion with the items in other embodiments. In all embodiments, the profile and preselected characteristics of each item are sensed and a computer determines which deflectors to deploy into path-diverting relation to the items. Thus, any pattern of deflectors can be deployed. The deflectors may be deployed gradually as they travel past a trigger member moving a slightly different speed or they may be deployed abruptly when traveling past a fixed position trigger member.

Abstract: A pair of sorting gates are fixed respectively to a pair of moving shafts that are disposed facing with each other so as to be able to move horizontally along the same straight line, and when a sorting gate is moved horizontally from a retracted position to a forwardly moved position interrupting the moving path of a sorting pin accompanying a forward motion of one of the moving shafts to which is fixed the sorting gate, the moving shaft at the forwardly moved position functions as a stopper member for the other moving shaft that is at the retracted position, and obstructs the forward motion of the moving shaft that is at the retracted position.

Abstract: An article sorting switch comprising a plurality of pallet support members and means for moving pallet support members through a predetermined closed course. Pallets are slideably supported on the pallet support members in abutting relationship and have switch engaging members depending therefrom. The pallets have lower arcuate side portions that allow the pallets to remain in continuous sequential contact as the pallets pass through arcuate portions of the closed course. A switching mechanism is provided for selectively directing the pallets to one of several diverging article conveying paths. The article conveying paths are defined by sorting guide members, and return guide members are provided for realigning the pallets to a central location corresponding to the switching mechanism. Knife edge conveyors are provided to load and unload the article sorting switch without subjecting the articles to any substantial vertical drop.

Abstract: A system for controlling the movement of filled and sealed beverage containers so that they will move from a filling and sealing apparatus to a liquid level testing apparatus in a set period of elapsed time which is maintained substantially constant and wherein all of the filled and sealed containers are first deposited on a first half width portion of a moving endless conveyor and after that every other filled and sealed container is pushed to a second half width portion of the moving endless conveyor. The filled and sealed containers are then transferred to a first or second moving fill test conveyor moving at a linear velocity less than the linear velocity of the moving endless conveyor and which functions to feed the filled and sealed containers to a first or second liquid level testing apparatus and wherein the linear velocity of the first and second moving fill test conveyors controls the period of elapsed time.

Abstract: In a package sortation conveyor comprising an endless apron supported for movement on a frame defining a main line and one or more side outlets therefrom, and a plurality of pusher elements mounted for sliding movement on the apron from one side thereof to the other to push a package through one of the side outlets, each pusher element has a guide pin depending therefrom and an anti-friction bearing on the upper part of the guide pin for cooperation with a switching mechanism and a camming bar in such manner that when a pusher element is diverted from its rest position at one side of the apron, the bearing thereon will engage the camming bar during the balance of its travel across the apron. In addition, special guide members are provided for preventing any incompletely diverted pusher element from jamming against a stationary part of the conveyor and for preventing any pusher element from jamming against a package which has been held against forward movement on the apron.

Abstract: A poultry line divider has a rotatable wand constructed so as to engage and move a selected sequence of shackles to one side of a line divider guide while permitting the other shackles to pass unengaged onto the other side of the line divider guide.

Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying veneer sheets with spacings therebetween comprising a sheet supply conveyor for feeding a train of cut veneer sheets of a predetermined length in contact with one another, the cut sheet length measured in the direction of sheet feed; at least first and second conveyors arranged downstream of the supply conveyor to carry the cut sheets; a stick-and-carry conveyor spanning between the downstream end of the supply conveyor and the upstream end of the second conveyor, the circumferential length of the stick-and-carry conveyor being equal to an even number of times the specified length of the cut sheet, the stick-and-carry conveyor having nailing, or sticking, areas and non-nailing areas arranged alternately at the interval of the specified cut sheet length, the nailing area having a large number of nails embedded therein the stick-and-carry conveyor being driven so that the front of the nailing area will meet the front end of the cut sheet at a sticking operation start position; an

Abstract: A stream of shingled printed products coming off a press at high speed, with variable speed of conveyance and with variable shingle spacing, has alternate products divided into two streams conveyed at reduced speed. Thus two cyclically driven chains present alternating gripper links at a pickup station to grip and transport the alternate products along diverging paths for release on a corresponding pair of conveyor lines for the divided product streams. To conform with varying speeds and spacings, the gripper chain drive is synchronized to operate the grippers as each individual product arrives.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises two superimposed conveyors the adjacent runs whereof move at the same speed in the same direction. The conveyors are provided with transverse guides on which sliding elements are mounted which provide support for the articles, in connection with the bottom conveyor, and clamp the articles against the underlying supporting elements, in connection with the top conveyor, the held articles being caused to advance past switches operated in succession to divert the articles along guide sets leading to respective removal belts.

Abstract: Apparatus for arranging articles in groups includes a conveyor for moving a single row of articles in contacting relation with each other, a plurality of shuttle elements movable alongside the articles and at a velocity less than the velocity thereof and slidable in a direction transverse thereto, the shuttle elements being engageable respectively with a leading part of an article so as temporarily to control the velocity thereof, shuttle withdrawing cams engageable in sequence with the shuttles to impart transverse movement thereto in a direction away from the articles together with a stabilizing element engageable with the articles for preventing rotary movement thereof during shuttle withdrawal movement.