Abstract: An arrangement for gathering and transporting print products, deposited straddling on a conveying device, includes a first conveying device including a first double chain having first and second strands and a second conveying device including a second double chain having first and second strands. A transfer region is provided in which the print products are transferred from the first conveying device to the second conveying device. The first and second double chains overlap in the transfer region such that the print products are transported in the transfer region with the aid of one strand on the first double chain and one strand on the second double chain.

Abstract: A device for gathering signatures, positioned straddling, into printed products such as newspapers, magazines, and brochures includes a conveying arrangement that has a saddle-shaped gathering section, and at least one signature feeders. The at least one signature feeder is arranged along the gathering section and are respectively controlled via a motor with the same or changeable angle of rotation and are driven cycle-synchronously with the conveying arrangement. For this, the signature feeders are connected detachably to a machine frame that accommodates the conveying arrangement.

Abstract: Two folded and printed products (11, 12) are introduced into a pocket-like holding compartment (1) with respective ones of their side surfaces resting against each other and are moved in such position jointly along a processing section in a direction running transversely with respect to the folded edge. In the course of this movement, the printed products (11, 12) are displaced in opposite directions (H, I) relative to each other in the direction of their folded edge and toward opening elements (7, 8). The opening elements (7, 8) move between the two halves (11a, 11b; 12a, 12b) of the two printed products (11, 12) and have the effect that the two product halves (11a, 11b; 12a, 12b) are lifted off each other. Inserts are then inserted into the printed products (11, 12) opened simultaneously in this way. In a second embodiment, first and second clamping fingers (107, 111) act in conjunction with a pivotable separating element (113) to open the two printed products.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit which forms an image on a recording medium, a post-processing unit which performs a post-processing on the recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming unit, and a post-processing controller which controls the post-processing unit according to whether an image requested by a user or a test image is formed on the recording medium. An image forming method includes, in a case where the requested image and the test image are formed on plural recording media, controlling the post-processing according to whether the requested image or the test image is formed on the recording medium, and according to the control, performing the post-processing on the recording medium on which the requested image or the test image is formed.

Abstract: To optimize the effort involved when converting a gatherer stitcher which transports initially continuously transported brochures step by step into a stitching station and subsequently into an output station, sensors are assigned to machine components affected by geometrical parameters that are relevant to the process when there is a change of job order and to a reference component. The sensors emit signals defining the phase positions of the machine components, and a controller processing the signals coordinates the phase positions with at least one of the parameters in such a way that the brochures arrive in the output station in a center-oriented manner.

Abstract: A binding apparatus for printed sheets includes a carrying-in conveyor part; a reverse conveyor part contiguous to the carrying-in conveyor part; an accumulating part; and a binding part. A branch part and a holding part are provided at a junction of an upper conveyor and a lower conveyor of the reverse conveyor part so as to provide the functions of taking out non-defective printed sheets and defective printed sheets and eliminating a space at a junction of the upper conveyor and the lower conveyor, thereby simplifying the conveyor device.

Abstract: In order to produce final printed products (14) in the same compartment (12), a first product for insertion (22) is inserted into a first folded printed product (10), and a second product for insertion (28) is inserted into a second folded printed product (24). The printed products (10, 24) are displaced in the direction of the folds (16), and as a result each of the printed products (10, 24) has an edge section (26) projecting beyond the other printed product. This permits fault-free, simple access to each of the printed products (10, 24) by grippers (44, 46) respectively positioned adjacent the end regions of each of the compartments and which are configured to open the products for insertion (22, 28).

Abstract: A conveyance device for the pressing of glued spines of a book block for books, in which the book blocks, with their spines directed downward, pass through a pressing section that reduces the spine swell. The book blocks, gripped between working pieces of revolving traction elements, pass through the pressing section, which acts on the sidepieces of the book spine.

Abstract: A transporting mechanism includes a link chain and clamps which are attached to a chain link of the link chain and which are capable of gripping at least one printed product. At least two clamps are attached to each chain link of the link chain, wherein the clamps in the link chain are spaced apart from one another by equal spacings.

Abstract: A modular flexible media handling apparatus includes an input module (28) through which flexible media enters the apparatus, at least one main path module (28, 30, 32, 34) through which flexible media passes along a main path (24), at least one lookaside module (36, 38) through which flexible media selectively passes along a lookaside path, and an output module (34) in which flexible media from the lookaside path and main path are merged.

Abstract: A collating apparatus and method to merge different types of document sets into a single collated packet prior to a mail processing insertion operation. The collating device utilizes a synchronous conveyor pathway for conveying different types of document sets serially down the pathway and merging them into a single collated packet. The document sets are delivered downstream with a combination of pivotable and fixed position pusher members and are combined into a single collated packet in any desired order.

Abstract: In a bookbinding machine, an image forming apparatus, a prebinding apparatus and a bookbinding apparatus are coupled on line in this order. In the prebinding apparatus, a sheet aligning section, a slitting section which cuts off margins at both side portions of a sheet of paper, a cutting section which cuts off top and bottom margins, and a creasing section are arranged in this order. The prebinding apparatus is provided with a control section which sorts out supplied sheets of paper into those which need an SCC step and those which do not, and performs the SCC step only on the sheets of paper that need the SCC step.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program provides for making an image area correction in a printing system. Print data is provided in a logical page order corresponding to at least one signature for printing. At least one parameter of a recording medium on which the print data are printed is determined, this parameter being relevant to the position of the printing format on the recording medium, which is folded according to the signature. The position of the pages is then corrected according to this parameter prior to printing, in such a way that the print formats of successive pages of the finished signature are positioned accurately.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a publication including uniting a printed paper web with a printed film web to form a combined web, forming at least one signature sheet from the combined web, and folding the signature sheet to form a signature, wherein the signature comprises a plurality of pages of the publication with film material sandwiched therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling inserts for printed materials has been developed. The apparatus includes a printed material conveyor that includes a support post and a gripper. The conveyor receives and supports the printed material from below. After an insert has been placed inside the printed material, it is delivered to a stacker and jackets with insert errors are automatically returned to the conveyor.

Abstract: A gatherer stitcher having a gatherer chain configuration includes roof segments forming a ridge region and drivers having respective stop surfaces and being mounted so as to be adjustable between an operating position and a position pivotable away therefrom. An auxiliary driver is restricted to the ridge region and carried by a respective roof segment directly adjacent the stop surfaces. The auxiliary driver, in the operating position of the adjustable driver, forms a combined stop surface together with the adjustable driver.

Abstract: A sheet output apparatus includes a sheet set generating unit, an information obtaining unit, a decision unit, an output unit, and a control unit. The sheet set generating unit generates a set of sheets by stapling plural sheets. The information obtaining unit obtains image forming information with respect to each of the plural sheets constituting the set of sheets. The decision unit decides whether a pair of sheets including two sheets in which the images formed on the sheets face each other exists or not in the plural sheets. The output unit comes into contact with at least one of the uppermost sheet and the lowermost sheet in the set of sheets to apply a force to the sheet, and outputs the set of sheets in the output direction. The control unit controls the output unit to output the set of sheets.

Abstract: A saddle stitcher for producing personalized saddle stitched brochures includes a stitching station, at least two folded sheet feeders for the feeding of nonpersonalized folded sheets, an assembly chain, a drive system, and at least two card gluers arranged along the assembly chain which glue personalized printed matter onto the nonpersonalized folded sheets.

Abstract: A document assembly system with jam detection capability. The system including an accumulation chassis having a series of pusher fingers for pushing collations of documents. Above the chassis, document feeders release documents to the chassis to form the collations. A set of horizontal photo-sensors is positioned below the document feeder at a level substantially even with the tops of the pusher fingers on the chassis. The photo-sensors detect lead and trail edges of documents traveling in the flight path from the document feeder to the chassis. The sensors generate signals representing the lead and tail edges of documents breaking the line between the photo-sensors. A controller receives the signals from the photo-sensors and compares them to an expected profile calculated as a function the parameters of operation for the chassis and feeders. An error signal is generated when the compared signals are different from the expected profile by greater than a predetermined margin of error.

Abstract: A signature transport device includes a first conveyor for moving a plurality of folded signatures in a first direction and a second conveyor including a first blade having a first edge for lifting a first signature of the plurality of signatures from the first conveyor. The first edge is parallel to the first direction, and the blade moves in a second direction sloping upward at an acute angle with respect to the first direction. In addition, a method for conveying signatures is disclosed.

Abstract: The processing conveyer device (10) has a plurality of receiving elements (18) that are arranged one behind the other and are driven in a circulatory direction, said elements having a support element and a base element for supporting the printing products laterally and from below, in addition to a saddle-type bearing element for receiving folded printing products astride said element. Feed stations (28) are arranged along the circulatory track (12) of the receiving elements (18). A respective opening device, which can be activated and deactivated, is allocated to said feed stations, for selectively opening the folded printing products (24) that are to be fed by the receiving elements. The feed stations (28) can selectively introduce printing products (24) into the receiving elements (18) or can place folded printing products (24), which have been opened, astride the bearing element.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting, stitching and/or cutting printed products includes an endless collector chain and feeders arranged one behind the other and above the collector chain for placing the printed products on the collector chain, and a stitching device for stitching or stapling the printed products, as well as a delivery unit for removing the printed products at the conveying end of the collector chain and for supplying the printed products to further processing. The apparatus also includes a drive unit which includes at least one servo drive which is controlled by a drive connected to the collector chain through a signal line in a timed synchronous manner and which drives additional units of the apparatus.

Abstract: The process is based on printing, in an electronic printing machine, the various bodies of text of the pages with symmetrical distribution with respect to the center of symmetry of the sheet being printed and likewise symmetrically with respect to one or both axes of symmetry of the initial sheet which pass through the center of symmetry thereof and which are parallel with its outer edges, the extent of the body of text varying for each page in accordance with the dimensions provided therefor and the sheet receiving the print subsequently being reversed in order to print the bodies of text corresponding to the reverse faces of the printed sheets.

Abstract: An apparatus which can shingle a series of products and a method relating thereto, the apparatus, in one embodiment, having first upper and lower moving surfaces to receive a product, a second upper moving surface at an exit end of the first moving surfaces, the second upper surface being angled downwardly, a deflector to deflect the leading edge of the product moving along the second upper moving surface, and a second lower moving surface located below the deflector to receive a product. The device provides a positive control for the product and eliminates the use of delivery fan (fly) systems. Also provided are devices to reform various combinations of copies as used in the printing industry.

Abstract: In a transport mechanism of a sorting machine for large thin objects, objects to be transported (paper sheets such as postal matter) stored in transport boxes can be made collectable into smaller collection boxes than the transport boxes. The transport boxes storing and transporting the paper sheets given sorting information are attached to a free chain which is supported by the rail that is twisted and always drives, and when it approaches a spot where the rail is twisted, the free chain is also twisted following the rail. The transport boxes attached to the free chain are also tilted at the same time, and the paper sheets reach an end surfaces on the side at which the transport boxes are lowered and are positioned.

Abstract: A signature transport device has a first transport section for transporting a first signature having a first lead edge and a first trail edge, and for transporting a following second signature having a second lead edge and a second trail edge. The first transport section has a signature exit and defines a transport plane; and a second transport section transports the first and second signatures so that the second lead edge is offset from the transport plane and so that the second lead edge and the first trail edge are separated in a direction perpendicular to the transport plane.

Abstract: A cover sheet applicator for applying a cover sheet from a roll, for example, paper or plastic, to a sheet of material, for example, glass or screen printed adhesives. The applicator comprises a frame and a first conveyor for receiving a sheet of material to be covered. Cover material is drawn from the roll by drive rollers. A cutting mechanism cuts the cover material to a predetermined length to form the cover sheet. The cover sheet is received and retained on a vacuum conveyor which is inclined with respect to the first conveyor, for example, an endless belt. A control is provided to sequence the operation of the first conveyor, the cutting mechanism and the vacuum conveyor. When the lead edge of the cover sheet and the sheet of material are aligned, the vacuum is released and upon further advance of the sheet of material, the cover sheet is applied to the top of the sheet of material.

Abstract: A feeding module for use in an envelope inserting machine. The feeding module comprises a mounting support fixedly mounted on the chassis of the machine, and a sheet feeder releasably mounted on the mounting support, wherein the sheet feeder comprises a tray for supporting a stack of the sheets and a retrieving mechanism for retrieving one sheet at a time from the bottom of the stack. The retrieved sheet is guided through a curved channel to the moving belt of the inserting machine. The channel is formed by two curved panels, one of which can be lifted away from the other for jam clearance.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing flat objects, such as sheet-like printed products. The apparatus has a rail system which defines a closed path of travel, and a plurality of conveyor elements are supported by the rail system for free and independent movement along the path of travel. The conveyor elements in turn mount product carrier elements. A plurality of stations, including a product feed station, a product processing station, and a product output station, are disposed along the path of travel, and the stations each include a dedicated drive arrangement for the conveyor elements and thus the product carrier elements along the path of travel at a spacing and speed required by the associated station.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for gathering flat articles (5) into stacks (9) by conveying stacks in production successively along a gathering route (1) past feed stations. The stacks (9) are conveyed on stack supports (2) with supporting surfaces (7). Leading edges (5.1) of the articles (5) to be added to the stacks are held by holding elements (4) that move in a supply route (3) that traverses the gathering route (1) at the feed stations. Each article (5) is inserted between successive stacks (9) or stack supports (2), with the leading edge (5.1) being inserted first. The inserted article is released from its associated holding element (4) and then positioned on the upstream or downstream stack (9) or stack support (2) by the force of gravity and/or by its own inertia, and the holding element (4) is conveyed onwards in a downward direction.

Abstract: A printed paper web or any required number of such web in superposition are cut into sections at the folding station of a rotary printing press. Each web section has its midpart subsequently pushed into one of the jaw cavities in a jaw cylinder, therein to be engaged and folded by a fixed and a movable jaw. Both jaws are mounted to separate, independently movable parts of the jaw cylinder, to which is coupled a jaw spacing adjustment mechanism for moving the jaws toward and away from each other in order to vary the spacing therebetween in any operating phase of the movable jaw relative to the fixed jaw. In order to adjust the jaw spacing to the running speed of the press, as well as to the number of webs being processed jointly, a jaw spacing adjustment circuit is provided which puts out a signal indicative of a desired jaw spacing suiting both the press speed and the web thickness, for delivery to a stepper motor driving the jaw spacing adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for preparing mailpieces. A inserter system for assembling mailpieces in a mailing job is controlled in accordance with mailpiece records in a corresponding mailing control file. The inserter system scans control documents included in the mailpieces to identify corresponding mailpiece records. Initially the inserter system accesses the mailing control file to identify set-up parameter values for the current mailing job.

Abstract: A number of circulatory elements arranged one behind the other are driven in a direction of circulation and have a suction element and a supporting element in each case on the first side and on the second side. The circulatory elements receive a supplementary product at the pick-up location and transfer the same, in a first mode of operation, to the respectively preceding circulatory element. In a second mode of operation, no transfer takes place. This results in it being possible for the supplementary products received in the same manner to be brought into abutment optionally against the leading side or trailing side of the printed products and pressed on there.

Abstract: A lap separator system opens a sheet in a pocket traveling in a direction at a given speed, the pocket having forward and rearward walls pivotally connected to one another and, together, defining a sheet-receiving opening, and includes a moveable separator carrier, a separator connected to the carrier, the separator carrier conveying the separator in the transport direction along the pocket at a speed greater than the given speed, and the separator sequentially contacting the rearward wall, the sheet in the pocket, and then the forward wall and sequentially releasing the rearward wall, at least a portion of the sheet in the pocket, and then the forward wall. The system can be part of a sheet-collating machine having a conveyor, a sheet feeding device, and many pockets. A method for opening a sheet includes displacing the separator to sequentially contact and release the walls and sheet.

Abstract: An inserter (10) for synchronously feeding a preprinted portion (X1) of a pamphlet into a printing press (P) to be adhered to a complemental portion of the pamphlet in substantial registration to form the completed pamphlet is disclosed. The inserter (10) broadly includes a feeder assembly (12), an aligner assembly (14), and a drive assembly (16). The feeder assembly (12) moves a plurality (Xn) of sequential preprinted portions (X1, X2 . . . Xn,) of the pamphlets along a substantially horizontal support surface (42) and then feeds them, one at a time, into the aligner assembly (14). The aligner assembly (14) includes aligner pins (246,248), that are universally spaced independent of the dimension of the preprinted portions (Xn), that aligns each of the pamphlet portions into the desired alignment so that the aligner assembly (14) can introduce them one at a time into the printing press (P) in sufficient registration to allow the formation of the completed pamphlets.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing flat objects, such as sheet-like printed products. The apparatus has a rail system which defines a closed path of travel, and a plurality of conveyor elements are supported by the rail system for free and independent movement along the path of travel. The conveyor elements in turn mount product carrier elements. A plurality of stations, including a product feed station, a product processing station, and a product output station, are disposed along the path of travel, and the stations each include a dedicated drive arrangement for the conveyor elements and thus the product carrier elements along the path of travel at a spacing and speed required by the associated station.

Abstract: A mail inserter having an insertion station for inserting mailing material into an envelope. The mail inserter further comprises a sheet provider module for providing sheets of mailing material, an exit module for conveying the mailing material to the insertion station, and an intermediate module, which can be a sheet folder or a sheet transport disposed between the sheet provider module and the exit module. The sheet provider can be a cut sheet feeder or a burster for separating individual sheets from a continuous web. The sheet provider and the burster are mechanically interchangeable. The folder and the sheet transport are also mechanically interchangeable. The exit module can additionally has a trap stage to temporarily hold the mailing material until the insertion station is ready to receive the next mailing material, and a slitter to trim off an edge of the mailing material.

Abstract: A quarterfold folding device and method forms groupings of signatures in a signature product stream by delaying selected signatures during transport to a chopper mechanism, the chopper mechanism adapted to fold multiple signatures in a single chop, thereby increasing throughput of the quarterfold folding device and reducing the rate of operation of the chopper mechanism.

Abstract: A method for covering a book includes delivering a book into a pocket, delivering an inverted cover for the book into the pocket, the cover having a first side and a second side, the first side of the cover contacting a side of the book in the pocket, and reversing the second side of the cover so as to contact another side of the book. Also disclosed is a book covering device including a plurality of movable pockets for receiving a book and an inverted cover, each pocket having a support wall and a spine stop movable with respect to the support wall, and each pocket including a cover reversing device for reversing the inverted cover.

Abstract: A web press has cutting cylinders for cutting a web into signatures and a transfer cylinder for receiving the signatures. A pre-cylinder signature collector includes a diverter station for diverting the signatures received from the cutting cylinders. At least two tape paths having different lengths receive the signatures from the diverter station. At least one collection point collects the signatures from all of the tape paths on top of one another for passage to the transfer cylinder.

Abstract: A method of binding folded signature sections together into a book comprised of a signature comb element having teeth which are inserted through perforations in the fold of the signatures and the teeth having tabs which secure the signature comb in slots between two or more spine tapes. The spine tapes adjustably lock into the hinge of the covers by a tooth and pawl mechanism, further interlocking one or more signatures to the spine of the book and securely fasten together the signatures and book cover.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the timing between the releasing of documents from enclosure feeders and the arrival of pusher fingers fixedly attached to a conveyer belt in a gathering section of an inserting machine. As the conveyer belt begins to wear and stretch after being used for a long period of time, the timing between the releasing of documents and the arrival of pusher fingers may no longer be appropriate. By using two sensors placed, preferably, at the two ends of the gathering section to measure the timing of the arrival of the pusher fingers at the sensors, the stretch of the chain can be determined and the delay of the arrival of a pusher finger at each enclosure feeder can be calculated. Adjustment to the releasing timing at each enclosure feeder can be made accordingly.

Abstract: A method and device for producing printed products wherein first primary products are supplied, respectively, fold first to successive, uniformly-spaced pockets disposed transversely to a conveying direction at a beginning of a first segment of a production path formed by feeders. Subsequently, the first primary product in each pocket is grasped at a protruding gripping edge and opened for insertion of a partial product or enclosure. A further primary product is supplied, respectively, to the successive pockets on a further segment adjoining the first segment of the production path for producing a further printed product, including partial products or enclosures, in the successive pockets.

Abstract: A processing line for printed products 18 which comprises a number of component modules 10, 12, 14, 34, 36, 46 which are arranged directly one behind the other in the direction of processing V. The printed products are supplied to the line at sequential locations so that the products are processing and/or combined to form intermediate or end products which are delivered to a removal location. The printed products are conveyed along the processing line by a conveyor 20, 20′. The component modules can be separated from one another, and the conveyor is composed of conveying elements 98 which can be separated when the component modules are separated such that at least one conveying element remains in each of the component modules.

Abstract: A binding line having increased capacity and increased flexibility to deliver customized or personalized signatures to the gathering conveyor in order to customize or personalizes the content of a book to appeal to targeted demographic groups or individuals. The binding line includes a gathering conveyor, a plurality of packer boxes positioned along the gathering conveyor, each of the packer boxes being adapted to deliver a distinct signature to the conveyor, and a feeder system operatively associated with at least one of the packer boxes. The feeder system includes a feed conveyor and a plurality of feeder boxes, each of the feeder boxes being adapted to deliver a selected signature to the associated packer box. A primary controller is provided for activating a selected set of the packer boxes, thereby delivering a set of signatures to the gathering conveyor.

Abstract: A post-processing mechanism for a printer or the like includes a curved paper path. Post-processing operations such as stapling or other binding are performed either within the curved paper path or during the withdrawal of a document from the curved paper path. The curved paper path permits such post-processing operations to be performed within a limited space, while reducing the complexity of the post-processing mechanism and reducing the complexity of operations performed by the post-processing mechanism.

Abstract: In order to be able to eliminate a mechanical caliper, a bindery line has a plurality of signature feeders or packer boxes each of which is operable to feed a signature therefrom. A collating conveyor passes by each of the signature feeders or packer boxes along a signature conveying path so as to be operable to receive signatures from the signature feeders or packer boxes in collated form for forming a book. A book finishing section is downstream of the signature feeders or packer boxes for forming the book from the signatures received in collated order after the collating conveyor has passed by each of the signature feeders or packer boxes in travel along the signature conveying path. With this arrangement, the invention utilizes detectors for detecting a missing signature, an incorrect signature, a double signature, a conveyor jam, a hanging book, and a long book.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding flat products from a pile of flat products to a receiving location especially on a conveyor includes a plurality of delivering units for extracting a single flat product from the pile. Each of the delivering units has a first driven belt and is engageable with a pile. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a diverting element for diverting the flat products in a predetermined direction. A method of operating the apparatus is also provided.