Abstract: An Escort-Based Sorting (EBS) mail sorting and distribution center system configured and controlled for optimum mail flow and dispatch, minimal sorting center space usage, and elimination of peripheral storage and retrieval equipment. A plurality of input stations each include a mechanism for loading mailpieces and obtaining mailpiece data. A plurality of sorting banks each having a plurality of sorting modules, each sorting module adapted for the face-to-face conveyance of mailpieces for sorting by transferring select mailpieces from a first to a second conveyance path. The sorting modules define at least one row and a plurality tiers operatively coupled by a plurality of elevators. The elevators move mailpieces to and from tiers of the respective sorting bank. A system controller, operatively coupled to the input stations, sorting banks, and elevators, creates an association between the mailpiece information and the escort device, and sorts and dispatches mailpieces according to a dispatch schedule.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a stacking device including a conveyor belt configured to move one or more items towards a receiving storage hopper configured to receive the one or more items from the conveyor belt. The one or more items may form a stack of items in the receiving storage hopper. The stacking device may further include a sensing device configured to determine a level of the stack of items in the receiving storage hopper. The stacking device may be configured to adjust a height of the conveyor belt relative to the storage hopper based on the level of the stack of items in the receiving storage hopper.

Abstract: A postal item collating system is disclosed. The system includes a postal item feeding path (3), a plurality of grippers (8) receptive of a postal item (2) from the feeding path (3), and a drive (11) for driving the plurality of grippers (8) along a circulation path (10). A collector (12) is disposed downstream from the postal item feeding path (3) and removes a received postal item (2) from a gripper (8) as it proceeds past the stationary collector (12). A controller (21) in signal communication with the drive (11) is responsive to a property signal (31, 34) based upon a property of the received postal item (2) to adjust a velocity of the string of grippers (8).

Abstract: An inserter device for a document printer and inserter system includes a first container sensor. A belt mechanism includes a flexible delivery belt receiving a printed document from a document printer. A motor rotates the delivery belt in response to an actuation signal from the first container sensor indicating the presence of a container at a document loading position proximate the delivery belt. A support shaft is rotatably connected to a support frame. The belt mechanism is fixed to the support shaft. The support shaft is rotated to achieve a desired belt drive angle and fixed to the support frame to maintain the belt drive angle. A rigid document diverter proximate the delivery belt deflects a document discharged from the delivery belt at the belt drive angle into the container. First and second belt tensioning assemblies are individually positioned in either a belt mechanism drive box or idler box.

Abstract: A mailpiece inserter includes a feed conveyor adapted to feed a shingled stack of mailpiece envelopes along a feed path to an insert module and a chassis module adapted to produce content material for insertion into the mailpiece envelopes processed by the insert module. An envelope position detector is operative to sense a discontinuity in the shingled stack and issues a first position signal indicative thereof, and an input conveyor module is adapted to convey mailpiece envelopes into shingled engagement with an aft end of the shingled stack of mailpiece envelopes on the feed conveyor. The input conveyor module has an input end proximal to a single workstation of the chassis module which enables an operator to (i) feed mailpiece envelopes to the input module and (ii) supply content material to the chassis module.

Abstract: A sheet stacking device has a discharging portion, a holding portion that holds a downstream end portion of the sheet, a stacking portion and a control portion that controls the discharging portion and the holding portion. The control portion controls at least one of the discharging portion and a holding portion so that the movement velocity of the holding portion is higher than the sheet discharge velocity of the discharging portion, and separates the sheet from the holding portion by using a velocity difference between the movement velocity and the sheet discharge velocity.

Abstract: A machine for processing printed sheets includes a sheet delivery having a first conveying device for leading sheet ends, a second conveying device for trailing sheet ends, and a setting device for adjusting one of the two conveying devices relative to the other in a manner dependent on sheet format. The setting device includes a variable ratio gear unit for superimposing two movements.

Abstract: A method for feeding a shingled stack of sheet material to a downstream processing device includes the step of identifying a discontinuity in the shingled stack of sheet material wherein the discontinuity has a length dimension from an aft end of a downstream portion of the shingled sheet material to a forward end of an upstream portion of the shingled sheet material. In a next step, the motion of first and second serially arranged conveyors are controlled such that the length dimension of the discontinuity is substantially equal to a prescribed gap of known length dimension. The first conveyor supports the upstream portion of the shingled sheet material and the second conveyor supports the downstream portion of the shingled sheet material. The deck of the first is advanced over the deck of the second conveyor toward the aft end of the downstream portion by the length dimension of the prescribed gap.

Abstract: A rotary die cut stacking system for use with a rotary die cutter having a rotary die configured to output die-cut sheets of material, the system including a stacker and a layboy for carrying die-cut sheets of material in a first direction from the die cutter to the stacker, wherein, the layboy has upper arms and lower arms defining a nip region therebetween for receiving the die-cut sheets, at least some of the upper arms and at least some of the lower arms being moveable transversely to the first direction, the layboy including at least one optical beam generator configured to direct an optical beam against a portion of the rotary die cutter so that a position of the arms relative to the rotary die can be determined based on the location of the optical beam on the portion of the rotary die cutter.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting the entrance of a document into a sheet feeder. The document sensor is attached to the sheet feeder. The document sensor comprises a printed circuit board, a key peg and a rocking lever. The printed circuit board is attached to the sheet feeder. The printed circuit board has a first lead wire and a second lead wire detached form each other. The key peg is also attached to the sheet feeder pinning the rocking lever so that the rocking lever is free to rotate relative to the key peg. A conductive member is attached to the rocking lever so that rotating the rocking lever is able to establish an electrical connection between the first lead wire and the second lead wire through the conductive member.

Abstract: An apparatus for dropping paper sheets at a predetermined paper-stack position when the paper sheets are ejected from a facsimile device includes a conveyor belt which carries the paper sheets, a housing, containing the conveyer belt, which is detachably installed on the facsimile device where the paper sheets are ejected from the facsimile device such that the conveyor belt extends from a paper outlet of the facsimile device to the predetermined paper-stack position, and a driving motor, driving the conveyor belt to carry the paper sheets, which starts operating about a time when the facsimile device starts a paper-ejection operation thereof and stops operating about a time when the facsimile device stops the paper-ejection operation thereof.

Abstract: A catch tray attachment for a sheet feeding machine allows rapid accumulation and manual removal of a predetermined count of sheet articles from the catch tray. The catch tray itself is adapted for mounting to the frame of the sheet feeding machine so as to position it in the discharge path of sheet articles exiting the sheet feeder. Upon removal of an accumulation of sheet articles from the catch tray, a signal is sent back to the sheet feeder to initiate further machine cycles whereby a predetermined count of sheet articles are again deposited in the catch tray.

Abstract: An apparatus for dropping paper sheets at a predetermined paper-stack position when the paper sheets are ejected from a facsimile device includes a conveyor belt which carries the paper sheets, a housing, containing the conveyer belt, which is detachably installed on the facsimile device where the paper sheets are ejected from the facsimile device such that the conveyor belt extends from a paper outlet of the facsimile device to the predetermined paper-stack position, and a driving motor, driving the conveyor belt to carry the paper sheets, which starts operating about a time when the facsimile device starts a paper-ejection operation thereof and stops operating about a time when the facsimile device stops the paper-ejection operation thereof.

Abstract: A document separating mechanism for an automatic document feeder for separating and feeding the bottommost document of documents laid on document bearing means. A separating roller mechanism has a plurality of rollers provided at spaced locations in an axial direction, and a separating belt mechanism is disposed opposite and above the separating roller mechanism. The separating belt mechanism is composed of a driving roller and a driven roller disposed in parallel at spaced locations, a wide separating belt looped over the driving roller and the driven roller and pressed against the separating roller, and a tension imparting mechanism for exerting tension on the separating belt.

Abstract: A film transport apparatus (3) for sheet film is provided on the rear side of a cassette loading/unloading unit and a processing unit (2) positioned next to the latter. Film transport apparatus (3) comprises a transport table which can be moved back and forth on a horizontal plane and which transports a sheet film ejected through output opening (1b) of said loading/unloading unit into an input opening (2b) of processing unit (2). Transport table (8) is guided in vertical direction in such a manner (14) that its end (17, 20) facing input and output openings (1b; 2b), respectively, can be raised and lowered into the transport plane of said input and output openings (1b; 2b). A guideway (14) controlling the vertical movement of said transport table can be adjusted selectively into different positions of inclination and/or height in order to be able to adapt the transport plane of transport table (8) to vertical height differences between output opening (1b) and input opening (2b).

Abstract: Postal items are assembled using a system with delivery stations and a folding station. Documents are delivered by the delivery stations. The documents are gathered into a stack having on one side substantially aligned document edges. The stack is supplied to the folding station in a direction transverse to these edges. According to the invention the documents, after being delivered, are displaced relative to each other in an area downstream of the delivery stations and upstream of the folding station until these document edges are substantially aligned on one side of the documents. By virtue of the invention, it is possible, inter alia, to use delivery stations and transport means of simple construction. There is also proposed a system with an aligning station for carrying out the method according to the invention.

Abstract: A passbook transport and handling apparatus (10) for transporting a passbook between a customer using an automated banking machine and a printer (12) located inside the banking machine includes first belt flights (32) movable on first pulleys (22). The transport further includes second belt flights (34) movable on second pulleys (28). The second belt flights are disposed traversely intermediate of the first belt flights so that a passbook carried therein between is engaged firmly but with limited slippage. The passbook is guided through the transport by a first fixed edge guide (44). A second edge guide (46) is mounted on a spring (48) so as to bias the passbook into alignment as it passes through the transport. A gate member (72) is movable between positions blocking or admitting a passbook to the transport. Movement of the gate member as well as the belt flights is under control of a processor.

Abstract: A transferring device for feeding a document to a predetermined position and further transferring the document from the predetermined position and an ejecting device for ejecting the transferred document are formed in a simple structure to have the same transfer speeds, so that the document is prevented from being damaged and, further, the ejecting speed can be controlled at will.

Abstract: Apparatus for trimming small booklet-like products transported by bands (16) between a position serving for front trimming and a position serving for foot and head trimming. The bands (16) include a pair of transport bands (18,20) guided about a respective main deflecting roll (24) at their ends facing an insertion region (22). A synchronously-drivable auxiliarytransport band (26) extends beyond the main transport bands (18,20) toward the insertion region (22) and is guided about an auxiliary deflection roll (28) at its end facing the insertion region (22). The diameter (d) of the auxiliary roll (28) is less than 1/3 the diameter (D) of the main deflection roll (24).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for buffering transport of freshly inked documents. The apparatus has a plurality of opposite, parallel, threaded conical screw conveyers. Each pitch of the screw conveyer creates a drying station for an inked document. As inked documents travel upon the threads of the screw conveyers, the conical shape of the conveyers maintain the document in a substantially central position. A lower deck is provided for receiving inked documents. The buffer apparatus has a pusher mechanism to control document movement from the buffer to a downstream document handler, such as an envelope flapper.

Abstract: With a sheet stacker to stack sheets cut by a sheet cutter into stacking station, sheets cut by a sheet cutter are transferred by a conveyor with a fixed sheet interval, a clamping device clamps a base position near the tail end of the sheet during transfer of the sheet, and the sheet transfer speed is reduced to an optimum speed needed for stacking the sheet into stacking station orderly. The clamping device has a rotating device having free rolls at its end and a slowdown roll, and clamps the sheet once during each revolution of the rotating device, by contact of the free rolls with the slowdown rolls.

Abstract: A cash dispensing unit includes first and second cooperating endless belts (72, 74) for feeding a stack (76) of the currency notes to an exit port (54). End portions of the first and second belts (72, 74) respectively pass around first and second pulleys (52, 66), the first pulleys (52) having a fixed axis of rotation The second pulleys pivotally (66) are rotatably mounted on one end of pivotally mounted arms (56), and third pulleys (64) are rotatably mounted on the opposite ends of the arms (56), the third pulleys (64) being in engagement with part of the second endless belts (74) which are in cooperative engagement with the first belt (72). The first and second belts (72, 74) are resiliently stretchable and tensioned whereby the first and second pulleys (52, 66) are urged together so that when the stack (76) is positioned at the exit port (54), it is resiliently gripped between the first and second belts (72, 74).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating feeding and sorting stacked products utilizes a computer controlled conveyor transport path. The transport path comprises infeed, separating and output sections. The infeed section includes an infeed conveyor and feed roller to regulate downstream movement into the separating section. The separating section includes a plurality of individually and selectively controlled friction feeder rolls arranged on a laterally tilted incline plane. The method and apparatus includes sensors along the separating section for determining position and relative movement of products. Through computer control, individual feeder rolls or sets of feeder rolls on the inclined plane are selectively energized to separate underlying products from stacked overlying or overlapping products. The foregoing process is repeated until all products in a stack have been separated into individual units.

Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying generally flat documents on-edge includes a primary conveyor belt defining a primary conveyor path, and at least one secondary conveyor belt defining a diverter station and having a first reach disposed in juxtaposed relation to a reach of the primary conveyor belt and a second reach inclined to the primary conveyor belt so as to establish an open span along the primary conveyor belt immediately downstream from the juxtaposed belt reaches. A document diverter mechanism includes pairs of guide arms selectively movable between first positions operative to guide a document along the open span of the primary conveyor belt after exiting the juxtaposed belt reaches, and second positions operative to divert a document from the primary conveyor path and guide the diverted document along the inclined reach of the secondary conveyor belt to a stacking station. A kicker arm assembly is operative to orient diverted documents at the stacker station for sweeping into a container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering cards or like paper stock fed singly from a stack of the cards to a demand location for dispensing in sequence, in which each card fed from the stack is advanced through a plurality of stages of a conveyor, each stage being independently operable, each stage and all preceding stages and the stack feeder being actuable when no card is present at that stage, the leading stage being also operable to deliver a card on demand, the cards being feed at a higher rate than the dispensing rate.

Abstract: The veneer strip charging apparatus comprises a belt conveyor with a plurality of conveyor belts evenly distributed over the width of the apparatus. The belt conveyors transport the veneer strip placed thereon only by means of static friction. Furthermore, there are provided a plurality of spacer members circulating in endless closed guiding tracks. The spacer members engage between the individual veneer strips along the conveying path besides the conveyor belts and are moved along the feeding path by the veneer strips. These spacer members together with their guiding tracks are located below the conveyance level. By this measure, an unhindered view is ensured to the veneer strip contained in the apparatus. Furthermore, even thin veneer strips can be processed without a risk of damage thereof, and the apparatus is much simpler in design.

Abstract: A belt conveyor (10) leads past two branch-off points (12,12') arranged behind one another, viewed in a conveying direction (F). Removal conveyors (14, 14'), whose conveying-away direction (W) runs at an angle to the conveying direction (F), lead away from the branch-off points (12, 12'). The printing products (18) are arranged on the belt conveyor (10) in an imbricated formation (S) in which each printing product (18) lies on the preceding one. In addition, the edges (20 and 26) of the printing products (18) run at an angle to the conveying direction (F), the leading folded edges (20) being oriented perpendicular to the conveying-away direction (W). The printing products (18) fed to the branch-off point (12, 12') may be selectively conveyed past the relevant branch-off point (12, 12') without any change in their position with respect to the conveying direction (F) or deflected in a branch-off direction (A).

Abstract: A method and personal banking machine is described by which two items such as cash and statement can be issued simultaneously through one and the same gate. The optimum point in time is determined and adaptively controlled by which the front edge of statement touches the bundle of bank notes during issuing movement of the bank notes. Then both, bank notes and statement, are moved together to their respective end positions. The method and the machine starts the statement transport after a certain monitored delay time (DELTA-STATEMENT). By calculating out of the time difference between the point in time at which the bank notes reach the end position and the statement reaches its end position, a new time delay (DELTA-STATEMENT) is calculated for the next combined cash and statement issue operation. The method provides for the simultaneous issuance of bank notes and a statement through a common exit gate.

Abstract: An automatic original conveying apparatus in which originals loaded on an original stacking unit are conveyed to a predetermined position one by one. Abnormal stacking of the original on the original stacking unit is detected, and continuation of operation is prohibited in response to the detection of such abnormal stacking of the originals.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing defective knocked down carton blanks, from a carton erecting machine. In one embodiment opposed sets of tractors for clamping the selected unit and driving it from the conveyor line with moving tractive belts. A sensing device detects carton blanks to be ejected by determining if they can be erected by the machine. Non-conforming blanks are returned to an unerected condition and a control device activated by the sensing device controls activation of the ejecting mechanism to quickly and automatically eject the defective carton blank.

Abstract: A belt and pulley conveyor device for flat objects comprises a substantially linear input conveyor and a substantially linear output conveyor orthogonal to the input conveyor. The input of the output conveyor is substantially contiguous with the output of the input conveyor. A chute is adapted to link the input and output conveyors. It has an object input/output and is adapted to pivot between an idle position in which it extends the output of the input conveyor and a transfer position in which it extends the input of the output conveyor. A control device is adapted to move the chute between the idle and transfer positions.

Abstract: A feeding mechanism for stacking and moving sheets of paper and the like in which sheets are moved to a stacking area where they are held stationary and accumulate in a stack. The stack is released and moved away from the stacking area after a predetermined number of sheets have accumulated in said stack. The feeding mechanism includes upper and lower transport belts transversely offset from each other which are in different vertically adjacent planes to cause the belts to grasp and move the sheets. The stacking area is located between a sheet recording mechanism to record the number of sheets passing thereby and a stop mechanism to prevent forward movement of the stack. The sheet recording mechanism comprises a deflecting unit and the stop mechanism comprises a rotatable stop wheel.

Abstract: Device for monitoring imbricated sheets stream fed to a printing machine, including a scanning roller rotatably mounted on a carrier above a base of imbricatedly arranged sheets, the carrier being adjustable by a servomotor so that the scanning roller rotates only when a given number of sheets are arranged on top of one another, a sensor cooperatively associated with the scanning roller, and an intermediate roller movable transversely with respect to its axis and substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the sheets, the intermediate roller being disposed between the scanning roller and the base, comprising a device for measuring the distance of at least one of the scanning roller and the intermediate roller to the base of the overlapped sheets, a control unit coupled with the sensor, the servomotor and the measuring device and a device for producing a signal characteristic of an angle of rotation of the printing machine, the signal being fed to the control unit, the control unit having a device for monito

Abstract: Sheet material 10 is advanced from a reel 11, cut by cutter 14 and then each segment is moved parallel to its cut edges through sewing machines 22, 23 so as to sew the hems of the work product. The finished product is advanced rapidly in its direction of movement to transfer roll 85, one end 18 of the work product is pulled over a conveyor while the trailing end is urged against the high speed transfer roll 85 which rapidly pulls the trailing portion 19 of the work product out of the way of the next oncoming work product and directs the trailing portion of the work product downwardly to the near side of the conveyor. Each bundle 28 of work products is advanced out of the way so as to make room for accumulating a subsequent bundle on the conveyor.

Abstract: A method of uniting at least two streams of shingled products, particularly folded paper products, in which the individual products of the two product streams and/or the united product stream are drawn apart on at least one partial section inter alia by means of a clock generator which consists of an endless belt rotating at an elevated speed and an intermittently operating pressing-on device synchronized with the conveying device.

Abstract: A sheet sorter which generates a signal for enabling image formation before the sheet sorter becomes ready for sheet handling, thereby reducing the time required for the first image recording.

Abstract: A sheet stacker for a corrugation machine having a cutter to widthwisely cut off a continuously manufactured corrugated cardboard web into corrugated cardboard sheets, and then transfer, stack and eject the sheets.

Abstract: An original feeding apparatus for single or both side original copy has belts and rollers to carry an original to an exposure position a glass platen, motors for driving the belts and rollers, an electromagnetic brake and a drive control circuit to apply electromagnetic and electric brake forces on the motors, and a .mu.-COM to control the operation of the apparatus. The original can be stopped at the exposure position with high position, and both side original copy can be automatically performed without requiring the user to rearrange the originals after the copy operation.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus of a shiftable bin type for use in a copying apparatus or the like, which is arranged to be capable of readily and positively removing sorted copy paper sheets from respective bins.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a sheet-like article such as a wafer between a first horizontal passage defining a first plane and a second horizontal passage defining a second plane at a different level from said first plane comprising a carriage vertically movable between said first and second planes for transferring said sheet-like article between said first and second horizontal passages.

Abstract: A loader for box-type feeders of packaging machines, bookbinding machines and the like, in which the products are loaded into a feed channel with an inclined base formed by a conveyor belt, to be brought into contact with a counteracting plate. Sucker arms cyclically withdraw one product at a time and transfer it to wheels provided with grippers which insert the product between pairs of belts by means of which the product is transferred until it discharges into the feeder box. Feeler elements cyclically determine the thrust of the products in the feed channel and enable the conveyor belt to advance through one step when the thrust is smaller than a predetermined value, whereas they prevent said advancement when the thrust is greater than said value.

Abstract: A sheet material accumulating device includes a sheet transporting section which is arranged to receiver sheets from a sheet feeding station at a feeding speed and to transport the received sheets to a slanted guide plate of an accumulating section, where the sheet transporting section releases the sheets to thereby accumulate the sheets on the guide plate. The transport speed and direction of the transporting section is controlled so that the sheet reaches the guide plate at a desired position and speed and is released from the transporting section by moving the sheet transporting section away from the guide plate, toward the sheet feeding station.

Abstract: A cross cutter subdivides a continuous paper web into a file of discrete randomly distributed satisfactory and unsatisfactory sheets which are advanced by a first transporting unit at an elevated first speed into the variable-width clearance between two superimposed conveyors of a second transporting unit which are driven at a lower second speed so that the sheets which enter the clearance are converted into a scalloped stream. Unsatisfactory sheets are removed from the first transporting unit and the width of the clearance is reduced in response to segregation of an unsatisfactory sheet or two or more successive unsatisfactory sheets to prevent the next-following satisfactory sheet from advancing through the clearance without deceleration by the two conveyors.

Abstract: For removing printed products out of their composite product formation or arrangement the grippers of a conveyor device which grippingly retain such printed products are opened by means of a release device. Viewed in the product conveying direction, the printed products are bent in a substantially saddle-shaped fashion forwardly of the release device, so that these folded or bent printed products are stiffened and, following the release thereof, they can drop downwardly along a substantially straight fall path into a stacking chute. For appropriately kinking or bending the printed products there is provided a saddle-shaped support member at which come to bear the printed products at the region of their trailing edges, such printed products being grippingly retained at their leading edges by the grippers approximately at the central region thereof.

Abstract: Two stop or impact members which are situated opposite one another with respect to grippers of a conveyor device are used for detaching or removing the printed products out of their product formation. In their effective position these stop members project into the conveying path of the printed products. The printed products released by the grippers impact against the stop members and under the action of their own weight drop downwards. Viewed in the conveying direction the printed products are folded or bent into a substantially saddle-like configuration forwardly of the stop members, resulting in stiffening of the thus folded printed products, and after they impact against the stop members they can fall downwardly along a straight path.

Abstract: A mechanism for stacking and accumulating a plurality of stacks of predetermined numbers of flat flexible articles, such as pillowcases and like products, sequentially received therein, such as from a machine fabricating such articles.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling the speed of the conveyor on which a stack of sheets is being collected. A first conveyor moves a stream of sheets into a stacker and onto a second conveyor which moves the stack away from the incoming stream. The stream is moved around a drum which forms a part of the first conveyor and a second conveyor receives the stack and moves at a speed which accommodates the growth of the stack. A sensor detects the thickness of the stream of sheets, and another sensor detects the speed of the first conveyor, and the two sensings are transmitted to the drive for the second conveyor so that the second conveyor is moved at an automatic and appropriate speed to accommodate the incoming stream of sheets.

Abstract: The size of the gap between the leading and trailing portions of a severed web is monitored with respect to an upper limit. The severed web is cut into box blanks which are transported on a stacker conveyor in shingled relation. The speed of the severed web through the corrugator is continuously controlled to prevent the gap from exceeding the limit when the gap reaches the stacker conveyor. Alternatively, the stacker conveyor is temporarily stopped until the size of the gap falls below the limit, and the stacker conveyor is re-started before the gap can close. In either case, the gap control prevents bumping of consecutive box blanks on the stacker conveyor following a change-over of production runs while insuring that the first blank of the new production run shingles on the last blank of the old production run with sufficient tail to insure retention of the first blank by stacker conveyor suction cups or tail grabbers.

Abstract: A first stream of non-overlapping spaced-apart sheets which move at a high speed is converted into a second stream of partially overlapping sheets by braking successive sheets of the first stream and deflecting the trailing portions of braked sheets laterally to enable the oncoming foremost sheets of the first stream to catch up with and partly overlap the preceding sheets. When the first stream exhibits a gap as a result of the absence of one or more sheets, or independently of the presence or absence of gaps, the deflection of the braked sheet is repeated at a location which is nearer to the braking station to thus insure that the trailing portion of the braked sheet preceding a gap is deflected laterally immediately before the sheet which follows the gap catches up therewith. The deflection of trailing portions which precede gaps in the first stream is effected by suction.

Abstract: A method of forming a packet of signatures is proposed, comprising a known step of depositing onto the feeding belt of the stacker signatures from the folding machine, and which includes a transport step of the groups of overlapping signatures to a stacking station, a step during which the presence or absence of signatures is detected upstream of the stacking station, with the issuing of a control signal active on detent means for the stacking, and a stacking step with a following step of removal of said detent means and a step of removal of the formed stack. It is, preferably, also included a step of detecting the presence or absence of signatures downstream of the stacking station, with the issuing of a corresponding control signal active on the stacking detent means.