Abstract: A gripping device for gripping a printed product including a first gripper arm having a first gripper pad on one end pivotable about a first pivot, a second gripper arm having a second gripper pad on one end pivotable about a second pivot, and an actuator rotating the first and second gripper arms about the first and second pivots respectfully to move both the first and second gripper pads downwardly to grip the printed product. A method is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of conveying flat, flexible products, in particular printed products, and to an apparatus for implementing the method. According to the invention, the products are conveyed by means of a conveying device which comprises grippers which are moved along a movement path, grip at least one product in the region of one edge, can be controlled individually to open and close and have at least two gripper jaws, to a transfer region. There, they are deposited, at least partly overlapping one another, on a conveyor belt which is arranged substantially horizontally, runs in the conveying direction and belongs to a belt conveyor, and are conveyed away by the latter. In the transfer region, the movement path is curved and approaches the conveyor belt in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A device for transferring print products comprises a circulating conveying element that includes clamps. A conveyor moves approximately in the same direction and synchronously below the conveying element, which includes grippers. A guide arrangement is provided in a transfer segment where the print products are transferred from the circulating conveying element to the conveyor. The guide arrangement includes spiral rotors having spiral sections respectively extending from opposite sides into spaces between the print products and which are effective in the conveying direction to stably position the print products. Activation devices operatively are arranged to open the clamps and close the grippers to effect the transfer of the print products from one of the clamps on the circulating conveying element to one of the grippers on the conveyor.

Abstract: A sheet-processing machine contains at least one processing station in the form of a printing unit, and a delivery with an endless conveyor and after-grippers that are guided by a mechanism connected to a drive. The after-grippers take over the processed sheets from the endless conveyor and release them over a stack. The sheet-processing machine provides for it to be possible for the mechanism to be set to positions that are correlated with different formats of the processed sheets, and for the drive that actuates the mechanism to keep the mechanism at one and the same phase angle with respect to the printing unit in each of the positions. Therefore, even in the event of different formats of the processed sheets, user-friendly placing of the stack is possible.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying sheets from a printing machine to a stack has highly rigid gripper bars that can be produced with relatively little expense, and the gripper assembly permits great flexibility in the use of the apparatus. The apparatus has at least one gripper bar carrying one or more grippers which, during the conveyance, holds a sheet at its edge between a gripper finger and a gripper pad. Endless chains move the gripper bar on a path between a cylinder belonging to the machine and the stack. An actuating mechanism opens and closes the gripper as a sheet is picked up from the cylinder and as it is allowed to fall onto the stack. In the opened state, the gripper finger is located below a path described by the upper edge of the gripper pad.

Abstract: A sheet-processing machine, such as a rotary press, has normally closed grippers that circulate during operation. The grippers transport the sheets along a conveying section and guide the sheets at their leading and trailing edges. The conveying section is assigned a sheet decurler and a sheet guide device that follows the latter in the conveying direction. The conveying section further has a gripper opener assigned thereto for opening the trailing edge grippers carrying the trailing edges of the sheets in order to decurl the sheets. After the sheets have traversed the decurler and decurling has been carried out, the trailing edges are once more grasped with the trailing edge grippers for renewed positive guidance.

Abstract: In a device for processing printed products supplied to a stacking device, the printed products are picked up at a delivery of a printing machine or a printed product processing machine by a transport device and are transported in a suspended position on a transport path to a transfer device upstream of a stacking device. The stacking device is a unit detachable from the transfer device and connectable alternatingly to the transfer device connected so as to effect conveying of the printed products to the printing machine or the printed product processing machine.

Abstract: A device that is usable for delivering printed products includes two bucket or paddle wheels that can rotate about two different axes of rotation. Each bucket or paddle wheel includes a plurality of scoop-type elements that can receive printed products from a first or a second product flow. A gripper chain is guided around the two different axes of rotation. Grippers are arranged on the gripper chain and can grip and printed products received in the scoop-type element to thereby remove the product from the scoop. At least one device that will open the grippers, for release of the printed products held by the grippers, is arranged along the path of travel of the gripper chain.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of conveying flat, flexible products, in particular printed products, in which the products are conveyed continuously by means of a conveying device in an overlapping formation to a transfer region and are picked up there by an outward conveyor. The outward conveyor comprises grippers which are moved along a movement path, can be controlled individually to open and close and have at least two gripper jaws, whose alignment relative to the movement path can be varied. According to the invention, the grippers are moved in such a way that the gripper jaw facing the conveying device engages in the manner of a shovel underneath the trailing edge of at least one product resting partly on the trailing product in the transfer region, without said product having previously been raised off the trailing product, and then raises said product. The products, before or after being engaged underneath, are braked relative to trailing products and/or fixed in their position.

Abstract: A gripper system for a machine that processes printing material sheets has a gripper with a first clamping surface and a gripper pad, for cooperating with the gripper, with a second clamping surface. One of the two clamping surfaces is formed with a surface relief. The clamping surface which has the surface relief is placed in such a way that, when a narrow printing material sheet is gripped, the clamping surface is covered by the sheet only within a subregion of the clamping surface and, when it grips a broad printing material sheet, it is covered by the latter beyond the subregion. The surface relief is structured differently within the subregion than outside the subregion, in that it is provided within the subregion with an antideformation structure which protects the narrow printing material sheet from excessive clamping deformation.

Abstract: The conveyor system is disclosed as appended to a web-fed printing press, for transporting the completed signatures from a delivery fan to a stacking station. Included is a first conveyor having a pair of endless chains each having a series of first grippers in transverse alignment with their counterparts on the other endless chain. Each transversely aligned pair of first grippers conjointly grips, in a loading position immediately downstream of the delivery fan, a signature at two spaced points on one edge thereof and releases the same in a transfer position intermediate the delivery and stacking station. A second conveyor has but one endless chain with a series of second grippers mounted thereto. Each second gripper grips, in the transfer position, the signature at a point on the edge thereof intermediate the two spaced points where the signature has been gripped by one pair of first grippers on the first conveyor, and releases the signature at the stacking station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for high speed manufacture of swatch bearing sheets wherein each sheet is directed through various operating stations via a single set of sheet engaging members. Individual sheets are removed from a stack of sheets at a feeding station. The sheets are aligned into a predetermined position for feeding to the sheet engaging members. A single set of sheet engaging members directs each sheet through an adhesive applying station where glue spots are placed on the sheets at predetermined locations. Each sheet is then advanced by the same set of sheet engaging members through one or more swatch applying stations where swatches are applied to the glue spots on the sheets. The sheets are then discharged from direction via the sheet engaging members at a disengaging station. The sheets are then fed through a pressing station to firmly adhere the swatches to the glue spots on the sheets.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a paper stacker for use with an image forming apparatus of a high copying speed. The paper stacker comprises a paper conveying means for conveying a paper with an image recorded thereon to a stacking position, a top end stopper provided reciprocatively movably along a conveying path of the paper, a paper receiving plate disposed below the conveying path of the paper for receiving a paper, a rear end stopper for defining the rear end position of the paper on the paper receiving plate, and an elevating device for changing the height of the paper receiving plate, wherein the top end stopper and the rear end stopper are provided movably in the same direction in the conveyance direction per a given number of papers. The papers are stacked only by shifting the top end stopper and the rear end stopper in the conveyance direction so that the stacker configuration is extremely simplified so as to enable a high speed.

Abstract: A sheet-fed printing apparatus includes a delivery section covered with a discharge section cover formed with an opening sized to allow a printed sheet to pass through. Successive printed sheets released from a chain delivery collide against a pair of first sheet-trapping elements in a closed position, and are stacked on a delivery table, with the leading edges of the printed sheets aligned with each other. If a printed sample is needed, an operator opens the first sheet-trapping elements to an open position. In synchronism with the first sheet-trapping elements, a pair of second sheet-trapping elements move to a closed position. A subsequent printed sheet passes through the opening, and stops on the second sheet-trapping elements. Thus, the printed sheet is stopped, with the leading edge thereof projecting outwardly of the sheet-fed printing apparatus. In this state, the operator can take out the printed sample without opening the delivery section cover.

Abstract: A supply stream (1) of flat articles (8), in particular of printed products that are conveyed hanging and held by grippers, is transformed into an imbricated stream (2, 3, 4, 5) or into sections of an imbricated stream, in which the articles are arranged in one of two or advantageously four possible ways. For the stream transformation, the articles (8) are selectively deposited on a conveying surface at a first or at a second depositing point (I, II). The articles (8) deposited at the first depositing point (I) or to be deposited at the first depositing point (I) are additionally rotated by 180° (after or before deposition) and the held article edges are, advantageously selectively, leading or trailing on deposition. The selective stream transformation and switching between transformation modes (A, B/B?, C or D/D?) are very simple.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of, and an apparatus for, conveying sheet like products (10, 10?), in particular printed products. In each case two or more products (10, 10?) are gripped together, in the region of their leading edges (10a, 10a?), by grippers (3) of a gripper conveyor (1) such that the edges (10a, 10a?) are alternately spaced apart from one another. In at least one transfer region (4), the products (10, 10?) are transferred to at least one removal arrangement (2) such that each product (10, 10?) at most partially overlaps the previously transferred product (10, 10?), the leading edges (10a, 10a?) of the products (10, 10?) being spaced apart from one another. The invention has the advantage that the products are directly accessible for further processing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for providing positive control of a printable medium in a printing system such that high speed processing of the printable medium can be achieved without damage to the product (e.g., printed signatures). Exemplary embodiments are directed to a carrier system which contacts (e.g., grips) the printable medium from both sides to provide positive control over the printable medium as it is transported from one area of positive constraint (e.g., a folding mechanism of a folder device) to another area of positive constraint (e.g., transport tapes and/or a signature deceleration device located downstream of the cutting cylinders).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for destacking a stack of flat sheet-like articles, comprising a bearing surface for supporting the stack at a fixed elevation, and a separating arrangement for repeatedly separating the uppermost article from the stack and transferring it laterally onto a removal conveyor. The separating arrangement is mounted for vertical movement so as to float downwardly as the height of the stack decreases, and the separating arrangement can be lifted upwardly at the conclusion of the destacking operation so that a further stack can be fed onto the bearing surface along a lateral feed plane which includes the bearing surface.

Abstract: A quality control device includes a suction box, at least one gripper which can be displaced along a suction surface of the suction box, and a CCD camera. A belt, which can be displaced in a sheet transport direction, is disposed on the suction surface of the suction box.

Abstract: Sheet-fed printing press, especially a satellite-type printing press by which double-side printing is performed with a single satellite-type press and if only single-side printing is required a sheet perfecting apparatus does not intervene in the sheet transfer path. In the course of printing with a plurality of printing units (26) provided in satellite-like manner around a common pressure cylinder (10), a sheet perfecting apparatus (36) is provided for inverting the sheet of material for double-side printing. The sheet perfecting apparatus is separable from the sheet transfer path for printing on one side only. The sheet perfecting apparatus is made up of a first transfer cylinder (38) a perfecting cylinder (40) and a second transfer cylinder (42).

Abstract: A device for preventing a spring-loaded control roller from being lifted off a control cam therefor in a gripper control system in a sheet processing machine, includes a support mechanism disposed separately from the gripper control system. The support mechanism impresses an additional force upon the control roller in critical regions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that perfects media while maintaining a constant grip on the media during the perfection process. A media perfection device comprises a rotating arrangement that rotates a gripper bar. The gripper bar comprises a fixed part, and a rotatable part to hold media. The rotation of the rotating arrangement rotates the rotatable part of the gripper bar, thus perfecting the media.

Abstract: An inspection unit of an intaglio printing press includes a suction table for correcting the position of printed sheet-like object as being disposed inside of a unit frame, and a camera and a light for inspecting the printing quality of sheet-like object being corrected of position by the suction table provided in a shroud inside of the unit frame. The table is disposed in a moving table with casters so as to move the suction table between a working position inside of the frame and a maintenance position outside thereof. The shroud is supported on first support rails through support rollers so that the camera and light can be moved between the working position inside of the frame and the maintenance position outside thereof, while support rails and their stand are disposed so as to be accommodated outside the frame.

Abstract: A sheet-processing machine contains at least one processing station in the form of a printing unit, and a delivery with an endless conveyor and after-grippers that are guided by a mechanism connected to a drive. The after-grippers take over the processed sheets from the endless conveyor and release them over a stack. The sheet-processing machine provides for it to be possible for the mechanism to be set to positions that are correlated with different formats of the processed sheets, and for the drive that actuates the mechanism to keep the mechanism at one and the same phase angle with respect to the printing unit in each of the positions. Therefore, even in the event of different formats of the processed sheets, user-friendly placing of the stack is possible.

Abstract: Flat objects (7) to be stacked in a stacking device (2) are supplied serially, individually held and aligned with one another. Cross stacks (12) are produced by subjecting alternating groups (11, 11′) of the supplied objects (7) to one of two step sequences, wherein, in both step sequences, the objects of the groups are released from held conveyance and are, in at least one of the step sequences, brought to the stacking device lying on a conveying surface (10.1, 10.1′) in an imbricated formation. In the two step sequences, a rotation difference of 180° around an axis perpendicular to the object surfaces is established between alternating groups (11, 11′). The objects (7) positioned in the stacking device in groups form a cross stack (12), without requiring the stacking device (2) or parts thereof to be rotated between groups of objects being positioned. This results in shorter cycle times and in a smaller number of moving parts.

Abstract: A sheet-fed printing press comprises a running transport chain, gripper devices supported by the transport chain and each having a gripper and a gripper pad for gripping a sheet, an inspection device for inspecting the sheet gripped and transported by the gripper devices, and a suction table having a guide surface for guiding the sheet at a position of inspection, and suction holes for spreading the sheet along the guide surface. Suction taper plates each having an inclined surface, which gradually decreases the distance between the gripper pads and the guide surface from an upstream side toward a downstream side of the guide surface in the sheet transport direction, are provided on the downstream side of the guide surface at predetermined intervals in the sheet width direction. Grooves, through which the grippers pass, are interposed among the suction taper plates.

Abstract: A rail guidable conveying device for conveying sheet-like products (21) in a conveying direction (F), having a guide part (2), a carrying part (3) which is arranged on the guide part and is configured for retaining a product, and a coupling part (4), which can be magnetically coupled to a drive means (5) and is configured such that the strength of the coupling to the drive means is variable. The invention also relates to a conveying apparatus having a drive means and a plurality of the conveying devices.

Abstract: For the horizontal positioning of serially supplied, flat objects (1) to be conveyed onward, the objects (1) are supplied suspended, one of their main surfaces (10) facing downstream and the other main surface (11) facing upstream. Prior to positioning, lower edge zones (13) of the objects (1) are selectively accelerated or retarded relative to the upper edge zones (12), so that the objects (1) are brought into a position inclined relative to the vertical. Thereafter, the upper edge zones (12) are released and the objects (1), under the influence of gravity, are positioned on an onward conveying device, selectively either the downstream or the upstream main surface (10 or 11) facing upwards. For retarding or accelerating the lower edge zones (13), for example, a conveyor belt or two conveyor belts adjoining one another are utilized. The speed (v.3) of the conveyor belts is adjustable to convert from accelerating operation to retarding operation.

Abstract: Devices for turning sheets in a rotary printing machine are described. The devices have a storage drum for handling sheets, which are each held by a holding device, and a turning drum is disposed downstream of the storage drum and has a holding device for engaging a rear edge of the sheet to be turned. An operation of detaching the sheet to be turned from the storage drum and carrying it along by the turning drum leads to the formation of a pressure reduction in an area formed between the sheet to be turned, the storage drum and the turning drum. The pressure reduction is compensated for by supplying ambient air, blast air and/or compressed air. The turning device has a channel and/or a passage orifice connected to an inner chamber of the turning drum. Via the channel and/or passage orifice air can be sucked and/or blown into the reduced-pressure area.

Abstract: A method of correcting a position of sheet material on conveying elements, the sheet material extending from a surface of a first sheet-conveying element to a surface of a second sheet-conveying element following downline from the first sheet-conveying element, as viewed in a conveying direction of the sheet material, which comprises detecting an actual position of a leading edge of the sheet material by at least one sensor element disposed on the first sheet-conveying element; by a control unit, making a comparison between a nominal and the actual position of the sheet material; and, if the actual position deviates from the nominal position of the sheet material, causing an actuator to fix the sheet material to the following second sheet-conveying element so as to perform a correction of the position deviation; a reversing or turning device in combination with the correction device; a printing unit having the correction device; and a multicolor printing machine in combination with the correction device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus by means of which sheet like products which follow one after the other along a feed section are transferred to a conveying arrangement with individually controllable grippers which can be moved in the conveying direction, are arranged one behind the other and are designed for gripping the products at their leading edge, the feed section having, in its end region which is directed toward the conveying arrangement, a conveying nip, in which the sheet-like products are retained, at least in part, on both sides, in the case of which apparatus, in the product-receiving region of the grippers, a positive stop, which is active during each product transfer, is provided for the leading edges of the products, the spacing between the positive stop and conveying nip being selected such that the trailing edges of the products are still located in the conveying nip when the leading edges strike against the positive stop.

Abstract: A powder apparatus for a printing press includes delivery chains or a transfer cylinder, spray nozzles, and a circular columnar rotary member or transfer cylinder. The delivery chains or transfer cylinder has gripper units or grippers for holding and moving in a sheet convey direction a sheet having a printing surface. The spray nozzles spray a powder toward the printing surface of the sheet which is being conveyed by the delivery chains or transfer cylinder. The rotary member or transfer cylinder is provided downstream of the spray nozzles in the sheet convey direction and is supported rotatably. The rotary member or transfer cylinder has at least one notch that opposes the gripper units or grippers, during rotation, which move along with sheet convey operation.

Abstract: A device for transporting printed products has an endless circulating traction member having support frames. Receiving elements configured to pick up supplied printed products and to release the printed products are fastened on the endless circulating traction member at regular spacings on the support frames and are in the form of rollers having a circumference. The rollers cooperate in roller pairs with one another and define between its circumference, respectively, a conveying gap. The support frames have axles extending perpendicularly to the conveying direction of the printed products. The rollers are drivingly supported with one end thereof on the axles.

Abstract: In a sheet-processing rotary printing machine operatable in recto printing and recto/verso printing modes, there is provided a device for reversing sheets, which includes a transfer drum bounded by two sheet-guiding cylinders, a reversing/storage drum and an additional transport element assigned to the transfer drum, the transfer drum being drivable in opposite directions of rotation in the recto printing and the recto/verso printing modes, and gripper systems actable in both directions of rotation of the transfer drum, the gripper systems being accommodated on an imaginary jacket surface of the transfer drum; a printing unit including the components of the device; and the printing machine being a multicolor printing machine.

Abstract: Flat articles are taken over from a supply device supplying the products e.g. in the form of an imbricated stream and, for creating groups, are transferred to a conveying-away device. Thereby the supply direction and the conveying-away direction are angled in the horizontal plan view. For the transfer of the articles devices are used having a circulating conveying organ with laterally protruding gripper arms and grippers arranged on the gripper arms. The circulation track of the conveying organ extends in a take-over direction through a take-over zone and in a transfer direction through a transfer zone and represents a deflection between take-over and transfer zone.

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: Sheet perfecting apparatus for satellite-type printing press is disclosed by which double-side printing is performed with single satellite-type press and, in case sheet perfecting is not needed, register error is not caused.

Abstract: A conveying-in stream in which flat articles (4) are conveyed held gripped individually is transformed into a conveying-away stream in which the articles (4) are loosely lying overlapping one another in an imbricated manner and in alternating groups oriented rotated relative to each other. The conveying-in track intersects with the conveying away track at two track intersections (A and B) and the articles (4) are transferred from the conveying-in track to the conveying-away track in alternating groups (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B . . . ) at the first track intersection (A) or at the second track intersection (B). In the conveying-away stream, the articles (4) are arranged in imbricated stream sections (1A/1B) with each section including one or two groups (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B . . . ) of articles (4) and being separated from neighboring sections by a stream gap (22).

Abstract: A sheet punching and embossing machine has a gripper carriage and a positioning device for the gripper carriage. The gripper carriage has grippers for clamping sheets, being fixed with limited springing to a transport chain and, by the transport chain, being movable intermittently between the processing stations. The machine further has at least one stop face on its leading side in the running direction. The positioning device contains at least one stop that can be pivoted into the movement path of the gripper carriage and is fixed to a driven pivoting shaft. A pivoting drive of the stop used being at least one electrically operated, controllable servomotor, which is connected directly to the pivoting shaft.

Abstract: A delivery for a machine processing flat printing materials includes a suction belt conveyer having conveying runs forming a support surface. To remove rejects or proof sheets as required, the delivery transports the materials along a transport path over a stack that is otherwise built up and transfers the sheets to the support surface. The physical position of the support surface can be varied while maintaining its generatrix. Therefore, the support surface can be adjusted in each print job to a working position in which secured transfer of removed printing materials to the suction belt conveyer is ensured. In a particular configuration, a latching device is provided that permits the conveying runs to escape from their working position in the event of a jam. Preferably, the latching device has a latching pin and a latching recess.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of conveying flat, flexible products, in particular printed products, and to an apparatus for implementing the method. According to the invention, the products are conveyed by means of a conveying device which comprises grippers which are moved along a movement path, grip at least one product in the region of one edge, can be controlled individually to open and close and have at least two gripper jaws, to a transfer region. There, they are deposited, at least partly overlapping one another, on a conveyor belt which is arranged substantially horizontally, runs in the conveying direction and belongs to a belt conveyor, and are conveyed away by the latter. In the transfer region, the movement path is curved and approaches the conveyor belt in the vertical direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of conveying flat, flexible products, in particular printed products, in which the products are conveyed continuously by means of a conveying device in an overlapping formation to a transfer region and are picked up there by an outward conveyor. The outward conveyor comprises grippers which are moved along a movement path, can be controlled individually to open and close and have at least two gripper jaws, whose alignment relative to the movement path can be varied. According to the invention, the grippers are moved in such a way that the gripper jaw facing the conveying device engages in the manner of a shovel underneath the trailing edge of at least one product resting partly on the trailing product in the transfer region, without said product having previously been raised off the trailing product, and then raises said product. The products, before or after being engaged underneath, are braked relative to trailing products and/or fixed in their position.

Abstract: A delivery for a machine for processing flat printing materials, includes a sheet guide surface with suction openings opening into the sheet guide surface, a suction chamber communicating with the suction openings, and a sheet conveyor for gripping a respective sheet at an edge thereof extending in a sheet-conveying direction and for dragging the respective sheet over the sheet guide surface, the suction chamber being formed as a throttling duct; a machine for processing flat printing materials including the delivery; and a sheet-processing printing machine including the delivery.

Abstract: A delivery for a sheet-processing machine for keeping the extent thereof required downline from the delivery pile as short as possible, includes a frame and grippers revolvable, during operation, along a gripper path within the frame. The grippers seize sheets at a location on the gripper path and drag the sheet along sections of the gripper path in a transport direction. A first switching element is provided, for defining a first end of a first one of the sections of the gripper path located downline with respect to the transport direction. A second switching element defines a second end of a second section of the gripper path located downline with respect to the end of the first section. The first switching element is provided on the frame, and the second switching element is provided on a guide part fixed to the frame, and serves for determining a section of a course of the gripper path.

Abstract: A gripping arrangement for a stacker device or delivery tray of a printing press. At least one upper gripper arm and at least one lower gripper arm are provided, which have a first opened position and a second closed position. Sheets are located between the upper and lower gripper arms in the closed position. A first guiding device guides the gripping arrangement substantially in the vertical direction, and a second guiding device guides the gripping arrangement substantially in the horizontal direction.

Abstract: A method of setting guide elements for a flat material along a printing-material conveying path in a rotary printing machine includes determining a job-specifically optimized actuating position for a positioning of sheet-guiding elements and of sheet-conveying elements by using job-specific printed-image information known from a prepress stage. The sheet-guiding elements and/or the sheet-conveying elements are positioned in relation to a printed image by using the determined job-specifically optimized actuating position.

Abstract: An arrangement for separating an entire collation of individual sheets from a supply stack for downstream processing. The arrangement includes a supply stack tray for containing the supply stack while the collations in the supply stack are being separated; a separator device positioned adjacent to the supply stack tray for separating a corner of each sheet of the collation from the supply stack; a deflector positioned adjacent to an edge of the collation for deflecting the collation from the supply stack after the collation has been separated by the separator; and a gripper device positioned in a plane proximate to the first sheet in the collation for gripping the entire collation after the collation has been deflected from the supply stack and for moving the entire collation downstream for processing.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for forming an imbricated stream of first and second printed products, in which in each case a first and a second printed product are located substantially congruently one upon the other in double imbricated formation. The first and second printed products are individually gripped alternately by an intermediate conveyor and conveyed one behind the other at a conveying spacing d. In each case a first printed product is transferred in a transfer region from the intermediate conveyor to a removal conveyor, which is designed as a belt conveyor, such that the first printed product comes to rest on the belt conveyor and overlaps the preceding printed product in an imbricated manner. A second printed product is then deposited such that it comes to rest substantially congruently on a first printed product which has already been deposited.

Abstract: A device for removing printed products, having a fold and being transported uniformly spaced and astraddle by a transport device, has a rotatingly driven gripping device with controlled gripping elements for gripping one of the printed products by the fold on the transport device and removing the printed product while stably holding the printed product. The rotatingly driven gripping device has control elements for controlling an opening movement and a closing movement of the gripping elements and is adjustable for adaptation to the different thicknesses of the printed products during running.

Abstract: A supply stream (1) of flat articles (8), in particular of printed products, conveyed hanging and held by grippers is transformed into an imbricated stream (2, 3, 4, 5) or into sections of an imbricated stream, in which the articles are arranged in one of two or advantageously four possible ways. For the stream transformation, the articles (8) are selectively deposited on a conveying surface at a first or at a second depositing point (I, II), wherein the articles (8) deposited at the first depositing point (I) or to be deposited at the first depositing point (I) are additionally rotated by 180° (after or before deposition) and wherein the held article edges are, advantageously selectively, leading or trailing on deposition. The selective stream transformation as well as switching from one transformation mode (A, B/B′, C or D/D′) to another one are very simple.