Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for separating a stack of folded sheets by inserting a first, second, third and fourth count fingers into four successive openings in the stack, and separating the stack between the second and third count fingers. Where separation is carried out after a desired number of folded sheets have passed the third count finger, a completed pack having the desired number of sheets may be formed downstream from the third count finger. The count fingers may be operatively mounted in count finger cassettes.

Abstract: A method and device for diverting signatures is disclosed. A first cutting device partially cuts a web, while a second cutting device downstream of the first cutting device fully cuts the web so as to form a plurality of signatures. At least one first belt and at least one second belt hold the plurality of signatures, with the first belt having at least one first raised outer section and passing through at least part of the second cutting device, and with the second belt having at least one second raised outer section. The first and second raised outer sections interact to offset the plurality of signatures so as to define an alternating first stream and second stream of the plurality of signatures.

Abstract: Method of raising sheet-like products (2), in particular printed products, which are taking part in a conveying process and follow sequentially one after the other, the products (2) resting, at least in certain regions, on a conveying means (1) during the conveying process, it being the case that, for at least a period of time of the raising operation, gravitational force being overcome in the process, the products (2) are pivoted actively about an axis (B) which extends essentially parallel to the direction (A) in which the conveying process is oriented immediately prior to the raising operation.

Abstract: An assembly and method for rotating and placing a strip of material on a substrate making use of a conveyor which includes a contour-changing conveyance surface on which a strip of material is conveyed and a rotatable transfer element. The rotatable transfer element has a contoured strip securing surface. At a point of interaction of the transfer element and the conveyor, the conveyance surface assumes a contour corresponding to that of the strip securing surface. The transfer element then secures the material strip from the conveyor, then rotates the strip of material to a selected degree of angular rotation and then deposits the rotated strip of material in surface contact with an adjacent moving surface.

Abstract: An on-edge stacker for stacking envelopes comprises a transporter and diverter, an accumulator, a spider wheel for delivering diverted envelopes to a conveyor belt of the accumulator, and a propelling arrangement to a drive diverted envelopes to the spider wheel. The diverter includes a gate for intercepting and diverting envelopes from the transporter. The stacker includes a device for laterally offsetting envelopes. In one embodiment, the spider wheel is suspended in a free-floating manner against a spring load. The floating spider wheel displacement as a consequence of stack increase is sensed to energize the accumulator conveyor belt drive to reduce the displacement. The actuation of the envelope propelling arrangement is sychronized in correlation with the positions of spaces between legs of the spider wheel. In operation, a diverted envelope is aligned, selectively offset, and propelled into the spider wheel.

Abstract: A stacking device for forming stacks of articles of predetermined count, using a stacking wheel having a multiplicty of uniformly spaced peripheral slots. The slots are adapted to receive articles sequentially at a loading station and carry them to an unloading station having a plurality of stacking sites. The slots are divided into two or more sets, the slots in each set being equal to number to the predetermined count and adapted to deliver the articles therein to the unloading station with the leading edges of the articles at a predetermined radial offset from the axis of the stacking wheel. Each set of slots is associated with the stacking of articles at a specific stacking site and the slots of a set associated with one stacking site provide a different radial offset than those of a set associated with another stacking site. The stacking sites are arranged, in the downstream direction, in order of diminishing radial offset of their associated sets of slots.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting a succession of thin flexible sheets such as plastic bags from a bag forming device to a bag stacking device. The conveyor system includes a first conveyor having vacuum holes for holding the bags in place, with portions of the bags extending beyond the conveyor's edges. The system further includes bag support apparatus such as a pair of auxiliary conveyors located alongside the first conveyor and supporting the overhanginig portions of the bags. The auxiliary conveyors terminate short of the end of the first conveyor, such that for a predetermined distance the overhanging portions of the bags are unsupported, thus permitting a bag stacking device to lift the bags and deposit them onto a stack.

Abstract: To prevent impact shock of copy elements formed as a single sheet or package of sheets, against grippers of a gripper cylinder which operates at a slower speed than the arrival speed of the copy elements, the grippers of the gripper cylinder engage the leading edges of the arriving copy elements, deflect the leading edges below the plans of arrival and carry the leading edges about the circumference of the gripper cylinder to thereby convert kinetic energy inherent in the copy elements into energy required to cause bending stresses in the copy elements as they are bent about the gripper cylinder, the copy elements, upon rotation of the gripper cylinder, being turned or flipped over, with the trailing edge being guided by sheet-metal guide elements or the like; the sheets are delivered to a delivery apparatus operating at a slower speed than the incoming speed, for example in imbricated or shingled form upon opening of the grippers and delivering the copy elements to the delivery transport belt system upon ali

Abstract: Disclosed is a rotary vacuum arm bag or sheet transferring and stacking device and a stack-handling system enabling an indexing of counted bag stacks. The transferring device grasps and retains the bags adjacent margins transverse to the direction of web advance while at least a portion of the opposed margins parallel to such directions are spaced inwardly from the arms to define a slot or gap thru which stack-retaining fingers project contributing to remove a bag from a pair of arms and retaining the bag in a stack wherein respective margins overlie each other. Also disclosed is a stack-handling system having the ability to remove a completed stack from the stacking station and yet allow, if desired, continuous bag machine operation and, as a result, uninterrupted transfer of sheets or bags to the stacking stations.

Abstract: Efficient stacking of sheets, such as garments, is practiced utilizing a stacker which includes a number of rods slidably received in parallel through-extending openings in an elongated support, the openings being generally perpendicular to the dimension of elongation of the support. The support is rotated about an axis coincident with the dimension of elongation in 180.degree. increments. The support is positioned so that the rods move in an arcuate path through spaces between parallel slats which support a garment, to move the garment from being supported by the slats and to stack it in a pile adjacent the slats. Once the rods have been moved to a position stacking the garment, they are powered by a roller so that they move linearly with respect to the support, through the openings in the support, until they are again positioned below the slat openings and await the next garment.

Abstract: In a stacking apparatus for flexible sheets comprising a chain conveyor consisting of two spaced chains running over sprockets at the delivery end, each sheet is supported on a depositing plate which is provided with fingers and of which the leading end is connected to the chains so that the plate is swung through 180.degree. at the delivery end of the chain conveyor and the sheet is placed onto a stack which, when finished, is discharged on spaced belts of a discharge conveyor under the chain conveyor. Each sheet is received in a stacking shaft defined by side walls, a vertically slotted rear wall and a base formed by prongs passing through the slots. The prongs are lowered as the stack height increases until they have passed between the belts of the discharge conveyor, whereupon they are withdrawn. End portions of each sheet projecting beyond the side walls of the shaft are turned inwardly over the fingers of the depositing plate by reciprocatable folding blades.