Abstract: A palletizing system adapted particularly to the formation of stacks of rectangular prismatic shaped articles utilizes a conventional vertical stacking station which is uniquely supplied with tiers of articles alternately formed on and deposited from opposite sides of the stacking station. Virtually continuous tier and stack formation is possible and common control routines may be utilized to form tiers from multiple rows of articles.

Abstract: In a method for the automatic forming of packs of trimmed metal sheets for armatures of electrical machinery or the like, the pack (P') is formed by the controlled drop of a sheet stack (P) housed in a tubular magazine (1) open at the bottom. The pack is dropped against an underlying collection bottom (2) which is brought to a predefined distance from the lower end of the magazine (1). A tightening clamp (3,4) at the lower end of the magazine (1) blocks the stack (P) against a further gravity drop after its descent against the collection bottom (2). A subsequent first lowering of the bottom (2) to separate the pack (P') from the overlying stack, by virtue of a detachment device (22, 122), is followed by a detachment from the lower sheet (L') of the stack (P) of a possible sheet (L) which is mistakenly and temporarily held against the lower sheet (L') of the stack (P) but belongs to the overlying pack (P').

Abstract: A rotatable stacking chamber (1) is defined for a right-angle feeder for printed products in which the longitudinal and transverse walls (3,4) are adjustable with respect to the chamber dimensions via a controllable actuator (5, 5') assignable in each case.

Abstract: In an output system for handling the printed sheets sequentially outputted by a reproduction apparatus, including at least one output stacking tray, and at least one exit rollers sheet ejection system for ejecting the printed sheets into said output stacking tray, and further including an intermediate compiler tray with an edge tamping system including a tamper drive, a selectable mechanical interconnection system between the tamper drive and the exit roller sheet ejection system selectably laterally offsets the exit rollers sheet ejection system with the tamper drive upon lateral movement beyond a preset lateral position, into a non-stacking position, for selected printed sheets, so that these selected printed sheets may be stacked partially laterally offset from other sheets in a stack in the output stacking tray. The edge tamping system and the exit roller sheet ejection system may both be mounted on a movable compiling and finishing module to move in linear parallel paths.

Abstract: In a sheet stacking and job separating system for a reproduction apparatus, in which, repeatedly, plural printed sheets are compiled as a print job set by being tamped into a squared stack in a compiler with a tamper system, and the compiled stack is ejected from the compiler onto an output stacking tray holding plural stacks in a common stack, and wherein respective print job stacks are stacked offset from one another in the output tray: a dual mode print job set stack tamper and job sets offsetting system in a first mode tamps the print job set in the compiler while retaining a defined stacking position, and in a second mode shifts selected print job sets out of the defined stacking position into an offset position to provide the offset in the output tray, preferably by moving both of the tampers in the same direction with the same drive motor.

Abstract: An article handling system including a frame defining an upper, horizontal working surface (20). The system further includes a device (24) for supporting a receptacle (22) for final reception of articles, an elongated plate (10) mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot device (72, 74), and a device (26) for retaining the articles. The device for retaining the articles includes an elongated support (28) disposed parallel to the length of the plate in its horizontal position and fixed to remain immovable relative to the upper working surface at least in the vertical direction.

Abstract: In a method and/or a device for placing and transferring sheet items folded at least once and featuring a stacking device for the delivered sheet items and a compression device and in which the sheet items are placed or stacked singly or bundled on a placement table, the resulting bundle is elevated with the placement table, locked in this position and compressed; the subsequent bundle produced in the same way is then combined with the already compressed bundle before the stack is finally lateral-transferred together with its holding device.

Abstract: In order to maintain the quality of lifts in a binding line, particularly while they are being conveyed and/or accumulated between the stacker and palletizing robot, a binding line lift index system is provided. The system includes a rotary index table having a plurality of lift index stations each of which is adapted to receive a lift of books from a stacker at an infeed index position and each of which is designed to minimize relative motion between books in a lift as the lift index stations are moved in index fashion from the infeed index position to an outfeed index position remote from the stacker. For this purpose, and particularly for loose lifts of saddlestitched books, the lifts are compressed at an intermediate index position between the infeed and outfeed index positions.

Abstract: A jogger for straightening material in tiers. The material rests against at least two lateral baffles associated with adjacent sides of a stack-supporting surface. The stack-supporting surface can vibrate. A gantry travels back and forth in the same plane as the stack-supporting surface. The stack-supporting surface can be tilted out of the horizontal toward the two lateral baffles. A top-covering plate (21) is mounted in the gantry (16) and parallels the stack-supporting surface (3). The stack (40) is accommodated between the top-covering plate and the stack-supporting surface. Mechanisms (22) accommodated in the gantry lower the top-covering plate onto and raise it off the stack-supporting surface. Blowers (30 & 31) for forcing wind between the tiers are accommodated in at least one (25) of the lateral baffles (25, 26, & 27). At least one side-covering plate (33 or 34) closes off the space between the stack-supporting surface and the top-covering plate.

Abstract: Device for jogging a pile of sheets includes a pushrod extending in a direction towards a sheet pile, the pushrod having a thrust plate disposed on an end thereof pointing in the direction towards the sheet pile, a device for holding the pushrod, the holding device being displaceable in a jogging direction, a drive connectible to the holding device for imparting a jogging movement thereto in the jogging direction, the pushrod being mounted so as to be displaceable in the direction towards the sheet pile for adjusting the position of the thrust plate relative to the holding device, an adjusting device for adjusting the pushrod in position for effecting a format adjustment, the pushrod being variable in length, a device for varying the length of the pushrod, and a device for fixing the pushrod at and for releasing the pushrod from a respective length thereof.

Abstract: An envelope flap up pick and place apparatus and method uses a conventional envelope delivery spider which has been adapted to deliver envelopes to an accumulating surface, such as a belt conveyor, in a position with the folded envelope seal flaps facing upward. A rotary guide is positioned with radially extending guide members extending just above the conveyor belt to guide envelopes onto the conveyor in an upright orientation. The conveyor moves the envelopes toward a series of three separately movable, vertically oriented finger supports. The three supports are cooperatively driven to accumulate and compress horizontal stacks of predetermined numbers of envelopes which are then positioned beneath a gripper assembly with a pair of opposed gripper arms. The gripper assembly is lowered into a position in which the gripper arms are inserted on either side of the envelope stack, pulled together and pivoted inward at the bottoms to squeeze the stack from the bottom edges.

Abstract: Disclosed are a process and an apparatus for handling stacks of blanks (blank stacks 13). Blanks for the production of cigarette packs, especially of the hinge-lid type, are provided in the form of blank stacks (13). The blank stacks (13) are located on a base, especially on a pallet. A lifting head (18) serves for picking up and transferring the blank stacks (13) to the packaging machine. The lifting head comprises a stack lifter (28) for lifting the blank stacks (13) and a stack holder (20) for grasping and discharging the blank stacks. The stack lifter (28) is equipped with air nozzles (55) which direct an air jet downwardly onto the base (separator sheet 16) when the blank stack (13) is grasped and thus ensure that lower blanks (10) of the blank stack (13) which have not been grasped originally are lifted up as well. The lifting head (18) is also provided with (suction 59) for grasping an upper separator sheet (16) unilaterally at an edge thereof.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for loading and unloading motor vehicles, to be positioned between a loading platform and a vehicle positioning region, includes a frame movable longitudinally to the loading platform, a manipulator-conveyor unit provided with lifting and/or gripping devices and arranged on a support element rotatable through at least 180.degree., the manipulator-conveyor unit being extendable so as to be movable to a position above the loading platform and to a position above the load floor of a vehicle, features being provided for correctly aligning the support element with the load floor, a central processor also being connected to the apparatus. Sensors are associated with the manipulator-conveyor unit for sensing its movement above the support element and are connected to the central processor and to an actuator which correctly positions at least one pair of motorized wheels supporting the manipulator-conveyor unit.

Abstract: The signature handling apparatus of the invention includes a first stacker for accumulating layers of signatures, a second stacker for piling a plurality of small stacks of the signatures accumulated by the first stacker, and a pair of third stackers arranged below the first stacker and below the second stacker respectively, the pair of third stackers being reciprocatingly revolvable. The signatures on the first stacker are transferred to one of the third stackers, and signatures which have been stacked on the other of the third stackers are transferred to the second stacker.

Abstract: A device for lifting one or more flexible, flat parts such as stacked pap pasteboard, cardboard, plastic is disclosed. The device relies on the propensity of a bundle of such parts to flex up around its edge when compressed at a point away from that edge. In one embodiment, a compression device presses down on one bundle in a stack of several bundles of parts to be lifted and a second compression device presses down the underlying stack, thus opening up a gap between the upper bundle and lower stack. A lifting arm is driven into this gap, and a clamp presses down on the bundle above the lifting arm, grasping the bundle. Two retainers are extended down onto the lower stack to prevent the stack from moving as the bundle is lifted. Once contact between the lifted bundle and the remaining stack is broken, the retainers are withdrawn and the lifting device is maneuvered to a delivery position.

Abstract: A light-sensitive film feeding magazine (1), for use in a day-light automatic film handling apparatus, includes a device for centering the films of a stack inserted in the magazine (1). Such a device includes a sliding tray (7) guided on a bottom wall (2) of the magazine (1), a side buffer (15) provided oil the tray (7), perpendicular to the bottom wall (2) and parallel to the axis (X) of the magazine (1), a pushing device means for pushing the stack of films on the tray (7) against the buffer. and a shifting device for shifting the tray (&) on the bottom wall (2) toward a position in which films resting against the buffer have axes coincident with the axis (X) of the magazine (1). With this magazine (1) it is possible to center the films at a central location of the magazine (1) without loosing space in the transverse direction.

Abstract: The method and the device serves for the production of defined stacks of folded or unfolded sheets. The individually supplied sheets are placed on edge onto a horizontal table whereby the separation of the individual stacks is achieved by a separating support that is advanced parallel to the table at the stack forming velocity. In order to be able to separate and individualize product stacks of differently sized sheets without the need for structural adaptation of the device, the formation of a first separating plane defining the beginning of the stack as well as the formation of a second separating plane defining the end of the stack is achieved by a separating support that is insertable between the sheets in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the table. Further supports are completely insertable into the thus formed separating planes.

Abstract: A device for building up a stack of perfectly aligned packing box blanks and turning the stack consists of four movable stores angularly arranged on a rotary support for movement between four succeeding stations. The rotary support effects a 90.degree. stop-and-go rotation. In the first station, the stack is built-up with blanks provided by a first conveyor; in the second station, the stack is subjected to an aligning action on its side due to a 90.degree. rotation of the store; and in the third station the stack of blanks is, again, in a flat position but inversed with regard to the position of the first station to be removed by a second conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for sealing pallets of fresh produce inside plastic bags and furnishing the interiors of the sealed bags with a modified gaseous atmosphere. Conventional pallets loaded with cooled fresh produce are moved one at a time to an in-line squeeze station. The produce load of a pallet positioned at the squeeze station is squeezed between opposed vertical walls to suspend it above the pallet base as a downwardly movable floorplate descends to allow the deposition of a plastic sheet lining on the pallet. The floorplate is raised to its former level to bear the weight of the loaded pallet as the produce load is unsqueezed and the loaded pallet is moved by conveyor to a bagging station.

Abstract: A process and device for compacting stacks of cutouts in a packaging machine wherein the stacks arranged in an orderly manner are removed by a grip element supported by a head of a removal and transfer unit. The stack is transferred to a compacting station fixedly mounted in a position above a feeding station of the packaging machine. and is inserted in the compacting station which is equipped with an abutment element having an inlet shaped complementarily to one end of the cutouts. Pusher elements which are rigidly associated to the head and frontally define a profile being shaped complementarily with respect to the end of the cutouts opposite to the one inserted in the compacting station, act on the stack upon advancement of the head for inserting the stack in the inlet of the abutment element, thereby compacting the stack.

Abstract: A stack loading apparatus for receiving and aligning a stack of similarly shaped sheet-like objects into a uniform stack having several elongate aligner actuators which are rotatably fixed to a base plate is disclosed. The base plate permits rotation of the aligner actuators about their longitudinal axes which are positioned perpendicular to the base plate. The aligner actuators are arranged on the base plate about a polygon perimeter corresponding in shape and size to the sheet-like object perimeter. Each aligner actuator has an aligner actuator track disposed on its outer surface. A movable guide plate is positioned substantially parallel to the base plate and includes several aligner actuator-receiving apertures which each have an inner perimeter having a ball bearing rotatably mounted therein for engaging the aligner actuator tracks. Elongate aligners are fastened to the aligner actuators.

Abstract: One or more misaligned packaging blanks or blanks for cigarette boxes in a stack can be realigned by causing the stack to be engaged at both ends by two half-shell-shaped receiving portions. It is then tilted by 90.degree. so that the edges of the blanks all rest on a supporting surface. The two receiving portions are then brought together so as to realign any blanks protruding from the stack longitudinally. A detection device are incorporated in one of the receiving portions for checking the proper orientation of the stack and for causing it to be turned over one way or the other, depending upon its initial orientation.

Abstract: A frame is mounted on driven base rollers for rotatable movement from a horizontal to a vertical position. A platen plate is movable on the frame with respect to a platen plate fixed to the frame to clasp a stack of sheets therebetween. An air table is located behind the platen plates and has a perforated surface, the perforations of which may be selectively obscured. An air blower is driven by a variable speed motor to selectably introduce a flow of air into the air table and through the air table perforations into a stack of sheets clamped by the platen plates. A controller may be remotely positioned from the motor and allows variable control of the air flow quantity through the clamped stack to appropriately aerate a wide variety of sheet materials under varying atmospheric conditions.

Abstract: A device for aligning a continuous paper sheet strip stored in a stacker (10), to form a package (14), which includes a first lateral locator (20) transversally fixed and vertically movable and a second lateral locator (50) movable both laterally and vertically; the locators (20, 50) include telescopically-shaped rods, the external rod (52, 62) thereof being cylindrical in shape. In order to move the second locator (50), a motor, a pair of rods and a worm screw are provided which is located in a region over the collector (10) and do not protrude laterally with respect thereto.

Abstract: A stack of signatures are dropped upon the platform halves of a rotatable platform, the platform halves being raised to reduce the free fall distance from the point where the stack of signatures are dropped and a lower stack ejection position. The platform halves are lowered as each stack of signatures is delivered thereto. Eventually, the platform is lowered to the stack ejection position and the pusher is pushed through a gap provided between the platform halves to eject a completed bundle from the platform. The pusher moves through the gap as the platform is being raised or lowered to significantly reduce the cycle time. Stack compressors are selectively movable to a position above the turntable and by selectively raising the platform halves, the accumulated stack of signatures on the platform halves are squeezed between the compression members and the platform halves to form a neat, compressed bundle. The turntable is rotatable through a half-revolution to form compensated stacks.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting stacked sheet-like material has a table surface which includes an entry zone for receiving the material to be cut, a working zone above which a cutting blade and press beam are located, as well as an exit zone for receiving the material after it is cut. The exit zone comprises a first zonal area adjacent to the working zone and a second zonal area adjacent to the first zonal area, and a first straightedge arranged below the exit zone in the area of a parting surface of the two zonal areas. The second zonal area can be lifted from an initial position where it forms a plane with the first zonal area and the first straightedge can be lifted and moved into a working position with the first zonal area. The exit zone can be moved as a whole perpendicular to the cutting plane to form a gap between the exit zone and the working zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding packaging machines with stacks of cutouts includes a centering member for supporting members of a plurality of stacks of cutouts, the stacks being arranged mutually side by side so as to form parallel and mutually adjacent rows on the supporting members; a unit for removing and transferring individual rows, provided with a head fitted with pushers which are arranged vertically side by side and are adapted to move a single row of stacks in a horizontal transfer direction; a switching platform which is adapted to cooperate with the pushers so as to receive the row of stacks and allow its transfer to a belt for input to the packaging machine.

Abstract: A sod roll stacker assembles sod rolls into rows and places the rows on a platform member to form an approximately square layer of sod roller. When the layer is complete, the platform is removed allowing the layer to fall on a support member below the platform. The platform is then moved to its former position. The above cycle of operations is repeated. The support member is rotated about a vertical axis through about 90.degree. after each cycle so that a stack of rolls is built up having the axis of the rolls in each layer at about 90.degree. to the adjacent layer, thereby increasing the stability of the stack.

Abstract: Apparatus for the vertical and automatic stacking of sheets, as well as for the feeding of cover boards onto the stacks consisting of sheets, with use of a single apparatus for feeding the cover boards, the apparatus for feeding the boards being movable up and down in a vertical plane in an interference stroke within the prestacking stroke, which interference stroke is determined by a lower pushing-in position on the fork of the lower cover board and a pushing-in position of the upper cover board on the finished stack. The stop for the cover boards and the upper end of the side parts of the movable carriage for the stack of sheets are also arranged so as to be movable back and forth in a vertically arranged plane. With the same prestacking strokes, stacks which have a greater stack height are produced, furthermore the efficiency of the stacking apparatus is increased.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking irregular height bundles of paper onto a shipping pallet. Height detectors measure bundles traveling on a conveyor. The height data is utilized by a computer system to control an accumulator to accumulate and stack bundles to a predetermined height and then move the bundles to a storage compartment. The computer instructs a robot to move the stored bundles and place them in a compartmentalized guide box on a pallet in a substantially level predetermined layer height.

Abstract: A stack squaring device, particularly for squaring a stack consisting of a plurality of thin sheets, includes a horizontal conveyor to transport the stack in a direction of conveyance from a reception area, via a squaring area into a discharge area. A stack stop extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction of conveyance of the stack, is disposed in the discharge area and is movable in the stack conveyance area. Two contact plates are disposed at the sides of the stack and at least one contact plate constitutes a vibrator plate which is connected to a vibrator drive unit. A bearing plate is provided beneath the stack. A pressing plate is lowered vertically onto the stack, whereby the pressing plate and the bearing plate are guided relative to one another in the direction of a common axis, preferably in the direction of a vertical axis. The dimensions of the pressing plate and the bearing plate are smaller than the cover surface of the stack.

Abstract: The claw (2) is made up of a front part (3), moved vertically by a jack (31) and comprising a horizontal pressing plate (30) and a rear pressing plate (34), and a rear part (4) moved horizontally via another jack (46) and comprising a lower pressing plate (40) suspended by a pivot pin (42) from a stirrup-piece (41), a further jack (47 l) acting upon the rearward end (40A) of the lower pressing plate in order to raise and lower the front end (40B) thereof. When the rear pressing plate is lowered opposite a stack of blanks to be grasped, a slight depression (52) is created, whereby it is then possible to slip the front end of the lower pressing plate under the stack in order grasp it by raising the lower pressing plate and pressing the stack against the upper pressing plate. The claw is intended to be integrated in a depalletizer feeding a packing machine, particularly a machine making packs in the tobacco industry, especially packs of cigarettes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for disclosed for shingling stacks composed of flexible planar objects, such as fabric workpieces. The stack is placed over an axis connecting two hinged support surfaces which are rotated relative to one another to bend the workpieces and form a shingle. For subsequent shingling, the rough shingled stack is driven on a conveyor under a series of spreading rollers having positive pressure to drive the rollers onto the stack.

Abstract: A device is provided for palletizing a variety of goods by layers. Goods are formed into a unit load by palletizing them layer-by-layer in a order of layer area dimensions from the bottom with consideration to layer area dimensions of goods, dimensions of void spaces which are not occupied with goods, and the dimensional relation among goods so that the palletized goods will not collapse during transport. The palletizing device preferably has a mechanism for holding one layer of goods which includes a goods pressing device; a controller for pressing with the goods pressing device; a controller for controlling the order of palletizing; a centering mechanism which registers the holding mechanism with the center of a good layer; a detector which determines the position for suspending a truck so as to align the sides of layers uniformly; and a lifter for unit load which moves the unit load up and down in respect to the holding mechanism.

Abstract: A sheet stacker, particularly for corrugated paperboard container blanks, has a downwardly movable elevator for supporting stacked sheets, firing rollers for feeding successive sheets in a path above the elevator, and a stop for stopping each successively fed sheet above the elevator and enabling each stopped sheet to drop onto a stack being formed. A flexible cam, preferably a resiliently flexible loop, is rotatably mounted above the elevator. The flexible cam is intermittently rotated to move the cam out of the path of a sheet being fed to allow a leading portion of this fed sheet to pass under the flexible cam, then to bring the cam into contact with a rear portion of the fed sheet to urge this rear portion towards the stack, and then to bring the flexible cam to rest in kissing contact with the fed sheet when resting on top of the stack being formed. Tolerance variations in the sheet thickness can be accommodated by flexing of the cam.

Abstract: Apparatus for repeatedly cutting stacks of overlapping sheets has a first cutting machine from which large stacks are transferred to a loading station which is adjacent a transfer station where the stacks are loaded upon successive wheel-mounted pallets for transport into the second cutting machine. A feeding unit is provided to shift selected numbers of stacks on the pallet which is located in the second machine onto a working platform beneath the guillotine type knife and the hold-down device of the second cutting machine so that the pallet supports portions of stacks which are being severed. The stacks are oriented on the pallet at the loading station, and additional changes in orientation of the stacks can be carried out on the pallet and/or on the adjacent working platform in the second cutting machine.

Abstract: A paper sheet handling apparatus including a plurality of sheet accumulating portions and a sheet conveyor. A pointed separator is mounted on the conveyor for movement into a stack of paper sheets accumulated in one sheet accumulating portion to divide the stack into two parts with a gap formed therebetween. Gripping fingers mounted on the conveyor are moved into gripping engagement with one of the divided parts of the stack and then retracted to transfer the gripped part of the stack onto the conveyor. Holding members on the conveyor are movable into the gap to hold the paper sheets of the other part of the stack. The conveyor is movable to convey the gripped paper sheets to another sheet accumulating portion. The gripping fingers are again moved to transfer the thus conveyed sheets to the other sheet accumulating portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading blanks of paper, cardboard, plastic, etc. that are stacked as blocks on a pallet and that are subsequently supplied as blocks of blanks for further processing or temporary storage includes a slightly pivotable insertion tool as well as structural elements for moving those stacks or blocks of blanks, relative to their support, that are disposed on the pallet at the edge thereof. The individual blocks of blanks are successively lifted from their support via an insertion tool, with a pressure foot preventing an undesired shifting and a holding foot securing the position of the respective block of blanks on the insertion tool.

Abstract: A palletizing robot for displacing stackable objects, particularly for printed products arranged in stacks, including a gripping device arranged at an arm driven to rotate about a vertical axis, a horizontally oriented transverse member including a track along which the rotatably mounted arm is guided so as to be displaceable in the direction of the transverse member and a bearing rotatable about a vertical axis for the gripping device. The part of the arm extending in the horizontal direction is here disposed below the transverse member and the gripping device is furthermore arranged so as to be vertically displaceable by a predetermined lifting movement, particularly a lifting movement of a few centimeters, in the horizontally extending arm.

Abstract: A palletizer, having a stacking and article wrapping station, includes a rotatable circular plate having a rectangular opening therein for accommodating unstable articles as they are being stacked. The rectangular opening includes article guides which will support a stacked layer of articles prior to and during the wrapping of the articles.

Abstract: A gripping device for transporting a stack of flexible sheets includes two substantially horizontally spaced, parallel tines arranged for supporting the stack; and a counterelement supported above the tines in alignment with the spacing therebetween. The counterelement has a horizontal dimension in a direction parallel to the spacing between the two tines. A horizontal dimension is smaller than the spacing between the two tines. A device moves the counterelement substantially vertically towards or away from the tines. When an unstabilized stack of flexible sheets is received on the two tines and the counterelement is moved towards the two tines for gripping and stabilizing the stack therebetween, the counterelement and the two tines produce a curvilinear bending in the stack about a horizontal axis oriented parallel to the two tines when the counterelement is moved past an initial plane containing a top layer of the unstabilized stack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for unloading blanks of paper, cardboard, plastic, etc. that are stacked as blocks on a pallet and that are subsequently supplied as blocks of blanks for further processing or temporary storage. The individual blocks of blanks are successively lifted from their support via an insertion tool, with a pressure foot preventing an undesired shifting and a holding foot securing the position of the respective block of blanks on the insertion tool. The method and apparatus include provision of a slightly pivotable insertion tool as well as structural elements for moving those stacks or blocks of blanks, relative to their support, that are disposed on the pallet at the edge thereof.

Abstract: A squaring and aligning assembly for the transfer frame of a corrugated sheet stacking and feeding apparatus is mounted within a transverse guide member in the form of an elongated channel. Separate squaring shoes at each side of the machine are selectively moved along the channel. They can be connected in centered positions along opposite flights of a powered chain to center a block of sheets relative to the machine. One can be connected to a chain flight in an off-center position to align the block of sheets in an off-centered aligned condition. Either shoe can be clamped to the channel for edge alignment in response to movement of the remaining shoe.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of palletizing a variety of goods by layers and a device therefor. Goods are formed in a unit load by palletizing them layer by layer in the order of layer area dimensions from the bottom with due consideration to layer area dimensions of goods, dimensions of void spaces which are not occupied with goods, and the dimensional relation among goods so that the palletized goods will not collapse during transportation. A good may fall into the void on the layer below or project beyond the edge of a lower layer to disturb the equilibrium. The palletizing method according to this invention facilitates handling of easily collapsible cases such as corrugated fiberboard boxes in a unit load by pressing at least the two sides of one layer of goods, releasing the pressure and then pressing and holding the same again.

Abstract: A stacking apparatus includes a stacking unit and a bundling unit arranged under the stacking unit. Located at the end of a prestacking space, as seen in the direction (F), is a limiting element which serves as a stop for the folds of the printing products. While the printing products fed, with their fold forward, in the feed direction (F) are being deposited on one another to form a prestack, they are supported approximately centrally by a supporting element in their edge region located opposite the fold. For depositing the prestack so formed into a rest table, supporting arms are pivoted into a position of rest and slide plates are moved out of the region of the stacking space. A residual bend of the printing products is thus preserved in their edge region, thereby improving the stability of the stack.

Abstract: A rotary stacker and method wherein a stream of web units such as napkins is advanced along a longitudinally extending path in longitudinally spaced relation toward and over a magazine, each napkin being pressed into the magazine by cams applying pressure at a plurality of longitudinally spaced areas over the magazine and orienting the cams so as to remove the pressure on the upstream cam just prior to the entry of the leading edge of a unit subsequent to the one being pressed and while maintaining the pressure on the previously pressed unit by the downstream cams.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved apparatus particularly adapted for removing fluid from overlapping sheets of material, said apparatus comprising an inverted T-bar adapted for applying stationary pressure to overlapping sheets disposed beneath said T-bar, and at least two roller assemblies, said roller assemblies each including a lower pressure roller and an upper drive roller, said drive roller being in frictional contact with both said pressure roller and a superstrate positioned above said drive roller, at least one roller assembly being positioned on each side of said T-bar such that said pressure roller and said drive roller are substantially parallel thereto, and said roller assemblies being adapted to apply a moving pressure through said pressure rollers to overlapping sheets diposed beneath said roller assemblies.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing and supplying folded container blanks where the blanks are temporarily stored in a pile and are then removed one at a time for the next processing step. The apparatus includes a guide member for vertically guiding the blanks and a vertical mover having confronting support members which project into the guide member at the upper loading position where the blanks are loaded onto the support members of vertical mover. The blanks thus loaded on the vertical mover are downwardly transferred to a lower position where the support members release the blanks. The apparatus further includes a pile setter located beneath the vertical mover which receives the blanks as they are released from the vertical mover so that the blanks are removed from the bottom of the vertical mover and a pressing assembly which is provided beneath the vertical mover and above the setting members which presses the blanks down with their own weight so that at least one blank is pressed against the setting members.

Abstract: A device for stacking and compacting photographic prints, and inserting stacks of prints into envelopes, includes a selector for directing individual prints along separate paths, according to their characterisitcs, toward a multiple stacking chamber at the end of the print paths, where the prints are formed into separate stacks. A compactor for compacting then compresses the stacks against a portion of the stacking chamber, and a pusher ejects the packs from the compactor in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which they entered.

Abstract: An arrangement for handling and guiding a bundle of sheets in and between stacking and binding stations in which the sheets are stacked and bound respectively. The arrangement includes an arm displaceable from a pressing position in which the arm engages an uppermost sheet in the bundle in the stacking station to form a pressed bundle, to a removed position in which the arm is disengaged from the uppermost sheet. The pressed bundle is moved through the stacking station and conveyed from the stacking station to the binding station while the arm is maintained in the pressing position to prevent sheet disarrangement during such passage. In the binding station, the arm is displaced to the removed position to form a released bundle which is compressed prior to binding in the binding station. A guard engages uppermost sheets in the bundle in the binding station during displacement of the arm to the removed position to prevent sheet disarrangement.