Abstract: A device for manipulating sheet stacks in a stack repository includes a sheet feeding device and a mechanism for separating adapted to be moved into the stack repository while a sheet stack is conveyed away from the stack repository. The separating mechanism includes a belt element.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for treating a multi-panel or multi-sheet web of paper or similar electrostatically chargeable material. A multi-layer web of such material is advanced toward and through at least one cutter to yield a succession of stacks which are ready for assembly into piles and/or for other processing. The arrangement for moving the web and there-upon the stacks lengthwise includes a first unit up-stream and a second unit downstream of the cutter, and an ionizing unit is installed adjacent the path of the web and stacks, either between the first moving unit and the cutter or between the cutter and the second moving unit. In either event, the ionizing unit is closely adjacent the cutter. If the stacks are to be assembled into a succession of piles downstream of the second moving unit, the apparatus further comprises an electrostatic discharging device in the region of the pile forming station.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for conveying objects generally transversely to a direction of initial delivery. The apparatus uses two conveying arrangements which can move independently of one another. Each of the two conveying arrangements have a transport region and a return region. A dividing gap is arranged between the two conveying arrangements. A sliding mechanism can be positioned to at least one of adjust a length of the transport regions and adjust a length of the return regions. An equalizing mechanism can be positioned to at least one of compensate for the change in the return regions and compensate for the change in the transport regions. The sliding mechanism and the equalizing mechanism are separate mechanisms. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A conveying arrangement for sheet quires includes successively arranged conveying devices of which a downstream conveying device as seen in a conveying direction has a lower speed than an upstream conveying device and at least one ionization device for electrostatic charging of the sheet quires. The downstream conveying device includes a suction device for administering suction air to the sheet quires at stationary suction openings.

Abstract: Device for stacking an incoming sheet stream wherein the device includes a sheet conveying device that feeds sheets to be stacked, a receiver device adapted to support a stack of the sheets, a separating element for separating the stack into a collected stack and a pre-collected stack, whereby the collected stack can be removed before the pre-collected stack, and a holding device for holding the pre-collected stack. The holding device has a first crossbeam and a plurality of holding elements arranged on the first crossbeam. A separating table is adapted to receive the pre-collected stack during stack changing. A forward guiding device is a adapted to at least one of guide the stack and align the stack. A rear guiding device is adapted to at least one of guide the stack and align the stack. The rear guiding device has a movable guide arrangement adapted to move vertically relative to a plane of the separating table.

Abstract: A cutting tool for belts has a zigzag cutting structure with at least three cutting edges. Respectively two adjacent and transverse cutting edges are joined at a common end.

Abstract: An apparatus for gathering successive sheets of a scalloped stream in an adjustable receptacle has a pivotable first stop in front of and a longitudinally adjustable second stop behind the receptacle. The second stop is shifted, together with the conveyor for the stream, toward or away from the first stop when the length of the sheets forming the stream is changed. The effective width of the receptacle is adjusted when a stream of relatively narrow sheets is followed by a stream of wider sheets or vice versa.

Abstract: Apparatus for accumulating successive stacks of superimposed sheets on discrete pallets employs a conveyor which delivers a continuous imbricated stream of sheets to a stacking station where a pallet descends with an elevator and gathers a first stack. A separating finger is inserted into the accumulation of sheets at the stacking station at a level above the topmost sheet of the fully grown first stack.

Abstract: A method and arrangement are provided for removing air inclusions between sheets in a stack when forming the stack from sheets fed successively by a sheet feeder to the stack to be formed and deposited thereon in a sheet feeding region. Air out is suction out of the spaces between the sheets in the sheet-feeding region.

Abstract: A file of successive sheets is delivered to a converting station by a faster first conveyor, and a stream of partially overlapping sheets is removed by a slower second conveyor. Partial overlapping between the leading sections of successive sheets in the file and the trailing sections of the respective preceding sheets in the stream is due to the difference between the speeds of the two conveyors. A deflector assembly at the converting station ensures that the leading sections of successive sheets of the file can predictably overlap with the trailing sections of the immediately preceding sections of the stream by causing the trailing sections to move out of the way of oncoming leading sections and/or vice versa.

Abstract: One rotary knife carrier of a pair of carriers in a cross cutter for running webs of paper, cardboard or the like has longitudinally extending peripheral recesses for disposable elongated strip-shaped knives each of which has a first lateral surface abutting and slidable along a supporting surface of the carrier in the respective recess, and a second lateral surface contacted by a retaining surface of an elongated clamping member which is urged against the second lateral surface by the head(s) of one or more tensioning bolts having shanks extending with clearance through openings in the clamping member and into tapped bores in the carrier. The clamping member is in form-locking frictional and/or mechanical engagement with the knife and is shiftable relative to the carrier to adjust the knife, e.g.

Abstract: Apparatus for expelling air from between the sheets of stacks of superimposed sheets has a conveyor which advances successive stacks of a series of stacks along a horizontal first path from a stack assembling first station toward a second station. The conveyor employs a reciprocable carriage for one or more tongs which engage the front end portion of fresh stack at the first station and entrain the stack toward the second station. A roller is mounted in a conveyance for repeated movement with the conveyance along a downwardly sloping second path from a raised position above and away from the first path to a lowered position of engagement with successive stacks which are being advanced toward the second station.

Abstract: Apparatus for ascertaining the width, the length, the coarseness of cut edges and/or other selected characteristics of sheets of paper or the like has a sheet testing unit employing one or more cameras for the monitoring of a sheet which is maintained in a predetermined position at a predetermined location, a feeding unit which supplies sheets to be tested from a source of sheets to the predetermined location, and an evacuating unit which withdraws freshly tested sheets from the predetermined location. Signals denoting the results of tests can be used to regulate the operation of the machine or production line which makes and/or processes the sheets, and the evacuated satisfactory tested sheets can be returned into such machine or production line.

Abstract: Apparatus for manipulating streams of discrete sheets or webs of coherent sheets has a frame for a carriage which supports several tools for depression, alignment, orientation, stoppage, severing, flexing and/or other manipulation of sheets. At least some of the tools are adjustable in or counter to the direction of advancement of sheets and/or transversely of the direction of advancement of sheets in order to change the setup for the manipulation of different sheets or for a different manipulation of sheets. The operation of the parts which serve to adjust the tools can be automated, and such parts comprise a locating device which is movable longitudinally or transversely of the path for the sheets or web and can be coupled to two or more discrete distancing elements which are affixed to or form part of holders for the tools.

Abstract: Books or brochures are produced by transporting a series of elongated piles of superimposed paper sheets longitudinally through at least one bonding station where certain marginal portions of the sheets of each pile are adhesively connected to each other, and thereupon sideways through a laminating station wherein the piles are provided with rigid or semirigid covers which are glued to the outer sides of their outermost sheets. The piles are then advanced lengthwise through a backstripping station, are compressed subsequent to stacking, singularized, trimmed, stacked and thereupon subdivided into stacks of superimposed books or brochures.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking successive rapidly advancing sheets of a stream of sheets has a platform which receives successive sheets and descends at the rate of accumulation of one or more stacks thereon. The sheets are delivered by one or more overhead belt conveyors in cooperation with one or more lower belt conveyors. The front end turn of the lower reach of each overhead conveyor is deflected around a small-diameter rigid rod immediately in front of a stop for the leaders of successive sheets to reduce the likelihood of buckling during stacking, and one or more downwardly sloping ramps are provided in front of the stop to deflect the leaders of successive sheets in a downward direction toward the leaders of the immediately preceding sheets in immediate or close proximity of the stop. The stop, the rod and the overhead conveyor or conveyors are adjustable in several directions to facilitate a change of setup for the stacking of longer, shorter, wider or narrower sheets.

Abstract: Successive stacks of overlapping paper sheets are transported toward a sewing station where the sheets of successive stacks are sewn together by a sewing machine. In order to reduce the generation of heat at the sewing station and the resulting breakage of thread and damage to the needle or needles, successive stacks are provided with rows of holes ahead of the sewing station. The distribution of holes in the stacks and the mode of transporting stacks toward and through the sewing station are selected with a view to ensure that the needle or needles penetrate into the prefabricated holes with a minimum of friction. The surplus of thread is trimmed off the products downstream of the sewing station. Such products can constitute books, brochures, pads or other commodities containing stacks of sewn together sheets of paper or other sheet material.

Abstract: Apparatus for manipulating streams of discrete sheets or webs of coherent sheets has a frame for a carriage which supports several tools for depression, alignment, orientation, stoppage, severing, flexing and/or other manipulation of sheets. At least some of the tools are adjustable in or counter to the direction of advancement of sheets and/or transversely of the direction of advancement of sheets in order to change the setup for the manipulation of different sheets or for a different manipulation of sheets. The operation of the parts which serve to adjust the tools can be automated, and such parts comprise a locating device which is movable longitudinally or transversely of the path for the sheets or web and can be coupled to two or more discrete distancing elements which are affixed to or form part of holders for the tools.

Abstract: Books or brochures are produced by transporting a series of elongated piles of superimposed paper sheets longitudinally through at least one stitching station where the sheets of each pile are mechanically connected to each other, thereupon sideways through a folding station where the piles are folded midway between their long sides to constitute folded piles each having a spine and two exposed outermost sheets, and thereupon longitudinally and sideways through a laminating station wherein the folded piles are provided with rigid or semirigid covers which are glued to the outer sides of their outermost sheets. The folded piles are then advanced lengthwise through a backstripping station, are compressed subsequent to stacking, singularized, trimmed, stacked and thereupon subdivided into stacks of superimposed books or brochures.

Abstract: Apparatus for subdividing a running web into narrower webs has a counterknife which is driven to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis. A second knife is freely rotatably mounted in a holder at a level above the counterknife. The holder is carried by the lower end of a vertically movable and turnable rod-like guide which can be moved up and down by a single-acting fluid-operated motor in cooperation with two springs or sets of springs. When the guide reaches its lower end position, the motor causes a conical end face at the lower end of a split sleeve to engage a complementary conical face at the upper end of a fixed guide member for the guide, whereby the sleeve clampingly engages the guide and locks it to the stationary cylinder of the motor so that the second knife is fixedly held at the selected level for any desired interval of time.