Abstract: A machine for trimming the edges of stacked paper sheets at a trimming station has a conveyor which delivers successive stacks to the trimming station, several knives which are movable from raised positions to lower end positions to thereby trim the respective edges of a stack at the trimming station, anvil blocks which are penetrated into by the cutting edges of the knives when the knives complete their working strokes subsequent to trimming of a stack, and a control unit which prevents the knives from contacting the respective blocks if the knives perform working strokes in the absence of a stack at the trimming station. The control unit can shift the working strokes of the knives and/or lower the blocks to thus ensure that the cutting edges of the knives are arrested short of the respective blocks when a photocell detects the absence of a stack at the trimming station while the knives perform their working strokes.

Abstract: A saddle stitching machine wherein the pitch of the chain conveyor which transports successive signatures through the stapling station can be changed by changing the ratio of a transmission which receives torque from the timing shaft of the machine. The conveyor transports the signatures along a straight path and the machine has a reciprocable carriage which is moved back and forth along such path by an adjustable crank drive so that the stroke of the carriage can conform to the selected pitch of the conveyor. The tools which are carried by the carriage are actuated by cams which are movable independently of each other at right angles to the straight path. The cams extend in parallelism with the path of signatures at the stapling station.

Abstract: Apparatus for temporary storage of partially overlapping paper sheets has a first rotor driven by a first variable-speed motor and a second rotor driven by a second variable-speed motor. The first and second ends of an elastic band are connected to the respective rotors and a conveyor system delivers successive sheets onto the band ahead of the location where the unconvoluted portion of the band merges into the outermost convolution when the first rotor is driven in a direction to collect the band. The radius of the growing roll of sheets and convolutions of the band on the first rotor is monitored by a first detector which transmits corresponding signals to a signal processing circuit further receiving signals which denote the speed of the conveyor system. Such signals are processed to form a third signal denoting the desired angular speed of the roll on the first rotor, and the third signal is compared with a fourth signal which denotes the actual angular speed of the first rotor.

Abstract: Stacks of paper sheets are transported at a level above a heated paste tank and their lower edge faces are contacted by the upper portion of the peripheral surface of a driven wheel-shaped applicator whose lower portion dips into the supply of paste in the tank and an intermediate portion of which is located above the upper level of the supply of paste and upstream of the upper portion. The intermediate portion of the peripheral surface receives a mixture of paste and air from a spray nozzle which, in turn, receives the mixture from a conduit containing a mixer and a pump and having an intake end immersed in the supply of paste in the tank. The pump draws air or another gas into the conduit by way of a pipe upstream of the mixer, and the latter converts the supplied paste and gaseous fluid into a foam which is delivered to the orifice of the nozzle.

Abstract: A continuous scalloped stream of paper sheets is divided into a succession of discrete sections by an accelerating device in cooperation with one or more belt conveyors which receive the sections. The accelerating device has an elongated rubber pad attached to an endless chain conveyor which can move the pad into the path of movement of the stream of sheets toward the belt conveyor or conveyors. The belt conveyor(s) and the chain conveyor are accelerated from the speed of the advancing stream to a higher second speed as soon as the trailing end of the section which is about to be separated from the stream is engaged by the trailing end of the pad on the chain conveyor. The chain conveyor and the belt conveyor(s) are decelerated back to the speed of the stream as soon as the entire freshly formed section is transferred onto the belt conveyor(s) and before the fresh leader of the stream reaches the discharge end of the conveyor for the stream.

Abstract: A scalloped stream of paper sheets is intermittently transported from a feeding unit to a reservoir wherein one portion of a flexible elastic band convolutes the sheets around a core. The sheets are then transported over a switchover device and onto another portion of the band which convolutes the sheets around a hub while the core pays out the one portion of the band. If the sheets are needed at one or more consuming stations, the hub pays out the other portion of the band and the switchover device directs successive sheets from the other portion of the band to a removing unit. The switchover device and the one portion of the band define a first station where the sheets arriving from the feeding unit reach the one portion of the band and where the sheets leave the one portion of the band on their way to the other portion of the band. The other portion of the band and the switchover device define a second transfer station. The elasticity of the band is such that its length is increased by at least 0.

Abstract: An apparatus for counting the sheets of a stream of partly overlapping sheets wherein the leaders of the next-following sheets normally rest on the trailing ends of the preceding sheets has a transporting unit which defines a path having two mutually inclined portions with the second portion sloping downwardly at an angle of 15 to 90 degrees relative to the first portion so that the leaders of successive sheets are lifted off the trailing ends of the respective preceding sheets. A photocell generates signals on detection of successive leaders while the leaders are on their way from the first into the second portion of the path, i.e., while the leaders are separated from the trailing ends of the preceding sheets, and such signals are transmitted to a counter which regulates the conversion of sheets into a series of stacks containing preselected numbers of superimposed sheets. The photocell is installed substantially midway between the longitudinal marginal portions of the stream.

Abstract: Apparatus for diverting selected sheets of a scalloped stream of paper sheets from a first horizontal path into a second path which is coplanar with an adjacent and parallel to the first path has two superimposed rollers movable about a vertical axis to and from operative positions above the first path, and a flap which is located upstream of the rollers and is pivotable to and from a position in which it diverts successive sheets into the nip of the rollers when the sheets enter the second path. The axes of the rollers make an oblique angle with the direction of advancement of sheets along the first path, and the speed at which the rollers are driven is such that the sheets approaching the nip cannot catch up with the sheet in the nip.

Abstract: An apparatus which can store successive sheets of a stream of sheets between the convolutions of bands which are wound onto successive cores has a transporting unit defining for the sheets an elongated path, and a pair of feed screws which are disposed above and extend longitudinally of the path and serve to simultaneously support a core as well as a fully grown roll including a core, a band which is convoluted therearound and a supply of sheets which are confined between the convolutions of the band. The feed screws can be rotated to move the core and/or the roll thereon lengthwise of the path through a distance which at least matches the radius of a core plus the radius of a roll. A lever which is indexible through angles of 180 degrees is mounted below the path and carries a full reel and an expiring or empty reel for the band.

Abstract: A continuous or elongated stream of partially overlapping folded paper sheets is subdivided into shorter streams on the upper reach of a first endless belt or chain conveyor which can deliver the foremost shorter stream onto the upper reach of a second endless belt or chain conveyor or onto the upper reach of a first endless direction reversing conveyor, depending upon the position of a first switch which is pivotably mounted between the first and second belt or chain conveyors. A second direction reversing conveyor is mounted downstream of the second chain or belt conveyor and can receive a shorter stream from the second belt or chain conveyor by way of a second switch which is moved to a different position so as to prevent further transfer of sheets onto the second direction reversing conveyor as soon as the latter receives a complete shorter stream.

Abstract: Successive sheets of a stream of partially overlapping or immediately following paper sheets are fed onto the upper side of an elastic band whose leader is attached to a horizontal core so that, when the core is driven, the band is convoluted therearound from below and its convolutions confine the sheets. The width of the band is a fraction of the axial length of the core, and that portion of the band which immediately precedes the outermost convolution on the core is caused to swivel back and forth continuously between two end positions which are mirror symmetrical to one another with reference to a plane that is normal to the axis of and halves the core. This ensures that the convolutions of the band are placed immediately next to or partially overlap each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for temporary storage of successive portions of a continuous stream of paper sheets has a transporting unit which advances the stream along a horizontal path, a frame which defines for successive rotary cores an elongated guideway above the path, a two-armed lever which can support a fresh reel containing a supply of wound flexible band material at a level below the path, and chains which can transport successive cores from the inlet portion to the outlet portion of the guideway in parallelism with the path. The lever is indexible through 180 degrees and carries two spindles each of which can support a reel. The leader of the band on a reel on one of the spindles is attached to an empty core in the inlet portion of the guideway while a pawl intercepts the foremost sheets of the stream in the path and while the empty core is rotated by the belts of the transporting unit.

Abstract: Successive sheets of a stream of partially overlapping paper sheets are brought into contact with and are entrained by successive increments of an upwardly sloping running flexible band which is convoluted onto a rotary core to form with the sheets a bobbin wherein the sheets are confined between successive overlapping convolutions of the coiled band. The sheets of the stream are inverted ahead of the locus where they reach the running band so that the trailing portion of each preceding sheet overlies the leader of the next-following sheet. This reduces the likelihood of shifting of the sheets on impact against and during travel with the band upwardly toward the rotating core and renders it possible to dispense with a flexible element which is used in conventional apparatus to hold the sheets against slippage relative to the upwardly sloping band and which is convoluted with the band to thereby reduce the amount of space which is available in the bobbin for storage of confined sheets.

Abstract: Partly overlapping sheets of a scalloped stream of sheets are transported against one side of a flexible band which is being convoluted onto a first core so that the sheets form convolutions which alternate with the convolutions of the band. The latter is drawn off a second core which is coaxial with the first core, and such band is trained over a set of pulleys which cause it to advance substantially tangentially of and between the axial ends of the first core. The two cores can be driven and braked independently of one another and are mounted in a common frame. The second core is driven by a shaft which rotatably mounts the first core.

Abstract: A gathering machine wherein a chain conveyor has pushers which advance below a row of platforms receiving sheets from discrete magazines. An orbiting arm in the region of each platform carries an elastic cap which engages a freshly delivered sheet to press it against the upper side of the respective platform and to accelerate such sheet in the direction of movement of the pushers so that the speed of sheets approximates or equals the speed of pushers not later than when the pushers engage and entrain accelerated sheets. Streams of compressed air are directed against the upper sides of sheets on the platforms by nozzles receiving compressed air through a valve which is closed while the platforms receive fresh sheets. The sheets which are removed from the platforms descend onto a stationary rail to form growing stacks, and such stacks are advanced by the pushers beyond the foremost platform where the fully grown stacks are removed or subjected to further treatment.

Abstract: Successive sections of a long stream of partially overlapping paper sheets are transferred onto the upper side of a relatively wide flexible elastic band which is indexed stepwise so that it is gradually withdrawn from a first reel and wound onto a second reel. Each section has two or more partially overlapping sheets, and successive sections can be deposited on the band in such a way that they partially overlap one another, i.e., that the band supports and confines between its windings a scalloped stream consisting of partially overlapping sections of partially overlapping sheets. In order to remove the stored sheets, the conveyor which is used to transfer sections of the scalloped stream onto the band is used to remove successive sections from the band while the latter is driven stepwise to be withdrawn from the second reel and wound back onto the first reel.

Abstract: A scalloped stream of paper sheets is intermittently transported from a sheet feeding unit to a reservoir wherein one portion of a flexible elastic band convolutes the sheets around a core. The sheets are thereupon transported over a switchover device and onto another portion of the band which convolutes the sheets around a hub while the core pays out the one portion of the band. If the sheets are needed at one or more consuming stations, the hub is rotated in a direction to pay out the other portion of the band and the switchover device directs successive sheets from the other portion of the band into or onto a sheet removing unit. The switchover device and the one portion of the band define a first transfer station where the sheets coming from the feeding unit reach the upper side of the one portion of the band and where the sheets leave the one portion of the band on their way toward and onto the other portion of the band.

Abstract: Apparatus for opening up folded sheets has a rotary withdrawing conveyor which extracts successive folded sheets from a stack and places successive withdrawn sheets into a path between two rotary spreading elements in such a way that the front edges of the sheet in the path are adjacent to the respective spreading elements and the back of the sheet is located at a level above the front edges. The spreading elements are driven in opposite directions and carry jaws which engage the respective front edges of a sheet therebetween in first angular positions of the spreading elements, whereupon the jaws move the sheet downwardly to move its front edges apart and to separate it from the withdrawing conveyor, and ultimately release the sheet in second angular positions of the spreading elements so that the sheet can descend onto a removing conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously trimming both lateral marginal portions of a scalloped stream of sheets has a transporting unit which is driven to advance the stream in a horizontal cutting plane flanked by two stationary counterknives which are mounted below the cutting plane and whose cutting portions are disposed in the cutting plane. The sheets in the cutting plane are biased against the transporting unit and their marginal portions are trimmed by the cutting edges of radial knives mounted on two coaxial rotary holders disposed at a level above the cutting plane and each cooperating with a different one of the counterknives. The cutting edges of the knives are inclined with reference to the longitudinal directions of the respective knives and orbit along endless paths which are intersected by the cutting plane so that each cutting edge which reaches the cutting plane moves below such plane before beginning to move upwardly and above the cutting plane.

Abstract: Apparatus for opening folded paper sheets, each of which has a first and a second set of layers and each of which has an edge portion along which the layers are pivotable relative to each other, has a horizontal conveyor which transports each of a succession of folded sheets in such a way that the edge portion is located at the top and the layers extend downwardly. A group of suction heads, one for each layer of a set of layers, is adjacent to one side of the path of movement of successive folded sheets, and the suction heads orbit about axes which are inclined with respect to the vertical so that each suction head moves upwardly during that stage of each of its orbital movements when it approaches and attracts the respective layer and flexes it outwardly whereby the inner side of the layer can be intercepted by a stationary retaining element which follows the respective suction head.