Abstract: A bookbinding machine wherein stacks of signatures are transported by the holders of an endless conveyor which moves the stacks seriatim along a paster. The paster coats the backs of successive stacks with wet adhesive and the stacks are thereupon transported through a heating zone where the adhesive is heated in the space between two elongated electrodes of a high-frequency heater. A pipe which extends along the path of stacks in the region of one of the electrodes has orifices which discharge streamlets of preheated air across the path of holders to impinge against successive stacks and to thus prevent scorching of signatures by heat which is generated by the high-frequency heater. The rate of flow of air through the orifices of the pipe is adjustable, and such rate preferably increases in the direction of forward movement of the holders.

Abstract: Cover lining sheets are attached to adhesive-coated edge faces of groups of leaves in a bookbinding machine while the groups are held and advanced by grippers along a first horizontal path. The sheets are fed in front of successive pushers which thereupon advance along a second horizontal path below the first path and alternate with the grippers. The speed of pushers is increased during a first stage of movement along the second path so that the pushers catch up with and thereupon move at the speed of the preceding grippers during transfer of sheets to the edge faces of the groups thereabove. The speed of the pushers is thereupon reduced to a speed which is less than the speed of the grippers. The grippers are attached to an endless chain and each pusher is attached to two endless chains.

Abstract: A feeder mechanism for feeding single sheets, folios or multiple-ply material of paper or the like to subsequent processing machinery. A stack of sheets is partially tilted and edge portions of the front sheet are grasped and bent over by alternately approaching suction devices. While one of the suction devices engages the edge portion of one sheet, the previously detached sheet is being engaged by a conveyor wheel which pulls it completely from the stack.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting successive stacks of condensed parallel signatures into a single file of signatures which are thereupon processed in a bookbinding machine has a chain conveyor the front portion of which supports and advances an expiring stack of signatures. Successive foremost signatures of the expiring stack are withdrawn by a mechanism which transfers them onto a further conveyor. The horizontal rear portion of the chain conveyor is long enough to support at least one full stack of signatures behind the expiring stack. A fresh stack of signatures is placed onto a platform forming part of a carriage and movable between a raised position in which the platform is located above the rear portion of the chain conveyor to receive a fresh stack and a lower position in which the platform is located below the rear portion of the chain conveyor so that the fresh stack comes to rest on the rear portion.

Abstract: Two receiving conveyors of the station extend at opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of an intake conveyor and have their own longitudinal axes inclined to that of the intake conveyor so as to intersect the same at a point longitudinally spaced from all of these conveyors. A curved intermediate conveyor extends from the discharge end of the intake conveyor to the receiving end of the receiving conveyor and is pivotable about a vertical pivot axis passing through this point. A drive advances the intake and receiving conveyors and drives coupling members which are provided on the receiving conveyor and which can engage with cooperating coupling members on the intermediate conveyor.

Abstract: A transporting arrangement for delivering products which are deposited at a first cycle at one end of an endless conveyor at a second higher cycle from the other end thereof. The arrangement includes an endless conveyor having an upper run moving at a first speed onto which the products to be transported are placed uniformly spaced from each other and a first chain having a run parallel to the upper run and movable in the same direction and at the same speed as the upper run. A second chain, driven at a higher speed than the first speed, carries on a run parallel to the upper run a plurality of entrainment members, each movable from a rest to an operating position, and moved to the latter position when the respective entrainment member overtakes one of a plurality of actuating means fixed equally spaced from each other to the first chain.

Abstract: Method of storing and transporting individual paper sheets abutting against each other to form a staple of sheets, in which a precompressed staple of sheets resting between upright support members on a support surface of a first magazine is gripped at opposite ends by clamping jaws of a gripper, which compresses the staple further to a self-supporting body, whereafter the body is lifted from between the support members of the first magazine and transported between support members of a second magazine, spaced from the first, at which the body is then relaxed by removing the clamping jaws; and an arrangement for carrying out the method.