Abstract: An apparatus for processing sheet products includes a rotatable drum having a plurality of pockets adapted to receive individual sheet products. Plural rollers are disposed along the periphery of the drum between adjacent pocket openings. The rollers are rotated through a portion of the drum movement and locked against rotation through the remainder of the drum movement. Cam means are provided to lift the pockets radially outward, tilt the pockets, and open and close sidewalls of the pockets to facilitate ingress and egress of the sheet products.

Abstract: A contact sensor apparatus counts associated sheet products as they pass over a generally planar surface. a vacuum source draws a bottom surface of a sheet product onto the planar surface. A contact member is selectively deflected through engagement with the sheet product and deflects upwardly at the passage of the trailing edge of the sheet product. The contact member is connected to a sheet of piezoelectric material that is distorted upon deflection of the contact member. This produces an electrical charge representative of passage of paper over the sensor apparatus.

Abstract: A non-contact actuator assembly for a newspaper gripper includes a magnet disposed on a gripper release arm. The release arm passes beneath an electromagnet disposed adjacent the workpath of the gripper. The position of the gripper is sensed and a suitable signal provided to an associated voltage supply. A pulse width modulated voltage quickly and effectively induces a magnetic field in the electromagnet as the magnet in the release arm passes thereby and the magnetic field collapses quickly so as not to actuate the next gripper. The magnetic field urges the release arm to an actuated position so that opposed clamping jaws of the gripper open to release a gripped sheet product.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing sheet products includes a rotatable drum having a plurality of pockets adapted to receive individual sheet products. Plural rollers are disposed along the periphery of the drum between adjacent pocket openings. The rollers are rotated through a portion of the drum movement and locked against rotation through the remainder of the drum movement. Cam rollers are provided to lift the pockets radially outward, tilt the pockets, and open and close sidewalls of the pockets to facilitate ingress and egress of the sheet products.