Abstract: Apparatus for makeready of a business forms press having an unwind apparatus (12) for supporting a rolled web (20) of material and having a plurality of rotatable members in spaced alignment defining a path for the web and arranged to perform operations on said web such as printing (22, 23), perforating (45), numbering (35), punching (40, 42) or slitting, wherein the members are rotated in synchronism and are adjustable laterally and/or circumferentially with respect to the web path, is disclosed as comprising markings (90) and scales (110) establishing a reference position in the unwind apparatus for the rolled web and further devices (125, 230, 250, 270, 297, 327) establishing separate side reference positions for each of said rotatable members which has a lateral adjustment with respect to the unwind reference position, and further markings and scales (128, 222, 247, 272, 298, 308) establishing a circumferential reference position for each of said rotatable members with respect to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequentially stitching groups of sheets includes a reject assembly which directs groups of sheets containing either more or less than a predetermined number of sheets to a receiving station without being stitched. If a desired number of sheets is in a group, the group will move through the reject station to a stitching station and then through a folding apparatus at one of two discharge stations. The reject assembly includes a ramp which is movable between a retracted position aligned with a main support surface and an extended position projecting upwardly from the main support surface to a reject conveyor. A main conveyor pushes a group of sheets containing more or less than a predetermined number of sheets up the ramp to a reject conveyor which conducts the groups of sheets to a receiving station.

Abstract: An improved signature handling apparatus includes a plurality of signature feeders which are operatable to form groups of signatures on a conveyor. Detectors are associated with the signature feeders to detect a signature misfeed and a resulting defective group of signatures. The conveyor sequentially transports the groups of signatures to a delivery assembly which directs groups of signatures containing a predetermined number of signatures to a trimmer. The delivery assembly directs defective groups of signatures containing less than the predetermined number of signatures to a reject tray. The delivery assembly includes a nip through which the signatures are fed from the conveyor. The size of the nip can be varied by varying the distance between rollers disposed on opposite sides of the nip.

Abstract: A transfer vehicle with a special clamping mechanism for clamping a stack of signatures supported on a stacker, and for maintaining clamping engagement with the stack as the transfer vehicle moves the stack to a delivery position. The clamping mechanism can bring an end board over to the stacker, and deposits the end board on the stacker as the clamping mechanism engages a stack. The clamping mechanism also has independently movable clamp members that can move to different coextents in applying pressures to different portions of a stack of signatures during the clamping process. Still further, the clamping mechanism is designed to positively contain a signature stack that is removed from a stacker.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for manufacturing multi-part forms uses web presses having printing stations and processing stations at which operations are performed on webs in registry with a series of printed images, and uses a collator to assemble related webs from said presses, and to perform additional operations on assembled webs in registry with images thereon. A digital job description of a form is created, including location of printed images on several parts of the form and location of process items, e.g. perforations, holes, or cuts on parts of the form. This job description is stored in the memory of a computer [PR-2] with a job identifying code. Also, a digital description is created of images to be printed on the form, and stored in memory with the job identifying number. The image descriptions are recalled from memory and used to create printing plates for the presses and to pre-set printing and processing sections of a press for each part of the form.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for encoding the lateral or circumferential setting within a web press of a laterally or circumferentially adjustable machine for operating on a web is provided. The machine has an element which moves linearly as the machine is adjusted, and the apparatus includes a linkage connectable to the linearly moving element. An electric signal generator is operatively connected to the linkage for operation in response to movement of the linkage. A reference point is defined for describing the setting of the machine, and a code is computed in response to the signal generated by the signal generator for designating the setting of the machine with respect to the reference point. The generated code is then displayed in an appropriate manner or used to automatically set the machine.

Abstract: An inker for applying ink to a lithographic printing plate having ink-receptive and ink-rejecting areas. Certain of the ink-receptive areas of the plate are to print substantially the same color as the other of the ink-receptive areas and are disposed in axially adjacent circumferential sections of the printing plate. The circumferential sections of the printing plate have different percentages of ink-receptive areas. The inker comprises a form roll having a cylindrical outer surface, means for applying an ink film to the entire cylindrical outer surface of the form roll and means for supporting the form roll so that the cylindrical outer surface has an ink-transferring engagement with the printing plate. A smooth coating of ink is applied to the axially adjacent circumferential ink-receptive sections of the printing plate due to axial movement of the form roll while the form roll is in the ink-transferring engagement with the printing plate.

Abstract: A machine for collating multiple flexible webs includes a power driven conveyor on which the webs are assembled, a plurality of wheel members to guide the webs onto the conveyor, and glue nozzles mounted opposite certain of the wheel members to deposit glue onto a selected area of a web passing around the associated wheel member. A spot glueing attachment is provided for the wheel members in the form of an integral flexible member having a pair of curved side parts spaced apart to fit against opposite sides of the wheel member and having an outer diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the wheel. Cross bars connect the side parts and extend across the periphery of the wheel. Studs on the attachment fit into holes in the wheel, allowing mounting and removal of the attachment without use of tools.

Abstract: Bottom opening pockets in a newspaper stuffing machine sequentially move newspapers to a transfer station at a first speed with closed edge portions of the newspapers downward and major sides of the newspapers on which headlines are printed facing in the direction of movement of the pockets. The pockets are sequentially opened and the closed or folded edge portion of each of the newspapers in turn moves into engagement with a receiving conveyor. The receiving conveyor accelerates the closed edge portion of a newspaper while the open or cut edge portion of the newspaper remains in a pocket and travels at a slower speed. This results in deflecting or bending of the newspaper. As the closed or folded edge portion of the newspaper is accelerated, the paper is moved into an underlapped relationship with an immediately preceding newspaper. The underlapped newspapers are moved into an overlapped relationship by an inverter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling newspapers which have a jacket and a plurality of inserts within the jacket are disclosed. The apparatus includes a circular array of stations and a rotor carrying a plurality of pockets which move below the stations. A two-speed transmission is provided so that the rotor can be driven at either of two speeds. At each station there is a hopper for feeding a jacket or insert into the pockets as they move below. The jacket feeding stations are grouped into a group of two or more adjacent stations. The insert feeding stations are likewise grouped into groups of adjacent stations having two or more in each group. All groups have the same number of stations and the stations in each group all feed an identical jacket or insert. In addition there is a single opener station for opening jackets before inserts are fed into the jackets and a single delivery station for each group of jacket feeding stations. In one embodiment each group includes two stations.

Abstract: A blade holding device is provided for use with a blade and a cylinder, the cylinder having a longitudinal recess defined in the periphery thereof parallel to the axis of the cylinder. First and second wedge members are fittable within the recess, each wedge member having an inner face and an outer face. A plurality of spring members is included, along with a resilient strip for holding the spring members in relative positions. The wedge members are insertable within the recess such that the resilient strip holding the spring members is disposed adjacent the outer face of the first wedge member. The blade is disposed between the resilient strip and a wall of the recess. Relative movement of the wedge members is performed by a bolt threadingly engaged with an end of the second wedge member and held in relative position with respect to the cylinder, whereby the blade is clamped between the first wedge member and the recess wall.

Abstract: A multi-part form assembly, including a plurality of superimposed webs, is divided by cross perforations into a series of connected separable form parts, each web including at least one edge section defined by a longitudinal perforation extending lengthwise of the webs spaced inward from an edge of the webs and the edge sections has line holes therethrough. The improvement comprises the webs being connected at the edge sections by lines of adhesive arranged alternately on opposite sides of the line holes and each of the edge sections having pairs of nonintersecting cuts located on opposite sides of each hole. The cuts extend in one direction toward the next hole and in the opposite direction outward of the next hole, defining pairs of connecting strips which allow limited separation and flexing of the webs. Also disclosed are an apparatus and method of making such a form assembly.

Abstract: A rotary printing press comprises a rotatable blanket cylinder and a plate cylinder disposed in rolling engagement with said blanket cylinder. A skew-adjusting means varies the angle between the blanket and plate cylinders. A form roll is disposed in rolling engagement with the plate cylinder. Plate cylinder throw off means moves the plate cylinder to disengage the plate cylinder from the blanket cylinder. The plate cylinder throw off means comprises means for disengagement of said plate cylinder from said blanket cylinder without skew movement of the plate cylinder. Form roll-plate cylinder adjustment means is provided for adjusting the center-to-center distance between the form roll and the plate cylinder. A cam has surface means for maintaining the center-to-center distance between the form roll and the plate cylinder as the plate cylinder is thrown off the blanket cylinder and as the skew adjusting means varies the angle between said blanket and plate cylinders.

Abstract: A printing press comprises a frame. A plate cylinder is mounted in the frame for rotation about a first axis and a blanket cylinder is mounted in the frame for rotation about a second axis. The plate cylinder and the blanket cylinder have a contact pressure therebetween for printing operation. A skew eccentric is supported by the frame and is associated with at least one end of the plate cylinder. The skew eccentric is operable to change the relative angular positions of said first and second axes. A means is connected with said skew eccentric for maintaining the contact pressure between the plate cylinder and the blanket cylinder substantially unchanged upon rotation of the skew eccentric.

Abstract: A splicing head for an automatic zero-speed web splicing machine is disclosed in which the end of a new roll of web material can be prepared for splicing directly on resilient nip rollers which are used by the machine to perform the splicing operation. In particular, the splicing head includes a knife carriage through which the web material passes and which can be moved transversely to the web travel direction under control of a cam and lever arrangement to introduce a predetermined loop of slack into the web material.The action of the cam and lever mechanism also positions a serrated preparation blade mounted on cantilever arms in front of the nip rollers for squarely trimming the edge of the web material.

Abstract: A separator sheet feeder for use with an automatic newspaper bundle palletizer is disclosed. An elevator mechanism maintains the top of a stack of nested separator sheets at a constant level. Suction means lifts the top sheet upward and a reciprocating carriage moves between the top of the remaining stack and the lifted sheet. The lifted sheet is deposited onto a carriage which moves the sheet to a location over a layer of newspaper bundles. As the carriage returns to get the next sheet, a stripper mechanism engages the sheet to hold it so that it drops onto the layer of newspaper bundles.

Abstract: An automatic palletizer for newspaper bundles is disclosed. Bundles arriving on an infeed conveyor are oriented according to a predetermined stacking pattern. A row staging area receives the oriented bundles, and a row sweep moves completed bundles into a layer staging area. A reciprocating layer sweep has a blade that can be raised or lowered to move completed layers from the layer staging area onto a retractable floor which then opens to drop the bundles onto a pallet below. Each layer is compacted before being dropped and guide means control the movement of the bundles as they drop onto the pallet. The palletizer forms either complete layers or partial layers, the layer sweep having a shorter stroke when moving partial layers. An upstream group of rollers in the layer staging area can be selectively driven or braked to form a gap at either of the two starting positions of the layer sweep into which gap the blade may be lowered. A mechanism accurately locates the pallet below the retractable floor.

Abstract: A loader for feeding signatures into a generally vertically extending pocket in which the signatures are supported on a folded edge and from which signatures are fed by a feed mechanism, such as through a signature inserter, to a saddle of a saddle gathering machine, wherein a generally horizontally oriented hopper is located between a first feeding mechanism from a supply station and a second feeding mechanism to the pocket, a quickly detachable coupling arrangement is provided for forming the pocket with the loader, and the second feeding mechanism includes an adjustably mounted vacuum manifold and perforated stripper belts for moving signatures in a shingled stream into said pocket.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a mechanism for moving unfinished books along a raceway and for selectively moving defective books from the raceway onto a second, powered conveyor. The raceway has an inclined surface, and the reject mechanism moves defective books up the inclined surface onto the powered conveyor. The reject mechanism includes a divert conveyor with a chain in continuous motion synchronized with the movement of the books on the raceway. When it is desired to move a book from the raceway onto the powered conveyor a selected pair of pins mounted on the divert conveyor chain are extended to engage an edge of the book and move it up the inclined surface and onto the divert conveyor.

Abstract: There is disclosed a gate mechanism including a conveyor for conveying a shingled stream of articles along either of two paths and for shifting between the two paths without interruption of the flow of articles. The mechanism includes an infeed conveyor having an end portion pivotable between a generally horizontal position in which it is aligned with one outfed conveyor and a downwardly inclined position in which it is aligned with a second outfeed conveyor. Prior to returning from the inclined position to the horizontal position a pivotable rake which includes a number of V-shaped members swings to clear the inclined portion of any articles and to temporarily support articles arriving on the infeed conveyor.