Abstract: In the machine, a tabloid brochure produced from the strip is either stripped directly from a folding cylinder (30) or passed between the folding cylinder and a second fold cylinder at which a transverse, so-called second fold is made.The folding cylinder (30) comprises at least one insertion blade (37A, 37B) movable between two fixed positions, a deployed position in which it projects relative to the lateral surface of the cylinder and is adapted to cooperate with a jaw of the second fold cylinder, and a retracted position in which it is inside the folding cylinder, the insertion blade being adapted to be deployed when it is necessary to make said second fold and retracted otherwise.

Abstract: A device for holding a printing plate onto a plate cylinder in a rotary offset printing press, which comprises a bar for tensioning the plate and a control mechanism for this bar which comprises a crank coupled to the tensioning bar; a rigid link articulated to the crank, provided with engagement means for a maneuvering member; and a spring link articulated to the rigid link and the plate cylinder.

Abstract: An automatic slow down setting device for a signature prior to folding thereof in chopper forders for web fed printing presses comprises a single detector of abutment of the signature, relay timing means connected to said detector and having an opening contact means and closing contact means, and two different phase setting motor control circuits, i.e. a "more advance" circuit with relay means and said closing contact, and a "less advance" circuit with relay means and said opening contact, and by means of which the signature can be precisely adjusted to abutment.

Abstract: A device for slowing down signatures to be folded in a chopper folder is disclosed comprising a table formed with a slot therein parallel to the direction of movement of the signatures, a headstop perpendicular to such direction, two fold rollers disposed below the slot, and a blade cooperating with the fold rollers for folding the signatures centered with respect to said slot, and further comprising a device for applying vacuum or under pressure acting upon each signature to be folded to slow it down progressively as it approaches the headstop, the slowing down force being applied to prevent bouncing of the signature off said headstop, on the one hand, and on the other hand, to produce tension in the signature until the vacuum is suddenly brought to atmosphere, the vacuum device comprising at least one series of holes disposed in accordance with the direction of movement of the signature to be folded in order to be obturated thereby one after the other until obturation of all the holes in the series of holes