Abstract: An apparatus and method for decelerating a sheet of material for use in a sheet stacking or other application. The apparatus includes a pair of rollers moveable toward and away from one another to nip the sheet traveling between them. The method includes delivering a sheet between a pair of rollers and moving the rollers toward one another to nip, and thus decelerate, the speed of the sheet.

Abstract: A bottom sheet inserter is described in which a conveyor is provided on a frame that defines a path for a load. The conveyor is operable to move the load in a forward direction along the path. A bottom sheet insertion station is situated between first and second conveyor flights which support and move a load in a forward direction. A bottom sheet feeder is operable to feed a bottom sheet through the bottom sheet insertion station and under the load as the load moves from the first flight and onto the second flight.

Abstract: A counter-ejector is described for stacking relatively flat sheet articles. The counter-ejector includes a main frame that is selectively movable about a pivot axis. An infeed conveyor is provided on the main frame defining a forward path of travel for sheet articles. The infeed conveyor includes a discharge end positioned adjacent a stack forming magazine where individual sheet articles from the infeed conveyor accumulate in a stack. An ejector adjacent the stack forming magazine is movable across the stack forming magazine from a stack engaging position adjacent the stack forming magazine to a shifted position at a stack compression station. A stack compressor at the stack compression station is positioned to receive a stack of sheet articles from the ejector. A compression linkage joins the stack compressor and main frame, with links arranged to adjustably open and close the stack compressor responsive to movement of the main frame about the pivot axis.

Abstract: A controller for providing individual acceleration and velocity values to drivers controlling motors in a carton folding machine. In a first method, the controller provides the individual acceleration and velocity values by using unique addresses for each motor. The drivers receive the values and provide corresponding motor control signals to the motors they control. In a second method, the controller provides a master reference signal to the drivers along with acceleration and velocity values for the motors. The drivers generate electronic gear ratios for providing motor control signals to the motors they control based upon the master reference signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a gusseted container, which method includes the steps of feeding unfolded, corrugated paper, die cut blanks sequentially from the feed module of a corrugated paper box folding apparatus through the prefold, fold and final fold modules, applying glue to the die cut blanks, creasing three gusset areas of the blanks, gathering and pleating the gusset areas, folding a panel tab against the adjacent blank panel, pressing the folded gussets and panel tab against the glue on the blanks and folding the blanks and panel tab to define the gusseted container.