Abstract: Signature loader comprising a telescopically related main floor-mounted frame and a smaller auxiliary frame, first and second horizontal rotatable shafts between the frames spaced apart by a predetermined distance and so positioned that infeed belts thereon converge to define between them a signature infeed throat, one of said shafts being a pivot about which the auxiliary frame may be pivoted so the throat may be selectively positioned in one of two alternate attitudes.

Abstract: Cyclically operable signature machine having a one-way drive to incrementally advance a signature infeeding conveyor synchronously to the action of an oscillating suction finger for withdrawing a signature from a stack in a hopper; in a cycle where a signature is not to be fed, the suction finger is latched and simultaneously the one-way drive is disabled to prevent the stack from being compacted.

Abstract: A swing-up loader for a signature machine serves as an extension for the pile feed mechanism. The loader has its own conveyor belts and drive. When placed in its operating position, the loader adjoins the regular infeed of the signature feeder at a junction. A microswitch senses the height of the signature pile at the junction. When the pile height falls due to removal of signatures at the stockplate, the microswitch calls for movement of the loader's drive belts. This movement transfers signatures on the loader across the junction to the regular infeed of the signature feeder. The loader maintains a full infeed to assure a uniform pressure at the stockplate.

Abstract: A sheet feeder has a supply station wherein signatures fresh from the printing press are stacked. The stack is supported such that the signatures are in an arched, non-planar configuration. A sheet stripper extracts signatures successively from the stack and feeds them in a constant stream to a transfer conveyor. The stripper grips the sheets with a suction device which applies a constant but locally intermittent vacuum. The transfer conveyor carries the signatures to a delivery station. The delivery station includes fingers which arch the signatures. Arching the signatures in the supply and delivery stations prevents rolling of the signatures.

Abstract: Signature gathering machine in which signatures are extracted by an extracting cylinder successively from a hopper, released at a register gauge, opened by grippers on opposed opening cylinders and then those grippers are opened to drop the signature onto a saddle conveyor; wipers rotate with the extracting cylinder and are actuated in timed relation to arrival of the signature at the register gauge so as to force the free edges of the signature into the space between the opening cylinders.

Abstract: Harmonic vibrations in a signature machine due to the inertial influence of a reciprocating mass comprising grippers and associated parts are reduced by using a planetary gear drive and a weight secured thereto; momentum of the gripper mass is countered by another rotating weight. The planetary gear drive may be either epicyclic or hypocyclic, depending principally upon the length of the reciprocal stroke.

Abstract: Stacking and strapping machines for magazines in which the turning axes for the conveyors which move a stack to be strapped are positioned to enable the stack to be boxed in while being strapped, the conveyors having pushers which in part enable this to be done in cooperation with fixed stops at the strapping station.

Abstract: A signature feeding machine in which signatures are fed one by one from a stack in a supply hopper by suction devices; when a signature is not to be fed the stack is displaced so that the suction devices are inoperable to effect feeding and preferably suction is discontinued at the same time.

Abstract: A signature machine for assembling books has a binding machine which can accommodate variable book thicknesses without adjustment during operation. The binding machine has multiple binding stations each of which is pre-set to bind a book of a particular thickness. Each book is bound at the station set up to operate on the corresponding book thickness. The stations are disabled when presented with books of thickness different from that assigned to the particular station.

Abstract: A book stacker for thick or thin books in which an input conveyor for feeding the books in a stream to a transfer conveyor is adjustable for the thick-thin situation, and the transfer conveyor likewise; in which a partial stack of books is dropped to a collecting conveyor which gathers a full stack, the collecting conveyor being suspended resiliently; and in which the stack being gathered is stabilized.

Abstract: An insert is incorporated in a book of gathered signatures by a segment wheel which makes one-half turn per machine cycle; to calibrate the speed of the wheel to the lineal speed of the signature a coupling incorporating principles of a Whitworth drive is interposed between the main drive shaft of the machine and the drive for the wheel.

Abstract: In a system for collating, binding and stacking magazines or books, a machine comprising a portion of a conveyor line used in the system. The machine turns some of the books relative to their direction of travel prior to entering the stacking device so that an even stack can be obtained. The books are turned slowly, that is, for a time interval of several book cycles.

Abstract: A method of collating binder production of books in a sequence of different editions, which differ as to content, to another sequence on a conveyor so they will be delivered in the other sequence from the conveyor.

Abstract: Extraneous signatures in a continuous stream are purged by so diverting the stream that it is possible at the same time to originate and advance the head of a new stream to the point of diversion.

Abstract: A signature feeding machine of the type having suction grippers for removing a signature from a hopper. A vacuum is applied to the gripper when grabbing a signature. The gripper transports the signature to a rotating cylinder where the gripper releases it by disapplying the vacuum. The machine is operable in two modes; a run mode and a jog or intermittent mode. An adjustable timing control is provided to time differently the application and disapplication of the vacuum in accordance with the particular mode of operation.

Abstract: Signatures fresh from the printing press are fed in a shingled stream toward and then dropped one by one into a hopper which may feed a gathering chain.The signatures are "broken" (unstuck) by first stacking them edgewise on a horizontal support, shingling them in a constant stream by an unusual form of suction feed, bending the shingled stream and thereafter cascading the stream into the hopper.

Abstract: If a newspaper jacket to be stuffed with a collection of inserts does not timely arrive at the stuffing station the inserts intended therefore are rejected but the machine is not stopped; if the inserts are detected as insufficient in number the ones which are present may be rejected and the jacket may also be rejected.

Abstract: Signature feeding machine operable in a run mode or jog mode and having means to time differently the application and disapplication of vacuum to an extractor in accordance with the modes.

Abstract: Mail is sorted by scanning zip code data, delivering the scanned mail from a delivery conveyor to a sorting conveyor and altering the speed of the sorting conveyor when there is a change in the zip code; zip code batches cannot be interrupted by missing pieces. The delivery conveyor and sorting conveyor are at right angles and both conveyors may be duplicated by a parallel conveyor, enabling large size mail to be handled.

Abstract: Books are produced by juxtaposing webs of printed material obtained from rolls, cut and then folded twice to afford a lap margin and a juxtaposed fold before delivery to a saddle conveyor; the folded sheets or signatures thus produced are trimmed and one trim is at the aforementioned juxtaposed fold.