Abstract: A multi-length sheet material conveyor and collator is provided including a first conveyor for receiving successive cut sheets from a cutter and a second conveyor for receiving cut sheets from the first conveyor and arranging the received cut sheets in collated sets of sheets. The second conveyor includes drive structure for intermittently driving the collated sets of sheets therealong and support structure whereby additional equipment may be supported from the second conveyor for performing single or multiple additional operations on the collated sets of sheet material such as stapling, gluing and token tipping.

Abstract: The backbone portions of multiple page documents are trimmed by a chopper unit on a collating conveyor of an envelope inserter machine downstream of a supply station from which the documents are transferred to the conveyor, in order to establish collated sets of separated sheets onto which additional single insert sheets are added from other supply stations.

Abstract: A load vertically stacked on a pallet lowered on a lift fork into a vertically elongated handling zone, enclosed by a guide frame. As the pallet approaches a lower rest position, the load is retained above a support plane on top of rails between which the lift fork tines are vertically movable. The lift fork is withdrawn from the unloaded pallet and reinserted into the handling zone just below the load to raise it through the guide frame during which the load is stabilized on the lift fork.

Abstract: A rigid airfoil surface and the exposed portion of the bottom sheet of a stack of flexible sheets in a magazine, form opposite passage walls of a venturi flow passage into which a flow of air is directed from a nozzle member. Collapse of the passage wall formed by the flexible bottom sheet is induced by the static suction pressure created at the throat of the venturi passage resulting in deflection of the exposed portion and separation of the bottom sheet from the stack in preparation for withdrawal by a gripper mechanism.

Abstract: The movable jaw on a gripper mechanism is engaged by a bowed spring feeler element to effect a change in its lateral deflection thereof at a maximum magnification ratio to displacement of the movable jaw from an operative position gripping a single sheet of paper. Deformation of the feeler element is regulated by a bearing abutment spaced from a contact sensing assembly through which the intermediate portion of the element extends to monitor the paper gripping operation.

Abstract: The phase relationship of gripper jaw operation to gripper arm travel is adjustable in a collator to obtain proper sheet release during gripper arm travel. At least two trip elements actuate the jaw operating mechanism at adjusted phase locations of the gripper arm while a stop engageable with the operating mechanism limits jaw opening movement.

Abstract: The spacing between jaws on a gripper lever is gauged by a sensing rod movably mounted on the lever to actuate a limit switch supported in a switch housing clamped to the oscillatory shaft to which the gripper lever is attached. The limit switch is adjusted to detect deviations from the thickness of a single sheet of material clamped between the jaws during transfer from a magazine to a collating conveyor.