Abstract: Stack handling apparatus includes an input delivery section having two spaced apart conveyor segments operatively arranged to move equidistantly with respect to a centerline between the two conveyor segments. A stack formation section receives articles conveyed in a serial stream from the input delivery section and includes a carriage having a blade apparatus which is maintained at a generally constant predetermined angle as the carriage is transported in a closed loop transport movement path. Articles are assembled into batches on the blade apparatus, and each batch is transferred to door gate apparatus by relative linear movement. The door gate apparatus releases the batch for linear free fall movement to a turntable mechanism of a stack delivery section. The turntable mechanism alternately rotates 180.degree. after the receipt of each batch. Longitudinally extendable hydraulic assemblies are eccentrically connected to rotate the turntable mechanism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high-speed in-line or off-line insertion of newspaper supplements and the like into newspaper jackets is disclosed. In in-line insertion, the jackets are indexed and transported through a sensing station where a diverting conveyor takes any jacket that is sensed to be out of position relative to an assembly conveyor carrying pockets. Each pocket receives a jacket and has a fixed side which precedes a pivotal side in the path of travel. The fixed side and the pivotal side are spaced apart at the bottom of the pocket. Adjustable support bars run continuously underneath the pockets bridging the space between pocket sides and support the jacket and insert. The pockets mechanically spread the jackets as the pockets travel downstream, where an insert feeder impels the bottom insert of a stack of inserts into the open pocket. The initial feeding of a jacket, and later feeding of the insert, are sensed photoelectrically.

Abstract: Randomly spaced articles in serial order are separated into predetermined linear configurations or rows of a predetermined number of articles and thereafter simultaneously transferred into compartments in rows in a container. In reverse operation, articles from the compartments in the container are transferred into single file order. The apparatus used in these operations includes a conveyor upon which the predetermined linear configuration of articles is established, and a conveyor which moves the container and its rows of compartments into alignment to receive the articles, and an elevator assembly for transferring the articles in the predetermined configuration between the first conveyor and the rows of the container. Separably operable conveyor segments and separator plates establish the predetermined linear configuration on the conveyor, and the conveyor moves to avoid interference with the movement path of the articles transferred by the elevator assembly.

Abstract: An electro-optical device mounted over a conveyed stream of articles for sensing the passage of each article by projecting a single spot of light onto the articles and measuring the reflectance of that spot from two different angles. The measured reflectance values are fed to an electronic comparator which produces an output signal when one reflectance value exceeds the other by a predetermined amount.