Abstract: A product handling system for stacking printed products. The system includes a plurality of product stacking bins, a conveyor, a gapper and a plurality of diverters. In a preferred embodiment, the stacking bin is a compensating stacking bin including a temporary holding device which drops products onto a platform after a predetermined number of products have accumulated therein, a compression device which compresses the product stack on the platform, a compensation device which rotates the product stack on the platform and a product pusher device which pushes the product stack off of the platform. The system also includes a control processor to control the system. The diverter of the present invention has a low profile and can be integrated with a stacker conveyor. The system is actuated by pneumatic power.

Abstract: A pusher assembly for use with a signature stacker pushes a stack of signatures from the stacker. The pusher assembly includes a pusher bar, a linkage for moving the pusher bar, and a controller for adjusting the length of travel of the pusher bar. The pusher bar is supported for reciprocating movement along a length of travel for engaging the stack of signatures. The linkage is connected to an extendible fluid cylinder which moves the linkage upon actuation to push the stack of signatures from the stacker. The controller actuates the fluid cylinder and is adjustable as a function of signature width for pushing various width stacks from the stacker.

Abstract: An improved apparatus is operable to stack signatures having one edge portion which is thicker than other edge portions of the signatures. The apparatus compensates for the thickness of the one edge portion by flattening the one edge portion and offsetting successive layers in a stack of signatures. The apparatus includes a platform which receives the signatures in an initial orientation. This platform is rotated about a vertical axis to offset a first group of signatures from their initial orientation. The signatures subsequently received on the platform have a relatively thick edge portion offset from the first group of signatures. After a retractable apparatus has been extended over the top of a group of signatures, the platform is raised to press the signatures against the retractable apparatus and thereby flatten the signatures.

Abstract: There is provided an improved compensating stacker for stitched, folded, stapled, or the like signatures which is characterized by a temporary platform including a pair of counter-rotatable shafts having tines extending therefrom and toward the opposite shaft. The shafts rotate through 360.degree. moving the oppositely extending tines away from beneath a stack portion to drop the stack portion onto a turntable rotatable through 180.degree. after receipt of each stack portion from the temporary platform until a stack of a desired number is built up whereupon the stack is ejected from the turntable.

Abstract: There is provided a turning mechanism for article orientation, as in a compensating stacker of printed signatures, which is characterized by a three link system including a stationary mounting block having mounted therein for rotation a turnable shaft, a rotating lever arm attached to the turnable shaft, and means for selectively moving the lever arm through 180 degrees of rotation.