Abstract: Method and apparatus for handling stacks of sheets, including a carrier for lowering the sheets in a stacker and having a clamp which applies to the bundle and moves therewith throughout the lowering process. The clamp is mounted on the carrier for movement into and out of clamping position, and in the clamping position it permits the bundles to be lowered without bending or distorting the sheets which are otherwise dragging on a stationary support.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of feeding sheets to a sheet gatherer, comprising moving the sheets along a horizontal path and then arcuately downwardly to lay the sheets in the gatherer hopper. The sides of the sheets are supported by members which have irregular surfaces disposed in vertical upstanding planes for engaging the opposite sides edges of the upstanding sheets and thereby support the sheets while advancing them toward the hopper. The sheets are continuously moved from a loading position and in the horizontal direction and then through a downwardly extending arc and into the hopper.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for stitching sheets of paper together by means of a hardenable liquid applied to hollow needles which roll with the movement of the stack of sheets moving tangentially to the rotational action of the applicator needles. The needles can be readily arranged in any pattern of applying the hardenable liquid to the stack of sheets, as desired, and the liquid is applied under pressure only at the location of the sheets themselves. Finally, a cover is placed over the stack of sheets with the hardenable liquid not yet set, and thus the cover is automatically glued or adhered to the stack of sheets for a finally neat and complete product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling a stack of sheets, including the stacking of the sheets from a continuous incoming stream of sheets and on a lower endboard, and compressing the stack and restricting the sides of the stack while the stack is moved laterally to a station where an upper endboard is applied and the stack is strapped or bound and then moved further away.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for collating folded signatures which are removed from a stack of signatures and placed in parallel side-by-side relationship on saddle members. The saddle members move in a direction transverse to the folds in the signature, and thus spacing of the saddle members is close together and the entire apparatus and process can be performed at a high speed, in that arrangement. A signature pickup device is employed for removing the signatures from the stack in a stream relationship and delivering them directly to a collector where a flap opener can be employed for positioning the signature flaps on opposite sides of the collector saddle members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for singly removing the bottom one of a sheet from a stack of sheets, and utilizing counter rotating discs or plates which sweep the bottom sheet toward its opposite edges and thus create a flat and smooth bottom surface for contact by suction cups to remove the sheet from the stack. The plates are adjustable relative to the widths of the sheets, to thereby accommodate various widths of sheets. An intermediate or central portion of the lower sheet of the stack is made smooth and flat for contact by a suction cup which can therefore remove the sheets at high speeds.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling sheets in a hopper, whereby the stack of sheets is partially supported at various elevations along the stack so that only a portion of the weight of the stack bears downwardly on the sheet removal devices. The stack support members are movable into and out of supporting position relative to the stack, by virtue of a solenoid or the like, for passing a discrete lower portion of the stack down to the take-off device, and a feeler is provided for sensing the need for passing more sheets downwardly, in accordance with the rate of removing the sheets from the bottom of the stack.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for palletizing bundles of sheets to move them from a first position or pickup station and into rows and stacks on a pallet on a second or deposit station. A single overhead and endless conveyor is utilized. A bundle pickup mechanism, such as a clamp, is employed to the conveyor and has elevator means for lifting the bundle relative to the overhead crane or conveyor and for then lowering the bundle at the deposit station and relative to the overhead crane or conveyor. In that manner, the apparatus is simplified in utilizing one endless overhead crane or conveyor, and the entire system is automated by means of electric sensors and powered mechanisms.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying folded sheets along a raceway and in an inverted V-shaped position and moving the sheets to an elevating conveyor which turns the sheets onto their sides where the sheets can then be further moved into a trimmer or stacked or the like. The apparatus provides for safe and accurate transport of the sheets and for movement at a constant velocity so that the sheets can be moved at the high speed of the printing press which is producing these sheets. Also, an orbital type of device is utilized for picking up the sheets from the raceway and like conveyor while maintaining the sheets in their horizontal orientation and then presenting the sheets to the vertical elevating conveyor, all without upsetting the relationship between the sheets in the multiplicity of folded sheets such as a signature.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of handling signatures which are first presented to a rotating type of trimmer and are then collected in a compensated stack where the folds of the signature are positioned on opposite sides for levelling the stack. The trimmer includes a clamp which secures the signature while it is being trimmed on its three open edges, and the clamp can then be actuated to move the signature to a collection location where the compensated stack of signatures is formed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for supplying strap to an item, such as a bundle of sheets, and with two strapping mechanisms being made available to a fixed segment of a strap guide, such that either mechanism can be positioned in the operating position at any one time. Arrangement is made for shifting the two strapping mechanisms laterally into mating position with the fixed strap guide, and with each strapping mechanism carrying a segment of a strap guide for mating with and completing the fixed segment of strap guide. Provision is also made for removing the strapping mechanisms from a fixed strap guide or position, for servicing or the like.

Abstract: An automated sheet-moving system for moving sheets from a printing press and to a bindery and with a fully automated system where the sheets need not be manually handled. The sheets are initially formed in a stack on a stacker and are then placed onto a tray where a pick-up mechanism moves the sheets to a station adjacent a bindery feeder. An automated pick-up then moves the sheets from the station to the bindery feeder, in response to the requirement for sheets in the bindery feeder. A specially provided tray and pick-up mechanism are inter-related so that the pick-up mechanism can engage the tray and pick up the tray with the sheets thereon, and the mechanism can also eject the sheets from the tray at the location of the bindery feeder.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of handling signatures which are first presented to a rotating type of trimmer and are then collected in a compensated stack where the folds of the signature are positioned on opposite sides for levelling the stack. The trimmer includes a clamp which secures the signature while it is being trimmed on its three open edges, and the clamp can then be actuated to move the signature to a collection location where the compensated stack of signatures is formed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting a plurality of sheets together from a row of sheet stacks. The collection is made in upstanding buckets or trays wherein the sheets can be collected in the upright position standing on their lower edges. The system provides for high-speed collection and the equipment can be compact. The buckets are J-shaped, and they move along a line which is at right angles to the axis of the feeder cylinder.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying folded sheets along a raceway and in an inverted V-shaped position and moving the sheets to an elevating conveyor which turns the sheets onto their sides where the sheets can then be further moved into a trimmer or stacked or the like. The apparatus provides for safe and accurate transport of the sheets and for movement at a constant velocity so that the sheets can be moved at the high speed of the printing press which is producing these sheets. Also, an orbital type of device is utilized for picking up the sheets from the raceway and like conveyor while maintaining the sheets in their horizontal orientation and then presenting the sheets to the vertical elevating conveyor, all without upsetting the relationship between the sheets in the multiplicity of folded sheets such as a signature.

Abstract: A method and system of routing a signature or stitching, and including taking folded signatures from a raceway and onto support bars or fingers and moving the signatures to a rotary stitcher where they are stitched and then removing them from the bars or fingers to a collection conveyor, all in a high-speed continuous action.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for opening folded sheets which are moved from a stack and by a gripper member to a location between two belts. The belts direct the folded sheets to a guide which causes the sheet to become unfolded and the guide then directs the sheet onto a gatherer or collector chain. A sheet opener can also be used for directing one flap of the folded sheet to the far side of the chain which is running at an acute angle with respect to the direction of movement of the unfolded sheet as it approaches the chain.

Abstract: A crane system sheet feeder method and apparatus employed for depositing collections of bundles of sheets in locations related to specific ones of sheet feeders, such that each collection of bundles can be utilized by an overhead crane to deliver the individual bundles to a specific one of the sheet feeders in accordance with the supply of sheets on that feeder. The bundles are initially bound, and the overhead crane has apparatus for removing the binding and removing the end boards from the bundles so that the bundles are deposited in the feeders free of any bindings.

Abstract: A sheet stacker with a separator plate having a movable stacker table with a stack supporter thereon. A first drive means is utilized for alternately lowering the separator plate and the stacker table, and a second drive means is utilized for alternately raising the separator plate and the stacker table. The second drive means is constantly running and two clutches are respectively interposed between the drive means and the plate and table and that second drive means is constantly running and is overcome by the downward drive means, but is effective upon suitable alternate actuation of the two clutches for the plate and the table.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for stacking bundles of sheets from a pick-up station and onto a pallet and with an overhead crane system. The bundle is produced by a stacker where the crane system picks up the bundle and moves the bundle overhead and deposits the bundle onto a pallet where a collection of bundles is assembled. An electric system is employed for energizing a pick-up clamp and lifting it overhead, and electric elements are utilized for displacing the clamp to the location of the pallet for the deposit of the bundle onto the pallet. Also, a pallet or skid hopper and supply apparatus are employed for continuously presenting the pallet to a location where the bundles are placed onto the pallet, and the loaded pallet is then automatically removed from that location. The method and apparatus of this invention also comprises moving bundles of sheets from a pickup station and to remote locations, such as sheet feeders.