Abstract: Trimming apparatus for books and similar materials are detailed. Dynamic variability of the apparatus allows sizes of successive materials to differ in two dimensions—both from spine to face and from head to foot. The result is a processing system with substantially greater utility than presently available, as the system may process respective materials of multiple different sizes without stopping the apparatus to adjust positions of the cutting implements.

Abstract: Mixed book signatures are fed into a machine which transports them one after the other past a camera where an image of each is captured. Each captured image is directed to an electronic computer which has stored within its memory images of limited areas of interest from selected signatures, as well as the location of each limited area within the overall signatures. As to each captured image, the computer compares the stored image with it, attempting to match each stored image with that location in the captured image corresponding to the location for the stored image. If the captured image identifies with a stored image, a controller activates a reject device along the conveyor, and that device diverts the identified signature from the conveyor. A separate reject device exists for each stored image, so like signatures are diverted and isolated at the same locations along the conveyor.

Abstract: The web in a high speed printing press passes between a transmitter and receiver, the former of which produces ultrasonic sound which the latter receives, after attenuation by the web, and the latter of which converts the sound into an oscillating electrical signal of corresponding frequency. This electrical signal, after being amplified and filtered, is impressed upon a peak detector and a comparator. The peak detector produces a constant potential equal to the amplitude of the peaks in the amplified signal, and this constant potential is reduced a predetermined proportion and is applied to the comparator as a reference potential. The comparator compares the reference potential with the amplified oscillating signal. The reference potential remains undisturbed even though the oscillating signal may momentarily drop due to the further attenuation of the sound caused by a splice moving through it.

Abstract: An electronic computer orders magazines of multiple titles from dispensing units, each of which has a single title assigned to it, and these orders are organized by carrier route, that is to say all magazines for subscribers of a specific carrier route are ordered in sequence. The orders are directed to a magazine dispensing unit which has a different pocket for each title, and these pockets deliver to the conveyor one after the other magazines that fill the subscriptions to which the various addresses pertain. The computer also causes the insert dispensing unit to deposit on the magazines as those magazines pass under the unit inserts that are appropriate to the magazine and its subscriber. Next a wrapping machine places a transparent polymer film around the magazine and any insert which is on it. Then the conveyor carries the magazine past an ink jet printing unit where the subscriber's name and address are applied to the polymer envelope, the printing unit likewise being connected to the computer.

Abstract: A highly compact machine for applying an attractive protective coating to a paper web that passes through a printing press is located between the last press stand and the dryer of the printing press, and to enable the machine to receive the web, the printing press is provided with an apparatus for directing the web back to the print stands and the machine after the web passes through the dryer. The machine includes upper and lower blanket cylinders, a plate cylinder contacting the lower blanket cylinder, and an oscillating cylinder below the plate cylinder. In addition the coating machine includes a pan containing a coating fluid and a pan roller, the surface of which rotates through the fluid in the pan to lift it out of the pan. A metering roller revolves close to the pan roller to remove excess fluid from the pan roller which thereupon transfers the fluid to a form roller. That form roller runs against the oscillating cylinder and transfers the fluid to the oscillating cylinder.

Abstract: A machine for arranging signatures in bundles includes a receiving conveyor onto which the signatures are initially directed, and this conveyor moves the signatures in a shingled condition between deflecting surfaces which cause the signatures to simultaneously bow forwardly and rise at their leading edges so as to assume an edge-standing condition. The edge-standing signatures move onto a consolidating conveyor which advances them at a lesser velocity so that they move closer together, and here the signatures are also jogged into marginal registration. At the end of the consolidating conveyor the signatures pass onto an accumulating conveyor which normally advances the signatures at a slightly lesser velocity than the consolidating conveyor, so that the signatures pack together.

Abstract: A machine for stacking and bundling flexible sheets, such as the signatures that are delivered from a printed press, includes a succession of aligned conveyors. The sheets are deposited on the first conveyor where they accumulate in a generally horizontal disposition, one on top of the other, and the first conveyor withdraws sheets from the bottom of this pile and conveys them to a gate in a shingled condition. At the gate, which is narrower in width than the sheets, the sheets bow forwardly and rise upwardly at their leading edges until they stand on edge. It is in this condition that the sheets pass onto a second conveyor which moves them through another gate that is narrower than the first gate, so that the degree of bowing increases. The second conveyor moves slower than the first conveyor and as a result the flexible sheets consolidate in the upright condition on the second conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing the fountain solution used by lithographic printing presses includes a mixing tank and a pump unit for withdrawing the fountain solution from the tank and directing it into a distribution line that leads to several printing presses. Water for the fountain solution is supplied through a water line containing a solenoid valve. The additives, on the other hand, are pumped from drums into measuring containers located above the mixing tank, there being a separate measuring container and pump for each additive. Each measuring container has a solenoid valve at its bottom for releasing its additive into the tank when opened and a float switch for de-energizing its pump when the additive reaches a prescribed level in the measuring container. The water and additive valves, as well as the pumps, are controlled automatically, and to this end each measuring container has its own float switch, while the mixing tank contains high and low level float switches.

Abstract: A machine for collating signatures has a pair of side-by-side gathering chains as well as feeding apparatus along the chains, with each feeding apparatus being adapted to open signatures and deposit them on the chain along that apparatus, so that the signatures accumulate on the chain in a saddle format. The compiled signatures are trimmed as they pass along the chain, and at the end of the chain they are discharged into a layup unit where they are turned from a vertical disposition to a horizontal disposition. The layup unit has at the end of each gathering chain a pair of high friction belts which come together at a nip into which the chains project the compiled signatures. The belts grip the compiled signatures near the folds in those signatures and move the depending portions of the signatures against and over a bar which deflects the depending portions laterally and into a horizontal disposition.

Abstract: The printed ribbons in a high speed printing press are, while the press is operating at walk speed, directed onto a diverting conveyor prior to the forming board of the folder for the press, so that they do not pass through subsequent equipment which does not adequately handle the ribbons at walk speed. The diverting conveyor transports the ribbons away from the press and discharges them into a trash container, or at least allows them to accumulate where they will not interfere with the operation of the press or with pressmen working in the vicinity of the folder. By reason of the diverting conveyor, no pressman is needed to roll up the ribbons when the press operates at walk speed.

Abstract: A card inserter for inserting post cards in a series of bound volumes in motion in a production line which includes a pair of horizontally reciprocated feed plates and associated hoppers arranged on opposite sides of a substantially vertical feed plane. A conveyor is provided in the form of a pair of flat endless belts positioned face to face, the belts being trained about a pair of driven pulleys at the inlet end to define a nip at the feed plane as well as pulleys for maintaining the belts in face to face relation along an angular conveyance path. A V-shaped diverter extends downwardly into the nip. The feed plates are reciprocated inwardly and outwardly in synchronism and have one-way frictional driving connection for simultaneous feeding of the lowermost cards against the diverter and thence into the nip so that the cards are delivered to the volume in register with one another.

Abstract: An assembling and addressing machine for magazines which are differently assembled in a number of different versions for sending to individuals falling into different demographic categories based upon interest, occupation or the like. A plurality of signatures are produced which are capable, upon selection in predetermined combinations, of accommodating all of the different versions. A gathering device gathers the selected signatures to form a book. Books in various versions are stored in temporary storage stations. The device operates under the control of address labels which include the address and indication of the demographic category. Means are provided for reading the category and for triggering release of a book from the corresponding storage station and to which the label is then applied. It is one of the features of the invention that means are provided in each storage station for sensing depletion and for signaling the gathering device to produce a group of books to replenish the depleted station.

Abstract: A sheeter for feeding sheets in shingled relation to a point of collection including a source of sheets, a first conveyor belt and a second conveyor belt operating at substantially reduced speed so that the sheets are collected thereon in shingled relation. For snubbing the successive sheets so that they are decelerated and uniformly spaced on the second conveyor belt, a snubber is provided in the form of a knock-down roller arm rotating in a vertical plane at the upstream end of the second conveyor belt and so spaced therefrom as to press a sheet into engagement with the second conveyor belt, the arm being driven at a rotary speed which is synchronized with the source, with means being provided for adjusting the phase of the arm with respect to the source so that the arm engages the tail of each successive sheet.