Abstract: Folded sheet units, such as newspapers and magazines are successively removed from a stack of such sheet units by inserting at least one sheet engaging member such as a pin in the fold between adjacent sheet layers of the sheet unit to be removed. The pin is subsequently moved transversely towards the fold so as to withdraw the sheet unit from the stack to a display position. This principle of withdrawing newspapers form a stack is used in a vending machine for newspapers or magazines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an operating system for moving a feed apparatus of elongated pieces of timber, particularly logs, into a transversal feed apparatus, for moving reciprocatingly the feed apparatus, the feed apparatus being arranged to feed pieces of timber piece by piece from a reception point (7) to a discharge point (8) and the feed apparatus having a step-like configuration and the feed apparatus comprising a reception step member (1), which is movable reciprocatingly between the initial position thereof, in which the upper surface part (9) of the reception step member is substantially on the level of the reception point (7), and the discharge position, and a discharge step member (4), which is movable back and forth between the discharge position thereof, in which the upper surface part (15) of the discharge step member is substantially on the level of said discharge point, and the reception position thereof, and possibly one of more additional step members (2, 3).

Abstract: An apparatus for the automated processing of bulk mail which incorporates a number of operating stations that serve to accomplish the various aspects of mail extraction, as well as the subsequent processing of extracted documents, and which are operatively associated with one another to serially process envelopes and extracted documents in continuous fashion and substantially independent of their characteristic features. To this end, the operating stations of the apparatus are configured to be as independent as possible of the characteristics of the envelopes and their contents so that envelopes and contents of varied characteristics can be effectively handled by the apparatus without requiring any significant adjustments.

Abstract: A stack of sheets or blanks for feeding one by one from the bottom of the stack by a feeding mechanism is supported for high speed feeding to subsequent stations. A feed cylinder rotatably supported beneath the leading edge of the stack includes a suction device. An intermediate portion of the blank leading edge is drawn by the suction device downwardly toward an opening in the periphery of the feed cylinder. Continued rotation of the feed cylinder further bends the blank. For blanks of large size and having a leading edge with an irregular contour the blank leading edge intermediate portion extends forwardly from edge lateral portions. Positioned in spaced relation along the interior of the feed cylinder are a plurality of air manifolds having outlets directed at selected angles upon the lateral portions of the blank leading edge. The manifolds are connected to a source of pressurized air which is directed in a sweeping motion upon the blank leading edge lateral portions upon rotation of the feed cylinder.

Abstract: The bucket conveyor system is made up of buckets which are pivotally suspended between two chains and run around an endless circuit. The claims are made up of links being connected by pins in elongated holes. This chain can be compressed to make its length less than when it is under tension. The chain is compressed at the loading station to force the buckets into direct contact with each other and allow continuous 10 loading. At the discharge station the chain is put under tension to space the buckets and allow them to be rotated through 360.degree. to empty out their contents. Guides are positioned at the areas where the chain is under compression to stop buckling from occurring. The system is driven by a motor and sprockets which also control the compression or tension of the chain.

Abstract: A system for providing a hard copy machine with a variety of cut sheet media trays having differing sheet stack capacities is demonstrated. A tray selector mechanism is provided in the media tray docking bay of the hard copy machine. Each tray is provided with sheet separating and picking devices and an interface coupling for engaging the tray devices to the tray selector mechanism. In the exemplary embodiment, a full height tray, that is one which occupies the entire docking bay, allows a maximum capacity of a single media type to be loaded for use in making hard copies. A number of smaller, lesser capacity trays can be substituted for the full height tray in the docking bay, each having a different media type. The tray selector mechanism is then operative to select between the lesser capacity trays on end user demand. A default position of the tray selector mechanism is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for feeding a stream of underlap-imbricated sheet-like printing substrates to printing machine, the apparatus comprising a conveying table for conveying the stream in a conveying direction toward the printing, a source of compressed air, and at least one blowing device coupled to the source of compressed air, the blowing device being disposed in a region of the conveying table adjacent to printing machine, and including at least one opening disposed to direct compressed air beneath the imbricated stream in a direction opposite to the conveying direction.

Abstract: A lift assembly adapted to be incorporated into a structure for moving an object between adjacent floors of a structure. The lift assembly including a guide rail vertically extending between the adjacent floors, a traveler assembly slidingly disposed on the guide rail, a carrier assembly connected to the traveler assembly for holding the object to be moved, and a drive assembly cooperatively connected to the traveler assembly to cause the traveler assembly to move in an upward direction and a downward direction along the guide rail.

Abstract: An apparatus for engaging and feeding containers to a printing press, including a support frame having a plurality of shafts mounted thereon; a plurality of worm members mounted on the shafts and each having spiral grooves for engaging a bead of a container, the worm members being movable between a first position for engaging the bead of a container and a second position disengaged from the bead of the container. In addition, the container feeding apparatus includes a feeder tube mounted on the support frame for setting and controlling the location of the first position of the worm members and for supplying the containers to the worm members. There are also a plurality of worm block assemblies mounted within the support frame each including drive means for rotating one of the plurality of worm members while in the first position to simultaneously engage the bead of the container to move the container forward relative to the feeder tube to the end of the spiral grooves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for treating a conveyor belt with a treatment fluid while minimizing the amount of over spray of the treatment fluid into the air and onto the surrounding equipment and materials. For example, a pervious conveyor belt used in the cooking or other processing of food may be washed, scrubbed, or rinsed with water or a mixture of soap and water without causing overspray of the cleaning or rinsing fluid. Also, the apparatus and method may be used to spray a high quality non-stick coating onto the pervious conveyor belt without over spray of the non-stick coating onto surrounding plant equipment and materials. Overspray is minimized by the placement of treatment fluid flow diverters at the conveyor belt entrance and exit to divert the flow of treatment fluid away from the entrance and exit.