Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing numerically correct partial stacks from individual leaves or sheets interfolded in a U-shaped or zigzag form on an interfolder. A double stream is formed from one or more streams of sheets by staggering or guiding together. This double stream is then continuously folded into zigzag form and piled up in a continuously growing stack, from which partial stacks of a specific size are separated. Gaps are formed in the streams of sheets which simplify the introduction of separating elements into the stack. For this purpose, sheets are removed from the streams of sheets and optionally placed accurately in position on successive sheets.

Abstract: Magazine signatures which are manually loaded as a stack into a product hopper are stripped therefrom and are conveyed as a rough and non-uniform shingle to an accumulating hopper while being elevated from a low level to a substantially higher level. The signatures are stripped from the accumulating hopper and are formed into a thin and uniform running shingle with a comparatively large setback for transport along a horizontal path to a receiver hopper which is located at a relatively high elevation to feed the collating conveyor of a binding machine. The shingles are fed on an on-demand basis both to the accumulating hopper and to the receiver hopper in order to keep stacks of consistently low height and weight in the hoppers and thereby promote consistent stripping of shingle signatures from the hoppers.

Abstract: A sorter includes a plurality of vertically movable trays which are each formed with a cut-out in one corner. The trays are each oriented so that a corner in which the cut-out is formed is lower than the other corners of the tray and formed with a rear wall a side wall which flank the cut-out. A tray shift mechanism includes groups of three Geneva wheels. These wheels are each formed with one or more recesses which can pick-up tray pins and guide the same along guide slots. The slots are formed with portions which induce both vertical and lateral displacement of one or more trays at a time. The Geneva wheel/guide slot arrangements move the trays one by one to a position wherein sheet of printed matter can be ejected thereonto and/or the cut-outs are located in the mouth of a stapler. Due to the skewed angle of the trays the ejected sheets slide under their own weight to the corners in which the cut-outs are formed.

Abstract: A sorter with a plurality of receptacles arranged vertically movably and being capable of receiving articles to be treated. A drawing mechanism sequentially draws out one of the receptacles to a predetermined treatment position by shifting the receptacles. A treatment is applied by a treatment mechanism to the articles on respective receptacles drawn out to the treatment position. One of the articles is discharged by a discharging mechanism to a lower adjacent receptacle positioned just below the receptacle drawn out. A front portion of each receptacle is guided diagonally upwardly by a guiding mechanism when the receptacle is drawn out, the front portion of the receptacle being remote from the treatment position.

Abstract: The folding cylinder assembly has: rotatable folding cylinder having three pin lever shaft assemblies spaced substantially equally about the folding cylinder, each of the pin lever shaft assemblies having at least one pin and a cam follower positioned on a first end of the folding cylinder; one piece cam for interfacing with the cam followers, the one piece cam rotationally mounted on the first end of the folding cylinder, the one piece cam having two lobes which periodically contact the cam followers as the cam rotates; mechanism for rotating the folding cylinder and the cam such that the cam and the folding cylinder have a first relative angular velocity for the first mode of operation and second relative velocity for the second mode of operation, wherein in the first mode of operation the folding cylinder rotates at a substantially constant angular velocity and the cam rotates at one and one-half times the substantially constant angular velocity in the same direction of rotation as the folding cylinder, an

Abstract: Apparatus and a method are disclosed for associating a relatively wide strip with a set of stacked sheets. The strip, which may be a paper tape, is positioned to intersect a path along which a set of sheets such as paper sheets is advanced. The sheet set is advanced towards the strip and a nip is formed by a pair of opposed belt conveyers so that the downstream edge of the sheet set engages the strip and carries the strip into the nip of the belt conveyers where the strip is folded at least once to the sheet set adjacent the downstream edge of the sheet set. The strip is indexed from a roll to the position in the path of the sheet set. The strip is tensioned and is drawn against a knife edge as the sheet set advanced through the nip to sever the strip from the roll. Pairs of opposed rollers, each pair forming another nip, are disposed adjacent the nip formed by the belt conveyers to cooperate with that nip and form a wider composite nip for folding wider strips and skewed narrower strips.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating and folding forms cut from a continuous web is provided wherein a swing chute having opposing first and second conveying surfaces positively conveys a form to a delivery table, maintaining control of the form until the trailing edge exits therefrom. The apparatus includes a swing chute for use in a dynamic or zig-zag folding apparatus.

Abstract: A structural arrangement for detecting improper positioning between a hub. The structural arrangements utilize a bore which axially penetrates a stepped-down end portion of the shaft to receive a fastening means by which the hub may be secured to the shaft. A blocking bore extends radially through the stepped-down end portion of the shaft to communicate between the bore and the exterior of the shaft. A blocking member is received within the blocking bore and is movable radially therealong. A cam flange extends radially inwardly from the hub member and presents a blocking surface and a releasing surface on the radially inner extent thereof. The blocking surface is disposed in radial opposition to the blocking bore when the hub member is improperly positioned with respect to the shaft and the releasing surface is disposed in radial opposition to the blocking bore when the hub member is properly disposed with respect to the shaft.

Abstract: A method of forming a coded image with the edges of a plurality of stacked pages is disclosed. The method includes defining a unique identification code for a plurality of defined areas on a sheet of paper, and for printing each identification code onto each area, the identification code being in contact with a boundary between each area. A method of cutting the sheet along each boundary to form blanks having a coded edge, and stacking a number of sheets to form a stack with an edge bearing a coded image formed from a number of coded edges is also disclosed.

Abstract: A finisher for use with a copier, printer or similar image forming apparatus for stapling or otherwise finishing paper sheets sequentially driven out of the apparatus. A paper sheet is introduced in a stapling section of a stapling device by being switched back, while being accurately guided by a guide member having a sufficient length. The stapling device is movable, independently of jogger fences which position paper sheets, to a particular position which is optimal for the size of stacked paper sheets and the position in which they are used. When a staple error detector detects a stapling error, a discharge path in use is switched over to another path. When a stapled paper stack is discharged, it is deformed in a wave-like configuration in a direction perpendicular to an intended direction of transport to be provided with a certain degree of rigidity. This allows the stapled paper stack to be driven out stably, epecially without being loosened at the discharge side.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing sheets, comprising: first structure for feeding a nestable sheet having a leading edge downstream in a path of travel; structure for forming a buckle loop in a foldable sheet, the buckle loop forming structure including a stop, the buckle loop forming structure including second structure for feeding the foldable sheet across the path of travel and against the stop to form a buckle loop therein, the buckle loop forming structure including structure for guiding the buckle loop downstream of the leading edge of the nestable sheet and in the path of travel thereof; and structure for assembling the sheets, the assembling structure including third structure for feeding the sheets in the path of travel, the third feeding structure including an elongate drive roller extending transverse to the path of travel, the third feeding structure including an elongate roller extending parallel to the drive roller and defining therebetween an elongate gap, and the assembling structure including structur

Abstract: Sheet material assemblages each having a jacket section enclosing a plurality of inner sections are formed by sequentially moving a circular array of upwardly opening pockets through an arcuate array of feed stations. A jacket section feed mechanism at a first one of the stations feeds a jacket section into each of the pockets in turn. A plurality of single inner section feed mechanisms feed inner sections one at a time into an open jacket section in each of the pockets in turn. A plural inner section feed mechanism is operable to feed a plurality of inner sections at a time into a jacket section in each of the pockets in turn.

Abstract: An improved modular finisher apparatus, for use with a reproduction apparatus producing reproduction sets, for forming completely finished reproduction sets. The improved finisher apparatus comprises a receiver for receiving sheets of reproduction sets from the reproduction apparatus. A first feed path extends from the receiver to a sheet collector where received sheets are directed. Collected sheets are stapled into finished reproduction sets. A second feed path extends from the sheet collector to a set collector where finished reproduction sets are collected. The finisher also includes at least one of the following devices: a Z-folder, a saddle stitcher, and an insert tray. Sheet transport paths are provided to any of the included devices.

Abstract: A folding apparatus for a rotary printing machine with two folding formers arranged one behind the other, nip rollers and cutting cylinders for two paper webs longitudinally folding by the folding formers, as well as deflectors, fans and deliveries for streams of folded products formed of the folded paper webs cut by the cutting cylinders, comprising a pair of first frame members carrying the nip rollers and the cutting cylinders therebetween, a second frame member at least partly disposed between the pair of first frames and intermediate the two product streams, idler means, diverter rollers and delivery devices for the folded products being mounted in cantilevered fashion on both sides of the second frame member.

Abstract: Apparatus for singularizing stacked paper sheets has a rotary sheet withdrawing unit with a set of equidistant rotatably mounted transfer elements having suction cups which attract successive lowermost sheets of a stack in a magazine adjacent a first portion of the endless path of orbital movement of the transfer elements. The transfer elements deliver the sheets into a second portion of the endless path where the sheets are transferred toward an endless belt conveyor having a reach which advances in the direction of advancement of transfer elements in the second portion of the endless path and at a speed which exceeds the speed of orbital movement of the transfer elements. The leaders of the sheets are caused to abut stops on the endless belt conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for individually printing signatures during delivery to a bindery line where a plurality of signatures are provided at a feeding station for delivery to a binding line conveyor. The signatures are transferred by a transfer conveyor which extends from a point near the feeding station to a point near a binding line conveyor. A main drum assembly preferably moves the signatures one at a time from the feeding station to the transfer conveyor which follows a path to a delivery drum assembly where the signatures are delivered one at a time from the transfer conveyor to the binding line conveyor. The transfer conveyor is adapted to receive one signature at a time from the main drum assembly after which the transfer conveyor carries the signatures to the delivery drum assembly which delivers signatures one at a time for deposit on the binding line conveyor.

Abstract: A folding machine of a rotary press is of the type that after superposed paper sheets have been cut out by means of a folding drum and a cutting drum, a folding blade is projected from the folding drum to insert the cut paper sheets between a pair of folding rollers for folding. A gap adjusting device for the folding rollers is composed of a pair of support arms for the folding rollers which are swingable about a pair of fixed shafts. Vertically movable adjusting tables are disposed under the respective support arms and a pair of links connect the adjusting tables with the respective support arms. In a variation a pair of arms pivotably supporting the folding rollers are coupled via a pair of adjusting levers pivotably supported from a single support shaft disposed under a middle portion of the support shafts of the arms and links.

Abstract: A finisher having a stapler for stapling paper sheets sequentially discharged onto a two-sided copy tray of a copier, facsimile machine, printer or similar equipment or onto a bin of a sorter. A paper positioning device included in the finisher has a bin fence and a positioning member. The bin fence is provided on each bin and extends along one side edge of the bin. A positioning member is reciprocatingly movable from a standby position thereof toward the bin fence and back to the standby position. During such a reciprocating motion, the positioning member is repetitively brought into and out of contact with a stack of paper sheets to thereby position the stack. The moving speed of the positioning member is variable.

Abstract: In the machine, a tabloid brochure produced from the strip is either stripped directly from a folding cylinder (30) or passed between the folding cylinder and a second fold cylinder at which a transverse, so-called second fold is made.The folding cylinder (30) comprises at least one insertion blade (37A, 37B) movable between two fixed positions, a deployed position in which it projects relative to the lateral surface of the cylinder and is adapted to cooperate with a jaw of the second fold cylinder, and a retracted position in which it is inside the folding cylinder, the insertion blade being adapted to be deployed when it is necessary to make said second fold and retracted otherwise.

Abstract: A method for superimposing webs where multiple ply cut pieces are applied to a carrier from one vacuum applicator cylinder or drum by first cutting multiple pieces from continuous webs and aligning the trailing edge of the multiple pieces or web lengths. These pieces may be of equal or unequal lenghth or of equal or unequal width and these are applied to a carrier at high speed and accurately positioned irrespective of whether the carrier is continuous or non-continuous. The invention applies to lengths of paper, film, foil, fabric or the like, any of which that are flexible enough to conform to the vacuum drum or cylinder by vacuum.