Abstract: There are provided a device and a method for shaping and inspecting pantyhose for defects comprising flat stretchers for stretching the pantyhose, the stretchers being arranged in pairs one beside the other and so that they can be brought into a mutually aligned position and the pantyhose being preferably exposed to the action of steam in a steam-shaping station. In order to permit visual inspection of both the front and the back faces of the pantyhose, neighboring stretchers are rotatable by approximately 180.degree. about a common axis so that the fully spread pantyhose can be inspected easily and by direct eye contact. Subsequent heat-treatment is effected on the same stretchers, preferably by means of steam. The device is preferably designed as circular indexing machine, where the stretchers are arranged in pairs along the circumference of a rotary plate by means of which the stretchers are indexed through the different treating stations.

Abstract: An aligning table such as e.g. used in feeders for folding and printing machines comprising a lower sheet guide and an upper sheet guide which is defined by two side walls which extend in the conveying direction and between which a plurality of holding-down elements likewise aligned in the conveying direction are arranged, is improved such that the side walls are connected together by at least one guide bar which extends perpendicularly to said walls and on which the holding-down elements are slidingly mounted, whereby interfering sheets of paper, paperboard, cardboard or the like can simply and rapidly be removed from the aligning table without applying high forces.

Abstract: A sheet separating apparatus has a lifting device and at least one suction device. The suction devices receive a sheet from a stack, and with the sheet engaged with the suction devices, are lifted away from the stack by the lifting device. The suction devices are connected to a vacuum source(s) and the lifting device is connected either to the vacuum source, or one of the vacuum sources, or to a different vacuum source or a positive pressure source. In either case the vacuum source(s) acts through the suction devices to produce the engagement of the sheet and suction devices, and this engagement in turn produces a pressure drop in the suction devices which leads to activation of the lifting device to lift the suction devices.