Abstract: The invention pertains to a hopper loader apparatus for separating and forming an overlapping shingled stream of individual signatures of sheet materials from a vertically aligned, parallelepiped shaped stack of such signatures for subsequent handling operations. The hopper loader has a slippage resistant belt which engages a bottom edge of each signature and assists in preventing the signatures from slipping by keeping them upstanding. Preferably the slippage resistant belt has an array of projections extending upwardly from a belt surface which secures the signatures in place. This produces a smooth, regular, even signature stream. Individual signatures flow reliably, one-by-one off of the downward conveyor to another conveyor.

Abstract: A hopper loader apparatus for transferring and separating individual signatures of sheet material from a vertically aligned, parallelepiped shaped stack of such signatures. The separated, individual signatures may then be subjected to handling operations such as stapling or stitching. The hopper-loader has a first, downwardly inclined, planar conveyor, a second upwardly inclined, planar ramp conveyor which separates individual signatures from the stack and moves the signatures at a faster speed than the first conveyor. An included angle is formed between the first and second conveyors which ranges from about 125.degree. to about 145.degree. . Signatures are delivered to a pocket having spaced side walls and having a floor comprising a third intermittent indexing conveyor which sequentially moves the individual signatures away from the second conveyor and makes them available to stapling or stitching equipment.

Abstract: An improved stacker apparatus for the formation of aligned stacks of signatures from one or more incoming streams of partially overlapping signatures in shingled form. The stacker has an outer framework having an input end and an output end. A stream of partially overlapping signatures in shingled form is accepted at the input end and is passed to a compression conveyor. The compression conveyor has two conveyor belts in compressed opposition to one other which follow an upward arcuate path along a series of idler rollers. The series of idler rollers is mounted to the outer framework by a quick release inner framework. The conveyor transfers the signatures to a receiving station which guides successive signatures into aligned stacking registry with one another. When a conveyor belt breaks, the inner frame is quick released from the outer frame, a new belt is wound around the inner frame, and the inner frame re-mounted.

Abstract: An improved stacker apparatus for the formation of aligned stacks of signatures from one or more incoming streams of partially overlapping signatures in shingled form. The stacker has an outer framework having an input end and an output end. A stream of partially overlapping signatures in shingled form is accepted at the input end and is passed to a compression conveyor. The compression conveyor has two conveyor belts in compressed opposition to one other which follow an upward arcuate path along a series of idler rollers. The series of idler rollers is mounted to the outer framework by a quick release inner framework. The conveyor transfers the signatures to a receiving station which guides successive signatures into aligned stacking registry with one another. When a conveyor belt breaks, the inner frame is quick released from the outer frame, a new belt is wound around the inner frame, and the inner frame re-mounted.