Abstract: A slow-down apparatus is disclosed using a suction box by itself to slow a sheet of paper in a paper transport apparatus, and to remove the trailing edge of a sheet from the path of the leading edge of an oncoming or following sheet to prevent lead edge damage. A set of high-speed conveyors deliver a sheet above shingled predecessor sheets being drawn by a slowdown conveyor. The shingled sheets "shutter" a suction box beneath them from affecting the delivered high-speed sheet. As the shingled sheets uncover the suction box, the high-speed delivered sheet is affected and drawn to the low-speed conveyor.

Abstract: An improved device for cutting a single or multiple-layer continuous web is equipped with a closed-loop, fan-driven air system to "push" air onto the leading edge of the continuous web and "pull" air from about the knife edges to capture the waste material produced by the removal of blank portions. Chambers in the knife roll assembly direct positive air pressure continually to the leading edge for reliably guiding the web into subsequent machinery. Additional chambers direct suction to the waste material at the cutting operation to restrain the waste material within the knife roll assembly for most of the rotation of the knife assembly and to transport waste material to a disposal system including a cowl, which is maintained at a substantially greater suction.

Abstract: Sheet cutting apparatus for severing a rapidly-moving web, such as printed paper, into cut sheets in two stages. In the first stage, spaced cuts are made along a transverse cutting line of the web. The web is trained between belts which support the cut portions of the web, and the uncut portions of the web are severed to separate sheets. The sheets are conveyed out of the cutting station and into further apparatus. Preferably, the belts for supporting the web during the second cutting operation are trained around the knife and anvil rolls which make the cuts. The purpose of the belts is to prevent the leading edge of the web or a cut sheet from being projected forward of its support, thus tending to become dog-eared or misfed. The cuts made at the first and second cutting stations can be arranged in various patterns to remedy mis-timing of the respective cutting stations.

Abstract: An apparatus for decelerating and shingling a stream of fast-moving, regularly spaced apart sheets is disclosed for use in connection with a sheet processing system. In a first portion, the sheet is subjected to a first snubbing apparatus which decelerates the sheets, thereby reducing the gap between each next subsequent sheet. In a second portion, the sheet is subjected to a second snubbing apparatus which further decelerates each sheet and allows each next subsequent sheet to overlap the previous sheet before being similarly decelerated. The speed of the sheet processing system may thereby be greatly increased.

Abstract: An apparatus for diverting and delivering sheets in which the sheets are positively controlled throughout the entire operation. Initially, a continuous web of paper passes between opposing cylinders comprising a rotary cutter. The lead edge of the web is then engaged by a pair of opposed nip rollers. Once held by these nip rollers, the rotary knife cuts a separate sheet from the front of the continuous web. The separate sheet then passes between and is accelerated by the nip rollers whereupon a dual set of diverting cams, in combination with a pair of conveyors, directs the sheet to one of two delivery systems. The next subsequent sheet is directed to the other delivery system so that each successive sheet is alternately diverted between the two delivery systems. Upon exiting either delivery system, the sheet is subjected to a snubbing means which decelerates the sheet and further allows the next subsequent sheet to overlap the previous sheet before being similarly decelerated.

Abstract: An apparatus for diverting and delivering sheets in which the sheets are positively controlled throughout the entire operation. Initially, a continuous web of paper passes between opposing cylinders comprising a rotary cutter. The lead edge of the web is then engaged by a pair of opposed nip rollers. Once held by these nip rollers, the rotary knife cuts a separate sheet from the front of the continuous web. The separate sheet then passes between and is accelerated by the nip rollers whereupon a dual set of diverting cams, in combination with a pair of conveyors, directs the sheet to one of two delivery systems. The next subsequent sheet is directed to the other delivery system so that each successive sheet is alternately diverted between the two delivery systems. Upon exiting either delivery system, the sheet is subjected to a snubbing means which decelerates the sheet and further allows the next subsequent sheet to overlap the previous sheet before being similarly decelerated.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling and setting ink to a web of paper through a series of chill rolls which are arranged such that both sides of the web are cleaned while traveling through the chill rolls and maximum wrap efficiency is obtained. As the web travels from the oven it passes through a series of chill rolls arranged in an upside mode in which a number of the middle chill rolls are mounted on vertically adjustable shafts so that barrier layers which build up on the web can be brought together and scrubbed as they cross in opposite directions on both sides of the web. The placement of the middle chill rolls on adjustable shafts also permits a more efficient wrap of the web around the chill rolls to promote more efficient cooling of the web.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding and shingling sheets in which the sheets, upon exiting the printing operation, enter a controlled slow-down section between a series of high-speed, face-to-face belts. The sheets exit these belts and are decelerated by the action of a snubber means trapping the sheets against a series of slower-speed belts and underlying deck plate. Having been slowed down, the sheets abut a stop member wherein a chopper blade impacts the centerline of the sheet thereby driving the sheet through a slot in the deck plate and into the grasp of a pair of biased, impinging nip rollers. The nip rollers crease the fold created by the chopper blade and accelerate the sheets into a second series of high-speed, face-to-face belts. These belts deliver the folded sheets to a second slow-down section wherein a second snubber means decelerates the sheets by trapping them against a slower-speed belt.

Abstract: A system for counting and stacking a continuous stream of shingled or overlapping sheets in which the shingled sheets are transported by a first conveyor and fed into an optical counting means for individually counting the sheets. From the optical counting means, the sheets are fed into a second conveyor which imparts a concave transverse bow to the sheets thereby providing rigidity to the sheets. The sheets exit the second conveyor and are collected by a recovery means for stacking. The second conveyor further includes an insertion means activated by the optical counter for separating the stream of sheets. The action of the insertion means separates the stream of sheets so that a predetermined number of sheets are collected and stacked by the receiving means while the insertion means temporarily supports the continuing stream of sheets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting the positioning between a first rotating member and a second fixed or rotating member in a rotary machine comprises controlled thermal elements positioned on the frame supporting the members and/or on the rotating member(s) itself to counteract the effects of centrifugal force on the rotating member(s) to thereby approximately maintain the setting between the members. In one embodiment, the temperature of the frame controlled by the thermal elements may be maintained in proportion to the speed of rotation of the rotary member(s) to maintain the setting of the rotary machine throughout its operating speed range. In another embodiment, the initial setting between the first and second members may be precisely set by the controlled thermal elements at or near the setting representing the minimum useful loading, and due to the effect of centrifugal force be allowed to diminish to within the range of useful operating pressure or clearance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting the positioning between a first rotating member and a second fixed or rotating member in a rotary machine comprises controlled thermal elements positioned on the frame supporting the members and/or on the rotating member(s) itself to counteract the effects of centrifugal force on the rotating member(s) to thereby approximately maintain the setting between the members. The temperature of the frame controlled by the thermal elements can be maintained in proportion to the speed of rotation of the rotary member(s) to maintain the setting of the rotary machine throughout its operating speed range. A predefined temperature may be set by the thermal elements prior to the manual setting of the rotary machine so that the temperature of the frame and/or rotating member(s) can be controlled to compensate for wear of the rotating member(s) in machines wherein such member(s) encounters wear over operating time.