Abstract: A hopper is provided including a pile plate, a backstop, a jogger opposite the backstop, the backstop and jogger being separated to permit a signature stack to be placed therebetween on the pile plate, and a flexible guide located opposite the jogger, adjacent to the backstop. A hopper is also provided including a pile plate, a backstop, a jogger opposite the backstop, the backstop and jogger being separated to permit a signature stack to be placed therebetween on the pile plate, and a toothed guide located opposite the jogger and adjacent to the backstop, a plurality of teeth of the toothed guide facing the signature stack. Methods are also provided.

Abstract: A hopper assembly is provided including a hopper, a hopper base, the hopper being detachable from the hopper base, and a hopper shoe, the hopper shoe being fixable to the hopper and securable to the hopper base. A hopper assembly also is provided including a hopper, a first hopper base, and a second hopper base. The hopper is detachable from the first hopper base and movable to the second hopper base. A gathering device is also provided. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A hopper is provided including a pile plate, a backstop, a jogger opposite the backstop, the backstop and jogger being separated to permit a signature stack to be placed therebetween on the pile plate, and a flexible guide located opposite the jogger, adjacent to the backstop. A hopper is also provided including a pile plate, a backstop, a jogger opposite the backstop, the backstop and jogger being separated to permit a signature stack to be placed therebetween on the pile plate, and a toothed guide located opposite the jogger and adjacent to the backstop, a plurality of teeth of the toothed guide facing the signature stack. Methods are also provided.

Abstract: A storage vessel for holding between shaves a wet razor with its head and cutting blade submerged in a liquid and its handle held out of the liquid and dry. The vessel liquid is comprised of a mixture of hydrophobic and hygroscopic materials and of anti-viral and anti-bacterial materials, effective to reduce cutting blade oxidation due to exposure to water and air during nonuse storage and to maintain the blade sharp and sanitary for shaving comfort. These materials specifically might be mineral oil and calcium chloride (CaCl2), and nano-gold or nano-silver.

Abstract: A hopper assembly is provided including a hopper, a hopper base, the hopper being detachable from the hopper base, and a hopper shoe, the hopper shoe being fixable to the hopper and securable to the hopper base. A hopper assembly also is provided including a hopper, a first hopper base, and a second hopper base. The hopper is detachable from the first hopper base and movable to the second hopper base. A gathering device is also provided. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A signature hopper is provided comprising a first drum having a first gripper for a lead edge of a folded signature, a second drum having a second gripper for an open edge of the folded signature, the second gripper having a gripper finger with an end curled in a direction of rotation of the second drum, a dipper blade for pushing the open edge from the first drum toward the second drum so as to contact the gripper finger and a stationary signature guide spaced with respect to the first drum, the signature contacting the signature guide as the first drum rotates the signature past the signature guide.

Abstract: A sheet material feeder includes a sheet material holder for holding a pile of sheet material; a sucker bar device having at least one sucker for contacting the sheet material, the sucker bar device having a pivot axis, and an actuator for pivoting the sucker bar device about the pivot axis and having a first position and a second position. When the actuator is in the first position, the sucker pivoting about the pivot axis from a first angle where the sucker contacts the sheet material by a predetermined angle so that the sucker removes the sheet material from the pile; and when the actuator is in the second position, the sucker pivoting about the pivot axis from a second angle where the sucker does not contact the sheet material.

Abstract: A sheet material feeder includes a sheet material holder for holding a pile of sheet material; a sucker bar device having at least one sucker for contacting the sheet material, the sucker bar device having a pivot axis, and an actuator for pivoting the sucker bar device about the pivot axis and having a first position and a second position. When the actuator is in the first position, the sucker pivoting about the pivot axis from a first angle where the sucker contacts the sheet material by a predetermined angle so that the sucker removes the sheet material from the pile; and when the actuator is in the second position, the sucker pivoting about the pivot axis from a second angle where the sucker does not contact the sheet material.