Abstract: The folded products are not completely creased across their width in a folding apparatus but, rather, leaving an open loop or bulge or end portion (101). A separating cylinder (100) includes gripper or holding elements (38-41) located spirally about the circumference of the cylinder, in groups, and axially shiftable, for insertion of the grippers, sequentially, into said open loop. After the first gripper moves to an insertion position, it opens the sides of the folded products for insertion of subsequent grippers or holding elements along the length of the folded sheet.

Abstract: To transport, store, process and handle and distribute a plurality of printed products, retained in cassettes on a minimum of space, the cassettes are vertically stored, preferably in pairs. Transport can occur in a predetermined plane, of full and empty cassettes, respectively, the cassettes being moved within the storage elements by horizontal and vertical or lift transport elements, so that the cassettes can be moved in all directions of the three-dimensional storage structures and removed from any one position.

Abstract: To trim a plurality of printed products, which may have different thicknesses, first and second cutting assemblies are provided, each cutting assembly having a cutting knife (98, 59) and a cutting counter element (115, 65). The printed products are held in receivers formed of a fixed jaw and a movable jaw, resiliently clamping the printed products between the jaws, the knives being moved across the printed products and against the counter elements. The printed prroducts are supplied to the first cutting assembly by a pair of toothed or ribbed belt (20) from a storage cassette (1). The length dimension to be cut is determined by a stop rail (39) and the width dimension is determined by the spacing of two lateral knives of the second cutting assembly. A transfer apparatus transfers the printed products from the first to the second cutting assembly, from which they can then be removed. The knives are moved in a guide way formed by guide rails on which sliders operate.

Abstract: Folded products, supplied in dual-comb like interdigited form are transported by a transport chain system (75) carrying grippers (84, 85) in a vertical direction to form a vertical stack. Grippers engage alternate products about their fold line, and hold the interdigited intermediate sheets therebetween. The transport system and a carrier structure are placed in relative positions to permit the grippers of the transport system to pick up the products (1, 2) at the fold line and, after reorienting the products, to place them in a vertical stack on a support (96, 110), a cam track (88) opening the grippers on the transport system (75) as the grippers pass about a vertically movable deflection wheel (97) to release the products. The deflection wheel moves upwardly as the stack grows.

Abstract: To provide for simultaneous wrapping or packaging of products, particularly flat, and especially folded printed products (1), in pockets, a foil or web (29) is pulled from a supply roll in a predetermined path over a plurality of cutter rails (23, 118) associated with pairs of holder elements (42, 42'-50). The so-pulled foil is continuously fed, even after it is stretched over the cutter elements, and a deflection bar or rail is passed between the holder elements to deflect the foil into zig-zag shape, to form reception pockets. The products are introduced into the pockets, the zig-zag shaped pockets are severed along a connection line and welded shut at the sides, as well as along the connection lines, for example by heat welding.

Abstract: To permit placement of selected copy products having different subject matter together in specifically collated copy product assemblies, for association of individualized copy product assemblies with delivery addresses in a specific sequence, for example specific to subscribers or distribution stations or regions, a controller-computer (10) stores delivery addresses and the desired copy products at specific delivery addresses. All the copy products are stored in individual storage locations, from which, with respect to a specific address within the sequence, selected individual copy products are removed, for placement on collecting spaces (48-56) on a collecting transport system.

Abstract: To permit essentially simultaneous application of a plurality of address labels provided on address fields (2) on an address carrier (6) formed as an elongated strip rolled up on an address roller (31), a plurality of products 59, typically folded newspapers, are provided, in parallel and in predetermined positions, for application of the address labels under control of a control computer (103) which associates respective address labels with individually prepared products, for example newspapers with special inserts or sections to be sent to specific subscribers.

Abstract: To permit preparation of inserts or special sections for newspapers, selected in accordance with individual subscriber, distributor or regional dealer wishes, inserts or sections (100,102) are selected in accordance with these wishes, under control of a computer-controller (112) and selectively assembled to form intermediate products (115). The intermediate products are coded in accordance with product distribution address sequences, and can be stored until they are to be merged with the daily news section of the newspaper, for example the masthead section, for rapid assembly therewith, while retaining the address codes and the product distribution sequence. The completed newspaper is then addressed, upon reading the address codes, and can be immediately bundled or packaged for delivery to a delivery truck (111) whose route follows the sequence of the distribution addresses of the pre-addressed individualized combined newspaper.

Abstract: To insert a plurality of insert sheets (2') simultaneously into multi-sheet products (2), for example folded inserts into already folded newspapers, a first carrier structure (3,3') retains the multi-sheet products in essentially open V-shaped position. A second carrier structure, located above the first carrier structure, retains the insert sheets. In accordance with the invention, for insertion, an auxiliary holder (19-26) grips insert sheets from the second carrier structure and, upon spreading apart of the first carrier structure, and downward movement of the auxiliary holder, transfers the inserts into the multi-sheet products. If the first carrier structure does not retain any multi-sheet products, the arrangement can also be used for transfer from one carrier structure to another and also to remove defective sheets from the second carrier structure by gripping them and depositing them on a defective-sheet transport belt (54).

Abstract: To permit simultaneous stapling of a plurality of folded sheet products (3) in compact space, the sheet products are opened in V shaped formation by carrying them on zig-zag or accordion-pleat carrier elements (1, 1'). The folded elements are transported to stapling systems (8-13), in a direction transverse to the central plane (20) of the folded products. Staple heads (13) move staples against the folded back of the folded products and are closed by a staple counter or closing elements (12) lowered into the open V of the opened folded products (3), preferably along the central plane (20) of the V (21). After stapling, the folded products are transported in direction reverse to the direction of movement to the stapling station, for storage, or delivery to a transport system (15).

Abstract: To permit adjustment of the width of storage cassettes (1) adapted to hold sheet holding elements (2, 2'), while the cassettes are being moved along a transport path, the cassettes (1) formed of two facing L-shaped elements (1', 1") connected together by a central bolt-and-nut connection (13), are supported on a support carriage (5) moving in the predetermined path. A pair of cassette holders, including electromagnets (28, 37), and supported on a platform moving at the same speed as the cassette support, engage the L-shaped legs, permitting release of the bolt-and-nut connection (13) by a suitable operating element (38, 39) attached to said platform, then re-positioning of the holders to space the L-shaped halves at a desired distance, and re-tightening of the bolt-and-nut connection, all while the platform and the support are moving.

Abstract: To provide for a space-saving, yet high-capacity storage system for sheet elements, for example folded printed paper sheets or the like, a plurality of segments (6) are slidable along a guide track. The segments are interconnected, for example by welding, hinges or the like, in zig-zag or accordeon pleat form. When compressed, the structure can be empty and any number of segments can be taken from an empty storage region, transported to a loading/unloading/mixing region for insertion, removal, or interleaving of sheet elements, while the segments are in expanded position; and then, again, compressed so that sheet elements or folded sheets will continue to be carried in the structure formed by the segments, with little space required.

Abstract: To move a plurality of interconnected segments which a zig-zag, accordeon or bellows pleat arrangement on or between which sheet elements such as projecting elements from a folded sheet are located along a transport path and to permit, selectively, expansion or compression of the segments for handling of sheet elements, and compact storage, an endless belt, preferably a gear belt sprocket chain or the like, is provided engageable with the segments. Preferably, lifting rollers are provided, selectively engageable with the belt to slightly raise the segments from transport rails, and decrease friction of the segments with respect to the rails. The segments can be stored, when empty or loaded, when collapsed against each other, and spread apart for sheet material handling. A plurality of such system can be located or adjacent each other, so that, when the segments are spread apart, suitable mixing or insertion steps can be carried out.

Abstract: To permit introduction of adjacently located sheet elements (20, 22), for example folded sheets (24), received from a folding flap cylinder (2), with the fold line or spine leading and with the sheet elements spread apart, a guide belt (13) has laterally projecting fingers (12) which engage between the sheet elements (20, 22), the guide belt being positioned adjacent to and operating at essentially the same speed as a pair of transport belts (25, 26) between which the sheet elements are being transported. The fingers are inserted between the sheet elements as a sheet (24) is folded or two individual sheet elements are gripped by a folding flap or gripper cylinder (2), and remain between the sheet elements upon transport by the transport belt system.

Abstract: To permit introduction of spreading fingers or insert sheet or sheet packages between essentially adjacent positioned sheet elements or halves (4a, 4b) of a folded sheet, the sheet is folded incompletely by extending a fold or spine or crease line or partly across the sheet while leaving a terminal portion in form of an open loop. The insert element, which may be spreading fingers (13, 23, 24), spreading disks (25, 26) or another sheet (31), is then engaged within the loop which, after insertion of the insert element, can be compressed, for example by cams (20) to form a crease also in the previous loop position. The transport of the incompletely folded sheet is carried out by transporting the sheet between, for example, transport belts, with the open loop projecting laterally from the transport belts so that they will not be squeezed or compressed.

Abstract: To prevent impact shock of copy elements formed as a single sheet or package of sheets, against grippers of a gripper cylinder which operates at a slower speed than the arrival speed of the copy elements, the grippers of the gripper cylinder engage the leading edges of the arriving copy elements, deflect the leading edges below the plans of arrival and carry the leading edges about the circumference of the gripper cylinder to thereby convert kinetic energy inherent in the copy elements into energy required to cause bending stresses in the copy elements as they are bent about the gripper cylinder, the copy elements, upon rotation of the gripper cylinder, being turned or flipped over, with the trailing edge being guided by sheet-metal guide elements or the like; the sheets are delivered to a delivery apparatus operating at a slower speed than the incoming speed, for example in imbricated or shingled form upon opening of the grippers and delivering the copy elements to the delivery transport belt system upon ali

Abstract: The webs of printed material 1a, 1b printed in a printing machine are assembled in the desired manner, after being previously cut, via various deflectors (e.g., 12, 17, 18, 23, 24, etc.) and are optionally provided with inserts or wrappers which have been cut to size and come from rolls (40, 41). After braking has been effected in braking stages (e.g., 37a-37h), the fold is formed on folding tables (38a-38h). The folded products can be assembled in any desired manner on collecting tables, after which they are either paid out below the collecting tables (39a-39h) or combined with further folded products (FIG. 1).

Abstract: To re-orient the position of a sheet, or package of sheets (3), for example after having been folded in a folding former, cut, and transversely folded in a folding knife cylinder, a pair of vertically aligned dish-like plates, or disks (4,5) are moved in an endless transport path. The plurality of such pairs of plates or disks may be provided, each pair being moved in a path by a gear belt (16, 29) driven by a gear or sprocket wheel (20, 30). The plates or disks receive a sheet, or package of sheets (3) therebetween, then are moved towards each other to clamp the sheet therebetween, for example under cam control (25) and a spring (24), and, when the sheets are clamped, additional rotation is supplied to one (4) of the plates or disks, the other (5) being freely rotatable, for example by a stepping motor (37) coupled thereto via a gear transmission and a bushing or sleeve concentric with the shaft driving the sprocket wheel.

Abstract: To permit high speed operation of printing substrate handling apparatus, using cylinders operating, for example, at speeds in the order of about 650 rpm, with positive guidings of sheets, a sheet folding and handling cylinder in the form of spaced staggered circumferential cylindrical portions has a plurality of sets of rollers (13, 14, 15) located within the circumferential outline thereof.

Abstract: To positively guide removal of sheets, or packages of sheets retained against a circumference of a sheet handling cylinder, which may be a folding cylinder (1) or a cutter cylinder, a belt system comprising guide belts (11) is guided to a position within the circumferential outline of the sheet handling cylinder, guided therein by sets of guide rollers (13, 14, 15) close to the circumference, to leave the interior of the folding cylinder at a removal station (B) and thereby lift the leading edge (8) of sheets held against a circumference of the folding roller for example by external belts (9) and holding grippers (7) off from the folding cylinder for transport to a conveyer belt system for further removal. The belts (11) which operate partly outside, partly inside the folding cylinder (1) operate, preferably, at the same circumferential or linear speed.