Abstract: A folder operable to cut a printed web received from a printing press. The folder includes a cutting section having cutting cylinders that cut the web into individual printed products, and a cutting motor that is operable to drive the cutting cylinders. A delivery assembly of the folder includes delivery belts that are operable to guide the individual printed products through the folder, and at least one delivery motor is operable to drive the delivery belts. The folder also includes a diverting assembly that diverts individual printed products to one of a plurality of collation paths, and a diverting motor that is operable to drive the diverting assembly. The cutting motor, the delivery motor, and the diverting motor are operable independently of one another.

Abstract: Provided is a sheet diverter for directing signatures moving in serial fashion along a diverter path to one of a plurality of collation paths. The sheet diverter includes a pair of diverter rolls for directing a signature to one of the plurality of collation paths and a diverter wedge for deflecting the signature to a selected one thereof. The diverter wedge is positioned between the diverter rolls so as to reach high into the diverter path thereby providing increased support to the signature as it travels from between the diverter rolls to the diverter wedge. The diverter rolls are permitted to intermesh with the diverter wedge so as to allow the diverter wedge to be so positioned.

Abstract: A signature slow-down section in a folder of a printing press for slowing down signatures is provided. The folder is driven by a folder drive mechanism and the signature slow-down section includes a frame, a slow-down mechanism supported by the frame, and a motor connected to the slow-down mechanism for rotatably driving the slow-down mechanism separately from the folder drive mechanism. The motor is selectively operable to drive the slow-down mechanism at a speed in response to the position of the signatures relative to the slow-down mechanism.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for sorting a single stream of signatures into two or more streams, the apparatus includes two counter-rotating bucket assemblies. Each bucket assembly includes a plurality of buckets spaced from one another along a common axis. The respective common axis of each bucket assembly is disposed parallel to the common axis of the other. Each of the buckets of one of the bucket assemblies is disposed adjacent to and in a respective common plane with a respective one of the buckets of the other of the bucket assemblies. Further, each of the buckets includes a plurality of blades, the tips of the blades of each bucket defining a circumference. A respective circumference of one bucket overlaps the circumference of the other bucket disposed in the common plane. Two neighboring blades have respective surfaces defining a slot therebetween.

Abstract: Provided is a sheet diverter for directing signatures moving in serial fashion along a diverter path to one of a plurality of collation paths. The sheet diverter includes a pair of diverter rolls for directing a signature to one of the plurality of collation paths and a diverter wedge for deflecting the signature to a selected one thereof. The diverter wedge is positioned between the diverter rolls so as to reach high into the diverter path thereby providing increased support to the signature as it travels from between the diverter rolls to the diverter wedge. The diverter rolls are permitted to intermesh with the diverter wedge so as to allow the diverter wedge to be so positioned.

Abstract: An apparatus for decelerating signatures moving in tandem fashion through sheet processing equipment is provided. A pair of counter-rotating cams lying in general face-to-face relation along a travel path of the signatures reach into the travel path of the signatures to effectively grab the trailing end of each signature so as to decrease the speed of each signature as the signature continues or to further processing equipment in the sheet handling system. Also provided is a guide assembly which increases control over the signatures during the decelerating process and during transport of the signatures to further downstream processing equipment. The guide assembly includes grooved rollers which act as pulleys for belts near the exit stream of the slow-down equipment, wherein the protruding segments between belt grooves act to push the signatures away from the belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for decelerating signatures moving in tandem fashion through sheet processing equipment is provided. A pair of counter-rotating cams lying in general face-to-face relation along a travel path of the signatures reach into the travel path of the signatures to effectively grab the trailing end of each signature so as to decrease the speed of each signature as the signature continues or to further processing equipment in the sheet handling system.

Abstract: A printed product slow down apparatus and method for slowing down printed products, the apparatus and method utilizing a slow down member to absorb the kinetic energy of the printed product thus slowing down the printed product.

Abstract: Provided is a sheet diverter for directing signatures moving in serial fashion along a diverter path to one of a plurality of collation paths. The sheet diverter includes a pair of diverter rolls for directing a signature to one of the plurality of collation paths and a diverter wedge for deflecting the signature to a selected one thereof. The diverter wedge is positioned between the diverter rolls so as to reach high into the diverter path thereby providing increased support to the signature as it travels from between the diverter rolls to the diverter wedge. The diverter rolls are permitted to intermesh with the diverter wedge so as to allow the diverter wedge to be so positioned.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for sorting a single stream of signatures into two or more streams, the apparatus includes two counter-rotating bucket assemblies. Each bucket assembly includes a plurality of buckets spaced from one another along a common axis. The respective common axis of each bucket assembly is disposed parallel to the common axis of the other. Each of the buckets of one of the bucket assemblies is disposed adjacent to and in a respective common plane with a respective one of the buckets of the other of the bucket assemblies. Further, each of the buckets includes a plurality of blades, the tips of the blades of each bucket defining a circumference. A respective circumference of one bucket overlaps the circumference of the other bucket disposed in the common plane. Two neighboring blades have respective surfaces defining a slot therebetween.

Abstract: A diverter wedge for a pinless folder is adapted for cooperative association with a diverter guide mechanism operating to direct the lateral disposition of the leading edge of a signature relative to the wedge to one of a plurality of collation paths. The diverter wedge includes an elongated bar having a longitudinal axis and a generally triangular cross section transverse to said longitudinal axis. The bar is fixed in position and also includes a base, a vertex edge opposite the base, and planar diversion surfaces diverging from the vertex edge, an air inlet port connectable to a source of pressurized air, and a plurality of air discharge ports connected to the air inlet port and intersecting one of the planar diversion surfaces. At least one air discharge port intersects the vertex edge.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for sorting a single stream of signatures into two or more streams, the apparatus includes two counter-rotating bucket assemblies. Each bucket assembly includes a plurality of buckets spaced from one another along a common axis. The respective common axis of each bucket assembly is disposed parallel to the common axis of the other. Each of the buckets of one of the bucket assemblies is disposed adjacent to and in a respective common plane with a respective one of the buckets of the other of the bucket assemblies. Further, each of the buckets includes a plurality of blades, the tips of the blades of each bucket defining an outer circle. A respective outer circle of one bucket overlaps the outer circle of the opposing bucket disposed in the common plane. Two neighboring blades have respective surfaces defining a slot therebetween.

Abstract: Provided is a sheet diverter for directing signatures moving in serial fashion along a path to one of a plurality of collation paths. The sheet diverter includes a non-uniform angular velocity drive mechanism, the function of which is to improve the collation process such that the quality of signatures is improved as the signatures move along one of the plurality of collation paths and to increase the speed of the folder.

Abstract: A folder of a printing press wherein the bucket assemblies are mounted on shafts cantilevered from the folder frame, and wherein each shaft is rotatably driven and positionally controlled by a motor that is mechanically independent of the folder drive mechanism.

Abstract: An adjustable signature stripping mechanism for stripping signatures from a rotating bucket assembly in a folder of a printing press. The mechanism includes a stripper shaft having a mounting portion and a pivot axis and a plurality of strippers mounted on the stripper shaft for stripping signatures from the bucket assembly and wherein the strippers are non-rotatable relative to the stripper shaft and slidable positionable along the stripper shaft.

Abstract: A diverter wedge for a pinless folder is adapted for cooperative association with a diverter guide mechanism operating to direct the lateral disposition of the leading edge of a signature relative to the wedge to one of a plurality of collation paths. The diverter wedge includes an elongated bar having a longitudinal axis and a generally triangular cross section transverse to said longitudinal axis. The bar is fixed in position and also includes a base, a vertex edge opposite the base, and planar diversion surfaces diverging from the vertex edge, an air inlet port connectable to a source of pressurized air, and a plurality of air discharge ports connected to the air inlet port and intersecting one of the planar diversion surfaces. At least one air discharge port intersects the vertex edge.