Abstract: A stitcher is provided including a carriage having a center of gravity, the carriage movable between an extended position and a retracted position; at least one bearing for supporting the carriage; and an operating link for driving the carriage, a driving force of the link being applied through the center of gravity or between the center of gravity and the bearing. Another stitcher also is provided including a movable carriage having a center of gravity, the carriage movable between an extended position and a retracted position; and an operating link for driving the carriage, a driving force of the link being applied through the center of gravity when the carriage is in the extended or retracted position. A saddle stitcher is also provided. Methods for stitching are also provided.

Abstract: A stitcher is provided including a carriage having a center of gravity, the carriage movable between an extended position and a retracted position; at least one bearing for supporting the carriage; and an operating link for driving the carriage, a driving force of the link being applied through the center of gravity or between the center of gravity and the bearing. Another stitcher also is provided including a movable carriage having a center of gravity, the carriage movable between an extended position and a retracted position; and an operating link for driving the carriage, a driving force of the link being applied through the center of gravity when the carriage is in the extended or retracted position. A saddle stitcher is also provided. Methods for stitching are also provided.

Abstract: A signature transport device includes a first conveyor for moving a plurality of folded signatures in a first direction and a second conveyor including a first blade having a first edge for lifting a first signature of the plurality of signatures from the first conveyor. The first edge is parallel to the first direction, and the blade moves in a second direction sloping upward at an acute angle with respect to the first direction. In addition, a method for conveying signatures is disclosed.

Abstract: An optical sensor for detecting the presence or absence of sheet products in a moveable device has a fixed light source, a fixed light detector spaced from the fixed light source, and a light transfer device fixedly connected to the moveable device for directing light from the fixed light source to the light detector as the moveable device passes by the fixed light source. Also disclosed is a device for transferring and moving sheet products and a method for detecting sheet products by an optical sensor having the steps of inserting a first sheet product into a first moveable device, aligning the first moveable device with a fixed light source and a fixed light detector, and transmitting light from the fixed light source across an opening of the first moveable device.

Abstract: A device for preparing a book spine includes a plurality of movable pockets, each pocket having an angled back, a packer and a spine stop at a lower end of the pocket for receiving the spine. The spine stop has a first collect position, a second position wherein the spine stop is lower with respect to the packer than in the collect position but still holds the spine, and a third position wherein the spine stop is rotated away from the spine. A method for preparing a spine is also provided.

Abstract: A device for preparing a book spine includes a plurality of movable pockets, each pocket having an angled back, a packer and a spine stop at a lower end of the pocket for receiving the spine. The spine stop has a first collect position, a second position wherein the spine stop is lower with respect to the packer than in the collect position but still holds the spine, and a third position wherein the spine stop is rotated away from the spine. A method for preparing a spine is also provided.

Abstract: A method for preparing a book spine comprises delivering a plurality of products against a spine stop so as to define a spine, the plurality of products contacting a wall having a first section and a second section. The spine stop is moved away from the spine and the printed products are bent by moving the second section pivotally with respect to the first section. Also disclosed is device for preparing a book spine comprising a plurality of pockets, each pocket having a wall having a first section and a second section, the second section being pivotal with respect to the first section. Each pocket further includes a packer and a spine stop removably located at a lower end of the second section for contacting a spine end of the products, the second section and the packer supporting the products for pivotal movement.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding flat products from a pile of flat products to a receiving location especially on a conveyor includes a plurality of delivering units for extracting a single flat product from the pile. Each of the delivering units has a first driven belt and is engageable with a pile. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a diverting element for diverting the flat products in a predetermined direction. A method of operating the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the thickness of flat products such as sheets or signatures, the flat products being fed from a pile of signatures to a pocket by a pocket feeder. The pocket feeder includes a first and second roller. The first roller is arranged against the second roller to form a nip therebetween for receiving a flat product. The first roller is deflectable when a flat product enters the nip. The apparatus comprises a first proximity target which is arranged on the first roller and a second proximity target which is fixedly arranged on the receiving unit. A proximity switch monitors the targets and a control unit starts and stops counting the pulses generated by an encoder. To calculate the thickness of a flat product, the counted pulses are compared to a stored value.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the thickness of flat products such as sheets or signatures, where the flat products are fed from a pile of signatures to a pocket by a pocket feeder. The apparatus has a light source and light sensor for sensing the light transmitted from the light source. The pocket feeder includes a first roller and second roller, the first roller being arranged against the second roller to form a nip therebetween for receiving flat product, wherein the first roller is deflectable when a flat product enters the nip. The apparatus includes a first reflecting element which is arranged on the first roller for reflecting incident light, a light source for directing light to said first reflecting element and a first sensor element for sensing light reflected from said reflecting element which produces a sensor signal. A calculating unit for calculating the thickness based on that sensor signal is also provided.

Abstract: A signature handling apparatus includes a rotatable gripper drum having at least one gripper for gripping the folded leading edges of signatures. A rotatable transfer drum assembly transfers signatures from the gripper drum to an opener drum. The transfer drum assembly includes a transfer gripper. First drive means rotates the gripper drum to move the folded signatures at a first surface speed in a first direction adjacent to the transfer drum. Second drive means moves the transfer gripper at a second surface speed in the first direction into engagement with the trailing edge of one respective signature on the gripper drum. The second surface speed is greater than the first surface speed. The second drive means rotates the transfer drum to move the transfer gripper and the one signature toward the opener drum. The opener drum has means for assisting in opening the one signature.