Abstract: Packaging apparatus includes, in combination, a product receiving or loading station requiring individual product buckets oriented at one pitch for loading with products and a cartoning station requiring groups of buckets oriented at another different pitch for packaging articles into cartons. The apparatus accommodates the packaging of varying numbers of buckets or product stacks in varied width cartons, independent of the orientation of buckets in the product receiving station. Buckets are conveyed in a path through the packaging apparatus under the influence of a linear motor conveyor independently of, and separate from, other buckets in the path and without regard to pitch between other buckets in the path. Apparatus and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A rotary blade device for interacting with printed materials has a rotating arm, a first pulley rotatably supported on the rotating arm, a first blade fixed to the first pulley, a fixed pulley, and a first belt connecting the first pulley to the fixed pulley so that as the arm rotates, the first pulley rotates with respect to the arm.

Abstract: A rotary blade device for interacting with printed materials has a rotating arm, a first pulley rotatably supported on the rotating arm, a first blade fixed to the first pulley, a fixed pulley, and a first belt connecting the first pulley to the fixed pulley so that as the arm rotates, the first pulley rotates with respect to the arm.

Abstract: A signature transport device has a conveyor for moving a plurality of signatures in a first direction, and a rotary blade device having a first blade having an edge for lifting a first signature of the plurality of signatures from the conveyor, the edge being parallel to the first direction, and the first blade rotating about an axis perpendicular to the edge. A printing press and rotary blade device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A signature transfer device includes a rotating arm rotating about a first axis and a first gripper rotatably mounted on the rotating arm about a second axis, the first and second axes being parallel, the first gripper having a first gripper finger and a second gripper finger. An actuator is connected to the first gripper for opening and closing the first gripper as a function of the angle of the rotating arm about the first axis, and a compression spring connects the first gripper finger and the second gripper finger, the compression spring being compressed when the first gripper and the second gripper finger are apart.

Abstract: A signature transfer device includes a rotating arm rotating about a first axis and a first gripper rotatably mounted on the rotating arm about a second axis, the first and second axes being parallel, the first gripper having a first gripper finger and a second gripper finger. An actuator is connected to the first gripper for opening and closing the first gripper as a function of the angle of the rotating arm about the first axis, and a compression spring connects the first gripper finger and the second gripper finger, the compression spring being compressed when the first gripper and the second gripper finger are apart.

Abstract: A signature transport device has a conveyor for moving a plurality of signatures in a first direction, and a rotary blade device having a first blade having an edge for lifting a first signature of the plurality of signatures from the conveyor, the edge being parallel to the first direction, and the first blade rotating about an axis perpendicular to the edge. A printing press and rotary blade device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A restoration apparatus and method for removing scratches, defects and related imperfections that exist within the surface of an optical storage medium, such as audio, video and/or computer compact discs. The illustrated restoration apparatus includes a support carriage, having an interior portion containing fluids used in the restoration process. The apparatus further includes a retention disk for securing the CD to be restored. The retention disk is supported within a recess formed in the top surface of the support carriage. The recess is fluid tight so that the CD can be placed, and maintained, in fluid contact with various restoration liquids. Also, the retention disk is supported on a bearing surface so that the retention disk and the CD contained therein can freely rotate. The restoration apparatus also includes an arm, attached to the top surface of the support carriage with a hinge, within which is positioned a motor and a polishing head.