Abstract: The present disclosure is notably directed to a microfluidic probe head (202), or MFP head, comprising a processing surface (204) having liquid injection and liquid aspiration apertures, as well as projections (205) extending from the processing surface (204). The arrangement of injection and aspiration apertures provides for a hydrodynamic flow confinement within a processing region that is formed between the processing surface (204) and a substrate (104) or sample surface (for example, the bottom of a microtiter plate sample well (102)), typically located beneath the processing surface (204). The disclosure is further directed to related microfluidic probe devices, and methods of operation of such an MFP head, notably to deposit cells on a surface.

Abstract: A device for cutting printed products arranged successively spaced apart and transverse to a conveying direction. The device includes a conveyor to convey the print products in the conveying direction. The printed products rest on a flat side on the conveyor and convey with a bound edge forward. The device also includes a cutting tool synchronized with a timing of the conveyor so that the cutting tool cuts a top and/or bottom edge of the printed products. The device also including a cutter upstream of the cutting tool in the conveying direction so that the cutter is synchronized with the cutting tool and operative to make a cut to the bound edge.

Abstract: A method is provided for alignment of flat products along a side guide of a conveying device. The products are conveyed successively while resting on their flat base area. Each product is positioned at an angle relative to the conveying direction while in an essentially horizontal plane. Subsequently each product is straightened. The straightened products are pushed against a side guide to align the products along the side guide. A conveying device is also provided to carry out the method.

Abstract: A device for delivering a printed product from a saddle-shaped support includes at least two discs that are configured to pass through a gap that extends in a conveying direction and that is disposed, at least in a delivery region, between two support parts of the saddle-shaped support. The at least two discs are rotatable about respective fixed rotation axles that are mutually spaced from one another in the conveying direction. Each of the discs is configured to project intermittently, during the rotation about the respective fixed rotation axles, above a ridge line of the ridge in the delivery region of the saddle-shaped support so as to continuously lift the printed product from the saddle-shaped support in the delivery region.

Abstract: A device for delivering a printed product from a saddle-shaped support includes at least two discs that are configured to pass through a gap that extends in a conveying direction and that is disposed, at least in a delivery region, between two support parts of the saddle-shaped support. The at least two discs are rotatable about respective fixed rotation axles that are mutually spaced from one another in the conveying direction. Each of the discs is configured to project intermittently, during the rotation about the respective fixed rotation axles, above a ridge line of the ridge in the delivery region of the saddle-shaped support so as to continuously lift the printed product from the saddle-shaped support in the delivery region.

Abstract: A method and device for transferring signatures. The device includes a first gathering chain which conveys the signatures with the aid of pushers and which transfers the signatures in a transfer region to a second gathering chain. The second gathering chain includes at least one conveying chain provided with pushers that are arranged at a pre-defined distance relative to each other. The second gathering chain includes recesses adjacent to each of its pushers such that each pusher of the first gathering chain corresponds to a pusher of the second gathering chain and can be lowered through a respective recess.

Abstract: A method and device for transferring signatures. The device includes a first gathering chain which conveys the signatures with the aid of pushers and which transfers the signatures in a transfer region to a second gathering chain. The second gathering chain includes at least one conveying chain provided with pushers that are arranged at a pre-defined distance relative to each other. The second gathering chain includes recesses adjacent to each of its pushers such that each pusher of the first gathering chain corresponds to a pusher of the second gathering chain and can be lowered through a respective recess.

Abstract: A method is provided for alignment of flat products along a side guide of a conveying device. The products are conveyed successively while resting on their flat base area. Each product is positioned at an angle relative to the conveying direction while in an essentially horizontal plane. Subsequently each product is straightened. The straightened products are pushed against a side guide to align the products along the side guide. A conveying device is also provided to carry out the method.

Abstract: A device for cutting printed products arranged successively spaced apart and transverse to a conveying direction. The device includes a conveyor to convey the print products in the conveying direction. The print products rest on a flat side on the conveyor and convey with a bound edge forward. The device also includes a cutting tool synchronized with a timing of the conveyor so that the cutting tool cuts a top and/or bottom edge of the printed products. The device also including a cutter upstream of the cutting tool in the conveying direction so that the cutter is synchronized with the cutting tool and operative to make a cut to the bound edge.