Abstract: A device for separating from each other packs or groups of flat articles including a channel for the advance of the articles and, associated with the channel, a plurality of separating fingers which are movable along a closed path is described. On each side of the advance channel at least one pair of guides, placed one above the other and having substantially equal extensions, is provided to form the closed path. Pairs of sliders are disposed along the guides, and each slider carries at least one corresponding separating finger. A phase displacement means, which temporarily moves the first slider away from the second slider of each pair to move one pack of articles away from a following pack, is disposed at the end of the forward portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring stacks of folded articles such as serviettes or the like, from a pile to a conveyor (3) includes retaining teeth (77) which retain the first article of a stack (P) and which are moved by the advancement of the articles. A separator (47,51) to separate the first stack (P1) of articles from subsequent stacks (P2) and a discharger (83) to discharge each single stack onto the conveyor (3). The separator includes a first separating member (51) arranged to move between two adjacent stacks (P1, P2) of articles, and a second separating member (47), operating in conjunction with the first separating member (51), which also moves between the same two adjacent stacks of articles. The second separating member is provided with a further motion to move the first stack (P) away from the subsequent one (P2) and hold it prior to the discharge thereof onto the conveyor (3).

Abstract: The apparatus for the production of paper napkins or other similar products which includes a feeder for continuously supplying a web of material, a slitter for cutting the web into a plurality of longitudinal strips, a first folder to fold the strips lengthwise, a transverse cutter for providing lengths of longitudinally folded strips, a second folder to fold the strips transversely, and a stacker to pile up the finished napkins. A driving roller matches the two edges of the longitudinally folded strips and downstream of the driving roller are inclined surfaces to separate the longitudinally folded strips to lay them down on a common geometric plane parallel to each other.

Abstract: A continuous web of paper which may be longitudinally folded in half is drawn around a rotating cylinder which cuts the web into pre-determined suitable lengths. Vacuum and air pressure means temporarily hold the severed portions of the web against the cylinder, but at an appropriate moment release the leading edge of the severed portion causing it to be lifted in its leading half away from the cylinder, the trailing half being retained by suction against the cylinder. The lifted leading edge folds backward against the trailing portion along a fold line, and subsequently the folded-together leading and trailing portions are released from the cylinder, transported away from the cylinder and into a stacking tray, for subsequent packaging. The cut and folded sections of the web are, at all times, held under control by a vacuum in one or more cylinders or conveyor belts until the very last moment when they are discharged into a receiving and stacking tray.