Abstract: A first series of sheet material articles, conveyed by a first gripper conveyor, is interleaved with a second series of sheet material articles, conveyed by a second conveyor, to enable the first and second series of articles to be delivered to a single receiving location in an interleaved relationship. To form the first series of sheet material articles, a plurality of collating spaces are sequentially moved past a first group of hoppers. To form the second series of sheet material articles, the plurality of collating spaces are sequentially moved past a second group of hoppers. Grippers of the first gripper conveyor sequentially grip the articles of the first series of articles at a first delivery location while grippers of a second conveyor are sequentially gripping articles of the second series of articles at a second delivery location. The paths of the two gripper conveyors converge and the first series of articles is interleaved with the second series of articles.

Abstract: New and useful stacking apparatus in which a stacker can form a stream of signatures into a stack, and also associate an end board with one end of the stack. Moreover, the stacker is associated with a clamping mechanism which, when it moves over to the stacker to clamp a stack of signatures, also brings an end board and deposits an end board on the stacker for association with a succeeding stack. The stacker has a main member which moves along a path between a stack receiving position and an end board receiving position. As the main member moves from the end board receiving position, the intermediate member moves out of its way. The stacker also has an interceptor for initiating formation of a stack and a unique way of transferring the partially formed stack from the interceptor to the main member.

Abstract: A loader for feeding signatures into a generally vertically extending pocket in which the signatures are supported on a folded edge and from which signatures are fed by a feed mechanism, such as through a signature inserter, to a saddle of a saddle gathering machine, wherein a generally horizontally oriented hopper is located between a first feeding mechanism from a supply station and a second feeding mechanism to the pocket, a quickly detachable coupling arrangement is provided for forming the pocket with the loader, and the second feeding mechanism includes an adjustably mounted vacuum manifold and perforated stripper belts for moving signatures in a shingled stream into said pocket.

Abstract: There is disclosed a gate mechanism including a conveyor for conveying a shingled stream of articles along either of two paths and for shifting between the two paths without interruption of the flow of articles. The mechanism includes an infeed conveyor having an end portion pivotable between a generally horizontal position in which it is aligned with one outfed conveyor and a downwardly inclined position in which it is aligned with a second outfeed conveyor. Prior to returning from the inclined position to the horizontal position a pivotable rake which includes a number of V-shaped members swings to clear the inclined portion of any articles and to temporarily support articles arriving on the infeed conveyor.