Abstract: A positive control signature transferring assembly, for use in a lower folder, transports and diverts signatures under positive control. The assembly has a first positive control deceleration device having grippers for transporting some of the signatures of a stream of signatures to a first delivery stream. The assembly has a gripper cylinder containing a plurality of grippers for gripping a leading edge and a trailing edge of each of the remaining signatures in the signature stream for transporting the signatures on the gripper cylinder. A second positive control deceleration device has grippers for transporting the remaining signatures released by the gripper cylinder to a second delivery stream. In this manner, the signatures are positively controlled at all times and alignment and fixed pitch errors are significantly reduced.

Abstract: A method and device for diverting signatures is disclosed. A first cutting device partially cuts a web, while a second cutting device downstream of the first cutting device fully cuts the web so as to form a plurality of signatures. At least one first belt and at least one second belt hold the plurality of signatures, with the first belt having at least one first raised outer section and passing through at least part of the second cutting device, and with the second belt having at least one second raised outer section. The first and second raised outer sections interact to offset the plurality of signatures so as to define an alternating first stream and second stream of the plurality of signatures.

Abstract: A deceleration drum assembly has a deceleration drum with at least one gripper for gripping and transporting signatures. A guide surface assembly is provided which produces a fluid flow for transporting the signature in a contactless manner above the guide surface assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method designed to eliminate dog-earring of the comers of the open edges of a folded signature or book without the need for the use of electrostatic adherence. A guide mechanism is provided between a tape drive, a divert cylinder and/or a deceleration drum. The guide mechanism is preferably located at the position of the open edges of the signature which is being transferred. The guide mechanism is preferably of a width which accommodates variations in the folded width of the folded signature or books. The guide mechanism includes a series of narrow slots, or micro-slots, across its width. The gripping devices which are located in the area of the guide mechanism include a series of narrow fingers, or micro-fingers, across their width. The micro-fingers of the gripping mechanisms are designed to pass through the micro-slots of the guide mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus and method designed to eliminate dog-earring of the comers of the open edges of a folded signature or book without the need for the use of electrostatic adherence. A guide mechanism is provided between a tape drive, a divert cylinder and/or a deceleration drum. The guide mechanism is preferably located at the position of the open edges of the signature which is being transferred. The guide mechanism is preferably of a width which accommodates variations in the folded width of the folded signature or books. The guide mechanism includes a series of narrow slots, or micro-slots, across its width. The gripping devices which are located in the area of the guide mechanism include a series of narrow fingers, or micro-fingers, across their width. The micro-fingers of the gripping mechanisms are designed to pass through the micro-slots of the guide mechanism.

Abstract: A signature gripper having a gripper pad for firmly gripping a signature; a gripper base connected to the gripper pad, the gripper pad being rotatable about the gripper base in a direction of rotation; and a spring acting in the direction of rotation to permit rotation of the gripper pad about the gripper base and connected to at least one of the gripper base and gripper pad. The spring damps deceleration experienced by the signature upon gripping.

Abstract: An apparatus and method designed to eliminate dog-earring of the comers of the open edges of a folded signature or book without the need for the use of electrostatic adherence. A guide mechanism is provided between a tape drive, a divert cylinder and/or a deceleration drum. The guide mechanism is preferably located at the position of the open edges of the signature which is being transferred. The guide mechanism is preferably of a width which accommodates variations in the folded width of the folded signature or books. The guide mechanism includes a series of narrow slots, or micro-slots, across its width. The gripping devices which are located in the area of the guide mechanism include a series of narrow fingers, or micro-fingers, across their width. The micro-fingers of the gripping mechanisms are designed to pass through the micro-slots of the guide mechanism.

Abstract: A roller arrangement in a folding apparatus of a rotary printing press includes a plurality of gathering rollers for passing a plurality of incoming ribbons along a line substantially tangential to the plurality of gathering rollers, thereby forming a multi-layered web. A first nip roller and a second nip roller, each having a coating of a resilient material are arranged such that the layered web is passed through a nip formed between the first and second nip rollers substantially tangential to each of the first and second nip rollers.