Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved insert machine for inserting flat material into an open pocket and, more particularly, to a straight line insert machine employed for printed matter such as newspapers. The machine includes an all-electronic control system for controlling machine functions. The control system includes at least one central control computer running under software control and a plurality of network controllers, all coupled together via a controller area network (CAN) bus. Electronic control messages for controlling machine elements are sent among the computers and controllers using a novel message protocol to enable both broadcast messages and individual messages to be employed.

Abstract: An apparatus feeds paper inserts or other flat products from one area to another. The apparatus is particularly useful for newspaper insert machines. A rotating gripper drum or pusher disk feeds paper products from the bottom of a stationary stack down into open moving pockets. Roller assemblies are employed to first speed up the product and then slow the product down as the product exits the feeder. In operation, the product is first quickly accelerated to a speed faster than the circumferential speed of the drum or pusher disk, to maximize feeding speed, and then is quickly decelerated to a slower speed, to prevent the product from bouncing or crumpling in the bottom of the pocket.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved insert machine for inserting flat material into an open pocket and, more particularly, to a straight line insert machine employed for printed matter such as newspapers. The machine includes an all-electronic control system for controlling machine functions. The control system includes at least one central control computer running under software control and a plurality of network controllers, all coupled together via a controller area network (CAN) bus. Electronic control messages for controlling machine elements are sent among the computers and controllers using a novel message protocol to enable both broadcast messages and individual messages to be employed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing newspaper-type insert media into a newspaper-type jacket using bottom-up collating presenting an inverted shingled stream onto a conveyor means. A feed system picks inserts off of the top of a stack by a series of grippers. Each insert is layered into an inverted shingled stream using bottom-up collation, collecting downstream inserts and placing them below the upstream insert in the proper order. The inverted stream of the system takes advantage of gravity and aerodynamics to reduce flyaway inserts. The system uses a loop of continuous pocket means to receive collected and collated inserts into one side from a stream, while collecting the jacket part for which the insert is intended, processing each individual jacket in a continuous stream to prepare the jacket to be placed properly for acceptance of the collated inserts in a continuous stream.

Abstract: This invention discloses an apparatus and method for separating and feeding flat products from a stack to a gripper drum. The invention employs a specially-positioned pivoting and articulating sucker bar, having several degrees of motion, operating in timed relationship with a reciprocating and articulating pusher blade, to reduce the travel distance of vacuum suckers, to reduce the diameter of the gripper drum, and to increase the speed at which products are separated from the stack and transferred to the gripper drum.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved insert machine for inserting flat material into an open pocket and, more particularly, to a straight line insert machine employed for printed matter such as newspapers. The machine includes an all-electronic control system for controlling machine functions. The control system includes at least one central control computer running under software control and a plurality of network controllers, all coupled together via a controller area network (CAN) bus. Electronic control messages for controlling machine elements are sent among the computers and controllers using a novel message protocol to enable both broadcast messages and individual messages to be employed.

Abstract: A combined insert feeder and printer is employed such that blank inserts are stored in its hopper. The blank inserts are then fed by a transporter to a printer. The printer prints onto the insert to create a printed insert which is transported into a moving pocket.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved insert machine for inserting flat material into an open pocket and, more particularly, to a straight line insert machine employed for printed matter such as newspapers. The machine includes an all-electronic control system for controlling machine functions. The control system includes at least one central control computer running under software control and a plurality of network controllers, all coupled together via a controller area network (CAN) bus. Electronic control messages for controlling machine elements are sent among the computers and controllers using a novel message protocol to enable both broadcast messages and individual messages to be employed.

Abstract: A combined insert feeder and printer is employed such that blank inserts are stored in its hopper. The blank inserts are then fed by a transporter to a printer. The printer prints onto the insert to create a printed insert which is transported into a moving pocket.

Abstract: A device for feeding flat, flexible products from the bottom of a stack. The stack is supported by rollers arranged like spokes in a wheel that is continuously rotating. Feeding occurs when a vacuum cup pulls the leading edge of a product between subsequent rollers. A rotary conveyor following feeding employing rollers with irregular surfaces is incorporated to insert the products into a series of pockets passing beneath.

Abstract: A device for transporting flat products consisting of feeders for introduction of flat products into openable pockets. The pockets move in a closed path and each receives one or more inserts. Specific and preferred pocket conveyor, sprocket, and divider designs are also set forth.

Abstract: A device and method for forming stacks of planar elements, particularly newspapers, wherein the elements are serially discharged onto a receiver, compressed to eliminate entrapped air, and bound with fusible tape. The stacks are bound by providing tape which extends across the path through which the individual stacks travel. As the stacks move down the path, they press against the tape, causing it to be discharged from sources thereof and to wrap itself around three sides of the stack. Welding heads are then moved in from the sides to press the tape together and fuse it into two portions. One portion is wrapped around the stack and the other constitutes the tape which will be contacted by the next stack in the cycle.

Abstract: A device for stacking and destacking a stream of imbricated, substantially planar, flexible units to form or destack a layered stack. The device is a stacker, adapted to receive a stream of units from a source thereof, and a plurality of transfer sheets. The feeder delivers the stream of units to the stacker.The stacker has staging belts which receive portions of the stream and deposit the units serially on one of the transfer sheets, as it is withdrawn from the sheet stack. This forms an imbricated layer of the units and the transfer sheet. The stacker deposits the imbricated layer on a removable support and repeats the cycle to deposit successive imbricated layers on the preceding layers. Destacking is carried out by simply reversing the process.

Abstract: A device for dividing a product such as a newspaper into two substantially equal portions, the device including a pocket assembly which receives the newspaper (fold down) when open. The pocket then closes and a retainer, at one corner of one pocket wall, prevents the extended portion of the newspaper from curling. A divider splits the newspaper into two portions, and the retainer then moves to a position wherein one of the portions is held between the retainer and the adjacent pocket wall. The pocket assembly is tilted so that the other portion of the newspaper falls away from the first portion as the pocket is opened. At the same time, the divider withdraws and another retainer, at the opposite corner from the first retainer, holds the corresponding corner of the first portion against the pocket wall.

Abstract: A device for bundling a plurality of flat flexible structures received serially from a feed conveyor, applying top and bottom protective sheets, and strapping the structure together. The device includes a support conveyor adjacent to the feed conveyor and movable in a downstream direction along a path, a first conveyor movable in the downstream direction adjacent and substantially parallel to said support conveyor, at least one first blade on the first conveyor movable in a perpendicular direction toward the support conveyor to a support position. The first blade acts as a rest for the structures, and is movable away from the support conveyor to an inoperative position out of the path. When in the support position, this first blade advances in the downstream direction as the structures are deposited on edge onto the support conveyor, whereby a bundle of structures is formed.

Abstract: A straight-line insert machine for inserting materials into a newspaper jacket is disclosed. The jacket is positioned in a moving pocket which is hinged but closed at the bottom such that when the pocket opens, as vacuum is applied to the walls of the pockets, the jacket opens. Vacuum flanges moving at the same linear speed as the pockets mate with vacuum stems attached to the pockets for a predetermined time and apply vacuum to the walls of the pocket so that the front and rear portions of the newspaper jacket are held against the fixed and movable walls, respectively, as the pocket opens. The pockets and vacuum system are synchronously driven. Camming action is used to open and close the pockets. Insert hoppers place insert materials into the open jackets. Because the machine is modular, additional insert hoppers and pockets can be added.

Abstract: Bottom opening pockets in a newspaper stuffing machine sequentially move newspapers to a transfer station at a first speed with closed edge portions of the newspapers downward and major sides of the newspapers on which headlines are printed facing in the direction of movement of the pockets. The pockets are sequentially opened and the closed or folded edge portion of each of the newspapers in turn moves into engagement with a receiving conveyor. The receiving conveyor accelerates the closed edge portion of a newspaper while the open or cut edge portion of the newspaper remains in a pocket and travels at a slower speed. This results in deflecting or bending of the newspaper. As the closed or folded edge portion of the newspaper is accelerated, the paper is moved into an underlapped relationship with an immediately preceding newspaper. The underlapped newspapers are moved into an overlapped relationship by an inverter.