Abstract: An apparatus for selectively feeding sheets from a stack of sheets in sequence along a paper line, has an endless carrier belt which advances the sheets individually and successively through a feeding zone. A vertically actuated feed gate operates between two opening positions to allow only the lowermost sheet in the stack to advance sequentially through each opening position and the opening of both positions is controlled. A stack lifter moves sequentially in a vertical path above and below the carrier belt so that the lowermost sheet advances when in contact with the carrier belt to advance a portion of the lowermost sheet in the stack through the first opening position. The apparatus also forms a second predetermined opening portion between the lifter and feed gate which moves the gripper surface through which the remaining portion of the sheet advances.

Abstract: An apparatus and method by which a single operator, at a single station, can pack pre-counted slugs of flat folded cartons, or trays, in one or more layers, in corrugated cases for discharge to a case taper several times faster than with manual packing by several operators. The "flats" are advanced in a longitudinal path on a secondary apron of a stacker, erect on one edge, pre-counted and divided into slugs, so that the single operator can slide each slug longitudinally past a one-way back stop onto a transfer table. The slug may be turned on its longitudinal axis by the operator for inspection and then compressed longitudinally by a ram against the back stop. The operator has already been presented with a single, flat, tubular case, from a stack of such cases, with the leading flaps folded back, and has manually erected the case and inserted it in a case gripper preferably poised above the table, thereby closing the minor bottom closure flaps.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling a plurality of flat, collapsed, folded paper boxes which have been produced on a high speed, folder-gluer, delivered in shingled formation onto the advancing apron of a stacker, counted into slugs of about fifty each and must be packed into cases for shipment. To enable an operator to grasp individual and successive lifts of the flats between her hands and remove them for packing, the apparatus includes a secondary apron traveling at less speed than the stacker apron to raise the shingled flats upstanding on edge, hold down belts to prevent misalignment and a transversely movable segregation rod mounted on a carriage movable horizontally alongside the path of the flats. The carriage has one-way clutch rollers so that the rod will hold back the leading flat but the carriage will roll freely back to the next slug. Speed reduction mechanism may be used to advance the carriage at less speed than the apron to compress the line of flats when edge stacking is desirable or necessary.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling a plurality of flat, collapsed, folded paper boxes which have been produced on a high speed, folder-gluer, delivered in shingled formation onto the advancing apron of a stacker, counted into slugs of about fifty each and must be packed into cases for shipment. To enable an operator to grasp individual and successive lifts of the flats between her hands and remove them for packing, the apparatus includes a secondary apron traveling at less speed than the stacker apron to raise the shingled flats upstanding on edge, hold down belts to prevent misalignment and a transversely movable segregation rod mounted on a carriage movable horizontally alongside the path of the flats. The carriage has one-way clutch rollers so that the rod will hold back the leading flat but the carriage will roll freely back to the next slug. Speed reduction mechanism may be used to advance the carriage at less speed than the apron to compress the line of flats when edge stacking is desirable or necesary.

Abstract: An apparatus and method by which a single operator, at a single station, can pack pre-counted slugs of flat folded cartons, or trays, in one or more layers, in corrugated cases for discharge to a case taper several times faster than with manual packing by several operators. The "flats" are advanced in a longitudinal path on a secondary apron of a stacker, erect on one edge, pre-counted and divided into slugs, so that the single operator can slide each slug longitudinally past a one-way back stop onto a transfer table. The slug may be turned on its longitudinal axis by the operator for inspection and then compressed longitudinally by a ram against the back stop. The operator has already been presented with a single, flat, tubular case, from a stack of such cases, with the leading flaps folded back, and has manually erected the case and inserted it in a case gripper preferably poised above the table, thereby closing the minor bottom closure flaps.

Abstract: An elongated, cylindrical roll, having a surface machined to a predetermined microfinish, is mounted in place of the conventional chromium plated fixed gate in a known type of blank feeder. In such feeders, the upper stretch of the conveyor advances blanks from a high stack, in a bottom feed magazine, along a path, in shingled formation to continuously resupply a low stack in the hopper of a folder-gluer. The elongated roll is reversely rotated, at a surface speed equal to the speed of the upper stretch. The leading edges of the lower most blanks in the high stack are barred by leaf springs from contacting the rear surface of the reversely rotating roll except for an arcuate area, in the lower rear quadrant, defined by an angle of 30.degree. rearwardly from the bottom longitudinal center line of the roll.

Abstract: A right angle folder gluer of the type having a pair of pressure nip rolls at the end of the first folding section and mechanism for transferring each individual and successive blank delivered from the nip into the transfer zone at right angles into the second folding zone, in a direction parallel to the axis of the nip has apparatus for preventing inadvertent re-entry of the blank into the nip during transfer in the form of sharp pointers riding on the upper surface of the blank in rear of the nip to slightly embed therein and unyieldably prevent re-entry while yieldably enabling movement of the blank in the transfer zone in the direction of the second folding section.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for repeatedly presenting a single, flat, tubular corrugated case, with its leading closure flaps overfolded in open flap position for easy gripping, erection and placement in the case gripper of a case packer device includes the provision of a bottom feed magazine holding a stack of such flats and a plurality of lug chains for advancing each successive individual bottom-most flat through a gateway and along a path up to the operator station of the case packer. Upper folding hooks of exact dimension are arranged to over fold the leading upper, major and minor closure flaps of each successive flat, without contact with the corresponding lower flaps. The leading lower major and minor closure flaps are underfolded further along the path and hold down bars maintain the folds. Sensing means triggers the advance of another flat when the operator removes the flat presented at the operator station.

Abstract: A box blank of the type having two side walls and a front wall of normal length but a combined bottom and rear wall of unusual length is folded and glued on a box folding and gluing machine by advancing the blanks along a horizontal path, long wall first, and overlapped in shingled formation. The first long wall in the formation encounters an air blast, or hooked finger, which unfolds the leading edge to encounter a ramp-like guide which bends it back to fold on its fold line, while also back folding the next successive long wall. All successive blanks are so back folded in "domino" fashion.

Abstract: A right angle folder-gluer for folding paper boxes from box blanks has a mechanically actuated, timed, bumper-type magazine feed which feeds flat box blanks individually and successively onto an untimed conveyor in a flap folding zone. The folded blanks are then delivered to a right angle transfer zone in which a mechanically actuated pusher bar transfers each blank onto an untimed conveyor for advance through a glueing and folding zone. The bumper feed and transfer bar are positively, mechanically connected and powered for semi-automatic operation and the pattern glue wheel in the glueing zone is also synchronized with the feed and transfer for full automatic operation.