Abstract: An assembly for turning bundles includes a planar surface that receives bundles from an upstream station. A sensor detects movement of the bundle toward the surface and initiates a timing sequence. The sequence includes slowing the bundle over the surface so that it does not contact the stop at high speed. The stop is then retracted after the bundle movement is terminated and a portion of the surface is lifted and rotated through approximately ninety degress to re-orient the bundle. After the bundle is lowered to the planar surface, it is then advanced by a drive assembly from the surface toward a downstream station.

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.