Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for producing at least two 4-page signatures (340) and an apparatus for producing at least one 16-page signature (460). The signatures are produced by folding and cutting sheets cut from a continuous web in a folding machine (500 or 600). The apparatus of the present invention provides a selectable blade device which folds or folds and cuts sheets being processed in the device. When placed in the fold and cut position, the apparatus is capable of producing at least two 4-page signatures (340) or at least one 16-page signature (460) without the need for a final off-line trimming step.

Abstract: A gripping surface adapted to be mounted on the outer circumferential surfaces of a pair of cutting cylinders 12, 14 in a printing press is provided. The gripping surface includes a plurality of mounting strips 26. Each mounting strip 26 has an upper surface and a lower surface and a layer of VELCRO.TM. brand gripping material 38 mounted on the upper surface. The layer of gripping material 38 is mounted on the upper surface of each mounting strip 26 using a self adhesive. At least one keeper tab 36 is disposed on the lower surface of each mounting strip 26. The keeper tab 36 is mounted in a "t" slot formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder on which the mounting strip is mounted. The mounting strips 26 are flat and formed of a thermoplastic material using an injection molding process.

Abstract: An incremental speed reduction unit mounted between a fluid meter and a totalizer for reducing the speed at which the totalizer operates comprises a drive gear rotatably supported on a shaft and drivingly rotated by the fluid meter. A ring shaped gear integrally formed on an inside surface of the drive gear has a single set of gear teeth radially extending from the surface thereof. An idler gear rotatably supported on another shaft and drivingly rotated by the ring shaped gear has two sets of interspaced gear teeth of different lengths for incrementally causing the idler gear to rotate upon engagement of the teeth of the ring shaped gear. A driven gear connected to the first shaft is drivingly rotated by the idler gear and communicates such rotation to the totalizer.

Abstract: An adjustable angle bar assembly (10) for a printing press (12) having a support (14), a hollow angle bar (18) pivotally mounted adjacent a longitudinal central portion (34) of the angle bar (18) to the support (14), with the angle bar (18) having a cavity (20) for the passage of air, and a plurality of openings 30 extending through the angle bar (18) and communicating with the cavity (20) for passage of air through the angle bar (18) from the cavity (20) to a web (32) passing over the angle bar (18), a device for passing the air into the central portion (34) of the angle bar (18) for distribution of the air by the angle bar (18) against the web (32) irrespective of the orientation of the angle bar with respect to the support (14), and a device (40, 42 and 56) for modifying the effective length of the exposed openings ( 30) in the angle bar (18) communicating with the cavity (20).

Abstract: A device for delivering signatures (S) for a printing press (10) having a delivery device (50) having a plurality of sets (60a and 60b) of flies (58a, 58b, 58c, and 58d), with the flies (58a-d) each having a plurality of open pockets (26) disposed around the flies (58a-d), a device (62a and 62b) for stripping signatures (S) from the pockets (26) disposed between a pair of adjacent flies (58a and b, and 58c and d) in each set (60a and b) of the flies (58a-d), a device (76, 78, and 80) for adjusting the sets (60a and b) of flies (58a-d) and stripping devices (62a and b) in unison laterally across the delivery device (50), and a device (64 and 84) for modifying the lateral distance between adjacent sets (60a and b) of the flies (58a-d) and respective stripping devices (62a and b).

Abstract: A device (14) for delivering signatures (S) in a printing press (10) having a fly (18) having a plurality of open pockets (26) to receive the signatures (S), a device (20) for rotating the fly (18), a device (36) for stripping the signatures (S) from the fly (18) in an exit portion (34) of the fly (18), and a device (32 and 30) for driving the stripping device (36) at a speed relative to the speed of the fly (18) in a manner reducing their relative velocity less than the relative velocity between the fly (18) and a stationary condition of the stripping device (36).

Abstract: An adjustable angle bar assembly (10) for a printing press (12) having a support (14), a hollow angle bar (18) pivotally mounted adjacent a longitudinal central portion (34) of the angle bar (18) to the support (14), with the angle bar (18) having a cavity (20) for the passage of air, and a plurality of openings 30 extending through the angle bar (18) and communicating with the cavity (20) for passage of air through the angle bar (18) from the cavity (20) to a web (32) passing over the angle bar (18), and a device for passing the air into the central portion (34) of the angle bar (18) for distribution of the air by the angle bar (18) against the web (32) irrespective of the orientation of the angle bar with respect to said support (14).

Abstract: The problems associated with combining fuel blending and vapor recovery functions in a fuel dispenser are substantially overcome by a casting and method which provide for not only fuel blending and dispensing, but also vapor recovery. The casting and method of the present invention are adapted for use with a coaxial hose having a small diameter inner hose for dispensing fuel and a larger diameter outer hose defining an annular vapor recovery passage between the inner and outer hoses. The casting of the present invention has first and second product inlets intersecting at a mixing or blending chamber which empties into a single product outlet. As such, blending occurs within the casting and the product output can be either of the first or second products, for example, high or low grade unleaded fuel, or an intermediate grade blended fuel product produced by blending selected volumes of the first and second products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the automated loading of parts wherein multiple gantry robots are utilized to pick up automotive parts from movable transfer beds and placed into predetermined positions in containers which are serially indexed through the work envelopes of the robots until the containers are full. In the disclosed embodiment, the method and system are utilized for racking automotive parts after they exit a sheet metal stamping machine. Preferably, empty containers are automatically delivered to a container queue such as by an automatic guided vehicle system (AGVS) at an unloading station adjacent the robots. Thereafter each AGV is moved to a loading station to receive and retain thereon containers loaded with parts by the gantry robots.

Abstract: A method for changing the tooling in a robot-based material transfer system is disclosed as well as a system utilizing the method. The tooling is changed to accommodate the transfer of material such as automotive parts having different configurations within the system. Initially, end effectors of gantry robots and/or transfer beds of the system are placed in at least one container which is indexed through the work envelopes of the robots. Then, at least one specially designed container containing new tooling is indexed into the work envelopes. The robots are controlled to remove the new tooling from the containers and to place the new tooling in operative positions in the system. In the disclosed embodiment, one of the robots utilizes a special transfer bed gripper to replace the old transfer beds with new transfer beds. Preferably, an automatic guided vehicle system (AGVS) moves containers to and from loading and unloading stations in the material handling system.

Abstract: A traditional bong is provided having an upright barrel divided by a partition into a lower, dry chamber into which the pipe stem enters, and an upper aqueous chamber which is made spill-proof by virtue of a stand pipe extending up from the lower chamber through the baffle, this stand pipe being covered by an elongated cap which bobbles up and down in the liquid-filled upper chamber as the device is used and seals against an opening and an overlying baffle when the bong is inverted to prevent spillage. An additional novel effect is produced by the bobbling of the diverter cap which covers the stand pipe, which tends to mix the inhaled smoke with the water as it bobbles.