Abstract: A signature bundle hoist clamp with a pivot for rotating the bundle about its longitudinal axis to thereby selectively position the folds in the signature at either the top or bottom of the bundle, for instance. The clamp includes adjustable legs, and a bearing plate is rotatable on each of the legs and is presented toward the bundle for compressing the bundle and permitting the rotation mentioned. A combined thrust and radial bearing is interposed between the clamp legs and the bearing plate for the compression and rotation mentioned, and a releasable stop pin engages the bearing plate for positioning the bundle in the selected position mentioned. The entire assembly is arranged with a hoist.

Abstract: Method for handling bundles of sheets and having a pivotal pallet holder which receives the pallet and bundles of sheets in a prone position and which tips them to an upstanding position and onto a conveyor adjacent the holder. The upstanding bundles of sheets are then directed along the conveyor and to selected ones of a plurality of branch conveyors leading to a signature feeder or the like.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for handling bundles of sheets and having a pivotal pallet holder which receives the pallet and bundles of sheets in a prone position and which tips them to an upstanding position and onto a conveyor adjacent the holder. The upstanding bundles of sheets are then directed along the conveyor and to selected ones of a plurality of branch conveyors leading to a signature feeder or the like.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for stacking sheets which are spaced apart on a conveyor. Two oppositely rotatable holders alternately receive the sheets from the conveyor and the holders have sheet engagers which move the sheets around to stack the sheets with the folds of sequential sheets in opposite directions in the stack to thus form a compensated stack relative to the folds. A receiver handles the stack, and it has a carrier for moving the stack away from the holders and it has an interceptor for initially receiving and forming the stack while the carrier is depositing the previous stack. Electrical apparatus, including sheet counters and drivers and control means for the holders, and switches and control means for the carrier and the interceptor, are all electrically interconnected for forming the stack in a certain counted number of sheets and for moving each stack. The method includes the steps mentioned above.

Abstract: An automatic palletizer for bundled stacks of sheets wherein bundles of sheets coming from a stacker are positioned on a receiver which collects and supports the stacks in a generally upstanding position. A tiltable pallet holder is adjacent the receiver and supports a pallet in an upright position, and the bundles of sheets are moved onto the pallet holder and against the pallet. Supports and controls are associated with the pallet holder for tilting the pallet holder to position the pallet in a horizontal position and thus have the bundles of sheets in a prone position on the horizontal pallet holder.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling bundles of sheets and having a pivotal pallet holder which receives the pallet and bundles of sheets in a prone position and which tips them to an upstanding position and onto a conveyor adjacent the holder. The upstanding bundles of sheets are then directed along the conveyor and to selected ones of a plurality of branch conveyors leading to a signature feeder or the like.