Abstract: A device for conveying product stacks of widely differing thicknesses includes counteracting belt conveyors which are each defined by supported operating strands. At least one of the belt conveyors is adjustable relative to the other such that the stack receiving space therebetween is adjustable as a function of the thickness of the stacks to be transported. The spacing adjustment permits variation of the gap in which the stacks are clamped at either of the receiving or discharge end regions of the apparatus. In a preferred device, the upper belt conveyor includes a swivel frame from which a plurality of resiliently biased pressure rollers are supported. Actuators, responsive to sensed stack thickness, produce tilting of the swivel frame about an axis which is itself movable in a plane oriented transverse to the direction of stack movement.

Abstract: Book blocks are transferred between vertically displaced levels via a first conveying path which extends upwardly at an angle, the conveying path being intercepted by a movable feed table which engages the book blocks and re-orients the motion thereof into a generally horizontal plane wherein the blocks are engaged by block clamps. The upstream edge of the feed table is caused to move along a closed generally circulatory path which extends above and below the inclined conveying path while the downstream edge of the feed table is constrained to move along an arcuate path which extends from the upper end of the first conveying path to a path which is parallel to that of the block clamps.

Abstract: An overlay is applied to a substrate, for example in the manufacture of book covers, by serially wrapping the overlay around a first pair of oppositely disposed edges of the substrate, folding the corners of the overlay into the substrate and wrapping the overlay around the two remaining edges of the substrate. The first wrapping of the overlay around a pair of edges of the substrate is accomplished by feeding the substrate with the overlay adhered thereto through a wrapping station alternately in opposite directions and deflecting the overhanging portion of the substrate at the leading edge out of the path of motion so that these overhanging portions may be engaged by a wrapping tool.

Abstract: A device for thread stitching layers to form a book wherein the stitching apparatus comprises a conveying mechanism for transporting a plurality of open layers in spaced relation to each other, the conveying device transporting the layers with respect to at least one spiral sewing needle which is rotationally driven, the point of the spiral needle penetrating into the layer backs and exiting the layer backs to stitch the layers together in sequence.

Abstract: A device for thread stitching layers to form a book wherein the stitching apparatus comprises a conveying mechanism for transporting a plurality of open layers in spaced relation to each other, the conveying device transporting the layers with respect to at least one spiral sewing needle which is rotationally driven, the point of the spiral needle penetrating into the layer backs and exiting the layer backs to stitch the layers together in sequence.