Abstract: The invention relates to a method, an arrangement and an apparatus for conveying objects transversely to their incoming transport direction. In known apparatuses there is a possibility of either removing all the objects in one direction or the other. To a limited extent known apparatuses also allow a division of a string formed from several objects. However, a disadvantage is that the distribution of the objects, in other words the division of a string formed from several objects, e.g. a ream string formed from fourteen reams, to packing machines located opposite one another is possible only to a limited extent. It can also take place only when the machine has been shut down.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, an arrangement and an apparatus for conveying objects transversely to their incoming transport direction. In known apparatuses there is a possibility of either removing all the objects in one direction or the other. To a limited extent known apparatuses also allow a division of a string formed from several objects. However, a disadvantage is that the distribution of the objects, in other words the division of a string formed from several objects, e.g. a ream string formed from fourteen reams, to packing machines located opposite one another is possible only to a limited extent. It can also take place only when the machine has been shut down.

Abstract: A device for manipulating sheet stacks in a stack repository includes a sheet feeding device and a mechanism for separating adapted to be moved into the stack repository while a sheet stack is conveyed away from the stack repository. The separating mechanism includes a belt element.

Abstract: A device for manipulating sheet stacks in a stack repository includes a sheet feeding device and a mechanism for separating adapted to be moved into the stack repository while a sheet stack is conveyed away from the stack repository. The separating mechanism includes a belt element.

Abstract: An apparatus for gathering successive sheets of a scalloped stream in an adjustable receptacle has a pivotable first stop in front of and a longitudinally adjustable second stop behind the receptacle. The second stop is shifted, together with the conveyor for the stream, toward or away from the first stop when the length of the sheets forming the stream is changed. The effective width of the receptacle is adjusted when a stream of relatively narrow sheets is followed by a stream of wider sheets or vice versa.

Abstract: An apparatus for gathering successive sheets of a scalloped stream in an adjustable receptacle has a pivotable first stop in front of and a longitudinally adjustable second stop behind the receptacle. The second stop is shifted, together with the conveyor for the stream, toward or away from the first stop when the length of the sheets forming the stream is changed. The effective width of the receptacle is adjusted when a stream of relatively narrow sheets is followed by a stream of wider sheets or vice versa.

Abstract: Selected individual stacks or selected groups of two or more successive stacks of paper sheets or the like are transferred sideways from a predetermined portion of a stack-supplying conveyor onto a facility employing one or more air cushion tables, or across the facility onto a second conveyor, in such a way that the transfer involves only a short-lasting interruption of advancement of stacks toward and in the predetermined portion of the stack-supplying conveyor, namely for an interval which is required to transfer the selected stack(s) from the predetermined portion of the stack-supplying conveyor onto the facility.

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying stacks of paper sheets or the like to two or more packing machines has a platform for collection of successive rows of stacks, e.g., by arresting sheets forming part of discrete scalloped streams of sheets. Two or more discrete carriages for tongs are utilized to remove stacks in any desired grouping from the platform and to deliver them to two or more discrete removing units serving to transport the stacks to discrete packing machines. Each removing unit can employ a set of two or more aligned conveyors. Each carriage is or can be driven by a separate prime mover, each carriage can support two or more tongs, or each carriage can support a single tongs. All such undertakings contribute to versatility of the apparatus, namely the apparatus can be operated to ensure equal distribution of stacks among the removing units or one or more selected removing units can receive larger or smaller numbers of stacks than the other unit or units.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning covers on top of stacks of paper sheets has a transporting unit which advances a series of successive stacks along a first horizontal path and discrete covers along a second horizontal path above and adjacent the first path. The covers are accelerated by advancing along a downwardly sloping portion of the second path immediately ahead of two vertical rotary members which temporarily intercept an oncoming cover until the corresponding stack catches up with the intercepted cover. The lower portion of the stack then moves the rotary members apart to enable the stack and the cover thereon to advance along the first path beyond the rotary members. Each rotary member is mounted on a spring-biased or otherwise biased lever which is pivotable about a vertical axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for changing the orientation of stacks of paper sheets has two parallel transporting units each having at least one belt conveyor with outwardly extending bristles which engage the stacks and reduce the likelihood of unpredictable slippage of the lowermost sheets of the stacks relative to the adjacent reaches of the belt conveyors while the stacks are advanced from a stack supplying conveyor to a stack receiving conveyor. At the same time, the stacks are caused to change their orientation by turning about axes extending at right angles to the adjacent reaches of the belt conveyors as a result of travel of the conveyor or conveyors forming part of one of the transporting units at a speed which is greater than the speed of the conveyor or conveyors of the other transporting unit. Each belt conveyor can have an outer layer of velour with a pile of outwardly extending bristles, an inner layer of textile fabric, and a synthetic plastic intermediate layer which is bonded to the inner and outer layers.

Abstract: Successive stacks of paper sheets are turned during travel along two parallel paths one of which is defined by a first conveyor and the other of which is defined by a set of two or more consecutive conveyors. The speed of the conveyor or conveyors defining one of the paths is greater than the speed of the conveyor or conveyors defining the other path so that the orientation of stacks changes during travel along the two paths. The orientation of successive stacks in at least one intermediate portion of each path is monitored by a battery of photoelectronic detectors whose signals are processed to ascertain whether or not the monitored orientation matches a desired intermediate orientation. The processed signals are used to change the speed of the conveyor or conveyors which define at least one of the paths so as to ensure that each stack assumes a predetermined orientation at the latest on reaching the ends of the two paths.

Abstract: Apparatus for accumulating stacks of superimposed layers or piles of paper sheets has a horizontal platform which receives successive layers from a feeding unit and can open up to permit the properly oriented layer thereon to descend by gravity onto an elevator which is disposed at a level below the platform and at a distance only slightly exceeding the height of a layer. The elevator is then lowered by a step, and the platform receives and discharges the next layer in the same way so that the elevator supports two layers. The accumulation of layers on the elevator is repeated as often as desired in order to accumulate a stack of desired height. The elevator is then opened and permits the fully grown stack to descend through a chute and into a container (such as a carton which is disposed therebelow and is properly centered by a suitable receptacle). The descent of the stack is braked by the column of air which is pushed by the stack in front of it through the chute and into the interior of the carton.

Abstract: Relatively tall stacks of paper sheets are introduced into successive cartons from above while the cartons are confined in the chamber of a receptacle whose side walls prevent excessive outward bulging of the adjacent side walls of the carton when a stack descends toward the carton in a vertical duct whose cross-sectional area is just sufficient to allow the stacks to descend. Each descending stack pushes a column of air into the carton wherein the air is compressed and urges the side walls of the carton against the respective side walls of the receptacle. The upper end of the duct receives stacks from an upright container having a bottom wall which is movable between open and closed positions. A side wall of the receptacle is detachable or otherwise movable to an open position so as to allow for insertion of empty cartons into or for removal of filled cartons from the chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for expelling air from pockets between superimposed sheets of successive stacks has a brush or roller which can be lowered onto the topmost sheet of a stack while the leader of the stack is pulled along a stationary support by a tongs. The brush or roller urges successive increments of the lowermost sheet of the moving stack against a stationary or rotary anvil whereby the pockets of air are eliminated in automatic response to forward movement of the stack with the tongs. Expulsion of air from the stacks enhances their shape-retaining ability during transport toward the next processing station or stations as well as at such stations. The brush or roller is mounted on pivotable arms which can be rocked back and forth by one or more levers which are pivotable by a cam and follower assembly receiving motion from the main prime mover of the machine or production line wherein the stacks are formed and/or processed.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring paper stacks from a first horizontal path into a second horizontal path which is coplanar with the first path has tongs installed at the junction of the two paths and driven to rotate about a vertical axis. The tongs has a lower jaw in the common plane of the two paths and an axially movable upper jaw which is held away from the first jaw when a stack to be transferred approaches the tongs and which is then moved toward the lower jaw to clamp the oncoming stack so that the latter rotates with the jaws and is transferred into the second path. The tongs then opens and is ready to engage the next stack. Signals for closing and opening of the tongs are generated by first and second detectors which are respectively adjacent to the first and second paths and respectively serve to detect certain surfaces of oncoming stacks and certain surfaces of transferred stacks.

Abstract: An apparatus for engaging and transporting discrete sheets downstream of a severing station at which a cross-cutter severs a running paper web has a catcher assembly with an upper and a lower conveyor unit. The conveyor units define an elongated path for the transport of sheets therebetween. The catcher assembly is adjustable, in its entirety, with reference to the severing station, and each conveyor unit is adjustable relative to the other conveyor unit. The rearmost portion of the upper conveyor unit is adjustable toward and away from the adjacent portion of the lower conveyor unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting the core of a reel of convoluted paper in a winding machine has two trunnions which extend into the end portions of the core from opposite ends of the reel and are surrounded by ring-shaped stops which are normally closely adjacent to the respective end faces of the reel therebetween. The trunnions and the respective stops are movable axially toward and away from the core and each trunnion is surrounded by a ring-shaped sensor which is biased against the respective end face of the reel so that the distance between the sensor and the corresponding stop denotes the width of the gap between the respective end face of the reel and the corresponding stop.