Abstract: According to some embodiments, a stacking assembly accepts mail-pieces traveling from a re-direct mechanism in a first direction and urges a leading edge portion of a mail-piece toward a registration wall of a sortation bin. The stacking assembly may include a plurality of neighboring cam shafts, each with at least one cam, arranged along the first direction, such that rotation of the cam shafts results in synchronized rotation of the cams to guide an incoming mail-piece. Rotation of the cam shafts may also urge a previously stacked mail-piece away from the cams, and into the sortation bin, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: On a machine for processing sheets it is provided, in particular in a region of a delivery, to completely close a rear opening on the end side by at least one upper and one lower cover. Lateral openings are also closable by movable guards, which at least partially are formed from a transparent material.

Abstract: Embodiments herein comprise an apparatus that includes a printing engine and an interposer adapted to receive printed sheets from the printing engine. The interposer adds insert sheets between printed sheets. The interposer includes a decurler positioned within the interposer so as to decurl the printed sheets after the interposer adds the insert sheets. The printing engine adds a curl to the printed sheets and the decurler removes the curl from the printed sheets. The decurler can comprise a roller-based decurler, a heated decurler, a pressure based decurler, and/or a moisture-vacuum based decurler.

Abstract: The invention relates to a delivery device for a sheet-processing machine. The object of the invention is providing a delivery device on a sheet-fed rotary printing machine, that can be universally used and permits quality control of the printed and/or laminated sheets. to this end the delivery device includes rotating sheet feeding system 5 supplying the printed sheets to a first delivery stack 9 and with a drum 7 acting as a turnout point in front of this delivery stack 9 in the transport direction 2 for selective sheet removal. The drum 7 is allocated to the sheet feeding system 5. A vacuum table 14 coupled with a pneumatic system and with at least one rotating suction belt for suctioning, transporting, and positioning a sheet is arranged downstream from the drum in its rotational direction. At least one quality control device 12 for inspecting the sheet is arranged at a distance to the vacuum table 14, with the second delivery system 8 being arranged downstream from the vacuum table 14.

Abstract: A sheet delivery mechanism for a sheet-fed printing machine which is adapted to reduce changes in the position of sheet material in a stack during a stack changeover operation and which facilitates the formation of a stack with properly aligned edges. The sheet-delivery mechanism includes at least one length adjustable edge guide 16 supported between a stack support plate 14 and a cross element 15 which can be detachably connected to the frame of the sheet delivery mechanism.

Abstract: A delivery for a machine for processing flat printing materials includes sheet brakes for accepting sheets fed in a processing direction at an acceptance level and for releasing the sheets at a surrender level. The sheet brakes are adjustably disposed for varying the acceptance level and the surrender level. A machine is provided for processing flat printing materials, having the delivery.

Abstract: Sheets or strips of printed materials, with each sheet or strip having a printed image including plural individual copies, are inspected. Each copy is inspected by an inspection device. The sheets or strips of printed materials are separated into individual ones of the copies. Defective copies are sorted out based on the results of the inspection device.

Abstract: A printing apparatus (1001) having a plurality of blanket cylinders (1051 to 1054) normally-contacting to impression cylinders (1031, 1032), plate cylinders (1041 to 1044) normally-contacting to the respective blanket cylinders, and a ink coating apparatus(1061 to 1064), a printing apparatus, an imaging apparatus, an imaging method, an imaging medium, a printing system, and a printing method. In the printing apparatus (1001), a plurality of ink coating apparatus (1061 to 1064) is arranged in a substantially gravity direction, a feeding apparatus (1020) of sheets of recording mediums to the printing apparatus and a discharging apparatus (1070) are provided at a side opposite to a setting side of the ink coating apparatus with respect to the blanket cylinders. The printing apparatus can execute a back face printing easily, and has good workability.

Abstract: Several printing units are arranged in a row for printing on as many separate webs traveling in centerline alignment and in phase with one another. At least one preselected web, on issuing from one printing unit, is directed over an angled guide rod thereby to be turned 90 degrees out of phase with the other, unselected webs. Subsequently traveling over a triangular shaped former, the preselected web is folded along a centerline thereof, back into phase with the unselected webs. The preselected web, already formed, and the unselected ones, yet unfolded, are then all superposed one upon another, with the fold of the preselected web in register with the aligned centerline of the unselected webs. The superposed webs are then folded by another former along the aligned centerline of the unselected webs. Subsequently fed into a cutting and folding device, the webs are cut and folded transversely into individual multiple-page signatures each having one center spread in addition to the usual inmost center spread.

Abstract: A printing apparatus (1001) having a plurality of blanket cylinders (1051 to 1054) normally-contacting to impression cylinders (1031, 1032), plate cylinders (1041 to 1044) normally-contacting to the respective blanket cylinders, and a ink coating apparatus (1061 to 1064), a printing apparatus, an imaging apparatus, an imaging method, an imaging medium, a printing system, and a printing method. In the printing apparatus (1001), a plurality of ink coating apparatus (1061 to 1064) is arranged in a substantially gravity direction, a feeding apparatus (1020) of sheets of recording mediums to the printing apparatus and a discharging apparatus (1070) are provided at a side opposite to a setting side of the ink coating apparatus with respect to the blanket cylinders. The printing apparatus can execute a back face printing easily, and has good workability.

Abstract: A sheet accumulator for advancing successive sheets between first and second color printing presses comprising an accumulator sheet conveyor for advancing sheets from one press to the other press, a sheet lifter at the conveyor to lift a first sheet and thereby enable the sheet conveyor to advance a second sheet beneath the first sheet, and a sheet sensor at the conveyor, operably associated with the sheet lifter to actuate and deactuate the sheet lifter based on the position of the sheet.

Abstract: An arrangement for decelerating and shingling printed products as they are conveyed from a variable rotary cutter by a high-speed belt conveyor to a slower speed belt conveyor includes at least one depressor wheel at the entry end of the slower speed conveyor. The depressor wheel carries a plurality of depressor members in circumferential positions corresponding to the circumferential positions of cutting knives on the rotary cutter. The leading edge of each printed product entering the slow speed conveyor enters a headstop nip which reduces the speed of the entering product while its trailing edge is simultaneously momentarily depressed by a depressor on the rotating depressor wheel to enable shingling between successive products. A brake pad cooperates with the depressors to decelerate the printed products to a speed close to the surface speed of the slower belt conveyor.

Abstract: Method for braking sheets in a delivery of a sheet-fed rotary printing press wherein the sheets are disposed in tandem and are successively fed to a sheet-pile position in translatory travel direction, the sheets being in an overlapping shingled arrangement in a vicinity of a sheet brake, an air-blast jet being applied beneath and parallel to the respective sheets, includes feeding the sheet to the sheet brake by means of gripper closure and a flotation-guiding arrangement, forming with the air-blast jet a carrying-air flow for producing the flotation-guiding arrangement and for simultaneously separating the sheets from an instant at which the sheets are being formed into the overlapping shingled arrangement, the carrying-air flow formed beneath an oncoming sheet continuing in the vicinity of the overlapping shingled arrangement of the sheets for forming an elongation of the flotation-guiding arrangement towards the delivery; and a device for performing the method.

Abstract: A delivery interrupt mechanism for a printing machine includes a support frame having a stationary guide defining a guide path. A flexible finger is slidably supported by the guide for movement along a curved portion of the guide path while substantially conforming in shape to the curved portion between a retracted position and an extended position in which the finger extends from the frame to support leading edges of printed sheets in a printing machine. The finger is connected to a rotatable input shaft mounted on the frame so that the finger is moved along the curved portion of the guide path between its retracted and extended positions when the input shaft is rotated.

Abstract: An extractor and a ventilation control window are coupled to the housing of a sheet delivery conveyor to extract unwanted heat, moisture, volatile vapors and obnoxious odors from the conveyor housing to eliminate the need for a separate venting system above the sheet delivery stacker. The suction airflow is varied by adjusting the speed of a vacuum source or motor driven fans, or by adjusting a ventilation window. A sheet control ventilation window is covered by a slidable, transparent panel which permits the operator to observe the orientation of the freshly printed sheets as the suction airflow is adjusted to precision. The sheet control window is also covered by a slidable screened panel which prevents introduction of objects into the press. Volatile vapors, moisture laden air and the like are also extracted from laterally opposite sides of the sheet delivery path, thus helping to control air turbulence at the delivery sheet stacker.

Abstract: An automatic sheet printing and alignment system includes a holding table; a transport system for moving the table through a plurality of stations; a first station for positioning a sheet on the table; a second station for printing features on the sheet positioned on the table; a third station for receiving the printed sheet from its position on the table to compile a stack of sheets with their printed features in predetermined alignment; and a control system for sequentially moving the table through the stations for repeatedly printing and stacking each sheet aligned with prior printed and stacked sheets received, transported and printed by the same table.

Abstract: Delivery for a sheet-fed printing press includes a device for conveying sheets supplied from the printing press in a given conveying direction to a location at which the sheets fall consecutively onto a pile of the sheets, a swivelingly mounted stop shaft carrying retractable stops for leading edges of the sheets in an upper region of the sheet pile, a swivelingly mounted catching-arm shaft disposed adjacent to the stop shaft and carrying a plurality of lever arms, respective catching arms articulatedly connected to the lever arms, the catching arms being insertable in a direction opposite to the conveying direction between the falling sheets for catching and auxiliarly supporting the sheets, a drive member swivelable about a rotary axis, and connecting members for connecting both the retractable stops and the catching arms in common to the drive member for performing an enforced sequence of movements of the catching arms and the stops wherein the stops are retracted following an insertion of the catching arm

Abstract: Non-stop pile-changing device in a delivery of a printing press includes an auxiliary pile support insertable between two sheets in a sheet-conveying direction for temporarily receiving thereon oncoming sheets in an auxiliary pile, a device for exchanging a main pile of sheets and an old main pile support whereon the main pile has been deposited for a new main pile support, and a device for depositing the auxiliary pile on the new main pile support, the auxiliary pile support being relatively thin in comparison with the thickness of the main pile support, and remaining underneath the auxiliary pile and forming a base for the auxiliary pile as it is being deposited on the new main pile support.

Abstract: Protective system of a pile lifting device for sheet piles in a sheet-fed printing machine, wherein a pile support board is liftable and lowerable in guides of a frame by a motorized drive of a lifting unit having a fast-speed and a slower speed operating condition for both the lifting and lowering, the pile support board and a sheet pile supported thereby, respectively, being drivable by the motorized drive to a position switch and into a collision region wherein it can collide with another machine part, including a control member operative between the pile support board or the sheet pile supported thereby, on one hand, and a machine part present in the collision region, on the other hand, the control member being articulatingly fastened in vicinity of the position switch or to the machine part in the collision region, and having switch elements arranged in at least two switching stages for controlling the lifting unit drive and being switchable via contact surfaces on the pile support board, a first plurali

Abstract: In a delivery section of a sheet-fed printing press convertible between single-sided sheet printing and first-form and perfector printing, a sheet guide is provided formed with a sheet guide surface alterable between conditions wherein the surface is formed with throughholes and the surface is continuous and smooth, and a device for altering the sheet guide surface so that it is formed with throughholes when converting the press from first-form and perfector printing to single-sided sheet printing, and for altering the sheet guide surface so that it is continuous and smooth when converting the press from single-sided sheet printing to first-form and perfector printing.

Abstract: A printing machine system includes a printing machine which discharges a printed material after the printing operation is completed. The printing machine system also includes a drier which dries the printed material discharged from the printing machine. A stacker is disposed intermediate the printing machine and the drier. The stacker includes a frame, and a storage for storing the printed materials discharged from the drier. A transfer apparatus is disposed in the proximity of the upper portion of the stacker, for conveying the printed materials discharged from the printing machine to the drier one by one.

Abstract: A controllable gripper assembly utilizes spaced plates attached to transport chains. A gripper carriage is carried between the plates and is slidable with respect to the transport chain. Movement of the gripper carriage in a direction opposite to that of the transport chains will allow the sheet being transported by the gripper carriage to be released for deposit on a sheet stack with essentially no forward velocity.

Abstract: In a paper dodging device having a pair of upper and lower high-speed belts for feeding paper onto a low-speed paper, the delivery side of the upper high-speed belt is overlapped above the inlet side of the low-speed belt, and a snubber is disposed above the inlet side of the low-speed belt, the snubber having an outer diameter gradually increasing towards the rear side with respect to the rotational direction of the snubber and having paper dropping portions formed at the outer peripheral end of increasing diameter for peeling the rear end of paper from the upper high-speed belt. When paper is fed from the high-speed belts onto the low-speed belt, the paper is dropped by the outer peripheral surface of increasing diameter of the rotating snubber, and the rear end of paper is peeled by the paper dropping portion and correctly dropped onto the low-speed belt, thereby preventing contact between foregoing paper and following paper and thus preventing generation of flaws or paper jamming.

Abstract: A document imprinting device for imprinting on documents such as checks, and its method of use, comprising a frame, a document feeding mechanism mounted on the frame for sequentially feeding documents, a conveying mechanism for conveying a document from the document feeding mechanism along a document conveyance path, an imprinting mechanism for imprinting the documents conveyed along the document conveyance path, said imprinting mechanism including a print drum mounted on a rotatable shaft having a generally round surface with a flat segment, a sensing mechanism positioned along the document conveyance path for sensing the position of the documents and for triggering the imprinting mechanism such that the document is imprinted at a desired location on the document, and rotation detecting means for detecting whether said shaft makes a rotation.

Abstract: The stacker for stacking sets of cards comprises a container for receiving a set of boarding passes and a stacking section for stacking these boarding passes in the container in the fixed orientation. In the stacker, the container has first and second walls opposing each other, and the stacking section includes a first ejecting portion for ejecting the boarding pass into the container from the second wall side, such that front of the boarding pass faces the first wall, a second ejecting portion for ejecting the boarding passes into the container from the first wall side, such that the back of the boarding pass faces the second wall, and a feeder for supplying the passes to one of the first and second ejecting portions sequentially.

Abstract: An improved printing machine for moving paper sheets from a paper stack along an endless belt to an impression cylinder with continual movement of the paper sheet without stopping and starting. The instantaneous angular position of the impression cylinder is sensed and the instantaneous position of the paper along the endless belt is sensed and an error signal is generated if the relative positions are such that the paper will not arrive at the impression cylinder clamp at the proper time. The error signal causes the vacuum to be applied to a vacuum paper sheet pickup to be turned on and off at varying times to vary the time of pickup of each paper sheet that is deposited on the endless belt, thus controlling the position of each sheet on the belt. The invention allows large increases in printing speeds over the prior art because the sheets of paper are moved between the paper stack and the impression cylinder in a nonstop manner.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a printer with a sheet feeding apparatus having a printer body incorporating a printing mechanism for printing onto continuous forms. A cutter is provided close to a continuous forms discharging port on the printer case. Following the cutter downstream, there is provided a sheet feeding belt that rotates at a rate higher than the feed rate of the continuous forms. Along the belt, there are provided a sheet traversing section, a sheet direction changing section, a sheet pushing section and a sheet stacker, in that order from upstream to downstream. The sheet traversing section seizes and feeds horizontally each sheet cut by the cutter. The sheet direction changing section perpendicularly changes the feed direction of each cut sheet. The sheet pushing section pushes each sheet onto the sheet stacker where an orderly stack of sheets is formed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a printer with a sheet feeding apparatus having a printer body incorporating a printing mechanism for printing onto continuous forms. A cutter is provided close to a continuous forms discharging port on the printer case. Following the cutter downstream, there is provided a sheet feeding belt that rotates at a rate higher than the feed rate of the continuous forms. Along the belt, there are provided a sheet traversing section, a sheet direction changing section, a sheet pushing section and a sheet stacker, in that order from upstream to downstream. The sheet traversing section seizes and feeds horizontally each sheet cut by the cutter. The sheet direction changing section perpendicularly changes the feed direction of each cut sheet. The sheet pushing section pushes each sheet onto the sheet stacker where an orderly stack of sheets is formed.

Abstract: A method of forming stacks of printed material containing a set of printed patterns, each pattern in the set appearing at a selected printing area of each sheet in a selected sequence through the stacks, and the stack of material formed thereby. The method includes printing an arrangement of Y printed patterns along a length of a web in the selected sequence, severing the web in a direction transverse to the direction of travel or length of the web to form a plurality of printed sheets having Z printed patterns positioned along the length. The value of Z is selected to be greater than 1 and to equal a number other than a prime number or a multiple of a prime number of Y. By selection of a Z value as disclosed, the printed patterns in the set appear at a selected printing area in a predetermined sequence on consecutive pages in the stack.

Abstract: To permit central control of shifting of folding blades and puncture needles on a combination collection or assembly and folding cylinder (9), the cams (23, 25l) have associated therewith rotatable cam cover disks (62, 61) which are driven from the main machine drive, for example via a drive gear (20) coupled to the cylinder (9). An additional rotary motion is superimposed to permit shifting of the cover disks and thus selectively different modes of operation, for collection or assembly, or non-collection of sequential sheet products placed on the cylinder. The superimposed motion arrangement comprises a hollow coupling gear (29) which is coupled to a worm (28) coupled therewith, the worm being engaged by axially shiftable roller bolts (36, 37), the axial position of which is controllable by an electrical positioning motor (57) via a shifting plate (47) upon rotation of a positioning spindle (52).

Abstract: Sheets or a web of bank note imprints are advanced in single file through an indexing station where a unique identifying index is applied to each imprint. The indexed imprints are stacked as a pile of strips, downstream of the indexing station, and the pile of strips cut into piles of individual indexed bank notes.Strips containing imprints with printing blemishes or incorrect indexes are rejected before reaching the stacking station. Computer-control of the indexing units in the indexing station maintains an unbroken sequence of indexes on the imprints advanced to the stacking station despite the presence of reject strips.

Abstract: This relates to an attachment kit for an offset printing press of the type manufactured and sold by A. B. Dick Company, which attachment comprises a leveling system including a pair of pivoting boards constructed to be mounted in parallel relation on a base board set on the feed table of the press to support two piles of envelopes in side-by-side relation. The vertical leg of a T-shaped guide bar having its cross bar and spacer fastened to the main bar of the press, passes between the two piles of envelopes and projects into a slot in the base board. A pair of backing plates having vertically-projecting members which bear against the rear of the envelope piles, are constructed to be fastened on opposite sides of the main bar of the printing press. This arrangement enables two piles of envelopes to pass through and be printed simultaneously by the press.

Abstract: The print carriers which bear security-paper prints arranged in longitudinal and transverse rows and on which misprints are marked are numbered in such a way that all security-paper prints arranged in succession in a longitudinal row, but excluding misprints, receive a consecutive numerical sequence. Each longitudinal row contains security-paper prints of a specific numerical series. The print carriers are then cut into strips transversely relatively to the longitudinal rows. Approximately every 100 strips are stacked, in the order in which they occur, into a strip stack (T), in which all the security-paper prints arranged vertically on top of one another, if appropriate mixed with misprints, have a consecutive numerical sequence of a particular series. The strip stacks (T) are cut into security-paper bundles (U) which are sorted according to numerical series by means of a distributor station (10, 11a, 11b) and are fed to as many separate buffer stores (12A to 12F) as there are numerical series.

Abstract: A picture adjusting device in a sheet-feed press having a rotating sheet-feed cylinder feeding paper to a rotating impression cylinder. The sheet-feed cylinder has a movable bearing on at least one end of its shaft so that the sheet-feed cylinder is tiltable with respect to impression cylinder, thereby allowing adjustment of the positioning of the picture on the page.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for use with an offset printing device that is capable of feeding sheets that are bound together along a common edge is disclosed herein. The sheet feeder generally comprises a stack holder for holding a stack of bound sheets along their commonly bound edges, an endless conveyor formed from parallel chains that are driven between the top of the bound sheets and the impression cylinder of the offset printing device, a set of driving and pressure rollers connected between the parallel chains of the conveyor and rotating with it, and a suction gripper movable perpendicularly with respect to the sheet stack top for lifting the respective topmost sheet. In operation, the suction gripper lifts a sheet, and then one of the driving and pressure rollers slides under the sheet and carries it to the impression cylinder, whereupon it acts as a pressure roller during the printing process.

Abstract: A label imprinting machine has a feed hopper, a stacking hopper, an imprinting station, and a printing head at the imprinting station. Unimprinted labels are transported from the feed hopper to the imprinting station and imprinted labels from then to the stacking hopper. The machine further has a cartridge inking system including a holder for holding an ink cartridge, a pick up ring holding roll, an ink pick up ring on the pick up ring holding roll, an ink distribution roll in driving engagement with the pick up ring holding roll, and a power driven ink transfer roll engaging the printing head and frictionally engaging the ink distribution roll, to regulate the rotational speed of the ink distribution roll and the pick up ring holding roll. The ink distribution roll oscillates back and forth along its axis as it rotates about its axis.

Abstract: A document printer in which a print drum is driven by a direct current electric motor whose voltage is controlled by a first voltage regulator circuit for supplying a first voltage to the motor during a non-printing operating condition and a voltage boost circuit for supplying a higher voltage to the motor during a printing operating condition so that the same document feed rate is maintained throughout the operation of the device.

Abstract: Multiple simultaneous envelope duplicating apparatus has a windowed feed elevator supplying envelope stacks to an offset duplicator. The elevator has an open frame supporting a pair of spaced apart parallel envelope stack supporting plates. The plates and the frame define windows for receiving in vertically movable relationship, guide members to maintain the envelope stacks upright and in alignment with suction feet at a receiving station of the offset duplicator. A delivery end of the duplicator having a receding stacker also has an open frame supporting a pair of spaced apart envelope stack supporting plates to receive printed envelopes, and define windows for receiving in vertically movable relationship, a second set of guide members to maintain the printed envelope stacks upright. Upright member supporting bases are adjustable so that the guide members can be fitted to bound the sides of different sized envelopes. Bulk envelope chargers have envelope receiving side plates and a back retaining plate.

Abstract: A stacking device having at least two stacking wells supplied from above is arranged subsequent to a delivery conveyor for printed products. A deposition apparatus for depositing one cover sheet on each completed stack is also provided. In order not to have to deposit this cover sheet upon the stack just as it leaves the stacking device, a device for preparing individual pre-printed cover sheets is provided. The deposition apparatus includes a cover sheet conveyor arranged subsequent to this cover sheet preparing device. The cover sheet conveyor is provided with a controllable outlet for each stacking well and opens into its associated stacking well.

Abstract: A pile changing device for a printing press delivery mechanism which includes a first conveyor for delivering sheets from the press seriatim to a piling space, the sheets being accumulated on a pile board in the form of a skid. A track extends from the piling space to a second conveyor. A fork lift mechanism is provided having a carriage which is shiftable on the track. Control means, which is automatically triggered when the skid becomes full, causes the fork lift mechanism to remove the skid from the piling space and to deposit it on the second conveyor. Upon removal of the full skid from the piling space the control means causes feeding of an empty skid via a third conveyor from a skid magazine into a precise sheet-receiving position. an auxiliary pile board is interposed on the path of the delivered sheets during the brief interval when there is no skid in sheet-receiving position.

Abstract: A printing system for printing characters in various fonts and formats onto webs of sheet stock of various sizes includes apparatus for cutting the web into various lengths to accommodate various formats as well as for providing different lengths of tags which are interposed between batches of tags to permit easy separation of the batches. A stacker is also provided which selectively stacks the tags in a shingle fashion or into piles. Circuitry is provided to detect jams in the system and to assure that the proper size web corresponding to the selected format is used. Also, the system is provided with circuitry for adjusting the line print position to compensate for positioning errors caused by mechanical tolerances in the printers.

Abstract: A paper discharge device for an offset printing machine includes a table for receiving discharged paper, the table being lowered in conjunction with the height of the paper stack thereon. The table is driven by means of a ratchet mechanism which is engaged only when paper is actually output from the printing machine, so that the table is not excessively lowered when the printing machine is driven but does not output printed paper.

Abstract: A rotary printing press assembly includes an inspection apparatus interposed between a sheet feeder for feeding printed sheets and a rotary printing press having a printing cylinder for printing additional indicia on the printed sheets. The inspection apparatus has a pair of inspection cylinders rotatable in opposite directions. A printed sheet is supplied from the sheet feeder and is held at its face and back against peripheral surfaces of the inspection. Detectors are disposed in confronting relationship to the peripheral surface of the inspection surface cylinders for inspecting the printed sheet on the inspection cylinders for any defect and for generating signals in response to detection of any defect on the printed sheet. The printing cylinder is movable away from an operational position adjacent an impression cylinder to an inoperational position away therefrom in response to a signal from the detectors indicating a defective sheet.

Abstract: In a sheet-fed printing press, a delivery table including a table top, leg-holding means secured to the underside thereof, and a plurality of legs removably held by said leg-holding means.

Abstract: A mechanism for sorting sheets from a printing press to assure proper color density and to assist in making corrective adjustment which includes a main conveyor for normally conducting sheets to a main delivery pile and having a transfer station. An auxiliary conveyor extends from the transfer station to an auxiliary delivery pile. A scanning device is arranged upstream of the main conveyor for responding to the color density of the printed image on a passing sheet. A comparator produces a control signal when the color density is above or below tolerance, signifying a sub-quality sheet. Mechanism at the transfer station is triggered by the control signal so that the sub-quality sheet is diverted to the auxiliary conveyor for depositing on the auxiliary pile. The mechanism not only accomplishes sorting but the fact of diversion and the observed rate of diversion provides constant instruction to the pressman as to the necessity for, and the degree of, a corrective change in ink feed rate.

Abstract: A control mechanism for grippers of a sheet delivery device particularly on a printing machine, is disclosed. A chain delivery device is provided with a gripper mechanism whereby printed paper sheets coming from a printing unit are grabbed by the grippers, then carried to a delivery area at which point the grippers are opened and the paper sheets are released by the grippers and fall onto a pile of sheets.

Abstract: There is provided an improved automatic recirculating duplicator adapted for duplicating from a master or plate selectively onto one or both sides of paper sheets. It is characterized by a single printing couple. Sheets are fed from a paper table to a printing nip between a printing cylinder and an impression cylinder for printing on the first side and, through operation of a controlled gripping and stripping apparatus, the sheets are turned about the impression cylinder for collection with the printed sides down on a paper tray. The paper tray is then shifted to the feeding location normally occupied by the paper table, and the gripping and stripping apparatus is reset for feeding the sheets, now printed on both sides, directly to an exterior receiver.

Abstract: The invention relates to an auxiliary pile board assembly for use in the temporary support of sheets at the delivery end of a sheet fed printing press and on which sheets are deposited during replacement of the main pile board. The assembly includes a pair of longitudinal rails of equal length spaced parallel to one another with first and second cross rails spanning the space between them. The first cross rail extends perpendicularly between corresponding ends of the longitudinal rails while the second cross rail extends between the longitudinal rails and is adjustably slidable with respect thereto. An auxiliary pile board of limited dimension is interposed between, and supported upon, the cross rails.