Conveyor For Signatures Patents (Class 198/644)
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Patent number: 9056401Abstract: A method of trimming printed media, having a first dimension, a first edge parallel to the direction of the first dimension, and a second dimension substantially perpendicular to the first dimension, includes selecting printed media to be positioned on a conveyor based on predetermined delivery sequence data, positioning the printed media along a path on the conveyor, abutting the printed media with a stop to position the first edge of the printed media at a location along the path, receiving size data representative of the second dimension of the printed media to be trimmed, and electronically controlling at least one of the stop and a trimming device to adjust a distance between the stop and the trimming device, in a direction substantially parallel with the path, based on the received size data to adjust a location along the second dimension at which the printed media is to be trimmed.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2010Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.Inventors: William T. Graushar, John C. Geres, Patrick A. Millikin, David F. Christofferson, Michael J. Krchma, Greg Goss, Charles E. Schulz, Robert Kazmierczak, Richard W. Schneider, Jonathan F. Thames
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Patent number: 8925713Abstract: A method for operating a processing system, in which product units of different formats are processed. The processing system contains a plurality of processing devices that are arranged one after the other in a processing line. In the event of a format changeover, certain component arrangements arranged in the processing system must be adapted to the new product format. In the event of an upcoming format change, a gap in the conveyed goods is generated while the conveying operation is maintained, wherein the gap in the conveyed goods runs through the processing system along the processing devices. As soon as the gap in the conveyed goods runs through a component arrangement to be adapted to the new format, the format is changed over at the component arrangement while the gap in the conveyed goods runs through the component arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Ferag AGInventor: Roman Dax
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Patent number: 8857806Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting flat products and for orienting such products for applying printed indicia while the products are transported, comprises a conveyor system which transports flat products in a first direction while holding the products in a first orientation generally orthogonal to the first direction, and, during transport, orients at least a peripheral portion of the product in a direction opposite the first direction, in an orientation and position for applying printed indicia on the peripheral portion of the product. The apparatus and method are particularly applicable for use in applying address information to the upper right corner of newspapers.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2010Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Muller Martini Corp.Inventors: Timothy Goszka, John Messenger
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Patent number: 8631928Abstract: A sheet material conveyor includes a pocket conveyor with at least one moving pocket for collecting printed sheet material, the pocket conveyor having a release area for releasing the printing sheet material in the pocket. The sheet material conveyor also includes an air supply device providing air to the pocket at the release area. A pocket with air supply holes and a method for releasing printed sheet material using pressurized air is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2003Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Goss International Americas, Inc.Inventors: Glen Roger Caron, Glenn Alan Guaraldi, Richard Craig Meyer
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Patent number: 8627943Abstract: A guide arrangement is provided for guiding movement of a transport member to convey products in a conveying direction of a conveying section having a predetermined course. The transport member includes a number of functional units operatively connected to each other. The guide arrangement includes a number of sequentially connected guide rail elements defining a guide channel along the conveying section. The guide channel has inside walls including structure to guide the transport member.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2012Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Mueller Martini Holding AGInventors: Jean-Claude Oppliger, Michael Landolt
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Patent number: 8556067Abstract: The conveyor system for planar products (60), in particular print shop products, features a feeder device (50) as well as a gripper conveyor (10) with a plurality of grippers (12) that move along an orbital track (U), wherein the grippers (12) each include two gripper parts (14, 16) that can be pivoted relative to one another between an open position and a closed position. The relative position of the gripper parts (14, 16) to one another and/or the orientation of the whole gripper (12) in space is a function of its position along the orbital track and is set by at least one control guide (28, 30, 40, 80, 80?) that interacts with the grippers such that the gripper parts (14, 16) can be moved from an open position to a closed position while moving through a transfer area (A) of the orbital track (U) for the transfer of products (60) from the feeder device (50).Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2008Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Ferag AGInventor: Roberto Fenile
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Patent number: 8469647Abstract: A book binding machine for processing book blocks (3) features a transport system (2) with a plurality of book block clamps (40) for receiving the book blocks (3) that can be continuously moved along a closed circulation path and are coupled to a traction mechanism (63), wherein the traction mechanism (63) revolves around a driving wheel (55) and a deflection wheel and is tensioned by means of a tensioning device. Processing stations (70, 80) are arranged in the region of straight sections of the circulation path. The driving wheel (55) is driven by a gearless, rotative electric direct drive (50), wherein a first rotating component (53) of the rotative direct drive (50) is mounted or realized directly on the driving wheel (55).Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2010Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Kolbus GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Jürgen Garlichs, Christian Heiner Müller, Andreas Walther
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Patent number: 8464855Abstract: Circuitry to control reflective optical sensors is provided that reduces false detections due to ambient light without compromising the performance of the optical sensors to detect dark materials. A reflective optical sensor includes an emitter LED and photo-detector arranged to receive light from the LED that is reflected by an object being detected. A first input of a comparator is coupled to the output of the photo-detector. A second input of the comparator is coupled to the output of the photo-detector through a filtering circuit. The filtering circuit operates to filter the detector's output and adaptively adjust the trigger threshold of the comparator, thereby enabling the photo-detector to be sensitive enough to detect dark mail pieces, i.e., those mail pieces that are minimally reflective, while being immune to repeated false triggers due to excessive ambient light.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2011Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Lorello, Gary S. Jacobson, George J. Doutney
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Patent number: 8413977Abstract: A device for delivering a printed product from a saddle-shaped support includes at least two discs that are configured to pass through a gap that extends in a conveying direction and that is disposed, at least in a delivery region, between two support parts of the saddle-shaped support. The at least two discs are rotatable about respective fixed rotation axles that are mutually spaced from one another in the conveying direction. Each of the discs is configured to project intermittently, during the rotation about the respective fixed rotation axles, above a ridge line of the ridge in the delivery region of the saddle-shaped support so as to continuously lift the printed product from the saddle-shaped support in the delivery region.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2012Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Mueller Martini Holding AGInventor: Marcel Buerge
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Patent number: 8328001Abstract: In a method and a device for opening printed products (26), folded printed products (20) are held on a back (28) and transported. Thereby, they are aligned at an edge region (44) lying opposite the back (28), for example by way of co-running lugs (98?). Subsequently, the edge region (44) is encompassed by a holding element (50) and held in a preferably loose manner. Preferably, the uppermost sheet of the printed product (26) is gripped with a revolving opening element (72) engaging on the printed product (26) behind the edge region (44), and pulled out of the holding element (50), while the remaining sheet or the remaining sheets of the printed product (26) remain in the holding element (50). After moving a holding-open element (102) into the printed product (26) opened in such a manner, the holding element (50) moves away to the bottom and thus the edge region (44) of the printed product (26) slips out of the holding element (50).Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2010Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Ferag AGInventor: Marc-Andreas Benz
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Patent number: 8292062Abstract: A method and a device for the conveyance of planar products (10, 10?, 20, 20?), in particular printed products, are provided wherein a product group (100) composed of at least two products (10, 10?, 20, 20?) is gripped by a gripper (42) in the area of a product edge (12, 12?, 22, 22?) and conveyed in a direction of conveyance (F2). At least one of the products (10, 10?, 20, 20?) is displaced relative to the other product or products (10, 10?, 20, 20?) in the product group (100) in a direction of displacement (A) defined by the gripped product edge (12, 12?, 22, 22?), such that in each case a projection (14, 24) is formed in the direction of displacement (A). Thus a first projection (14) is associated with at least one displaced product (10, 10?, 20, 20?) and a second projection (24) is associated with the remaining product or products (10, 10?, 20, 20?) of the product group (100).Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2007Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Ferag AGInventors: Hans Ulrich Stauber, Konrad Auf der Maur
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Patent number: 8220618Abstract: A conveyor chain for gripping and conveying paper material has a plurality of links hingedly connected to each other. At least one of the links has a grip arm having a first grip surface. The grip arm is movable back and forth relative to a second grip surface of the chain between a grip position for holding paper material and a retracted position for insertion of the paper material between the first and second grip surfaces. The links are molded of plastic material. The or each grip arm is an integrally molded portion of one of the links. A conveyor including such a chain is also described.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2010Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Neopost TechnologiesInventor: Erik Jouke Bijl
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Patent number: 8181768Abstract: A mailpiece inserter includes a feed conveyor adapted to feed a shingled stack of mailpiece envelopes along a feed path to an insert module and a chassis module adapted to produce content material for insertion into the mailpiece envelopes processed by the insert module. An envelope position detector is operative to sense a discontinuity in the shingled stack and issues a first position signal indicative thereof, and an input conveyor module is adapted to convey mailpiece envelopes into shingled engagement with an aft end of the shingled stack of mailpiece envelopes on the feed conveyor. The input conveyor module has an input end proximal to a single workstation of the chassis module which enables an operator to (i) feed mailpiece envelopes to the input module and (ii) supply content material to the chassis module.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2009Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventor: W. Scott Kalm
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Patent number: 8113498Abstract: A method and device for transferring signatures. The device includes a first gathering chain which conveys the signatures with the aid of pushers and which transfers the signatures in a transfer region to a second gathering chain. The second gathering chain includes at least one conveying chain provided with pushers that are arranged at a pre-defined distance relative to each other. The second gathering chain includes recesses adjacent to each of its pushers such that each pusher of the first gathering chain corresponds to a pusher of the second gathering chain and can be lowered through a respective recess.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2010Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Mueller Martini Holding AGInventor: Marcel Buerge
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Patent number: 8066111Abstract: A signature transport device is provided. The signature transport device includes a saddle conveyor for transporting signatures, an escalator tucker for lifting the signatures off the saddle conveyor and a linear gripper conveyor located adjacent to the escalator tucker and having a plurality of grippers for gripping the signatures. The linear gripper conveyor has a velocity component that is equal to or greater than a velocity component of the escalator tucker when the signatures are gripped from the escalator tucker. A method for transporting signatures is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2009Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Goss International Americas, Inc.Inventor: Richard Daniel Curley
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Patent number: 8056705Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) and a method for processing objects (100, 110) with a plurality of tools (20), as well as with a tool drive arrangement (30). The tools (20) in each case comprise at least one lever (21) as well as an acting element (22) which may cooperate with the object (100, 110). The levers (21) are pivotably attached on tool drive arrangement (30) on bearing points (23) and may be driven along a closed revolving path by way of the movement of the tool drive arrangement (30). The acting elements (22) are distanced to the bearing point (23). The pivot position of the levers (231) relative to the tool drive arrangement (30) may be set in dependence on their position along the revolving path with a guide mechanism. According to the invention, the guide mechanism (40) is adjustable, wherein different distances (d, d?) of adjacent acting elements may be realized in a predefined reference region by way of the adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: FERAG AGInventor: Hans Ulrich Stauber
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Patent number: 8036772Abstract: The invention relates to a first product (20) which supports identification information (30) and a second product (22) which, optionally, supports identification information (30?). Said first and second products are maintained and transported together by a clamp (12), such that the second printing product (22) at least partially overlaps the first printing product (20). The identification information (30) of the first printing product (20) is arranged in the edge section (26) and the identification information (30?) of the second printing product (22) is free. The printing products (22, 22) are subjected to an optical-electronic control where an image capturing device (38) captures an image of the identification information (30, 30?), when a control point is passed. The captured image is electronically processed and the result thereof is transformed into control signals.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2007Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Ferag AGInventor: Carl Conrad Mäder
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Patent number: 8028821Abstract: An apparatus is provided for gathering signatures along a conveying section of a circulating conveyor provided with spaced-apart pushers that are attached to a traction mechanism. The apparatus includes a delivery station adapted for being arranged along the conveying section. The delivery station includes a downward slanted conveying path wherein the signatures are supplied via the downward slanted conveying path from the delivery station to the conveyor approximately in synchronism with movement of the circulating conveyor. The conveying path includes a convex conveying section followed by a concave conveying section in the conveying direction for the signatures.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2006Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Mueller Martini Holding AGInventors: Urs Mösli, Thomas Bechinger
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Patent number: 7963386Abstract: Printed products are optionally processed in a preliminary stage (1) and a follow-up stage (2). The printed products are fed in a printed-product stream. The printed products, for optionally processing in the preliminary stage (1), are directed optionally, by means of a diverter (5), to different conveying paths (6.1, 6.2, 6.3), on which processing arrangements (10, 11, 12) are set up. The printed products are processed in the processing arrangements and then conveyed on. In an intermediate region, in which the conveying paths (6.1, 6.2, 6.3) of the preliminary stage (1) run parallel to one another and one beside the other, different conveying paths (7.1, 7.2) of the follow-up stage (2) can optionally be connected to the conveying paths (6.1, 6.2, 6.3) of the preliminary stage (1). Processing arrangements (13, 14) for optionally processing the printed products are also set up on the various conveying paths of the follow-up stage (2).Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2006Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Ferag AGInventor: Hans Ulrich Stauber
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Publication number: 20110116847Abstract: A belt drive apparatus includes: a rotatable first roller; a rotatable second roller; a belt member stretched by the first and the second rollers so as to be capable of being conveyed by the first roller and the second roller; and a restraint member provided on at least one of the two ends of the second roller and including a belt receiving surface to be brought into contact with an edge portion of the belt member. The belt receiving surface and an axis of the second roller make an angle that is not smaller than 93° but not larger than 115°.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2010Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: OKI DATA CORPORATIONInventors: Takashi WAKANA, Michiaki ITO
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Publication number: 20110054672Abstract: With an arrangement for the timed processing of a book block, consisting of at least one printed sheet or at least one signature, a transfer device (10) is arranged in-between the feed devices for the book blocks (61) and the device for the further conveying of such a book block, wherein this transfer device supplies the book blocks to at least one other processing station (90). The transfer device is provided with means (16, 17) for taking over or clamping in (32) the book block (61), wherein this transfer device executes at least one rotary or quasi-rotary translation movement. The translation device itself operates in at least two spatial dimensions for the transfer of the book block, wherein the translation movement occurs with a uniform or a changeable movement speed. The center axis (12) for the translation device occupies an optional position in space, relative to the further processing station.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2009Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: Mueller Martini Holdings AGInventors: ROBERT W. MCFARLAND, Guenther Silberbauer
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Patent number: 7870947Abstract: A gripper for holding and conveying flat objects (P) in a firmly held manner, in particular printed material such as newspapers, magazines or brochures, includes two clamping tongues (4 and 5) which can pivot relative to one another into an open and into a closed configuration, wherein the clamping tongues (4 and 5) are pressed against one another in the closed configuration. The distal ends of at least one of the clamping tongues (4 and 5) are fitted with two elastic arms (30) that extend laterally away from the clamping tongue, in the same direction as the clamping force, a clamping jaw (10, 11) being arranged at the free end of each of the arms. The contact surfaces of the clamping jaws of at least one clamping tongue adapt to fit the contact surface of an opposite clamping jaw or a clamped object, under compression force, for example, they are mounted on the arm (30) by means of a ball joint.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2007Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Ferag AGInventors: Carl Conrad Mäder, Konrad Auf der Maur
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Publication number: 20100252400Abstract: A device for removing folded signatures from a saddle-back conveyor includes a moving arm, a first gripper mounted on the moving arm, and an electromechanical actuator connected to the first gripper for opening and closing the first gripper, the electromechanical actuator being mounted on the moving arm. A method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: Goss International Americas, Inc.Inventor: Nicholas J. Caunter
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Patent number: 7784602Abstract: A conveying system to be used in the printing industry, especially in mailroom technology, includes a revolvingly driven conveying member that is provided with supporting elements that are fixed to a traction rope in a stationary and optionally torsion-proof manner. The conveying member can be provided with another rope that has the same length as the traction rope, revolves substantially parallel thereto, and is used as a guide rope or second traction rope. Grippers that are disposed laterally on the belt-shaped conveying member, which is formed by ropes and supporting elements, are arranged on the supporting elements in order to grab and hold individual printed products or groups of printed products. The conveying member is deflected onto different deflection planes via guiding devices while being twisted between such deflections such that the three-dimensional position of the supporting elements and the conveyed printed products can be modified.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Ferag AGInventor: Erwin Mueller
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Patent number: 7726643Abstract: A friction feeder apparatus for handling sheets of paper of differing thicknesses includes a first plurality of laterally spaced apart transport belts positioned in underlying relation to the paper and a second plurality of laterally spaced apart separator wheels positioned in overlying relation to the paper. The transport belts are staggered with respect to the separator wheels. A sheet of paper passing through the feeder apparatus is undeflected from the top as it encounters the transport belts and is unsupported from the bottom as it encounters the separator wheels so that the sheet of paper is not held flat as it passes through the feeder but instead is forced into a wave-like, sinusoidal-like shape. In a first embodiment, the separator wheels are downstream of a fixed nip roller and in a second embodiment, the separator wheels are upstream of the fixed nip roller.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2006Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventor: Todd C. Werner
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Patent number: 7712603Abstract: A device according to the invention for monitoring two sheet products transported by means of a clamp of a transport device. The device has at least two sensors that are intended to generate signals on the basis of which the number of products held in the clamp can be determined. A first sensor hereby generates a first detection signal referred to as reference signal when a clamp passes a reference area assigned to this first sensor. The second sensor is arranged in such a way that it generates a second detection signal when at least one section of one of the products in a second side edge area free from the clamp passes through its assigned detection area.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2007Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Ferag AGInventor: Carl Conrad Mäder
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Publication number: 20100040451Abstract: The intermediate storage device (18) for taking stacks (14) of flat products (16) from a supplying device (10) connected upstream, for storing the stacks (14) in a temporary manner and for the subsequent delivery of the stacks (14) to a stack processing device (20) connected downstream, has at least one conveying means (36) with an upper run (34), which is displaceable in a conveying direction (T) and on which, for conveying the stack (14), a bottommost flat product (16u) of the stack (14) rests at least in a partial manner. The intermediate storage device (18) has, in addition, a control device (68), which generates a signal for controlling a conveying speed of the conveying means (36).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Inventor: Roman Dax
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Patent number: 7624978Abstract: A sheet feeder having a stack hopper for holding a stack of sheets, and feed belts for advancing the bottom-most sheet from the stack, is constructed to move at least one of the feed belts laterally toward and away from another of the feed belts while the belts are being driven. Preferably, side guides extend substantially to the end of the feeder, and extend both above and below the upper surface of belts to which they are adjacent. The belts extend between and around shafts of uniform diameter through the reach of lateral movement of the belts. The shafts are journaled in bearings mounted in such a way that they can be lifted out to change belts quickly and easily.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2005Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Inventor: James C. Kaiping
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Publication number: 20090288932Abstract: A signature transport device is provided. The signature transport device includes a saddle conveyor for transporting signatures, an escalator tucker for lifting the signatures off the saddle conveyor and a linear gripper conveyor located adjacent to the escalator tucker and having a plurality of grippers for gripping the signatures. The linear gripper conveyor has a velocity component that is equal to or greater than a velocity component of the escalator tucker when the signatures are gripped from the escalator tucker. A method for transporting signatures is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2009Publication date: November 26, 2009Applicant: Goss International Americas, Inc.Inventor: Richard Daniel CURLEY
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Patent number: 7530447Abstract: A device for effecting the positionally accurate conveyance of flat articles to be sorted to an input device for a sorting conveyor has a draw-off unit and a feed unit. The draw-off unit periodically separates the flat articles to be sorted, and feeds them in separated form onto a conveyor line. The feed unit transfers the separated articles with a defined advance to the input device after these articles have reached a predetermined conveyance location of the conveyor line. A section of the conveyor line immediately preceding the predetermined conveyance point is arranged substantially vertical and includes a pair of belts for guiding the article to be sorted, with one belt of the pair running around two rollers and the other belt of the pair configured to be raised for a predetermined time.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2007Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Siemens Schweiz AGInventors: Beat Fritsche, Thomas Zimmermann
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Patent number: 7455171Abstract: Printed articles 18 are fed to a processing device 32 by means of a conveying device 10. A measuring device 22 measures the thickness of the printed articles 18 and transmits a corresponding measured signal 28 to a control device 30 of a processing device 32. The latter can be formed, for example, by a packaging machine 34, and the control device uses the measured signal 28 as a basis to actuate processing elements 71 of the packaging machine, such as an input belt conveyor 36, a pressure roller pressing element 48, a stabilization element 54, or a stack forming device 58, via drive and actuating motors 40, 50, 66.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2005Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Ferag AGInventor: Karl Buechel
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Patent number: 7404549Abstract: A transporting mechanism includes a link chain and clamps which are attached to a chain link of the link chain and which are capable of gripping at least one printed product. At least two clamps are attached to each chain link of the link chain, wherein the clamps in the link chain are spaced apart from one another by equal spacings.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2006Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Müller Martini Holding AGInventors: Jörg Meier, Jean-Claude Oppliger
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Patent number: 7281706Abstract: A gatherer stitcher having a gatherer chain configuration includes roof segments forming a ridge region and drivers having respective stop surfaces and being mounted so as to be adjustable between an operating position and a position pivotable away therefrom. An auxiliary driver is restricted to the ridge region and carried by a respective roof segment directly adjacent the stop surfaces. The auxiliary driver, in the operating position of the adjustable driver, forms a combined stop surface together with the adjustable driver.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2005Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventors: Klaus Kinne, Andreas Steinert, Siegmar Tischer, Randolf Voigtländer
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Patent number: 7192027Abstract: A signature transport device includes a first conveyor for moving a plurality of folded signatures in a first direction and a second conveyor including a first blade having a first edge for lifting a first signature of the plurality of signatures from the first conveyor. The first edge is parallel to the first direction, and the blade moves in a second direction sloping upward at an acute angle with respect to the first direction. In addition, a method for conveying signatures is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2004Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Goss International Americas, Inc.Inventor: James Richard Schlough
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Patent number: 7121399Abstract: A small item pneumatic diverter for high speed diversion of articles, such as fruit, from a moving conveyor in a product handling system. The pneumatic diverter is particularly suited for diversion of small, relatively fragile articles after they have been optically scanned for size, weight, quality or other characteristics. The diverter has a nozzle connected to an electrical solenoid controlled air valve that is connected to a source of compressed air and a computer for controlling the release of air to the nozzle. The nozzle has a plurality of small discharge ports at one end for discharging air towards an article on the moving conveyor. In one configuration, the nozzle discharges air across the top of a small article to provide lift and against the article to off-load it from the conveyor. A delay mechanism is utilized to selective discharge an article after it has been scanned.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2003Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Inventor: George A. Mills
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Patent number: 7090212Abstract: An apparatus for producing a bound print item from unbound printed products supplied in a straddling position to be stitched with wire staples comprises a conveying device with a support that is slanted toward the side and consists of individual elements. The conveying device includes carriers for the synchronized transfer of the printed products to an intermediate conveyor that is installed upstream of a stitching section. The transfer region between the conveying device and the intermediate conveyor is provided with a side-mounted, synchronously operated support plate which has a recess along the circumference to which the carriers are allocated.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2003Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Müller Martini Holding AGInventor: Hanspeter Hediger
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Patent number: 7048111Abstract: A hopper loader apparatus and method for delivering signatures to a binding line, the hopper loader including a first conveyor having a horizontal entry portion and an arched exit portion. During operation of the hopper, the signatures are loaded onto the horizontal entry portion and moved toward the arched exit portion such that the signatures are fanned or deblocked as they travel over the arched exit portion. A second conveyor connected to the first conveyor receives signatures from the arched exit portion of the first conveyor and moves the signatures to the binding line. The arched exit portion is preferably less than 25% of the total length of the first conveyor. The horizontal portion of the first conveyor is located between 30 and 34 inches above a platform on which the hopper loader is standing to facilitate loading of the signatures onto the horizontal portion by an operator.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2002Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Quad/Tech, Inc.Inventor: David F. Christofferson
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Patent number: 6951272Abstract: In a signature-stacking apparatus, a conveyor chain holding a row of signatures travels along a conveyance path. A first signature release section and a second signature release section are provided in the conveyance path. During travel from the first signature release section to the second signature release section, the conveyor chain is twisted by 180 degrees about the direction of travel and makes a 180-degree turn about an axis parallel to a connection pin of the conveyor chain. Signatures released from the first and second signature release sections are conveyed to first and second signature delivery sections disposed on opposite sides of a stacking section by first and second conveyor mechanisms while their speed of conveyance is being adjusted. A predetermined number of signatures are delivered, while being led by their creases, into the stacking section from the first and second signature delivery sections alternately.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2004Date of Patent: October 4, 2005Assignee: Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho, Ltd.Inventors: Kinichiroh Ohno, Tadashi Hachiya
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Patent number: 6830242Abstract: Delivery device for removing printed products which straddle a saddle-shaped support of a conveying arrangement with the aid of circulating carriers. A gripping device comprises two rotating gripping members respectively positioned on the circumference of a rotating support between which the printed products are gripped and lifted off the conveying arrangement. Preferably, the gripping members have a curved outer shell surface that forms an essentially circular contour together with an outer shell surface of a support. The printed products are pulled off horizontally with initially high speed from the conveying arrangement and then transferred vertically to another conveying arrangement. The collision with the subsequent printed product is avoided even with high production capacity.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2002Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: Muller Martini Holding AGInventor: Peter Merkli
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Patent number: 6736391Abstract: In each case at least two objects arriving in a lamellar flow (14) are grasped from the side by a conveyor clamp (22) and conveyed further while maintaining their mutual position. The at least two objects forming a section are held by a single conveyor clamp in a clamping area (30) where the objects (14) overlap.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2000Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Ferag AGInventor: Walter Reist
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Patent number: 6616139Abstract: A device for removing printed products, having a fold and being transported uniformly spaced and astraddle by a transport device, has a rotatingly driven gripping device with controlled gripping elements for gripping one of the printed products by the fold on the transport device and removing the printed product while stably holding the printed product. The rotatingly driven gripping device has control elements for controlling an opening movement and a closing movement of the gripping elements and is adjustable for adaptation to the different thicknesses of the printed products during running.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2001Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Grapha-Holding AGInventor: Beat von Aesch
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Patent number: 6612559Abstract: A conveying device for collecting and transporting printed sheets has a first chain conveyor on which the printed sheets are placed astraddle to be conveyed in a conveying direction. A second chain conveyor is arranged downstream of the first chain conveyor in the conveying direction and synchronized with the first chain conveyor. An intermediate conveying device is arranged between the first and second chain conveyors and configured to grip intermediate products of collected printed sheets formed at the end of the collecting process on the first chain conveyor and to transport and transfer the intermediate products onto the second chain conveyor. The intermediate conveying device has a circulating traction mechanism and controllable grippers connected to the traction mechanism. The grippers grip a fold of the intermediate products lifted off the first chain conveyor and transport the intermediate products in an open position to the second chain conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2002Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: GRAPHA-Holding AGInventor: Heinz Boss
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Patent number: 6585263Abstract: A deceleration drum assembly has a deceleration drum with at least one gripper for gripping and transporting signatures. A guide surface assembly is provided which produces a fluid flow for transporting the signature in a contactless manner above the guide surface assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2000Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventors: Paul Emmett Bredenberg, Rich Daniel Curley, John Lee Ketchum
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Patent number: 6581753Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a bundle of signatures moving continuously on a saddle chain to a working station includes an indexing chain moving with variable speed, and a clamping unit for keeping the bundle of signatures at a predetermined position on the indexing chain; a method of operating the apparatus; and a saddle binding machine incorporating the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1999Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventors: Martin Brewster, Keith Arthur Bromwich, John Cracknell, Paul Edgley, David Thomas Hazell, Mehmet Oktay Kaya, John Joseph O'Brien, Ian Ralph, Gary Frank Rogers, Kathryn Elaine Skipp, Andrew Malcolm Smart
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Patent number: 6540066Abstract: Signatures are transported straddling on a saddle-shaped support of a conveying device by circulating drivers and are removed by means of a blade of the conveying device and are transferred to a lift-off device. The conveying device is lowered in the region of blade and the drivers push the signatures onto the essentially fixed blade. As a result of the conveying device being lowered in the region of the blade the drivers dip down after the signatures are pushed onto the blade and no longer grip the signatures.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Grapha-Holding AGInventor: Beat Von Aesch
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Patent number: 6464218Abstract: An improved delivery section of a folder of a printing press in which the bucket assemblies and side guides are adjustable to accommodate varying widths of signatures.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2001Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Quad/Tech, Inc.Inventors: John M. Neary, Karl P. Schaefer, Nick R. Schetter
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Publication number: 20020088690Abstract: A hopper loader apparatus and method for delivering signatures to a binding line, the hopper loader including a first conveyor having a horizontal entry portion and an arched exit portion. During operation of the hopper, the signatures are loaded onto the horizontal entry portion and moved toward the arched exit portion such that the signatures are fanned or deblocked as they travel over the arched exit portion. A second conveyor connected to the first conveyor receives signatures from the arched exit portion of the first conveyor and moves the signatures to the binding line. The arched exit portion is preferably less than 25% of the total length of the first conveyor. The horizontal portion of the first conveyor is located between 30 and 34 inches above a platform on which the hopper loader is standing to facilitate loading of the signatures onto the horizontal portion by an operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2002Publication date: July 11, 2002Applicant: Quad/Tech, Inc.Inventor: David F. Christofferson
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Patent number: 6347793Abstract: An apparatus and method designed to eliminate dog-earring of the comers of the open edges of a folded signature or book without the need for the use of electrostatic adherence. A guide mechanism is provided between a tape drive, a divert cylinder and/or a deceleration drum. The guide mechanism is preferably located at the position of the open edges of the signature which is being transferred. The guide mechanism is preferably of a width which accommodates variations in the folded width of the folded signature or books. The guide mechanism includes a series of narrow slots, or micro-slots, across its width. The gripping devices which are located in the area of the guide mechanism include a series of narrow fingers, or micro-fingers, across their width. The micro-fingers of the gripping mechanisms are designed to pass through the micro-slots of the guide mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2000Date of Patent: February 19, 2002Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventors: Paul Emmett Bredenberg, Richard Daniel Curley
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Patent number: 6321902Abstract: A device for dividing the flow of signatures into two paths of signatures uses two cam rows and a stationary guide wedge. Two conveyor belt systems initially deliver the signatures to a leading edge of the guide wedge. This leading edge is provided with guide channels into and out of which the conveyor belts in each of the two conveyor belt systems are alternatingly moved by high and low cam portions of the cam disks carried on the two cam rows.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2000Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: Koenig & Bauer AktiengesellschaftInventor: Rudolf Stäb
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Patent number: 6315107Abstract: A conveyor plant for gathering and processing printed sheets includes a saddle-shaped collecting chain, a double chain with a gap between the individual chains of the double chain, a transfer area in which the collecting chain travels into the gap of the double chain, and carrier members for the printed sheets arranged successively on the collecting chain. The carrier members are mounted on the collecting chain in an upright position. The carrier members of the collecting chain are inclined forwardly at least in the travel direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1998Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: Grapha-Holding AGInventors: Hans Müller, Peter Merkli