Abstract: A book binding orientation locator method and apparatus includes a pair of upper and lower platforms in pivotal arrangement. The lower platform has a plurality of vacuum suction cups connected to a vacuum line for adhering to an upper cover of a book. Upon lifting the upper platform relative to the book, and depending upon how the lower platform pivots relative to the upper platform, the book-binding side of the book may be determined.

Abstract: A conveying system for a multicolor screen printer line having a work station for each color has a plurality of work platens which are moved successively through the work stations. Vacuum plenums are provided for holding the work in position on the platens both in the stationary position in the work stations and while the platens are moving and being indexed between stations. This is accomplished by having two sets of vacuum connectors for the platens with these two sets applying the vacuum at different times in the cycle. In one embodiment, there are fixed vacuum connectors at each work station and movable vacuum connectors that reciprocate back-and-forth between work stations. In a second embodiment, there are two sets of movable vacuum connectors with the two sets moving simultaneously in opposite directions.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly and method for rotating a strip of material via one or more transfer elements angularly disposed relative to the initial orientation of the strip of material and placing the rotated strip of material toward a continuously moving surface.

Abstract: A vacuum table conveying apparatus and associated methods are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a frame, a vacuum chamber positioned to extend along an upper portion of the frame, a vacuum source positioned in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber to apply a low vacuum with a high volume of air to the vacuum chamber, and at least one vacuum belt overlying the vacuum chamber. The at least one vacuum belt preferably has a plurality of openings extending through upper and lower surfaces thereof so that vacuum from the vacuum chamber extends through the plurality of openings and applies to articles mounted on the upper surface of the at least one vacuum belt.

Abstract: The perforated bottom wall of a suction chamber in the tobacco stream gathering and transporting apparatus of a cigarette rod making machine is designed to guide and support a file of discrete apertured inserts which have undersides serving as abutments for the lower reach of an endless foraminous tobacco stream gathering and advancing belt. Portions of the inserts can be inserted into or removed from one or more grooves provided in the bottom wall and extending longitudinally of a channel which is open from below and has a top wall constituted by the lower reach of the belt as well as by the file of inserts. At least a portion of each insert can be made of a strongly wear-resistant material.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a stack of documents, such as, for instance, a stack of magazines, into individual documents. The apparatus has a number of endless conveyors which are arranged behind each other, connect to each other, and together form a transport path. The transport path has a first path section and a second path section. In the first path section, the stack of documents is formed into a shuffled document stream, and in the second path section, the documents are separated from the shuffled document stream into individual documents. The invention further provides a method for separating a stack of documents, such as, for instance, a stack of magazines, into individual documents.