Abstract: A machine for providing a collation of a series of forms with partial overlap defined by a predetermined stagger from a continuous web of such forms has; a tractor feed for feeding the web into a separating station; bursting rollers for separating the web along transverse lines; a conveyor for feeding individual forms consecutively to a collation station; a rotatable stop and indexing conveyor for advancing a form at the registration station through a distance of the stagger with respect to the next form to be received at the registration station, whereby each form as it arrives at the registration station is offset from the preceding form by the predetermined stagger; adhesive being applied to the forms to hold them together with said predetermined stagger.

Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying relatively planar articles, e.g. biscuits, comprises a first conveyor comprising a pair of runs of endless belts having operative surfaces defining a first path for biscuits. The operative surfaces of the belts face one another and are symmetrically inclined to the vertical, biscuits being conveyed thereby contacting the belts by their peripheries, and, when at least two biscuits are in contact, assuming an inclined attitude with the upper part of each biscuit leading. A further conveyor providing a further path for biscuits extends upwardly from the outlet end of the first path and, in the region of the outlet end of the first path, means are provided for causing or permitting a change in attitude of the biscuits to bring them to an attitude in which they are substantially parallel to the further path.

Abstract: Bundled signatures are placed on a first set of conveyor belts which move the signature bundle to a shingling station. A pair of side belts at the shingling station are spaced so that the signatures are individualy bowed forwardly upon encountering the belts so as to separate each signature from the other signatures of the bundle. A third set of conveyor belts move the bowed signatures upwardly in a shingled condition from a discharge site of the side belts.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding boards, said apparatus being provided with reversing arm means 23 which comprises a table 21 and a conveyance surface 22, said conveyance surface making an obtuse angle with said table, and fork means 33 capable of pivoting edge resting boards on the conveyance surface from a backwardly inclined posture to a forwardly inclined posture.

Abstract: Feeder apparatus for feeding sheet material sections successively into a receiving hopper from a bundle of stacked sheet material sections. The apparatus includes a receiving section for receiving such bundles and for advancing such bundles. The apparatus further includes a shingling section having a shingling conveyor for receiving such bundles and conveying such bundles along the shingling section, and having a shingling belt system to engage such bundles being conveyed by the shingling conveyor wherein the conveyor and belt system cooperate to shingle the sheet material sections from such bundles into shingled arrangements. The shingling conveyor and shingling belt system are arranged to engage such a shingled arrangement between them and advance such an arrangement in an engaged condition along the shingling section.

Abstract: A vacuum shingler for a plurality of sheets (9) traveling in succession through an upstream infeed nip (13) is provided with a vacuum modulating control which applies sheet slow-down forces primarily to only the tail ends of the sheets. In one embodiment, the control provides a substantially "on-off" vacuum operation, with the vacuum "off" when the leading end portion of the sheet is adjacent the vacuum plenum opening(s) (39), and with the vacuum "on" when the tail end portion of the sheet is adjacent the opening(s). In another embodiment, the control modulates the vacuum so that it is at a basically unshingling low or reduced level when the leading end portion of the sheet is adjacent the opening(s), and is at a substantially increased high level when the tail end portion of the sheet is adjacent the opening(s) so that basic shingling occurs.

Abstract: A mechanism for feeding sheets having a feed belt on front and rear rollers. A singulator assembly overlying and in contact with the feed belt. An auxiliary roller interposed between said front and rear rollers, with the singulation assembly in contact with the feed belt at a point between the front roller and the auxiliary roller. The singulator having a pair of spaced side frame members, central pressure means between the spaced frame members, a roller rotatably mounted on each end of the frame members, and a belt surrounding the rollers and the central pressure means, so that sheets on said feed belt are fed one by one between the singulator assembly and the feed belt.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for merging two separate streams of flat paper products or the like into a single stream of such products are disclosed, and wherein first and second longitudinally extending belt conveyors are provided within a frame. A drive is operatively connected to each of said first and second belt conveyors for advancing the same at corresponding speeds. Each belt conveyor has an entry end and a discharge end at opposing ends of said frame, with the two conveyors being vertically and laterally inclined with respect to each other such that the discharge end of one conveyor is vertically above and longitudinally aligned with the discharge end of the other belt conveyor. A deflection conveyor is positioned above the discharge end of the upper belt conveyor so as to downwardly deflect onto the lower belt conveyor those paper products conveyed on the upper belt conveyor.

Abstract: The winding core mounted to be rotatable and removable in a mobile storage unit, is placed into rotation by means of a drive roll which engages at the outer surface or circumference of the widing core or, as the case may be, the wound product package forming thereupon. In the mobile storage unit there is likewise removably arranged a winding band spool or reel which is also driven at its outer surface or circumference. For this purpose there is likewise provided a driven drive roll. By virtue of such circumferential drives for the winding core and, as the case may be, the wound product package, and equally the winding band spool or reel the mobile storage units can be of simple construction. This also enables the mounting or support arrangement for the winding core and the mounting or support arrangement for the winding band spool or reel to be structured such that the winding core and the winding band spool can be easily removed from the related mobile storage unit.

Abstract: Envelopes are fed in a mutually overlapping state one by one toward a stopper provided at the front side of a transfer conveyor. Upon abutment with the stopper the envelopes pile up so as to be temporarily stored. An envelope feeder device is provided so as to enable a large number of envelopes to pile up. The envelope feeder device includes a body which is adjustably supported from a support shaft above the transfer conveyor, so as to position the feeder device according to the size of the envelopes. A pair of first rollers are mounted to both sides of the body and positioned so as to roll upon the upper surface of the transfer conveyor. Each first roller includes a rotary member mounted eccentrically on its side. A bifurcated feed member engages with the eccentric rotatable members so as to reciprocate horizontally as by the rotational movement of the first rollers, whereby assisting in the piling up of the envelopes as by a pair of claws located at the free ends of the bifurcated portions.

Abstract: Device for monitoring imbricated sheets stream fed to a printing machine, including a scanning roller rotatably mounted on a carrier above a base of imbricatedly arranged sheets, the carrier being adjustable by a servomotor so that the scanning roller rotates only when a given number of sheets are arranged on top of one another, a sensor cooperatively associated with the scanning roller, and an intermediate roller movable transversely with respect to its axis and substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the sheets, the intermediate roller being disposed between the scanning roller and the base, comprising a device for measuring the distance of at least one of the scanning roller and the intermediate roller to the base of the overlapped sheets, a control unit coupled with the sensor, the servomotor and the measuring device and a device for producing a signal characteristic of an angle of rotation of the printing machine, the signal being fed to the control unit, the control unit having a device for monito

Abstract: An apparatus for grouping a plurality of printed or like objects into a plurality of equal sets, while they are conveyed in a row in which they overlap one another in a mutually equally spaced apart relation, includes an upstream conveyor supported on a plurality of rollers and a downstream conveyor disposed downstream of the upstream conveyor at a level of height which is lower than that of the upstream conveyor. At least one of the rollers is disposed above the downstream conveyor so that the upstream conveyor vertically overlaps the downstream conveyor to transfer each of the objects to the downstream conveyor along a downward path. An object holding device is provided above that portion of the upstream conveyor which is supported on the at least one roller.

Abstract: A signature feeding machine which can be used on sheet feeders and the like utilized in book-binding, comprises a loading plane for supporting and conveying stacks of adjacently disposed signatures to an inclined signature elevator which transfers individual signatures to the level of a delivery plane on which the individual signatures are disposed substantially horizontally. Between the loading plane and the inclined elevator there is interposed an intermediate conveyor connection section pivoted at its end nearest the loading plane and provided with means for adjustment of its inclination.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling a plurality of flat, collapsed, folded paper boxes which have been produced on a high speed, folder-gluer, delivered in shingled formation onto the advancing apron of a stacker, counted into slugs of about fifty each and must be packed into cases for shipment. To enable an operator to grasp individual and successive lifts of the flats between her hands and remove them for packing, the apparatus includes a secondary apron traveling at less speed than the stacker apron to raise the shingled flats upstanding on edge, hold down belts to prevent misalignment and a transversely movable segregation rod mounted on a carriage movable horizontally alongside the path of the flats. The carriage has one-way clutch rollers so that the rod will hold back the leading flat but the carriage will roll freely back to the next slug. Speed reduction mechanism may be used to advance the carriage at less speed than the apron to compress the line of flats when edge stacking is desirable or necesary.

Abstract: A corrugated sheet stacking and feeding apparatus is provided in which stacks of sheets are fed to the unstacking apparatus and are raised to an elevated position in which blocks are progressively removed from the top of the stack and pushed and fed onto an inverting carriage that receives the blocks and pivots the blocks vertically upward and then to an inverted position over a feed conveyor. While the block of sheets are raised to a vertical orientation, alignment elements move inward along the lateral sides to align the lateral edges of the sheets with respect to each other and to laterally shift the block to align the block with a central feed axis. The block then is lowered onto the feed conveyor and moved forward through a shingling gate to feed the sheets progressively in a shingled fashion to a discharge end of the conveyor.

Abstract: Stacked fabric parts are separated and fed seriatim by apparatus having an endless conveyor which feeds the stack into position for separating the uppermost part from the stack. A mechanism having a knife edge bar or opposed fabric engaging needles is lowered and engages the part for dragging the part to be separated off of the stack. The second part on the stack is held with the stack by a pressure force by a series of vacuum providing orifices or recesses in a horizontally disposed support surface and/or by retractable fabric piercing needles. The part separating and translating bar is connected to a support plate which may be vibrated in a generally horizontal plane to assist in breaking the frictional connection between the part to be separated and the remaining parts in the stack as they are separated from each other. The separated parts are presented seriatim to a guide surface which guides the part under the conveyance of an air jet stream along a feed path to another work station.

Abstract: One stack space is provided for accommodating each stack of a plurality of stacks of printed products to be supplied to the processing line. Each stack space is provided with a powered feed mechanism which urges the associated stack toward a predetermined processing location, such as a product singling or supply device for singly transferring printed products to the processing line. To be able to prepare the supply of printed products at a location remote from or independent of the processing line, a plurality of transportable winding frames are provided. The winding frames are equipped for exchangeably accommodating a wound package of mutually identical printed products. The winding frames are provided with drive and conveying means which drive the wound package in an unwinding direction and convey the printed products unwinding from the printed package to a transfer location.

Abstract: A self-contained conveyor is adapted to be seated or bodily removed with respect to a support of an associated press. The conveyor has a gravity feed section for receiving a pile of stock items imbricately arranged thereon and delivering the items onto a pile fragmentizing roller assembly. The roller assembly separates the piled items by transporting the items over it and feeds items onto a belt conveyor which in turn delivers the items against a fanning mechanism. The bottom item is delivered into a metering nip defined between a retard and cooperating feed roller assembly which delivers each item to a pickup station of a press beneath a sensing finger switch. As long as each item remains on the station, it prevents the finger from dropping to close the switch and actuate a circuit which operates the belt conveyor and feed roller to deliver the next bottom item to the station.

Abstract: An elongated, cylindrical roll, having a surface machined to a predetermined microfinish, is mounted in place of the conventional chromium plated fixed gate in a known type of blank feeder. In such feeders, the upper stretch of the conveyor advances blanks from a high stack, in a bottom feed magazine, along a path, in shingled formation to continuously resupply a low stack in the hopper of a folder-gluer. The elongated roll is reversely rotated, at a surface speed equal to the speed of the upper stretch. The leading edges of the lower most blanks in the high stack are barred by leaf springs from contacting the rear surface of the reversely rotating roll except for an arcuate area, in the lower rear quadrant, defined by an angle of 30.degree. rearwardly from the bottom longitudinal center line of the roll.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet feeder for the individual feeding of sheets to a sheet treating machine. A first sheet pile is carried by a main pile table, and sheets from this sheet pile can be fed by a sheet separating device, optionally via a first feed table, to the sheet treating machine. A further sheet pile is carried by an auxiliary pile table. Sheets can be fed by a second sheet separating device from this further sheet pile to the sheet treating machine, again optionally via a second feed table. Using this arrangement, in place of the sheets from the first pile table, sheets from the auxiliary pile table can be fed to the sheet treating machine without interruption, as the sheet feed from the two piles is carried out in the same rhythm. Preferably a control circuit is used to meter out a selected number of prerun sheets from the auxiliary pile table followed without interruption by another selected number of continuous running sheets.

Abstract: A conveyor system wherein sheets (10) are conveyed from a cutter (9) or the like at a given speed, are increased in speed before passing through a vacuum conveyor shingling section (5), are slowed down at the shingling section and then normally proceed at the slowed-down speed to a stacker (8) which is adapted to stack a fixed number of sheets before discharging a stack. The sheets are basically handled in accordance with the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,200,276. To prevent scattering of the sheets during shingling due to high input conveyor speeds and the like, the vacuum conveyor shingling section (5) includes a second (or pre-shingling) conveyor (38) upstream of the original shingling conveyor (15). The pre-shingling conveyor operates at a relatively high rate of speed while the original shingling conveyor operates at a relatively low rate of speed (which nevertheless may be as high as the device of the patent) relative to the sheet input speed.

Abstract: In a newspaper stacking plant a sensor is placed at a point along the newspaper path. After counting a predetermined number of newspapers, the sensor control electronics actuate a first intercepter means to provide a gap in the newspaper flow. The subsequent newspapers are led to a first collection station such as a stacking blade. The sensor control electronics also control a second intercepter such as a deflecting tongue entering the newspaper flow on actuation, at a point between the first intercepter and the first collection station, a predetermined number of newspapers being diverted and led to a second collection station. The inventive device enables machine diversion of small portions from the newspaper flow to the second collection station, while the major portion is led to the first collection station.

Abstract: Shingled precisely spaced papers are carried off a first conveyance path on a moving belt at a first speed into a further conveyance path along which a set of spaced clamps which individually grasp each paper flow at a substantially constant lower transit speed. By gradually inserting a paper into an open clamp travelling alongside in a parallel path over a predetermined transfer zone length overlapping a plurality of successive clamps, the instantaneous nature of feeding a paper into a clamp is changed so that a higher paper feed speed can be tolerated. By inclining the shingled paper feed path downwardly over the transfer zone, the drag of the papers off the shingled array is reduced to prevent any tendency to misalign the papers from a seated position in the clamps.

Abstract: This conveyor apparatus is used primarily with continuous business form processing machines to provide a means of producing a stream of overlapped blanks disposed on a continuous web. The apparatus includes upper and lower conveyors. The upper conveyor is formed from a pair of endless flexible elements having transversely aligned wedge-shaped pins disposed along the length thereof with inclined trailing flanks. Document blanks are fed onto the upper conveyor such that the leading edge rides up and beyond an aligned pair of associated pins an the trailing edge is engaged by a pair of following pins. Each of the blanks is pushed by a pair of transversely aligned pins in overlapped relation to the preceding blank. The document blanks are removed from the upper conveyor and deposited in reverse overlap relation onto gum lines provided on the continuous web carried by the lower conveyor.

Abstract: A machine for stacking and bundling flexible sheets, such as the signatures that are delivered from a printed press, includes a succession of aligned conveyors. The sheets are deposited on the first conveyor where they accumulate in a generally horizontal disposition, one on top of the other, and the first conveyor withdraws sheets from the bottom of this pile and conveys them to a gate in a shingled condition. At the gate, which is narrower in width than the sheets, the sheets bow forwardly and rise upwardly at their leading edges until they stand on edge. It is in this condition that the sheets pass onto a second conveyor which moves them through another gate that is narrower than the first gate, so that the degree of bowing increases. The second conveyor moves slower than the first conveyor and as a result the flexible sheets consolidate in the upright condition on the second conveyor.

Abstract: A sheet feed machine comprising guides for holding sheets in a stack at a sheet input station, a first conveyor for successively feeding sheets from the bottom of the stack at the sheet input station into a stream with adjacent sheets in an overlapped configuration, and an inverter for inverting the stream of sheets at a sheet inversion station. A stop is located at a sheet output station for stopping the stream and accumulating sheets in a stack, and a second conveyor is provided for conveying the stream of sheets from the inversion station to the sheet output station.

Abstract: A sheet stream sensing and control device for use in sheet feed systems having a motor driven conveyor transport means for advancing a reclining underlapped sheet stream toward a sheet removal means whereby the sheets are individualized and delivered to an operation such as a folding machine. The sensing and control device rests, vertically unconstrained, in a quiescent operating position upon the sheet stream and is responsive to the gradient of the surface discontinuity formed where the upper exposed surface of the foremost sheet joins the subsequent underlapped sheets. Conveyor control is effected when sheet stream advancement causes the surface gradient in the area of the discontinuity to exert pressure on the device electrical switch means to thereby deactivate the motor and interrupt sheet stream advancement. The sheet removal means continues to deplete the halted sheet stream thereby removing the switch pressure to energize the conveyor motor and advance the sheet stream.

Abstract: An improved conveyor for signatures, loose sheets, gathered sheets, and the like, with a device for picking them up. The improved conveyor achieves fast signature transport capabilities in overlapped relationship. A mechanism is also provided for entraining the signatures which are operative on each signature prior to a preceding signature moving fully away from the following one. Advantageously, the entrainment members have an outer surface with a high friction coefficient. The initial section of the elevator conveyor belts follows a path which deviates from the oblique plane of lay thereof, preferably a substantially vertical path.

Abstract: An improved paperboard feeding machine has a tiltable lift, a lifting yoke provided on the lift and arranged for operation by respective electric motors for the lift and the yoke. Each of the motors is responsive to change in the effective number of the poles in each of the motors.

Abstract: The apparatus lifts a stack of sheets, turns the stack, and then places the side edges of the sheets on a conveyor. The lifting device is generally Z-shaped and is supported for unidirectional rotation about a horizontal axis adjacent one end of the conveyor. Two stacks of sheets are delivered to the conveyor per revolution of said device. The sheets are fed from said conveyor to a shingling conveyor which delivers a uniform shingle to a converting machine. The shingle density is controlled by a metering gate.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus and method in which the stack of sheets forming the load are fed onto a pivoting cradle whose pivot axis is at a height permitting substantially horizontal delivery of the sheets to the receiving conveyor. After each loading of the cradle, it is moved horizontally toward the receiving conveyor an amount sufficient to cover any feeding gap on the conveyor caused by the excursion of the cradle through its load position. A pivotable conveyor aft of the receiving conveyor includes a backstop gate assembly which is adjustable to control the thickness of flow of the shingled sheets.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus in which the stack of sheets forming the load are fed onto a pivoting cradle whose pivot axis is at a height permitting substantially horizontal delivery of the sheets to the receiving conveyor. After each loading of the cradle, it is moved horizontally toward the receiving conveyor an amount sufficient to cover any feeding gap on the conveyor caused by the excursion of the cradle through its load position. A pivotable conveyor aft of the receiving conveyor includes a backstop gate assembly which is adjustable to control the thickness of flow of shingled sheets.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a multiple bank note temporary storing device for use with a bank note totaling machine. The storing device includes a piling station for piling a multiplicity of discontinuously fed bank notes consecutively with a slight shift into a stepwise shape. Further inclusive is a temporary storing station formed in a clearance between conveyor belts for arranging the piled bank notes while allowing them to fall down into the clearance generally in parallel with the facing sides of the belts. Thus, the arranged bank notes can be fed as a whole selectively into their tray and the return exit of the bank note totaling machine. As a result, this totaling machine can be reduced in size but can accomplish its arranging and totaling operations in a reduced number of steps orderly and efficiently without any totaling error.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for automatically loading a circular sheet pile feeder with successive splayed piles of sheets removed from a stack of sheets disposed on a pallet are disclosed. A pile of sheets of a given height is separated from the stack on the pallet by means of a separating mechanism which forms a gap beneath the pile of sheets in which gap a roller conveyor table is inserted to pick up the pile. The pile is then conveyed upwardly and transversely to a second conveyor table where the pile is deposited and the sheets thereof are tamped into alignment. The second conveyor table transports the pile of sheets to a splaying mechanism where the pile is splayed by gripping one end of the pile, bending the same about an axis parallel to said end and returning the bent end to its normal, unbent position while clamping the pile intermediate its ends.

Abstract: A backup station in a carton filling machine for the delivery and packaging of premanufactured blanks into transport containers. The station is arranged between an imbrication station and a delivery belt which includes a rotation station. Within the backup station, a support rail is arranged in the direction of delivery of the blanks which provides support for the blanks. Two conveyor belts running along the support rail are raised above the surface of the support rail during normal operation and are lowered by the backed-up blanks during backed-up operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a circular stack sheet feeding device having a lower loading platform, which can be loaded with imbricated (arranged with regular overlapping edges) sheet stacks, having a transport and reversing mechanism, which transports the imbricated sheet stacks in a first transport direction to the underside of a reversing drum and with the aid of the reversing drum transports the sheets about the drum upwards in a second transport direction onto a removal platform, above which is guided an elastically yielding, taut conveyor belt which runs in the direction of delivery and runs between two rollers which are arranged on axes parallel to the reversing drum and are horizontally adjustable in the delivery direction of the delivery wheel. The underside of the roller lying closest to the reversing drum and the upper side of the other roller arranged in the area of the end of the removal platform opposite the diverting drum are adjusted to the same height.

Abstract: A semi-circular stack sheet feeding apparatus for supplying an imbricated stack of sheets to a sheet folding machine or the like is disclosed. The sheet feeding device has a delivery and diverting device for transporting the imbricated stack of sheets in a first delivery direction along the underside of a diverting drum, about a portion of the periphery of the drum and, in a second delivery direction, to a sheet removal platform. A removal device associated with the removal platform removes the uppermost sheet from the platform in a direction opposite the second delivery direction. A stop is provided on the removal platform against which the leading edges of the sheets strike and a stack height sensor is provided for sensing the number of sheets stacked on the removal platform. So long as the number of sheets in the stack is below a predetermined value, the stack height sensor maintains the drive of the delivery and diverting device engaged.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for manufacturing books, blocks or calendars by cutting large sheets having printed thereon different pages into smaller sheets which must be brought into an orderly succession before the pages or sheets are bound. The usual folding of the large sheets can be omitted, in that the sheets are fed individually and successively to a conveyor means and are conveyed towards a cutting means; the individual sheets are stacked in a partially overlapping manner. The cutting of the sheets is effected whenever predetermined widths of the individual sheets have been conveyed through the cutting means.

Abstract: Signatures fresh from the printing press are fed in a shingled stream toward and then dropped one by one into a hopper which may feed a gathering chain.The signatures are "broken" (unstuck) by first stacking them edgewise on a horizontal support, shingling them in a constant stream by an unusual form of suction feed, bending the shingled stream and thereafter cascading the stream into the hopper.

Abstract: A low cost pneumatic stock feeder for punch presses and the like wherein a one-piece U-shaped main frame is provided for supporting and guiding a reciprocating feed slide. One end of a stock gripper bar is pivotally secured to the feed slide while the other end thereof is adapted to be actuated by a fluid motor carried by said feed slide whereby an efficient mechanical advantage is afforded for the stock gripping action. A continuously acting friction braking means is provided for engaging just the longitudinal side corners of the stock material so that the latter may be yieldably held during the time when the gripper bar is released and so that there is a minimum of marring or scratching of that portion of the stock material from which parts are to be stamped.

Abstract: A feeder mechanism for feeding single sheets, folios or multiple-ply material of paper or the like to subsequent processing machinery. A stack of sheets is partially tilted and edge portions of the front sheet are grasped and bent over by alternately approaching suction devices. While one of the suction devices engages the edge portion of one sheet, the previously detached sheet is being engaged by a conveyor wheel which pulls it completely from the stack.

Abstract: Method and apparatus wherein flat corrugated paperboard sheets in stacks are rearranged into a horizontally shingled array of the desired faced orientation and fed toward an exit in the apparatus, each stack being fed onto a conveyor, then tilted to a first posture wherein the sheets are not yet in the horizontally shingled array, but are supported with their edges resting on the conveyor and with their faces making an acute angle facing the exit, the sheets then being moved toward the exit while supported on their edges in the first posture, and then being dropped from the first posture into a second posture, wherein the sheets are in the shingled array, and into juxtaposition with shingled sheets of a previous stack on the conveyor for establishing a flow of continuously shingled sheets toward the exit.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding sheets such as flat, corrugated paperboard sheets used to be formed into packaging cases including an entrance end and an exit end, means for receiving a stack of horizontal sheets at the entrance end, a conveyor for receiving the stack of horizontal sheets, means associated with the conveyor for placing the stack of horizontal sheets in an orientation wherein the sheets rest on their edges such that they will be delivered at the exit end in the desired faced orientation, means for supporting the sheets in the edge resting orientation such that the face of the leading sheet and the bed of the conveyor form an acute angle facing the exit end of the apparatus, means for delivering the sheets horizontally in the desired faced orientation to the exit end of the apparatus.

Abstract: Method and apparatus wherein flat corrugated paperboard sheets in stacks are rearranged into a horizontally shingled array of the desired faced orientation and fed toward an exit in the apparatus, each stack being fed onto a conveyor, then tilted to a first posture wherein the sheets are not yet in the horizontally shingled array, but are supported with their edges resting on the conveyor and with their faces making an acute angle with the conveyor, the sheets then being moved toward the exit while supported on their edges in the first posture, and then being dropped from the first posture into a second posture, wherein the sheets are in the shingled array, and into juxtaposition with shingled sheets of a previous stack on the conveyor for establishing a flow of continuously shingled sheets toward the exit.

Abstract: A machine for feeding inserts, for example, newspaper advertisements, to a device which separates or orients the inserts into a shinglelike arrangement and delivers them to a device which inserts them into the main portion of the newspaper. An oscillating or vibrating plate is utilized which moves into and out of the flow path of the inserts to strike the inserts from a direction which is perpendicular to the path of movement thereof to gradually orient the inserts as they move along a conveyor belt toward the separating device. A diaphragm plate effects the proper separation of the inserts prior to their delivery to the device which effects an insertion of the insert into the main portion of the newspaper.

Abstract: A sheet film magazine for an X-ray film exchanger includes a housing with a chamber, a drum rotatably mounted in the chamber with a portion urged toward the cylindrical surface with the teeth resting thereon. A leading end of each sheet inserted into the chamber is guided between the cylindrical surface and the belt. Thd drum and belt are driven in a stepwise manner with the distance of movement of the surface of the drum and the belt being equal to the distance between adjacent teeth on the belt.

Abstract: A blank feeding machine having a pivoting frame provided with kickers to push up the blanks stacked thereon. It requires only a minimum amount of labor to feed the blanks e.g. to the hopper of a printer even if they are stacked in bundles with face up and down alternately. The machine also includes a mechanism for automatically discharging the blanks from the pivoting frame onto a belt conveyor if they are stacked in uniform orientation.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a circular sheet feeding apparatus with a lower loading tray which can be used for loading uneven stacks of sheets, and with a loading and reversing mechanism which carries the uneven stack of sheets in an initial direction underneath a reversing drum, and then around the drum with the help of the drum itself, and into a pick-up tray moving in a second direction. This apparatus is also equipped with an extractor for the removal of the top sheet on the pick-up tray which conveys the sheet in a direction opposite to said second direction.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a continuous sheet feeder in which a stack of sheets arranged sheet-by-sheet are transported by conveyor belts from a lower loading tray, around a reversing cylinder and onto a discharge tray. In the region of the discharge tray, the conveyer passes between two guide rollers the longitudinal axes of which are arranged parallel to the axis of rotation of the reversing cylinder. The two guide rollers in the discharge tray are laterally movable with respect to each other whereby the inclination of the stack of sheets resting in the discharge tray can be automatically adjusted so that the upper sheet in the stack is always maintained in a horizontal disposition regardless of the format or size of the sheets, or their sheet-by-sheet arrangement.

Abstract: Method and apparatus employing serially positioned conveyors which are reorientable relative to one another in order to position an incoming stack of materials for transport and automatic stacking at an output position. Two of the conveyors are tiltable to upset the stack and provide initial shingling. Further shingling is achieved using an inclinable shingling conveyor in conjunction with a stripper unit.