Abstract: A sheet processing machine for the processing of sheets of paper, cardboard, and the like, includes at least one processing station, one delivery unit, one sheet transport system including circulating gripper carts, which are driven by individually actuated linear drives, a machine control system and braking devices located in the entry zone of processing stations. The back edge of the respective sheet at its stop position in the delivery unit and/or the at least one processing station lies directly above the back edge of the delivery stack and/or the back edge of a tool or die of the processing station.

Abstract: A sheet brake system for braking printed sheets includes a plurality of brake elements each circulating about at least one respective geometric revolution axis, and a common drive roll for driving the brake elements. The drive roll circulates about a geometric roll axis and is connected in drive terms to each brake element through a frictional contact of the drive roll. The roll axis is disposed offset eccentrically relative to the at least one revolution axis of each brake element. The brake elements can, for example, be brake bands. A sheet delivery having the sheet brake system and a printing press having the sheet delivery, are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying sheets in a printing press makes reliable sheet guiding possible with a low outlay on material and at low cost and includes an apparatus for conveying sheets in a printing press having at least one conveyor element for a sheet along a conveying path and at least one guide element for the sheet in the conveying direction, at least one elongate spring element being provided as a guide element.

Abstract: A device comprising a dancing roller (1) and a stopping means (2) is used for establishing an imbricated stream of flat articles (4), in particular of printed products such as newspapers, magazines or brochures, from a supplied imbricated stream or stream of imbricated stacks or from a stack of the articles (4). The dancing roller (1) and the stopping means (2) co-operate with a conveying surface (3). The conveying surface (3) acts on the imbricated stream from the side of the trailing article edges. The dancing roller (1) and the stopping means (2) act on the side of the leading article edges.

Abstract: A sheet-processing machine includes a conveyor for transporting processed sheets at a processing speed and for releasing the sheets for braking to a depositing speed. A braking element serves for the braking of the released sheets to the depositing speed. A drive is provided for the braking element, and a drive connection is provided for connecting the drive to the braking element. Further included are an overrunning clutch in the drive connection, and a brake for retarding the braking element.

Abstract: A device for separation of folders within a layer of folders includes elements for blocking the advance of a folder in the layer, elements for unlayering the folders preceding the retained folder, and elements for retaining the blocked folder and the folders following it relative to the advance of the layer acting successively on the folders.

Abstract: An improved sheet accumulator for stacking serially fed sheets transported on a paper path. The accumulator includes a guide deck. Above the guide deck, a plurality of parallel belts are positioned to provide a driving force for sheets on the deck. Within the accumulator, a ramp apparatus is positioned across the paper path whereby sheets driven by the belts on an upstream portion of the accumulator deck are driven over the ramp apparatus and deposited in an accumulating region of the accumulator deck on a downstream side of the ramp apparatus. Preferably, snap-down belts are provided between ramp structures snap transported sheets quickly into place on the stack and to hold them there. Sheets are stopped by an accumulator stop mechanism located at a downstream end of the accumulating region that prevents movement of sheets by the belts while sheets for an accumulation are being collected.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for decelerating a sheet of material for use in a sheet stacking or other application. The apparatus includes a pair of rollers moveable toward and away from one another to nip the sheet traveling between them. The method includes delivering a sheet between a pair of rollers and moving the rollers toward one another to nip, and thus decelerate, the speed of the sheet.

Abstract: A transporting system and method for use in a high velocity document processing system using lower velocity print technology. The invention including an upstream transport conveying spaced apart documents at a first transport velocity. A deceleration transport decelerates documents from the high speed to a lower print velocity before passing the documents a print transport. A sensor located at the deceleration transport, detects the presence of documents at the deceleration transport, and triggers the deceleration profile to be performed on the document. The deceleration transport is controlled such that a leading portion of a document that is being decelerated overtakes a trailing portion of a downstream document that already traveling at the lower print velocity in the control of the print transport. An overlapping arrangement urges the lead portion of the upstream document to overlap on top of the trailing portion of the downstream document when the upstream document overtakes the downstream document.

Abstract: A banknote handling device capable of positioning and stopping a banknote at a constant position as accurately as possible without jamming of any banknote. A projection (32) is disposed so as to curve a side of the banknote carried in a slit (9) and the radius of curvature of the curve portion is gradually increased as the banknote (b) is carried toward the downstream side in the slit (9).

Abstract: A sheet-processing machine includes a delivery, a guide surface for sheets being processed and a sheet brake in the delivery. The sheet brake has at least one brake shoe movable over the guide surface.

Abstract: A device for achieving the separation or extension of the scale of products in a conveyance in superposed copies in which means are provided that are capable of increasing the speed of the belts (12, 17) conveying the separated or extended scale relative to the speed of the upstream belt (11) of the device for the conveyance of the scale before the separation or extension.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for distributing a predetermined number of sheets (410, 412, 414, 416) from a group of sheets in which a plurality of sheets is arranged in a shingled mode of arrangement in a sheet transport direction (P) in such a way that the leading edges of the sheets in the paper transport direction are spaced apart by a certain length of displacement (X), wherein the group of sheets is moved in the sheet transport direction (P) by a predetermined distance which depends on the number of sheets to be distributed and on the sheet displacement, a respective sheet constituting the leading sheet in the sheet transport direction (P) being distributed from the group of sheets as soon as the respective leading sheet has reached a distributing unit (504) as a result of the movement.

Abstract: A method and a device for transferring at least two sheets, which are arranged in a shingled mode of arrangement in a sheet transport direction, to a sheet handling machine in which the at least two sheets are moved at a first speed after the transfer, a first and a second sheet being spaced by a certain length of displacement in the sheet transport direction. The two sheets are first supplied to the sheet handling machine at a second speed which is higher than the first speed. As soon as the first sheet is decelerated to the first speed in the sheet handling machine, the second sheet is decelerated to a third speed which is lower than the second speed.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus and a method of tensioning a flat web of material to be conveyed, in particular in a printing and dispensing device for labels, which includes: a drive for advancing and retracting the flat web of material, and at least one advance unit and at least one braking unit having a braking roller which are in contact with the web of material and which are drivable by the drive means. It is further provided that the drive has a drive motor that is drivingly connected to the advance unit and the braking unit and that, in a conveyor operation in the advance direction of the web of material, the braking roller of the braking unit is uncoupled from the drive motor.

Abstract: A delivery includes sheet brakes and sheet supports constructed of modules including respectively identical carrier modules and braking modules with operationally revolving braking elements, the braking modules being selectively connectable to the carrier modules, and support modules selectively connectable to the carrier modules.

Abstract: An inkjet apparatus includes a media drive means for moving a medium through a print zone of the apparatus, and also includes a carriage, in which a printhead is mounted, for traversing the pint zone in a second direction. The apparatus also includes restraining means, co-operating with the drive means, to restrain the advance of a first portion of the medium through the print zone when moved by the drive means. A method for controlling undulation on media in a inkjet apparatus includes moving a medium through the print zone, and restraining the movement through the print zone of a first portion of the medium.

Abstract: A delivery device for stacking cut flat articles such as rotary cross cut sheets has a braking table downstream of a sheet feeder which is provided with two counterrotating disks which are perforated and communicate with suction passages on the table beneath the disks to brake the sheets as they are supplied to a stacker. At the edge of this table, there is a broad slit nozzle directing a sheet of air upwardly onto the underside of the sheets which are delivered to the stacker.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for decelerating a sheet of material for use in a sheet stacking or other application. The apparatus includes a pair of rollers moveable toward and away from one another to nip the sheet traveling between them. The method includes delivering a sheet between a pair of rollers and moving the rollers toward one another to nip, and thus decelerate, the speed of the sheet.

Abstract: A transporting system and method for use in a high velocity document processing system using lower velocity print technology. The invention including an upstream transport conveying spaced apart documents at a first transport velocity. A deceleration transport decelerates documents from the high speed to a lower print velocity before passing the documents a print transport. A sensor located at the deceleration transport, detects the presence of documents at the deceleration transport, and triggers the deceleration profile to be performed on the document. The deceleration transport is controlled such that a leading portion of a document that is being decelerated overtakes a trailing portion of a downstream document that already traveling at the lower print velocity in the control of the print transport. An overlapping arrangement urges the lead portion of the upstream document to overlap on top of the trailing portion of the downstream document when the upstream document overtakes the downstream document.

Abstract: A sheet-processing machine includes a conveyor for transporting processed sheets at a processing speed and for releasing the sheets for braking to a depositing speed. A braking element serves for the braking of the released sheets to the depositing speed. A drive is provided for the braking element, and a drive connection is provided for connecting the drive to the braking element. Further included are an overrunning clutch in the drive connection, and a brake for retarding the braking element.

Abstract: A sheet-processing machine includes a delivery, a guide surface for sheets being processed and a sheet brake in the delivery. The sheet brake has at least one brake shoe movable over the guide surface.

Abstract: For the horizontal positioning of serially supplied, flat objects (1) to be conveyed onward, the objects (1) are supplied suspended, one of their main surfaces (10) facing downstream and the other main surface (11) facing upstream. Prior to positioning, lower edge zones (13) of the objects (1) are selectively accelerated or retarded relative to the upper edge zones (12), so that the objects (1) are brought into a position inclined relative to the vertical. Thereafter, the upper edge zones (12) are released and the objects (1), under the influence of gravity, are positioned on an onward conveying device, selectively either the downstream or the upstream main surface (10 or 11) facing upwards. For retarding or accelerating the lower edge zones (13), for example, a conveyor belt or two conveyor belts adjoining one another are utilized. The speed (v.3) of the conveyor belts is adjustable to convert from accelerating operation to retarding operation.

Abstract: A delivery for a sheet-processing machine includes a sheet brake for braking processed sheets from a processing speed to an output speed, a sheet conveyor for transporting the processed sheets in a conveying direction at the processing speed and for transferring the processed sheets to the sheet brake, and a body defining a gap which, during operation, is connected to a vacuum generator and over which the sheets are pullable by the sheet conveyor for smoothing the sheets before they are transferred to the sheet brake, the gap being formed at the sheet brake; and a sheet-processing machine, more particularly, a printing machine, including the delivery.

Abstract: A device for stacking sheets delivered on a first conveyor in a plurality of parallel streams of overlapping sheets, includes a second conveyor moving slower than the first conveyor that compacts the streams as they exit the first conveyor; a third conveyor that receives the streams from the second conveyor; and a plurality of stackers, each aligned with one of the streams exiting the third conveyor, formed of endless belts positionable horizontally which cooperate with stop members to stack the incoming sheets. Completed stacks are then moved downstream on the belt. When sheets in a stream are determined to be defective; its belt for that stream is tilted, and the stream falls onto a fourth conveyor for disposal.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus capable of producing duplex, or two-sided, prints, print sheets which have received a first-side image move to an inverter and a duplex loop which re-feeds the sheet to receive the second-side image. The sheets move through the duplex loop at different speed than through the main path where images are placed. A control system controls the time in which a change in speed of a sheet in the duplex loop is initiated. The control system takes into account a desired amount of buckle experienced by the sheet, which is useful in de-skewing the sheet before receiving an image.

Abstract: A copier has an ejection mechanism for allowing a sheet with a formed image to be ejected via an ejection exit toward the outside of the machine. The ejection mechanism has a switch-back section for allowing the sheet which is passed through a fixing unit at a predetermined process speed to be received for the sheet to be inverted and an ejection roller pair for allowing the sheet which is sent from the switch-back section to be decelerated before the ejection exit and to be sent to the outside of the machine. In order to maintain a conveying pitch at which sheets are continuously delivered, the conveying speed of the sheet passed through the switch-back section is increased, thus shortening the inversion operation time required for the switch-back operation. That is, the conveying speed of the sheet passed through the switch-back section is made higher than the process speed.

Abstract: A delivery for a printing machine that processes sheets passing through the latter in a processing direction, includes sheet brakes adjustable transversely to the processing direction and a respective braking element having a vacuum passing therethrough, the braking element being cooperatable with the sheet and revolving during the operation thereof, and a supporting element through which vacuum does not pass, the respective braking element being replaceable by the supporting element for converting one of the sheet brakes to a respective sheet support adjustable transversely to the processing direction; and a printing machine having such a delivery.

Abstract: A sheet-braking device for a sheet-processing machine includes a plurality of brake modules with a revolving suction belt formed with at least one suction opening. The brake modules have assigned thereto individual drives with controls for stipulating a reference speed relative to a speed of the machine.

Abstract: The braking device comprises at least one flexible braking means (1) extending across the trajectory of the sheets (2) and mounted so as to pivot around a transverse axis (4) so that its trajectory around the axis intersects the trajectory of the sheets (2), the direction of rotation of the end of the flexible braking means (1) and intersecting the trajectory of the sheets (2) being opposite the direction of motion of the sheets, and also comprises drive means for pivoting the braking means (1) in dependence on the longitudinal dimensions of the sheets (2) and the frequency with which they pass. The means driving the braking means (1) around the transverse axis (4) comprise a variable-speed electromagnetic actuator (5) connected to control means which in real time record the parameters relating to the longitudinal dimension of the sheets and the frequency with which they pass.

Abstract: A copier has an ejection mechanism for allowing a sheet with a formed image to be ejected via an ejection exit toward the outside of the machine. The ejection mechanism has a switch-back section for allowing the sheet which is passed through a fixing unit at a predetermined process speed to be received for the sheet to be inverted and an ejection roller pair for allowing the sheet which is sent from the switch-back section to be decelerated before the ejection exit and to be sent to the outside of the machine. In order to maintain a conveying pitch at which sheets are continuously delivered, the conveying speed of the sheet passed through the switch-back section is increased, thus shortening the inversion operation time required for the switch-back operation. That is, the conveying speed of the sheet passed through the switchback section is made higher than the process speed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A signature slow-down section in a folder of a printing press for slowing down signatures is provided. The folder is driven by a folder drive mechanism and the signature slow-down section includes a frame, a slow-down mechanism supported by the frame, and a motor connected to the slow-down mechanism for rotatably driving the slow-down mechanism separately from the folder drive mechanism. The motor is selectively operable to drive the slow-down mechanism at a speed in response to the position of the signatures relative to the slow-down mechanism.

Abstract: A folder apparatus includes a conveyor and knock-down wheel assembly to receive signatures from, for example, a tape system output. The conveyor and knock-down wheel assembly slow down the signatures from the tape system and create a shingled output stream of signatures. Multiple conveyor and knock-down wheel assemblies may be employed to attain a desired speed and signature spacing.

Abstract: A method and system for transporting envelopes from an envelope feeder to an envelope staging area in an envelope insertion machine. The envelope transport system includes two envelope bins and two envelope supply paths linking the envelope bins to an envelope feeder. Each of the bins is used to temporarily store an envelope before that envelope is moved to the staging area. The envelope supply paths are controlled by a flipper gate which alternately opens one path and closes another so as to allow an envelope to enter one envelope bin while another envelope in the other envelope bin is moved to the staging area. With the dual envelope bins connected to the dual supply paths to receive envelopes released by the envelope feeder, the envelope feeder does not have to slow down substantially in order to wait for the released envelope to clear the feeding path.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aligner apparatus which bottom edge aligns documents and separates documents and provides adequate gap between documents for subsequent processing. The an aligner apparatus includes first and second guide walls, forming an alley along the document feed path in which the documents are relieved of interdocument forces allowing bottom edge alignment of the documents with the document feed path. A trap assembly including first and second trap levers is lever mounted along the document feed path on a side of the guide wall and when actuated, cause opposing forces on one-another in order to grab the documents as they move along the feed path in the aligner apparatus so as to control the gap between the documents. It apparatus further provides an adequate gap between documents while reducing noise. Each trap lever has a head portion, which is fitted with a resilient pad, which is attached to the trap arm in a manner that forms a gap between the head and the pad.

Abstract: A delivery system (1) for flat material (2), in particular sheet paper, with a guideway (3) and at least two glide elements (4) extending in the direction of conveyance (10), whose surface (5) opposite the guideway (3) is elevated in construction and the guideway exhibits substantially reduced friction vis-a-vis the flat material.

Abstract: A device for braking sample and defective sheets of a machine for processing sheet-like printing materials includes a sheet-guiding part for guiding a sheet therealong, a roller resting on the sheet-guiding part and being movable at least in a vertical direction, for braking a sheet guided between the sheet-guiding part and the roller; and a machine for processing sheet-like printing material, such as a printing machine, including the braking device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aligner apparatus which bottom edge aligns documents and separates documents and provides adequate gap between documents for subsequent processing. The an aligner apparatus includes first and second guide walls, forming an alley along the document feed path in which the documents are relieved of interdocument forces allowing bottom edge alignment of the documents with the document feed path. A trap assembly including first and second trap levers is lever mounted along the document feed path on a side of the guide wall and when actuated, cause opposing forces on one-another in order to grab the documents as they move along the feed path in the aligner apparatus so as to control the gap between the documents. It apparatus further provides an adequate gap between documents while reducing noise. Each trap lever has a head portion which is fitted with a resilient pad which is attached to the trap arm in a manner that forms a gap between the head and the pad.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet conveying apparatus comprising a sheet feeding device for separating and feeding stacked sheets one by one, a convey guide device for guiding the sheet fed out by the sheet feeding device, a spacing device provided on the guide device and adapted to deviate positions of a trailing end of a preceding sheet and a leading end of a succeeding sheet which is fed continuously to the preceding sheet, a sheet detecting device for detecting the leading end of the succeeding sheet deviated from the trailing end of the preceding sheet by the spacing device.

Abstract: A device for braking paper sheets, which acts on the paper sheets, including at least one resiliently movable brake shoe, and an electromagnet operatively arranged to impart a force on the brake shoe so that the brake shoe acts on the paper sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for decelerating signatures moving in tandem fashion through sheet processing equipment is provided. A pair of counter-rotating cams lying in general face-to-face relation along a travel path of the signatures reach into the travel path of the signatures to effectively grab the trailing end of each signature so as to decrease the speed of each signature as the signature continues or to further processing equipment in the sheet handling system. Also provided is a guide assembly which increases control over the signatures during the decelerating process and during transport of the signatures to further downstream processing equipment. The guide assembly includes grooved rollers which act as pulleys for belts near the exit stream of the slow-down equipment, wherein the protruding segments between belt grooves act to push the signatures away from the belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for decelerating signatures moving in tandem fashion through sheet processing equipment is provided. A pair of counter-rotating cams lying in general face-to-face relation along a travel path of the signatures reach into the travel path of the signatures to effectively grab the trailing end of each signature so as to decrease the speed of each signature as the signature continues or to further processing equipment in the sheet handling system.

Abstract: A printed product slow down apparatus and method for slowing down printed products, the apparatus and method utilizing a slow down member to absorb the kinetic energy of the printed product thus slowing down the printed product.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aligner apparatus which bottom edge aligns documents and separates documents and provides adequate gap between documents for subsequent processing. The an aligner apparatus includes first and second guide walls, forming an alley along the document feed path in which the documents are relieved of interdocument forces allowing bottom edge alignment of the documents with the document feed path. A trap assembly including first and second trap levers is lever mounted along the document feed path on a side of the guide wall and when actuated, cause opposing forces on one-another in order to grab the documents as they move along the feed path in the aligner apparatus so as to control the gap between the documents. It apparatus further provides an adequate gap between documents while reducing noise. Each trap lever has a head portion which is fitted with a resilient pad which is attached to the trap arm in a manner that forms a gap between the head and the pad.

Abstract: A delivery of a sheet-processing printing machine having operationally revolving grippers for transferring processed sheets to a sheet brake in a conveying direction includes sheet guides for acting upon lateral borders of the sheets, as viewed in the conveying direction, and for guiding the sheets as they are transferred to the sheet brake.

Abstract: In a high speed sheet printing or coating machine there is a tendency for the sheets to move about as they are being fed to the datum stops, so that precise registration is not achieved. This is remedied by exerting a damping force which pulls each sheet continuously towards a fixed support surface 12 before and during registration and during printing or coating. The damping force comprises vacuum and/or magnetic forces which settle each sheet rapidly on the fixed support surface as it is fed into contact with the datum stops. The vacuum force is provided by drawing air through an array of holes 26 in the fixed support surface into an underlying chamber 24 evacuated through a pipe 28 by a vacuum pump, and is adjustable either by controlling the flow rate through the pump or by controllably venting the chamber or pipe to atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus for varying a speed of flat products. The apparatus has a first, higher-speed conveyor arrangement containing conveyor drums and belts, and a second, slower speed conveyor configuration containing belt rollers and belts, in which the flat products are each transported between the belts of the first and second conveyor configurations. A pair of rollers with recesses is provided on the circumference in the conveying path of one of the two conveyor configurations). Rotational bodies move about their respective eccentric axes that in turn are located on crankshafts. The crankshafts rotate on axes with reference to the frame walls, and the rotational bodies and the crankshafts move at a constant angular speed omega.

Abstract: A bundling system can convert a shingled stream of goods into successive bundles of goods. The system has a conveyor assembly with an upstream and a downstream section for (a) longitudinally passing the shingled stream of goods from the upstream to the downstream section, and (b) repeatedly interrupting passage of goods for creating a gap in the shingled stream of goods. The system also includes a reciprocatable table located downstream of the conveyor assembly for detaining and collecting goods there into a stacked bundle. Also included is a pusher for extending and pushing the stacked bundle off the table. The reciprocatable table is arranged to rise past the pusher without interference when the pusher is extended.

Abstract: A device for braking sample and defective sheets of a machine for processing sheet-like printing materials includes a sheet-guiding part for guiding a sheet therealong, a roller resting on the sheet-guiding part and being movable at least in a vertical direction, for braking a sheet guided between the sheet-guiding part and the roller; and a machine for processing sheet-like printing material, such as a printing machine, including the braking device.