Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the depositing of sheets at a stacking location. The apparatus has an overhead suspension arrangement 15 which is fed with blasted air and extends some way over the stacking location 2, 3. This overhead suspension arrangement 15 has an undulating profile, extending in conveying direction, which imposes on the conveyed sheet to be deposited an undulation improving its dimensional rigidity, so that it can no longer buckle or turn on striking the stop. To reduce the conveying speed of the sheets, the stacking location is preceded by an overlapping station 9, 10, which initiates the braking operation a great distance ahead of the stacking location 2, 3 and keeps the sheet at braked speed almost until the striking of the sheet against the stop 6 without the overlapping being hindered by this.

Abstract: A material handling system employs a sheet separator capable of handling sheets of varied thickness and flexibility and a positioner which repetitively positions sheets relative to a pressing unit in a fixed location. A sheet stacker receives and stacks the processed sheets at a rate of up to five sheets per minute.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing the uppermost article from a stack of alternating first and second articles. The apparatus includes a plurality of pins and a plurality of suction devices, the pins and suction devices being supported from the lower side of a support structure. The support structure, with the suction devices and pins, comprise a head or end effector for sequentially removing the alternating articles from the stack. Means are provided for moving the head from the stack to two respective locations for receiving the first and second articles in respective piles of the articles. The stack of alternating articles, and the respective piles of the articles after they are removed from the stack, are preferably held in an inclined cassette that aligns the articles and maintains the articles in alignment.

Abstract: A press apparatus is provided wherein the vacuum suction lifters, due to a swing-in movement, can be moved more quickly into the lifting position for attaching the finish-coated panel by suction and, due to the telescopic extension, can be accurately set to the statically best longitudinal positions for panels of various widths. By a positioning and drive device, rolling belt trays used according to the invention can be moved accurately at various positions into the press area in conformity with different panel widths. As a result of the construction members and measures according to the invention, the movable parts have been further reduced in weight, thereby permitting faster movements. Furthermore, this results in higher flexibility and greater operational readiness of the short-cycle installation when changing over to other panel widths.

Abstract: A paper transporting device for an image recorder for transporting, after a visible image formed on the surface of an image carrier by an electrophotographic procedure has been transferred to a paper sheet by an image transferring device, the paper sheet separated from the image carrier to a fixing device by orienting one surface of the paper sheet carrying the visible image downward and by sucking the other surface by a suction source. A guide member has a transport surface for transporting the paper sheet while guiding it. A number of holes for suction are formed through the transport surface. A plurality of guide ribs protrude from the transport surface. The holes are positioned at opposite sides and in close proximity to the guide ribs. A ground plate covers the entire transport surface and is connected to ground. During transport, the paper sheet slides on and along the edges of the ribs while being spaced apart from the transport surface at opposite sides of the guide ribs.

Abstract: A device for conveying a sheet of material from one printing unit to a second printing unit consisting of a frame having horizontal lateral beams, a plurality of cross-shafts extending between the beams, each shaft being provided with a plurality of axially-spaced rollers, a plate being mounted on a lower surface of each of the lateral beams having apertures arranged to allow a lower portion of each roller to extend therethrough and an arrangement for applying a suction to the interior of the frame to draw air in the gap between each aperture and roller to hold a sheet against the rollers as it is conveyed from one unit to the next.

Abstract: A pneumatic system which in the preferred embodiment includes a pump having a primary suction port and a secondary suction port, with the pump being operable for generating vacuum pressures at both such ports. A first vacuum operated system is coupled to the primary suction port and a second vacuum operated system is coupled to the secondary suction port, and a predetermined, preferably selectively adjustable, orifice is established between the first and second vacuum operated systems for enabling vacuum airflow generated at the first suction port to augment the airflow through the second vacuum operated system. In an alternative embodiment, separate standard vacuum pumps are coupled to the first and second vacuum operated systems.

Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus comprises a flexible vibrating body made of an elastic matter. The body is excited with a resonant frequency so as to produce a progressive wave. A driving vibrator is fixed to one end of the flexible vibrating body, and a receiving vibrator is fixed to the other end thereof. A mechanism is included for urging paper against the flexible vibrating body, so that when the vibrating body is excited, the paper is conveyed.

Abstract: Suction head includes a vertically adjustable lifting suction device having a respective guiding element, and an axially displaceable, telescopically guided suction chamber arranged on the guiding element, the suction chamber having at least two suction nozzles disposed adjacent one another transversely to a direction in which sheets are conveyed, the suction nozzles being united into a double suction chamber so as to form a narrowly defined vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A sheet transfer device and method are disclosed for transferring sheets from a sheet stack to a utilization area such as a can pallet. A base unit causes pivoting of a beam about a moveable pivot point so that a sheet picked up from the sheet stack is moved upwardly for a substantial distance and then pivoted to a point above a can pallet, after which the sheet is moved downwardly and deposited on the upwardly extending tops of a horizontal layer of cans on the can pallet. Suction is supplied through a plurality of cups brought into engagement with the top sheet of a sheet stack to lift the top sheet from the stack, with the suction being terminated when the sheet is deposited on the can pallet to thereby release the sheet.

Abstract: A device for supplying/discharging PS plates in an inclined-type step and repeat machine having a rearwardly inclined exposing table which includes a supplying holder disposed on a side of the exposing table for supplying the PS plate thereto, the holder having a surface thereof rearwardly inclined at the same angle with respect to the horizontal as that of a surface of the exposing table, a pair of endless chains respectivley disposed along both side edges of the holder and adapted to move up and down longitudinally of the holder in synchronism with each other, metal support supported by the chains at both ends thereof, support bars also supported by the chains at respective both ends thereof via metal pieces the chains being driven to move up while carrying the PS plate which is being held by the metal support and support bars, and a guide provided on the top of the supplying holder and bent backwardly for guiding upward the plate being discharged.

Abstract: A system for loading sheet materials on a rotary drum, having carrier for carrying sheet materials to the drum, a mechanism for catching the leading end of the sheet materials on the drum, and a presser member for pressing the sheet materials to said drum rotating, so as to wind said sheet materials around said drum, wherein said system involves a dampening arrangement for dampening the space between sheet materials and the drum surface, which is mirror finished, so as to contact said sheet materials with said peripheral surface of said drum.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus suitable for conveying shaped blanks. This apparatus includes a pair of screw shafts extending in a direction of conveying the blank. Members for holding attracters threadably coupled to these screw shafts are movable along guide shafts. Respectively provided at the ends of the guide shafts on one side are connecting members. Screw shafts threadably coupled to these connecting members drives the attracter holding members to approach or separate from each other on a line connecting the two guide shafts. Pinions provided near the opposite ends of the guide shafts rotatably move on racks, whereby the attracter holding members are synchronously moved in parallel to each other.

Abstract: In a suction roller for a paper processing machine of the type having at st one supply passage leading to a control head disposed at an end face, the improvement which includes the suction opening being a suction slit. The suction roller may have an insert disposed in a recess at the periphery of the roller, the insert having a side surface cooperating with the recess to define a suction slit.

Abstract: A vacuum feed mechanism for precision feeding a printed continuous double-backed corrugated paper board web to a platen die cutter for producing printed foldable box blanks. The feeder has several adjacent horizontal endless belts, with each belt having spaced cleats extending over the width of the belt facing outward and a row of holes between each cleat. A vacuum plenum extends through each belt with a lower wall containing longitudinal slots in registration with the belt holes. A suction fan removes air from the vacuum plenum producing air flow from the edges of the belts between adjacent cleats, through the belts and into the vacuum chamber to draw the belt into contact with the plenum chamber wall and the web in contact with the belt cleats, holding the web without slippage while the web is intermittently fed to the platen die cutter.

Abstract: An automatic drafting machine in which the paper is disposed on drive rollers and the paper is sandwiched by the drive rollers and pressure rollers in resilient contact with the drive rollers, and a writing implement is shiftably disposed in a right angle direction to the feeding direction of the paper along the horizontal surface of the paper, and guides for mounting the paper are disposed on both sides of the track along which the writing implement shifts, and an air blowing opening for supplying downward air pressure on the paper is disposed in the vicinity of the outer end portions of the guides in the feeding direction of the paper.

Abstract: In a stacking apparatus for sheets delivered by a double belt conveyor including spaced parallel conveyor belts, a stacking station beneath the discharge end of the conveyor is supplied with sheets by parallel suction arms which move at the conveying speed between the conveyor belts and therebeyond, are lowered to the stacking station to deposit a sheet while the suction effect is interrupted, and are then returned to the conveying plane.

Abstract: An improved paper advance apparatus for advancing photographic paper in a photographic printer advances print paper held against a bottom side of a vacuum platen with the leading edge of the print paper being otherwise unsupported. The apparatus includes a paper supply, a drive roller assembly for moving the paper along a paper path to an exposure station located after the drive roller assembly. A vacuum platen is positioned after the drive roller assembly and includes a pair of spaced apart guides along the bottom side thereof defining a print paper engaging surface along the paper path. A vacuum force is supplied to the paper-engaging surface through a plurality of vacuum ports for holding the print paper against the print-engaging surface. The holding force provided by the vacuum is such that the print paper is held flatly against the print-engaging surface during advancement of the paper and during exposure at the exposure station without the leading edge of the print paper needing any further support.

Abstract: An arrangement for separating and transporting uppermost sheets of a stack of sheets or sheet-like objects has a movable suction mouthpiece in which negative pressure acting for adhering the sheet simultaneously controls the movement of the suction mouthpiece in a longitudinal direction in a guide, the movable suction mouthpiece is connected with a valveless pump which produces in a connecting conduit between the suction mouthpiece and the pump periodically alternating negative pressure and positive pressure phases, and the guide of the movable suction piece is arranged so that a movement direction provided by the guide is inclined relative to the direction of the force of gravity at such an angle that the resultant of a lifting movement of the sheet produced during the lower pressure phase of the movable suction mouthpiece and the falling movement produced during the positive pressure phase has a component acting in a desired transporting direction of the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet handling device for a printer, such as a silkscreen printed circuit card printer, includes a pick-up and hold device that translates between a register position on the printer and one or more stacks of cards. Adjustable limit switches on a transport track for the device determine the positions at which its movement is interrupted. Plural knobs on a controller for the device are each assigned to one of the operations of picking up or releasing a card, and is set to one of the positions of the limit switches. The controller senses the assigned operation and position setting of each knob in sequence, and carries out the card transport operations accordingly.

Abstract: This invention provides a multi-outlet adapter for conversion of at least one source of pressure or vacuum to a multiplicity of outlets of the source(s). The adapter comprises at least two abutting blocks. The pressure and/or vacuum sources are connected to aperture(s) in a surface of the first of the blocks. These aperture(s) terminate in first depression(s) in the opposite face of the first block. The depression(s) in the first block communicate directly with a multiplicity of apertures in the abutting face of the second block which apertures in turn terminate on the opposing face of the second block in a multiplicity of second depressions which constitute the pressure or vacuum outlets.The adapter has particular application in self-adhesive label applicators in which a third block preferably abuts the second block and comprises a grid formed from a multiplicity of apertures which each communicate with the second depression(s). The grid of apertures thus resolves the outlets into greater detail.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a suction device for securely holding printing plates in a processing position by sub-atmospheric pressure. The suction device comprises a turnstile arrangement with four suction tables in two mutually perpendicular planes and is connected to a motor which rotates the turnstile arrangement in 90.degree. steps. Four suction chambers are located in a hub part of the turnstile arrangement, these chambers being connected, via pressure lines, to a vacuum source for generating sub-atmospheric pressure. The supporting surface of each suction table comprises suction slots, which communicate in pairs, each of these communicating pairs of suction slots being connected to the associated suction chamber via a common suction passage. Each suction chamber comprises a piston with its piston rod being guided outwardly through an end face of the hub part and carrying a circular plate.

Abstract: Apparatus suitable to be appended to a transfer press system, which fabricates panel products of various shapes and sizes, for palletizing them in any of several different modes depending upon the nature of the pressings. As a conveyor transports successive pressings from the transfer press system, a loader picks up one pressing at a time from the conveyor and carries it to a loading station, where the pressing is released either in a recumbent attitude or, after being turned 90 degrees, in an upstanding attitude. Released recumbently, the successive pressings are stacked on a pallet either in a controlled flatwise loading mode or in a free-fall flatwise loading mode. A controlled flatwise loading mechanism and a retractable fork assembly are provided for the two flatwise loading modes. Either an insert loading mode or an edgewise loading mode is possible for the pressings released upstandingly from the loader.

Abstract: Documents are inserted into a bin beneath a document stack already in the bin. An air bearing holds the document stack above the floor of the bin. A lifting mechanism lifts the stack along one edge so that a document is driven between the last sheet in the stack and the floor of the bin. A selectively activated drive means positioned on the floor of the bin advances the document into proper registration into the bin. Documents can be fed from the top of the stack simultaneously with the bottom stacking operation.

Abstract: In a device for receiving and transposing of plates (2), in particular glass plates from a substantially horizontal position or reversed, a pivot arm (6) is pivotable around a longitudinal axis (7) into two end positions, namely into a receiving position and a release position. A support frame (8) is mounted on the pivotable end of the pivot arm (6) being pivotably mounted around a horizontal axis (10). The support frame (8) is provided with suction cups (9) for receiving a plate (2) and is forcibly guided, so that it is turned around its pivot axis (10) at an angle which is smaller than 90.degree. during the movement of pivot arm (6) from one end position into the other. The support frame (8) is rigidly connected with a guide rod (15) disposed in a vertical plane for an exact and poor wear guide, whereby the guide rod is guided longitudinally displaceable in guide bushing (16) which is supported pivotably and a horizontal axis (20) outside of the pivot radius (23) of pivot arm (6).

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for lifting, gripping and transporting printing plates in a processing apparatus of the type in which the printing plates are fixed by suction on a processing table during processing at individual stations of the apparatus. The device comprises a lifting device, positioned below the processing table, for lifting a printing plate positioned on the table, movable in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus, and a gripping member positioned above the processing table for gripping a printing plate lifted off of the processing table by the lifting device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an input/output device for unexposed or latently exposed photographic sheet material for use in combination with photographic material evaluation devices. The invention comprises a flat light-tight cartridge having an opening, a film support displaceably arranged within said cartridge and externally operable, and a light-stop for said opening. The cartridge is insertable into a socket of the evaluation device so that the film can be shifted out of the cartridge and into the likewise light-tight evaluation device to be secured to holding means of a recording drum in said device. By sucking means within and respective rotation of said drum the film is evenly attached to the drum surface. By control of the input/output operation by means of a control unit an automatic handling of film material at normal light conditions is feasible.

Abstract: A system for successively distributing one sheet after another to sheet receiving bins having a sheet guide device including conveyor belts and having sheet separating claws and a guiding device. The guiding device includes a contacting member successively brought into engagement with the sheet separating claws of a plurality of layers as the guiding device moves downwardly, to move the claws to an operative position in which the claws separates a sheet from the conveyor belts. The contacting member is moved to a position in which it is prevented from engaging the claws when the guiding device is moved upwardly during operation of the system. The sheet separated by the claws from the conveyor belts is moved to each bin along lower and upper guide plates while having its curl taken care of by a rod-shaped guide. The sheet guide device can be pivotally moved relative to a main body of the system, and the guiding device can be pivotally moved relative to the sheet guide device.

Abstract: The reciprocating auxiliary gripper system includes a parallel linkage the coupler of which supports a spring-biased gripper in the form of a suction head which is lifted upon application of suction to a spring space, so that the sheet performs during its transport from a takeover position on the feed table to a transfer position opposite a feed cylinder an additional movement superposed to the rocking movement of the linkage.

Abstract: A device for aligning sheets in a stack relative to at least one reference surface of a support tray. The device includes at least one movable alignment arm extending into the tray and a mechanism for transporting the arm to contact a sheet periodically and to move said sheet in a direction perpendicular to the reference surface for alignment.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing, collecting and transporting platelike fins, including fin forming apparatus for simultaneously forming plural fins in adjacent side-by-side relationship from sheet material. The forming apparatus causes the fins to be discharged outwardly in the lengthwise direction thereof. Fin handling apparatus are positioned adjacent the forming apparatus for collecting and transporting the fins. The fin handling apparatus includes an endless conveyor having a substantially straight upper reach positioned adjacent the forming apparatus and movable substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the fins as discharged from the forming apparatus. A plurality of elongated fin collectors are fixed to the endless conveyor, being spaced a predetermined distance apart throughout the lengthwise direction of the conveyor, the predetermined distance being equal to the centerline-to-centerline distance between adjacent fins as discharged from the forming apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is provided for charging, pressing and removing laminated sheets from a heat press. An unpressed laminate is placed on a conveyor tray which is inserted into the heat press from one end as a suction carrier is inserted from the other. The suction carrier removes a pressed laminate as the conveyor tray positions one end of the laminate on the top of the suction carrier. A belt mechanism on the top of the suction carrier, together with the conveyor tray, assists in positioning the entire laminate on a lower hot plate of the heat press at substantially the same time. The suction carrier and conveyor tray are simultaneously removed from the heat press so that the pressing action can occur.

Abstract: A frame has (1) a pair of parallel arms normal to a third arm with each arm having a rotating L-shaped member for orienting a sheet and (2) a plurality of cups through which a vacuum is drawn to secure the oriented sheet to the frame and through which fluid is moved under pressure to bias the sheet away from the frame.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for picking up, depositing and transporting thin foils by use of a vacuum lifting device. The vacuum lifting device is conveyed on a traverse from a foil receiving station to a foil depositing station. At the depositing station a transport frame is provided on guide rails to permit conveyance to a processing station. At the receiving station the vacuum lifting device picks up the foil by suction at a central region of the foil such that the foil will be suspended in a curved fashion from the vacuum lifting device. At the depositing station, the vacuum lifting device is lowered so as to permit ends of the foil which are downwardly extending on both sides of the vacuum lifting device to be pushed beneath open foil clamps on the transport frame. Subsequently the clamps are closed and the foil is maintained in an extended, wrinkle free arrangement for conveyance to the processing station.

Abstract: A system for conveying gypsum slabs through a slab sorting section, a slab distributing section, a slab drying section and a slab removal section in that order. In the sorting section, suction boxes located above the slab path support the moving slabs, which are moved by rotating rollers acting on the upper surfaces of the slabs and holding the slabs a slight distance below the openings in the suction boxes. Undesired slabs are dropped out by reducing the suction pressure. The distributing section uses a laterally-movable distributing table, suction boxes above the slabs, and blower boxes below the slabs, so that the slabs can be gently dropped into different lateral positions on the distributing table; rollers like those in the sorting section are used to control slab advance. In the drying section, blower boxes are used below the slabs for support and drying; blower boxes may also be used above the slabs in the drying section, and brush-type rollers used to advance the slabs.

Abstract: An apparatus for the collecting and transferring confectionery products onto a receiving conveyor feeding a wrapping machine, in which above a feeding conveyor belt carrying the dies provided with the products there is arranged a transfer conveyor equipped with prehensile elements for removing the products from the dies, this conveyor cooperating with a further transfer conveyor also fitted with prehensile elements for taking up the confectionery products from the first transfer conveyor and depositing them as required on the receiving conveyor.

Abstract: The invention described is a guide for directing a moving flexible member along a prescribed path. Suction slots are provided along the lateral walls of the guide for enabling the member to be directed along the desired path.

Abstract: The specification describes an apparatus for stacking and unstacking sheet material, more particularly glass sheets, comprising one or more suction plates, capable of moving towards a sheet material stack and adapted to be moved by a pressure cylinder actuator, and with a sensing member, which on making contact with the stack, the surface position of which changes as the stacking or unstacking progresses generates a pulse adapted to control movement of the piston rod of the pressure cylinder actuator. As a sensing member a switch (vacuum monitor, pressure monitor) responsive to changes in pressure is provided in the suction duct system of the suction plates and/or in the pressure duct system of the pressure cylinder actuator.

Abstract: In an electrostatographic copier in which a copy member bearing an unfused and electrically disturbable image is transported on a conductive vacuum guide member and then removed from the conductive guide member, the improvement wherein a smooth conductive baffle is electrically connected and sufficiently closely spaced from said guide member to provide a low electrostatic field zone between the baffle and the guide member for the movement therebetween of the copy member, and its removal from the guide member without electrical disturbance of the image, wherein the opposing baffle and guide member have similar and opposite diverging radii of curvature in the copy removal area. Means for automatically moving the baffle in coordination with the movement of said copy member are also shown.

Abstract: A receiver member guide mechanism for a receiver member bearing a toned image, the mechanism including an open-wound helical spring wrapped tightly in a second helix around a support shaft. The shaft is positioned to locate the spring beneath the receiver member travel path. The shaft is rotated at a high rate of speed so that if a receiver member drops below the normal travel path, the lead edge of the member will be struck by the convolutions of the spring and redirected back into the travel path. The orientation of the convolutions of the spring is selected such that the peripheral surface of the convolutions provide only point contact with a receiver member so as to prevent smearing of the toned image.

Abstract: A machine for the manufacture of objects of sheet shape being removed from the output end of said machine by means of a taking-off device. Said device is connected with a feeding device for said objects. The feeding device is arranged to perform a reciprocating movement and the taking-off device is arranged to follow the same in its motion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of a stack of etched, patterned metal foils for component elements, such as fluid plates and nozzle plates, is disclosed. Individual patterned foils are cut free from a mat having a group of patterned foils and also edge foils. The patterned foils are examined and unwanted foils together with the edge foils are discarded. The approved foils are individually stacked at stacking positions in a stacking station. A number of foil stacks corresponds to the number of individual patterned foils in the mat with the patterned foils being placed on the foil stacks in correspondence with their arrangement in the mat. Additional patterned foils from additional mats are stacked onto the individual foil stacks until a counter for each of the stacks determines that a predetermined number of stacked foils has occurred. The stack is removed and a new stack is begun until the counter again arrives at the predetermined number of foils for a given stack.

Abstract: In a copying apparatus in which copy sheets are stripped from a reusable imaging surface after the images have been transferred thereto, a vacuum stripping system is provided in which a pivotable, highly apertured, stripping head is normally closely spaced from the imaging surface and connected to a vacuum source to pneumatically capture the lead edge area of the copy sheet. The coverage of the vacuum apertures in the stripping head by the captured sheet pneumatically lifts the stripping head away from the imaging surface into alignment with a copy sheet transport, and shifts the stripping point of the body of the copy upstream on the imaging surface.

Abstract: A document discharging device for discharging copied documents from the platen of a copying machine wherein vacuum members are provided in the platen cover to lift the copied document from the platen as the cover is raised, guide arms being provided to guide the lifted document into a discharge tray when the lifting vacuum is shut off.

Abstract: A feed and takeoff assembly particularly adapted for use in connection with a printing press to automatically transfer generally flat stock from a first position to a print position and to a delivery position, having a frame, a transfer carriage mounted for movement along the frame, a single elongated feed gripper mounted near one end of the transfer carriage and disposed transversely to the path of travel of the carriage along the frame, and a delivery gripper mounted near the opposite end of the transfer carriage for movement therewith along the frame. The single elongated feed gripper is maintained in constant registered position during movement along the frame by a spring-biased cam-operated guide means. The delivery gripper acts to remove an entire sheet of printed stock at a desired time by a cam-operated opening and closing of upper and lower jaws mounted on a common pivot print.

Abstract: In an electrostatographic copier wherein the fuser rolls are positioned closer than the dimensions of the copy sheet from the image transfer area, speed mismatch compensation between the fuser roll nip and the initial image support surface is provided by intentionally driving the fuser roll nip at a different velocity to form a buckle in the intermediate portion of the copy sheet controlled by selective cyclic reductions in the vacuum applied to a configured manifold guide surface. The guide surface may be divided into segments, through one of which the vacuum is continuously maintained.

Abstract: In an electrostatographic copier wherein the fuser rolls are positioned closer than the dimensions of the copy sheet from the image transfer area, speed mismatch compensation between the fuser roll nip and the initial image support surface is provided by intentionally driving the fuser roll nip at a different pre-set velocity to form a buckle in the intermediate portion of the copy sheet controlled by selective cyclic reductions in the vacuum applied to a vacuum chamber sheet guide surface between the fuser nip and the initial image support surface, wherein the vacuum guide is in two areas, one of which is provided with a vacuum by the other, but is cyclically atmospherically vented.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting and cooling toner bearing sheets discharged from a fuser includes a structure having a pair of superposed sheet passageways, the entrance to the passageways being located at one end of the structure. The structure is moved so that successive sheets from the fuser are alternately fed to the passageways and fluidic means move the sheets through the passageways and out of the structure, the directions in which a sheet travels in entering and leaving the structure being, generally, orthogonal.

Abstract: A tubular suction member is provided which has a suction port at its bottom end and which reciprocates between a first position over a receiving plate and a second position over an open-top receptacle mounted on a rotatable platform. Manufactured slide fasteners or like articles are successively deposited onto the receiving plate and are carried away by the suction member to the second position, where each article is caused to drop into the receptacle. Cam means is provided for arresting the travel of the suction member from its first to second position, the cam means rotating through a preassigned angle during each complete reciprocation of the suction member from its second to first and back to second position, whereby the successive articles dropped into the receptacle are arranged in neat side-by-side relationship therein. The platform can be rotated 180.degree.