Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a stack with advertising material compilations respectively consisting of an envelope with inserts therein, and having a common, leading folded edge. The apparatus includes a feed conveyor, a transfer conveyor and a stacking device. The transfer conveyor comprises a central wheel that rotates around a first rotational axis, a carrier wheel that rotates around a second rotational axis oriented parallel to the first rotational axis, and a number of pivoting arms with respectively one gripper. The second rotational axis is arranged below a horizontal plane extending through the first rotational axis. The grippers are respectively positioned on the pivoting arm to rotate around an axis. The grippers take over the advertising material compilations in a takeover region from the feed conveyor, transfer the adverting compilations in a transfer region to the stacking device which extends into the transfer region and deposit these on the stacking device.

Abstract: A conveyor system for displacing passenger/goods formed by a moving endless belt comprising a plurality of pallet assemblies and drive means to transmit a drive movement to the pallet belt. The pallets have a functional surface opposite to the support surface and having first meshing means. The drive means comprise second meshing means designed to interact with the first meshing means, so that the drive pallets, are driven by the drive means by means of a meshing between the first meshing means and the second meshing means and to drive said pallet belt in the movement direction D. The drive means have a linear motor aligned with the movement direction D.

Abstract: A media-sheet post-processing apparatus performs post-processing on a media sheet delivered thereto. The sheet media post-processing apparatus includes a media-sheet conveying unit configured to convey a media sheet while moving in a media-sheet conveying direction; and a move drive unit configured to move the media-sheet conveying unit in the media-sheet conveying direction in such a manner that a difference between an amount that the media sheet is conveyed by the media-sheet conveying unit and an amount that the media-sheet conveying unit is moved is kept constant.

Abstract: An apparatus for decelerating a signature comprises a movable belt arrangement, and a motor coupled to the movable belt arrangement for controllably moving the movable belt arrangement through a cyclical velocity profile. The movable belt arrangement is moved through a signature engaging section with the cyclical velocity profile causing the motor to decelerate the movable belt arrangement from a first speed to a second speed while engaging a signature in the signature engaging section. The signature enters the signature engaging section at the first speed, and leaves the signature engaging section at the second speed, lower than the first speed. The cyclical velocity profile causes the movable belt arrangement to accelerate upon the signature leaving the signature engaging section, back to the first speed, prior to a next signature entering the signature engaging section.

Abstract: A transport track extends through first and second stations for transporting paper postal items through the stations. The first and second stations are equipped with first and second drives for driving circulatable surfaces of the respective station along the transport track. The second drive is controlled for driving at least one of the second station's circulatable surfaces at a circumferential speed higher than the circumferential speed of the first station's circulatable surfaces. While a stack of postal items passes from the first station to the second station, highest normal force exerted thereon by the circulatable surfaces of the second station is larger or smaller than the highest normal force exerted thereon by the circulatable surfaces of the first station.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding sheets in sheet-processing machines includes a transport belt which transports sheets from a first location to a second location. The transport belt can be driven at variable speed by a drive. The speed of the transport belt can be controlled by a control device in such a way that, through the use of a combination of at least two speed profiles, the number of sheets on the transport belt and the transfer of the sheets at the first and second locations can be adjusted. A printing press having the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging device comprises generally, an image transfer station configured to transfer a toned image to a substrate, a fuser assembly configured to fuse the toned image to the substrate and a transport device configured to transfer the substrate from the image transfer station to the fuser assembly. The device further includes a controller for controlling a first process rate of the image transfer device and a second process rate of the transport device. The controller has a mode of operation wherein the first process rate is different from the second process rate when a hand off is performed to pass the substrate from the image transfer station to the transport device.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus includes a receiving clearance adjustment mechanism for adjusting the vertical clearance between portions of downstream-side upper belts, the portion being located furthest upstream with respect to the conveyance direction of signatures, and upstream-side lower belts. The conveyor apparatus also includes a separation start position adjustment mechanism for adjusting a position at which upstream-side upper belts start to separate away from a signature. The conveyer apparatus can convey sheets, while properly transferring them between upstream-side belts to downstream-side belts, without generation of unintended positional shift, even when changes arise in the thickness and/or length of the sheets.

Abstract: A printer in which the speed at which the recording medium is loaded into the printer prior to printing, at which the recording medium is moved through the printer during printing, and at which the recording medium is ejected from the printer after printing, are automatically selected based upon existing print modes and printing-related conditions, and which provides for concurrent pre-printing processes and tasks to occur during the loading of the recording medium.

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: The invention relates to a device to change the speed of individual flat shipments that are jammed and displaced one behind the other on a two-part conveyance system. In order to carry out any desired speed changes, without subjecting the shipments to pull or strain, a first conveyance device is located in front of a second conveyance device with controllable speed. The first conveyance device is normally driven at the speed of the inputting part of the conveyance system and does not exert a propelling or braking effect on the relevant delivery when it is blocked on the second conveyance device with controllable speed.

Abstract: A mailroom conveyor system for transporting and handling a stream of printed and folded signatures supplied by high speed tapes of a folding apparatus of a printing press. The system includes a plurality of grippers, a rail system for guiding the grippers, an electric linear drive system for individually driving the grippers in the rail system, and a control system coupled to the electric linear drive system for individually controlling the movement of the grippers in the rail system.

Abstract: Document transport apparatus (10) includes at least one pair of cooperating rollers (20A, 20B) for engaging documents therebetween and for defining a first stage (18) of a document transport path (16) for movement of documents therealong, the first stage (18) also being defined by at least one pair of tapes (28A, 28B) arranged such that one tape (28A) at least overlaps the other tape (28B) and such that documents are moved therebetween and relative thereto by the cooperating rollers (20A, 20B).

Abstract: Certain parameters in a high speed order change in a corrugator, including a small gap between orders and the relative lengths of the old and new order sheets, require altered order change and discharge routines on the downstacker conveyor system in order to prevent edge butt between the last sheet of the old order and the first sheet of the new order. Alternate order change and order discharge routines, which are automatically implemented by the downstacker system controller, include accelerated movement of the old order shingle out of the downstacker vacuum conveyor to outrun the incoming first sheet of the new order or, alternately, allowing the first sheet of the new order to overrun the tail end of the old order and utilizing, if necessary, a device to divert the lead edge of the first new order sheet upwardly to allow the shingle to be reestablished.

Abstract: A finishing machine is proposed for printed sheets delivered individually in rapid succession by a reproduction machine such as a printing press or a copier. The machine renders possible the manufacture in a production line in a completely automatic manner of brochures, leaflets or booklets without trimming edges. The machine comprises as its main part a station for takeover of the delivered sheets; a device for controlled retardation of the sheets received from the takeover station; a station for horizontal stacking of the retarded stacks; a mechanism for the alignment of the stacked sheets; a device for gripping the stack of aligned sheets a device for pivoting of the gripped stack from a horizontal position to an on-edge position; and a device for encasing the stack in a cover.

Abstract: A device for conveying flat floppy products has an inlet conveyor belt with a constant velocity, an intermediate conveyor belt with a periodically changing velocity and an outlet conveyor belt with constant velocity. The intermediate conveyor belt causes a deceleration or acceleration of the product to be conveyed. Transfer of the product between the conveyor belts takes place at respectively the same velocities of the affected belts. The drive of the intermediate conveyor belt is performed by a gear making periodic gear changes. The invention relates to the relationship between the shaft distance and the radius of the drive pulley of the intermediate conveyor belt and is particularly related to steps reducing the torque during acceleration or deceleration of the drive elements and assuring a slip-free conveyance of the products.

Abstract: An automatic storage and stacking device for sheets of laminar material, such as corrugated cardboard or the like, comprises a transportation unit which removes the sheets of laminar material from a cutting group, overlaps them and conveys them towards a storage surface. The transportation unit comprises a plurality of conveyors in series which can be operated at varying speeds so as to allow separation of a first series of sheets from a successive second series of sheets; with one of said conveyors there is associated a retaining means for holding the rear portion of the first sheet of said second series, which retaining means comprises a gripper member able to perform an alternating movement along the conveyor with which said gripper member is associated.

Abstract: Rolls of individual plastic bags are formed on apparatus that overlaps the bags before the bags are fed into the roll to provide a compact roll of individual bags. The apparatus overlaps portions of the bags so that a plurality of bags can be continuously fed into the roll even though the bags are not mechanically connected end-to-end to adjacent bags on the roll.

Abstract: A control system and method for ejecting an envelope having: a feeder for feeding the envelope out of the envelope handling device, a sensor for sensing the trailing edge of the envelope, and a microcontroller for controlling the feeder and in communication with the sensor the microcontroller causing the feeder to accelerate the envelope above a desired speed and decelerate the envelope after the sensor senses the trailing edge of the envelope so that the envelope is fed from the envelope handling device at the desired speed.

Abstract: In the case of a device for depositing sheets on a stack table having stack abutments, comprises a conveying system which includes a plurality of endless conveyor belts arranged in parallelism and mechanism to drive the conveyor belts at the same speed to convey the sheets separately in spaced relation to each other on an upper surface thereof, it is possible to ensure more gentle handling of the sheets and more reliable and troublefree operation together with operation at a higher speed if the device comprises a perforated belt system which overlaps the one end of the conveyor belt system and comprises a plurality of parallel endless perforated belts adapted to be driven by a motor at an adjustable speed, such perforated belt system extending over the stack table, a plurality of suction air ducts, which are respectively arranged behind each lower run of such perforated belt and are solely open toward the perforated belt, a source of vacuum which is connected with the ends of the vacuum ducts nearest to the c

Abstract: An automatic storage and stacking device for sheets of laminar material, such as corrugated cardboard or the like, comprises a transportation unit which removes the sheets of laminar material from a cutting group, overlaps them and conveys them towards a storage surface. The transportation unit comprises a plurality of conveyors in series which can be operated at varying speeds so as to allow separation of a first series of sheets from a successive second series of sheets; with one of said conveyors there is associated a retainer for holding the rear portion of the first sheet of said second series, which retainer comprises a gripper member able to perform an alternating movement along the conveyor with which the gripper member is associated.

Abstract: A binding line having selectable pin spacing on a gathering chain includes a gathering section including the gathering chain having a plurality of spaced pusher pins for transporting gathered signatures seriatim therealong to a signature exit end. A stitcher section includes a stitcher chain having a plurality of spaced pusher pins for transporting signatures seriatim therealong from a signature entry end. A drive system provides for driving the gathering chain synchronously with the stitcher chain so that both the gathering section and stitcher section operate at a constant signature feed rate. The gathering chain pins are spaced apart a first select distance and the stitcher chain pins are spaced apart a second select distance, different from the first select distance. The drive system drives the gathering chain at a different velocity from the stitcher chain to provide the constant signature feed rate.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a first feeding device having an endless traction member circulated at a constant speed and a carrier pawl mounted on the traction member for engaging a trailing edge of a sheet to be advanced. The apparatus further has a second feeding device being a continuation of the first feeding device and having an endless traction member; a carrier device mounted on the second traction member for engaging a trailing edge of a sheet to be advanced; and a drive for circulating the last-named traction member with a periodically changing travelling speed having a minimum value not higher than the speed of the traction member of the first feeding device and a maximum value greater than the speed of the traction member of the first feeding device and at the most equal to an initial speed with which the sheet enters a sheet handling station downstream of the second feeding device. The initial speed is at least as high as the constant speed of the traction member of the first feeding device.

Abstract: In handling machines, in particular punching machines, operating in discrete steps, for sheets of paper or similar objects, a warping, waving or wrinkling of the sheets occurs during the deceleration movements of the sheets ahead of the delivery station. These deformations are smoothed by the hold-down device according to the invention, which consists of a circulating perforated endless belt, to which an underpressure is applied from below. There is also synchronization between the feed movement of the sheets and the movement of the endless belt.

Abstract: A device for the formation of a train of underlapping sheet-like articles and more particularly for the formation of an overlapped stream during conveying sheets cut by a preceding transverse cutter device from a web of paper to a feed table of a paper processing machine, comprising a holding up device arranged over a belt arrangement and with which the trailing part of the successively moving articles is able to be moved into engagement with the formation of an inlet gap for the respectively following article and more particularly by means of an associated lifting device, is able to be brought into engagement, and a draw off device following the belt arrangement and adapted to be driven at the same speed as the overlapped stream. The belt arrangement is designed in the form of a drag device with circulating entraining belts adapted only for engagement of the consecutively moving articles at the leading edge thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the stacking of paper engages the oncoming sheets at their rear ends between clamping elements on upper and lower belts and is so provided that the rear ends are deflected perpendicular to the direction of feed so that the oncoming sheets can effectively shingle over underlying sheets. The clamping portions are engaged at the feeding speed of the sheets at the moment of initial contact, are then slowed down to reduce the speed of the sheets, then release the sheets and then return to the usual speed for the pickup of the next sheet.

Abstract: A succession of sheets are delivered by a main conveyor in a direction at high speed to a braking station and are thereafter piled up by a stacker. A braking apparatus at the station has an endless braking belt having a section of predetermined limited length formed with throughgoing belt holes and a section of substantially greater length that is substantially imperforate. A support holds the belt in the station with a stretch of the belt generally aligned with the direction and positioned to receive the sheets from the main conveyor. A suction box underneath the stretch has a face engaging the stretch, formed with throughgoing suction holes, and having a length in the direction shorter than the length of the imperforate section of the belt. A drive advances the belt such that the stretch moves in the direction at a periodically varying speed with the belt holes and suction holes only aligning periodically.

Abstract: The invention relates to a deceleration device for folded products, with which folded products following one behind the other are gripped by decelerable transport devices (6, 7) and conveyed. The oppositely arranged transport devices (6, 7) tracing a path of motion (15) are driven by a planetary gearing (16). While planetary gears (21, 22) rotate around a sun gear (23), an instantaneous centre P1 describe a cardioid which, via drive brackets (17, 18 and respectively 55) causes the transport devices (6, 7) to take different speeds during rotation of the planetary gears (21, 22).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a stream of signatures into discrete batches includes an infeed conveyor transporting signatures at a constant velocity V.sub.1, an outfeed conveyor transporting signatures at a higher constant velocity V.sub.2, and a plurality of parallel endless belts disposed between the infeed and outfeed conveyors. The plurality of parallel belts each include a raised portion for engaging and transporting signatures. Each belt is independently driven, and the belts are positioned with the raised portions staggered to engage successive portions of the incoming stream of signature. Each belt is driven alternatively at speeds V.sub.1 and V.sub.2, first matching the infeed velocity and then matching the outfeed velocity. As each successive raised portion fully engages a portion of signatures, it is accelerated to V.sub.2, thus introducing a gap between that portion of signatures and the remainder of the stream, which is engaged by the raised portion of the succeeding belt traveling at V.

Abstract: A conveyor system is disclosed having two independent conveyor belts which travel along the same path at various speeds. Each conveyor belt has at least one set of material handling platens attached thereto. Product is fed into the space between each pair of platens and is transported to a distal location where it is removed. A control mechanism operates the two conveyor belts such that product can be loaded into one set of platens at one speed, while product already loaded into another set of platens on the other conveyor belt can be transported and unloaded at a different rate.

Abstract: The transport apparatus comprises an endless guide device extending in a closed path and at which there are guided a number of entrainment elements. These entrainment elements are interconnected by a toothed belt deformed into a substantially wave-shaped configuration by attachment elements secured at the entrainment elements. At each of the starting region and terminal region of the conveying-active path of the transport apparatus, there are rotatably mounted two parallel cam discs rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation by related drives. Recesses in the cam discs act upon the entrainment elements such that the latter are driven at the starting region and terminal region of the conveying-active path and are dispositioned in a predetermined mutual position. The spacing between the entrainment elements at the conveying-active path and at the non-conveying active path is compensated by the resilient action of the wave-shaped deformed toothed belt.

Abstract: A conveyor system for reducing the speed of double-piece cut banks being fed to a stacker is provided. Cut-blanks are fed in pairs with the spacing between the blanks of the pair being small and the spacing between the pairs of objects being large along a first conveyor towards a detecting device which detects the leading edge of the blanks. A delivery member consisting of two sandwiching rollers is variably driven in accordance with signals given by the detecting device so as to deliver from the first conveyor the first blank of each pair at a first higher speed and the second blank of each pair at a second lower speed. Blanks are thereby delivered to a second slower conveyor which may be as low as V1=2l/LV2 wherein V2 is the speed of the first conveyor, l is the length of each blank, and L is the distance between the leading edge of a first pair of blanks to the leading edge of a second pair.

Abstract: A machine for handling flat sheets employs a pair of conveyors in series to receive the sheets from a processing machine and to deliver them to a downwardly moving platform to form a stack thereon and to deliver the stack so formed. Both conveyors operate at a predetermined initial speed to deliver to the platform until a predetermined number of sheets is received from the processing machine. At that point both conveyors are speeded up for a short interval to clear the first conveyor and then the first conveyors is tilted upwards and slowed down which stops the flow to the second conveyor and accumulates the sheets on the first conveyor. The second conveyor continues at a high speed to complete the stack on the platform. The sheets are then discharged from the platform. The first conveyor is returned to its original angle of tilt and both conveyors are returned to their original speeds and the platform returns to its original height to start forming a new stack.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for changing the conveying speed of shingled paper products after each of the individual products has been seized and accelerated, whereby the products are seized on its upper surface or its lower surface as a result of a cyclically recurring contact pressure exerted vertically or approximately vertically on the latter.

Abstract: Sheet material 10 is advanced from a reel 11, cut by cutter 14 and then each segment is moved parallel to its cut edges through sewing machines 22, 23 so as to sew the hems of the work product. The finished product is advanced rapidly in its direction of movement to transfer roll 85, one end 18 of the work product is pulled over a conveyor while the trailing end is urged against the high speed transfer roll 85 which rapidly pulls the trailing portion 19 of the work product out of the way of the next oncoming work product and directs the trailing portion of the work product downwardly to the near side of the conveyor. Each bundle 28 of work products is advanced out of the way so as to make room for accumulating a subsequent bundle on the conveyor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for creating a gap in a stream of sheets, and also moving the sheets at a uniform rate onto a take-off conveyor. The function is accomplished by diverting a portion of a conveyor to have it move through a longer path than the original path, and thereby have the portion move faster in order to create the gap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and to an apparatus for transferring a sheet of material. The process is characterized in that:at least two successive conveyors (11, 12) are connected, the second conveyor having a coefficient of adhesion which is higher than the first conveyor, andfirst, the speeds of said conveyors are adapted to the speed (V.sub.2) prevailing on the sheet as it arrives on the first conveyors, and then,when the sheet covers the second conveyor with a portion deemed adequate, the speed of the second conveyor is modified until it attains the speed (V.sub.2) at which the second conveyor is to deliver the sheet, and,finally, as soon as the sheet has let the second conveyor, the speed of the second conveyor is brought back to that of the first. The method and the apparatus for carrying out the method have particular application to printing and cutting machines.

Abstract: Device for bringing into register a tool mounted on a rotary cylinder for processing products in sheet form, such as a tool for cutting out, creasing, or printing sheets of cardboard in a machine for making and printing corrugated cardboard boxes, comprising a coder (22) providing information representing the theoretical advance of the sheets (10, 11), a coder (23) providing information representing the angle of adjustment given to the tool holder (1), a detector (20) of the passage of a reference mark (15) on the sheet (11) to a point situated upstream of the tool holder, a detector (36) of the theoretical passage of this reference mark at a selected distance slightly downstream of the first detector (20), and a computer (33) supplying correction commands to the correction motor (8) of the tool holder in order that the tool will arrive in phase with the incident sheet (11).

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for developing and handling stacks of web material and, more particularly, to such articles as towels (folded or unfolded), tissues, impregnated non-woven sheets and other relatively flimsy webs which are either normally or desirably provided in the form of a rectangular stack.

Abstract: A conveyor section advances a ribbon into a cutting station where sheets are severed from the glass ribbon. The sheets are advanced onto downstream conveyor rolls where the sheet is accelerated for a given period of time to space the trailing edge of the sheet from the leading edge of the ribbon, i.e., leading edge of the next sheet to be severed from the ribbon. When a predetermined number of spaced sheets are on the conveyor rolls, the conveyor rolls are accelerated to a speed greater than the ribbon conveying speed and spacing speed to move the group of sheets downstream along the conveyor section into additional working stations.

Abstract: A sheet stacking method and apparatus having conveyor belts for feeding overlapping cut sheets of cardboard in a flow to a stacking station, in which in order to form a gap in the flow a second conveyor belt is driven faster than a first conveyor belt and, during the time the second belt is driven at the faster rate, a third conveyor belt lifts the sheets off the second belt and drives them at the same speed as the first conveyor belt until the sheet downstream of the gap has left the second belt, whereupon the second belt is again driven at the same speed as the first belt and the third belt replaces the flow of sheets onto the second belt.

Abstract: A sheet stacking device includes a plurality of endless belts spaced from one another and rotating at a predetermined speed toward a sheet shipping container mounted at a loading position. A sheet held against the belt by vacuum pulled between the belts moves along a movement path into a wall of the container. The belts continue to rotate to align the sheet relative to the container; afterward plungers move the sheet downward away from the belts onto the backwall of the container to stack same.

Abstract: A paperboard web is severed transversely between the double facer machine and the slitter-scorer after the completion of a production order. The speed of the double facer machine is maintained constant while the severed web section is accelerated to a speed substantially above the speed of the double facer machine to create a gap. Adjustments to one or more of the slitter-scorer and cut-off for the next production order are made while the same are in the gap. Sheets cut from the web section are shingled on a shingling conveyor. The speed of the shingling conveyor is accelerated prior to the arrival of the last sheet of the web section and decelerated while the gap is on the shingling conveyor.

Abstract: A continuously moving supply conveyor delivers articles to be separated or batched to a sorting conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a first conveyor and a second conveyor arranged to move about common spaced axes. The first conveyor includes an endless belt mounted on rollers and arranged to follow a first path. The second conveyor includes sprockets mounted on shafts of the rollers and having a diameter greater than that of the rollers. Chains engage the sprockets and support a belt for movement along a path outside that of the first conveyor. The first conveyor comprises a continuous belt extending the full length thereof. The second conveyor includes a belt extending through only a portion of the total length of the second conveyor. Means are provided for driving the first and second conveyors in the same direction but at different speeds.

Abstract: A stacking machine is proposed which is enabled to stack sheets or signatures being fed continuously either singly or in overlapped relationship, the machine comprising a rotatable roller partially encircled by a first set of belts. A second set of belts is movable facing the first set of belts along a portion thereof to define a passage for the sheets. The second set of belts is entrained by a free-wheeling clutch driven by the driving means which drives the roller. The belts are driven constantly, and a difference of speed with respect to the peripheral speed of the driving roller, as due to thickness variations of the sheets or signatures, is compensated for by the free-wheeling mechanism.

Abstract: In a machine for cutting a paper web into sheets and forming them into a stack, the sheets are fed from the cutter to a primary conveyor on which they are spaced apart, and then to a secondary conveyor driven at a slower speed so that the sheets are overlapped, and finally fed onto the top of a stack. In one arrangement a pair of rollers, between which the sheets are gripped, is positioned between adjacent ends of the primary and secondary conveyors, which rollers are driven at a speed which is cyclically variable between the speeds of the two conveyors so as to decelerate the sheets. In another arrangement the secondary conveyor is dispensed with and the sheets are fed directly onto the stack from the variable speed rollers.