Abstract: A printer includes a front panel having an approximately flat main surface which serves as one of the surfaces of the external housing of the printer, a feed-tray attachment hole for detachably attaching a feed tray which stores a paper sheet to the main body of the printer, and an output hole for outputting the paper sheet after an image is printed, and an output door which is attached to the external panel to cover the output hole such that the output door can be opened and closed, the output door being opened when the printed sheet is output through the output hole. The output door serves as an auxiliary output tray while the output door is open and the printed paper which is output through the output hole is placed on the top surface of the output door.

Abstract: A sheet stacking device for stacking sheets of generally rigid material, comprised of at least one gripper device operable to releasably grip an edge of a sheet material and gripper drive means operable to move the gripper device from a first location to a second location. A support device supports the sheet as the sheet moves from the first location to the second location. The support device has a supporting position, wherein the support device supports the sheet and a non-supporting position wherein support for the sheet is removed. A stacking platform is provided below the second location. Control means control the gripper device, the gripper drive means and the support device.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an automatic mail tray loading device that is adapted to receive envelopes from an inserting machine or from other mail-processing systems and place them in mail trays. The device has a two-stage envelope buffer, which buffers the envelopes into a shingled array before depositing them into the mail tray. The first stage buffers the envelopes during purging of the second stage and the second stage buffers the mail during a tray change. The mail trays are held on a tray conveyor, at an inclination that ensures proper loading of the tray and reliable transfer of envelopes from the tray. The tray conveyor incrementally moves the envelope tray downward until the tray is full of envelopes. A new, empty tray is then moved into position and the filled tray is moved laterally to the tray offload station. The system comprises an envelope conveyor, a tray conveyor, a lateral tray transfer mechanism and an auxiliary buffer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for discharging sheets from a starwheel assembly and creating stacks of a desired number of sheets without interrupting the rotation of the starwheel assembly. The present invention separates sheets such that one separated sheet completes a stack and the other separated sheet is supported by a separator to begin a new stack. The completed stack is preferably transported away from the starwheel assembly by a conveyor as the new stack supports additional sheets that are discharged from the starwheel assembly. The new stack will preferably move away from the starwheel assembly to provide clearance for the accumulation of additionally discharged sheets. The apparatus can allow for cyclical repetition of the separation of sheets, the stacking of sheets, and the transportation of stacks such that continual rotation of the starwheel assembly is not interrupted.

Abstract: In a device for loading a three-knife trimmer with brochures, periodicals or like bound book blocks (1), comprising a feed conveyor (4), a stacking device (16) operable in magazine mode and counted stack mode and including a magazine (17) having a first upper magazine intermediate shelf (18) and a second lower magazine intermediate shelf (25), and comprising a delivery table (28) arranged below said magazine (17) and an ejector (29) for cyclically and synchronously feeding a stack (3) of book blocks to the intake device (35) of the three-knife trimmer, it is provided that the feed conveyor (4) is formed by a conveyor belt (5) continuously driven at a first velocity (vS) and by an accelerator conveyor (6) located directly downstream thereof in the feed direction and driven at a higher velocity (vB), and that a separating device (11) for book blocks (1) supplied in an imbricated flow (2) is arranged in the transition zone from the conveyor belt (5) to the accelerator conveyor (6) for holding back a following po

Abstract: A delivery for a machine for processing flat printing materials includes a pile-forming station wherein sheets conveyed to the machine in a processing direction are piled, a make-ready station located upline of the pile-forming station in the processing direction and having an insertion opening formed in a side wall thereof for inserting a pile underlay into the make-ready station, and a conveyor by which a pile underlay inserted into the make-ready station is movable into the pile-forming station, a pile underlay carrier disposed in the make-ready station, the pile underlay carrier having a support adjustable between a first level and a second level lower than the first level, the support, at the first level thereof, accommodating the pile underlay inserted into the make-ready station, the support being adjustably movable in a direction to the second level for transferring the pile underlay to the conveyor; and a machine for processing flat printing materials including the delivery.

Abstract: A master tool for a reception station on a press for shaping sheets of paper or cardboard, comprising a moving slide and a number of bars (1) adapted to form a grid for non-stop reception of blanks and a bottom separating tool comprising two boards (4, 5) adjustable on two transverse beams (9, 10) of the moving slide, the beams having top edges having the same profile, the profile of the top edge comprising a number of serrated recesses in shape matching the cross-section of the bars (1), the serrated recesses being adjusted to correspond to the transverse positions of the openings in the bottom blank-separating tool.

Abstract: Documents are fed in a stream through the first station of a machine that senses the last page of each document along alternative paths in order to accumulate the groups in a staggered stack on a vertically adjustable elevator. When this staggered stack reaches a predetermined number (N) the elevator drops down to off load the stack onto a takeaway conveyor. The documents continue to be accumulated at the second station on a reciprocating support surface that redeposits these additional documents on the elevator when the elevator returns to a raised position and the support surface is retracted.

Abstract: This invention provides a mechanism for receiving flat articles, such as mail, moving in a travel path with a substantially horizontal orientation and for dropping selected such articles into either a single receptacle positioned below the mechanism or into a plurality of receptacles spaced along the length of the travel path, while maintaining the substantially horizontal article orientation for all such articles. The mechanism includes a holding station for each receptacle into which each article to be dropped is initially deposited, the holding station being just below the travel path, a retractable floor for the holding station and a driver selectively operable for rapidly retracting the floor in a substantially horizontal direction to permit articles accumulated in the holding station to drop substantially vertically into the corresponding receptacle. The driver may be activated in response to the holding station being filled by a selected amount.

Abstract: A drop-box mechanism or system is disposed adjacent to an article conveyor and atop a flat mail storage tub and comprises a platen movable between first and second chambers at which the open top of the storage tub is respectively uncovered and covered. When the platen uncovers the storage tub, deflecting fingers move downwardly so as to cover the platen tracks and the space defined between the bottom of the drop-box mechanism and the open top of the storage tub so as to prevent flat mail articles from becoming jammed within the tracks or from being inadvertently discharged through the space defined between the bottom of the drop-box mechanism and the open top of the storage tub. In this manner, the predetermined conveyed order of articles is preserved so as to facilitate sequence address delivery of the articles to recipients.

Abstract: A delivery of a sheet-processing printing machine has a sheet-pile stacking station whereon a safety guard is provided which is suspended from a pivot pin and, at least during a regular sheet-pile forming process, provides a view of a downline top edge of the sheet pile, as viewed in the processing direction. In this regard, the safety guard is constructed so that it is swingable together and swingable apart in the manner of a hinge, via a hinge pin disposed parallel to the pivot pin; and a machine for processing flat printing materials, and a sheet-processing printing machine, respectively, equipped with the delivery.

Abstract: A delivery station for a converting press for paper or cardboard sheets having a transverse roller located downstream from the delivery area of a blanking station, and a movable carriage downstream from the roller. The carriage receives a plurality of bars that form a non-stop delivery rack. The carriage is guided for motion in the longitudinal direction by a transporting device. The transporting device, the transverse roller and the carriage are mounted on a vertically movable frame suspended on opposite sides by chains ran by a power source through a transmission shaft. The vertical run of the delivery rack is adjustable between a high position and a low position, the low position being determined by the length of the lower blanking tool joggers of the blanking station.

Abstract: According to the collating apparatus of the present invention, if the collation error is detected, the erroneously collated matter selection and discharge unit discharges the erroneously collated matter so as to be distinguishable from the correctly collated matters. Besides, the collation error can be recognized and the erroneously collated matter can be removed after the collation operation is completed for all collated matters. Therefore, it is possible to continue the collation operation without stopping the collation operation when the collation error occurs.

Abstract: A device for separating a sheet pile during the running operation of a pile-forming sheet-processing machine includes a separator which, when an auxiliary pile carrier is pushed into a sheet pile to be separated, is movable between a rear upper edge of the sheet pile to be separated and a following sheet for a new sheet pile, for the purpose of lifting a rear lower edge of the new sheet pile at least into an effective range of a rear sheet stop; and a pile-forming sheet-processing machine and a pile-forming sheet-fed printing machine, respectively, including the separating device.

Abstract: A delivery fan, comprising sets of blades at constant circumferential spacings, receives therebetween the sheets successively falling from an overhead infeed conveyor. The sheets fall off the delivery fan on hitting a set of abutment tines arranged interdigitatingly with the fan blades. A stack of sheets thus formed on a retractable platform is unloaded therefrom onto a delivery conveyor. A temporary sheet holder is provided which is angularly displaceable about the delivery fan axis between a working position, where it temporarily receive the sheets falling off the delivery fan pending unloading of the preformed stack of sheets, and a retracted position where the sheet holder allows the sheets to fall from the delivery fan onto the platform. The sheet holder is mounted to the shaft of the delivery fan via a pair of overrunning clutches and sprung from the retracted toward the working position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for stacking at least two sheets, an apparatus comprising a vertically movable stacking platform and an intermediate support member with a width advantageously essentially equal to that of a stacking platform. The intermediate support member is adapted movable into a position above the stacking platform or above a stack of at least one sheet placed on the platform and over which intermediate support member the next sheet or sheet substack is brought and which intermediate support member is then retracted from between the overlying sheets, whereby the sheets are simultaneously aligned against a back gage. The intermediate support member is made from a flexible multilayer material having at least one layer made from a material having a substantially high tear resistance.

Abstract: A sheet accommodating device comprising a sheet-laid tray including a processing tray and a carrying tray; a discharge tray; a sheet accommodating unit; first, second and third sheet transporting paths for leading the discharged sheet to the sheet-laid tray, the sheet accommodating unit and the discharge tray, respectively; a transporting and aligning device for moving the sheet discharged onto the sheet-laid tray toward an alignment reference position; a detector for detecting a vertical position of an upper surface of the sheet on the carrying tray; a tray position adjusting device for adjusting the vertical position of the carrying tray based on a result of detection by the detector ; controller for raising or lowering the carrying tray; and others, the second sheet transporting path extending through the escape position of the processing tray, as well as a sheet processing system including a combination of the sheet accommodating device and an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A collating apparatus according to the present invention comprises a plurality of paper feed trays; a paper feed section for conveying a plurality of sheets stacked on the plurality of paper feed trays one by one at predetermined timing; a collating and conveying section for collating the plurality of sheets conveyed from the respective paper feed trays of the paper feed section to provide collated matters and for conveying the collated matters to a discharge section; the discharge section for discharging the collated matters conveyed from the collating and conveying section to a stacker section; and the stacker section provided with a paper discharge tray for stacking the collated matters conveyed from the discharge section, provided with a pair of side fences positioned at both outer sides of the collated matters discharged onto the paper discharge tray and restricting an orthogonal direction to a discharge direction of the collated matters, and having a sorting unit for alternately offsetting the collated

Abstract: A sheet treating apparatus capable of stacking discharged sheets in the shape of bundle, including a sheet stacking device so positioned that the downstream side in the discharging direction is higher than the upstream side and serving to stack the sheets, a sheet receiving member so provided as to project from the sheet stacking device and serving to receive the upstream end of the sheets on the sheet stacking device, a sheet advancing device for advancing the sheet onto the sheet stacking device, an elastic annular sheet trailing end aligning member rotatably provided in the vicinity of the sheet advancing device and serving to move the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device toward the sheet receiving member, and a pivotally movable regulating member provided in a vertically pivotable manner in the vicinity of the sheet advancing device and provided with an inclined face adapted to descend after the sheets are discharged onto the sheet stacking device and to guide, in the descended state, the trailing

Abstract: A stapling stacker has a sheet infeed, a pivoted shelf on which the trailing ends of sheets are assembled with the leading ends supported by previously stacked sets, the sets are side edge aligned, stapled into sets and offset with respect to previously stapled sets, and the shelf then is operated to dump the trailing ends onto previously stapled sets of sheets on the stacker.

Abstract: Sheets are output by an office machine in collected form. The sheets are initially supported on their side edges by rest bars and support levers. The rest bars support the sheets on their side edges while the support levers support the sheets only in their central region. If the rest bars are moved apart, first the front and the rear end of the sheets are released while the central region is still supported by the support levers. Only upon further movement outwardly are the sheets released by the support levers.

Abstract: A print media handling system for an imaging apparatus having a media feed path includes a pair of media support members, each have a first wall defining a media contact surface and a support portion defining a media support surface. The pair of media support members are pivotally mounted to the imaging apparatus for symmetrical operation with respect to a centerline of the media feed path. The pair of media support members define a media bin for receiving printed media. The print media handling system further includes a drive system for operating the pair of media support members between a first position wherein the media support surface of the pair of support members carries a printed media sheet and a second position wherein the printed media sheet is released to fall into the media bin.

Abstract: A zero feed interrupt sheet stacker conveying an uninterrupted stream of sheets in which a sheet accumulator catches holds and deposits a stack of sheets upon a load receiving device. The accumulator includes a curtain which is extended into the stream of sheets at a selected point between two sheets. The curtain type apparatus provides a platform in which the portion of the platform in contact with the carried sheets does not move relative to the sheet while it is extending, during holding, or during retraction of the platform.

Abstract: A device in a sheet delivery for accommodating flat printed products, the device having a lowerable auxiliary sheet stack frame arranged between two side walls of the sheet delivery, includes respective lifting devices to which the auxiliary stack frame, at respective corner locations thereof, is articulatedly connected, a movable auxiliary stack receiving element mounted on and completely surrounded by the auxiliary stack frame, the auxiliary stack frame being of a length in a sheet travel direction substantially equal to twice the length of the auxiliary stack receiving element.

Abstract: A cross stacker for paper products comprises a first reception element (16) on which the paper products to be stacked are collected and a further reception element (18). A rotation device (12, 14) is arranged beneath the reception elements. At least the further reception element (18) is formed so as to be vertically displaceable.

Abstract: A sheet processing device according to the present invention is formed of an image forming device, an ejecting device and a stacking device; wherein the sheet processing device further includes an auxiliary support device which is disposed at a distal side in a sheet ejecting direction of the support device. The auxiliary support device is rotatably moved between a support position for supporting at least a forward end of the sheet and a retracting position from the support position. Whereby the stacking area of the support device can be varied, and the ejecting of the sheets temporarily stacked on the stacking device can be easily accomplished.

Abstract: An apparatus for the vertical stacking of printed products has a precollecting device with a collecting shaft and a precollecting support, with at least two stacking baskets being arranged on a carousel. The apparatus is provided with a first holding down device and with a second holding down device on the carousel.

Abstract: A stacker and cart are provided for vertically stacking forms fed from a printer, folder, or other mechanism, by a conveyor, which do not require tilting of the cart to allow offloading of the forms. The stacker has a housing with side walls parallel to and spaced from each other in a first dimension and a base which mounts the side walls so that they are inclined with respect to the vertical (e.g. about 15 degrees), tilted in a second dimension perpendicular to the first. A number of forms-supporting stacker tines are parallel to and spaced from each other in the first dimension, and an elevator mechanism moves the tines in unison generally vertically with respect to the side walls. A stacker cooperates with a cart, a part sensor mounted on or adjacent the stacker base, and a latch on the cart cooperating with a latching mechanism on the stacker.

Abstract: A zero feed interrupt sheet stacker conveying an uninterrupted stream of sheets in which a sheet accumulator catches holds and deposits a stack of sheets upon a load receiving device. The accumulator includes a curtain which is extended into the stream of sheets at a selected point between two sheets. The curtain type apparatus provides a platform in which the portion of the platform in contact with the carried sheets does not move relative to the sheet while it is extending, during holding, or during retraction of the platform.

Abstract: Device for lifting of a paper sheet stack to a loading head of a printing machine where the paper sheets are deposited in a stack and taken off from at its top. The device is provided with a NON-STOP loader with a supporting grillage (6) formed of bars and an auxiliary lifting device for this grillage (6). The supporting grillage (6) is in contact with an extractable rear lifting beam (3) of an auxiliary stack (4). By one of its ends the extractable rear lifting beam (4) of the auxiliary stack (4) is mounted in the lifting device, which is placed on the non-serviced machine side and it is secured against pulling out. The other end of the extractable rear lifting beam (3), auxiliary stack (4), which is on the operator's side of the machine is loose. After use the device against pulling out is released and deposited somewhere outside the machine so that it does not hamper the operator in providing normal loader functions.

Abstract: A device for manipulating stacks formed of sheets for a rotary printing press by which the sheets are processable in a processing direction in a so-called nonstop operation, the device including an auxiliary stack support having a cantilevered end and being disposed in an operating position thereof so as to catch the sheets from below, and a carrier carrying the auxiliary stack support so that it is displaceable in and counter to the processing direction, includes a bearing carried by the carrier for supporting at an operating level the cantilevered end of the auxiliary stack support disposed in the operating position thereof, the bearing being adjustable between a functional position into which it has been lowered below the operating level and a functional position wherein it supports the cantilevered end at the operating level.

Abstract: A device for automatically performing nonstop pile changing in a delivery of a printing press, preferably having a high printing speed, includes a separator sword movable sidewise between two sheets for forming a gap therebetween, and supporting an upper one of the two sheets at a trailing-edge region thereof until an auxiliary pile carrier has reached an inserted position thereof The separator sword cooperates with a restraining or holding device formed as a separator wedge, so that the separator wedge is slidable under the separator sword and firmly holds the upper sheet at the trailing-edge region thereof by suction until the auxiliary pile carrier has been inserted

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a paper cassette loaded with a stack of papers and a paper stacking device for stacking papers carrying images thereon is disclosed. The apparatus has an upper casing part rotatable away from a lower casing part. When the upper casing part is rotated away from the lower casing part, the apparatus successfully prevents the upper casing part from interfering with a tray or similar paper stacking means and prevents papers stacked on the tray from dropping without having its overall length increased. The tray is arranged in the rear portion of the apparatus opposite to the front portion where a control panel is located, thereby reducing the widthwise dimension of the apparatus. Even in such a position, the tray allows papers stacked thereon to be easily picked up.

Abstract: A multiple set discharge tray receives sets of copy sheets discharged from an adjoining printing apparatus. The discharge tray includes a selectively movable partition mechanism which is capable of extending a partition over, and retracting an extended partition from, a surface of the discharge tray which receives sets of copy sheets. An extended partition enables receipt of a subsequent set of copy sheets while a prior set is being processed and expelled from the discharge tray thereunder.

Abstract: A machine for stacking sheets is disclosed which includes an overhead conveyor for conveying sheets to a stacking area, and first and second sets of support fingers which support the sheets as they are stacked in bundles as the support fingers are moved horizontally and vertically through a predetermined sequence of positions.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for automatically changing the stack of sheets in a sheet-fed printing machine is disclosed comprising sheet-carrying surfaces, sheet-separating devices, a pallet, sensors and a control system. The sheet-carrying surfaces act in concert with the sheet-separating devices to create an auxiliary stack separate from the existing stack of printed sheets. In this manner, the existing stack of sheets are removed and the auxiliary stack is deposited on a new stack base as brief and as closely coordinated as possible. The timing of the transition from the sheet-separating devices to the sheet-carrying surfaces is coordinated such that, even in the case of thin printing materials, the stack changing apparatus functions properly during the stack-changing process.

Abstract: The printer comprises an entrance, a printing station, a collection tray for the printed sheets and temporary storage mechanisms on which a printed sheet is placed immediately after printing. These mechanisms comprise pivotingly mounted shutters, opening and closing of which is commanded by a slide comprising two rails cooperating with levers integral with the shafts of the shutters. The slide can be made temporarily integral with the printing carriage by means of a selection pin, the cams of which cooperate with two fixed abutments. The carriage thus performs selection and driving of the temporary storage mechanisms, which are easy to build and operate precisely at a low cost price.

Abstract: Device suitable for removing test sheets from sheet-fed printing presses includes leading-edge stops for a downwardly directed sheet stream, the stops being pivotable by a stop lever, and catch arms articulatedly connected to catch levers, the catch arms being adjustable by a tilt lever from outside the sheet stream into a catch position therewithin, as well as a spring engaging with the stop lever, the leading-edge stops being pivotable against the action of the spring out of a stop position and into a release position after the catch arms have reached the catch position thereof. This follow-up control is realized by a linearly adjustable adjusting member with a cam and a sliding block which is maintained in continuous engagement in a slot or coulisse formed in the tilt lever, while the cam is maintained in alternating operating connection with the stop lever and a spring leg of the spring which is formed as a leg spring.

Abstract: Method of changing sheet piles on a sheet-fed printing press, which includes introducing a sheet pile rake above a main sheet pile for forming an auxiliary sheet pile, further includes laying at least one rotatably mounted wedge on an upper edge of the main sheet pile so as to form a wedge-shaped space; and device for performing the foregoing method.

Abstract: Method of introducing an auxiliary sheet pile carrier above a main sheet pile to be removed, the introduction being effected during uninterrupted feeding of additional sheets above the main sheet pile in a sheet travel direction and in synchronism with the travel of a sheet to be deposited, includes controlling respective drives at a sheet delivery by a control device which determines actual data of a printing press, so that the auxiliary pile carrier traverses a velocity profile identical with a velocity profile of the sheet to be deposited in order to avoid relative movement between the auxiliary pile carrier and the sheet to be deposited.

Abstract: Sheet delivery for a printing press includes a removable sheet stop, and sheet catchers movable into the sheet delivery for catching sheets to be deposited on a sheet pile while the sheets are yet above the sheet pile, for purposes of both removing a sample sheet and inserting an auxiliary pile holder, the sheet catchers being disposed at an outer end of the sheet pile and being introducible with a close spacing from delivery grippers transporting the sheets to be deposited, the sheet stop being removable from the sheet pile for enabling a sample sheet to be taken, and the sheet catchers being bringable into a position therein at least by respective front ends thereof they have a slight spacing from the sheet pile enabling the auxiliary pile holder to be inserted, the surface of the sheet pile being lowerable so that the auxiliary pile holder is insertable between a lower end of the sheet stop and a top surface of the sheet pile.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking sheets has a frame defining a stacking station and a pair of substantially parallel and transversely spaced guides on the frame in the station each having a horizontal lower edge and a planar inner face turned toward the other guide. Each guide is formed with a downwardly open notch opening at the respective lower edge and housing a respective guide plate vertically displaceable between a lower position projecting below the respective lower edge and an upper position wholly above the respective lower edge. Each guide plate has an inner face substantially coplanar with the inner face of the respective guide. A vertically displaceable platform is provided in the station underneath the guides along with a support rack horizontally displaceable in the station between an extended position directly above the platform and upwardly engaging the guide plates and a retracted position not directly above the platform and out of engagement with the guide plates.

Abstract: A method for stacking sheets has a conveyor having a downstream end spaced upstream in a horizontal transport direction from a stacking station for delivering the sheets continuously one after the other at a predetermined upper level in the direction to the station and a main platform vertically displaceable in the stacking station between an upper position below the upper level and a lower position. An auxiliary platform below the upper level is formed by a plurality of parallel rods horizontally displaceable in the direction between an extended position in the station above the main platform and a retracted position upstream of the main platform.

Abstract: A temporary supporting device for plate-like workpieces within a delivery station of a machine that processes the workpieces includes a grid which is movable within a cradle between a position for receiving the workpieces being released at the delivery station and a disengaged position. The cradle has a pair of grooves forming tracks for rollers on the sides of the grid to enable the movement, and the tracks enable the removal of a pair of rollers at one end so that the grid can be pivoted around an axis formed by the other pair of rollers from a horizontal orientation into a vertical position extending parallel and along one side of the delivery station.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking sheets has a conveyor having a downstream end spaced upstream in a horizontal transport direction from a stacking station for delivering the sheets continuously one after the other at a predetermined upper level in the direction to the station and a main platform vertically displaceable in the stacking station between an upper position below the upper level and a lower position. An auxiliary platform below the upper level is formed by a plurality of parallel rods horizontally displaceable in the direction between an extended position in the station above the main platform and a retracted position upstream of the main platform.

Abstract: A downstacker for paperboard sheets includes a sheet speed reducing shingler positioned in the stacking station and forming a shingling nip with the top sheet of the continuously descending stack. The shingling nip is positioned to engage and nip the next following sheet simultaneously with engagement of the stacking station backstop by the preceding sheet, thereby obviating sheet marking by an overrunning nip roll. A false backstop is periodically interposed to define a stack separation level and create an offset in the stack which engages the end of a separating fork as the continuously forming stack descends to facilitate insertion of the fork supporting into the stack. The fork provides interim support for the upper stack portion which continues to form while the lower stack portion is rapidly discharged.

Abstract: A transport path is branched into a main pass and a bypass. A deflector is provided at a branch point, for switching the path either to the bypass or to the main pass. Sheet detection switches are respectively provided along the bypass and the main pass, and also on a stapler plate, for controlling the rotation of a transfer roller. In this way, a first sheet being transported through the main pass and a second sheet being transported through the bypass can be discharged onto the stapler plate at the same time. As a result, the problem of the device being made larger or reducing the quality of the sheets can be prevented, and a faster process after copying can be achieved.

Abstract: A vertical signature stacking machine includes a frame, a vertical support wall, and a sliding support which intersects the vertical support wall. The sliding support translates along the support wall. Signatures are fed to a support plane on the sliding support to form a stack of signatures. There is a base support disposed to receive a stack of signatures from the sliding support. End boards are placed on the top and base of the stack by a rotatable end board gripper with a vacuum which can pick up end boards from an end board hopper and can release the end boards. A carriage is provided for bracing the completed stack. The carriage is disposed to travel along a path juxtaposed to the base travel path. The carriage has rotatably mounted arms having a bracing surface for moving the stack. The arms are positioned transverse to the support wall causing the bracing surface to intercept the stack and propel the stack along the base travel path.

Abstract: A frame is designed for temporarily supporting a horizontal plate-like workpiece until it undergoes a vertical translation between guiding and squaring stops, which frame is located in a machine. The frame comprises lateral retractable supporting surfaces which are either edges of a horizontal flat bar or sides of a horizontal flat bar. When the supporting surfaces are the edges of the horizontal flat bar, the bar is mounted so that it can be moved from a straight line position retracted from the supporting of the sheet to a curved position for supporting the edge of the sheet. The bars can also be positioned utilizing the side and are moved either by pivoting or by a four-bar linking arrangement between the retracted and engaged positions. Finally, the bars can be mounted for rotation along one edge between the engaging and retracted positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for auxiliary stack formation in a sheet-delivery machine having front and rear stationary stops and a front sheet-retaining device a stack board for receiving sheets, and being moveable rearwardly in a gap above the main stack, the stack board receiving the sheets forming the auxiliary stack, a set of spaced-apart lower rear stops mounted on a horizontally disposed carrier, the carrier being vertically moveable relative to the stationary rear upper stops, between a lower position wherein the lower stops extend beneath the main stack and a upper position wherein the lower stops are above the main stack for preventing rearward movement of the auxiliary stack sheets; wedge members mounted on the carrier, engageable by the advancing stack board for moving the carrier between the lower and upper positions; and a plurality of rear sheet retention devices disposed horizontally in spaced-apart relation and mounted on the carrier for movement between a recessed position behind the rear stops, and a sheet