Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for transporting articles from one location to another by use of vacuum to suspend them from the underside of a perforated conveyor belt as it moves along the apertured underside of a vacuum box. Embodiments include a vertically actuable flat plate having a compressible bottom surface positioned within the box, whereby upon actuation of the plate downwards, vacuum acting through the apertures of the underside of the vacuum box may be interrupted and a slight positive pressure introduced into the apertures, to effectuate release of suspended articles.

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking and collecting labels includes a suction drum for continuously feeding at least one stream of individual labels to a movable support assembly. The movable support assembly supports a respective stack of labels corresponding to the or each stream fed thereto by the suction drum. A fixed support assembly is provided for receiving the or each stack of labels from the movable support assembly. The movable support assembly is movable relative to the fixed support assembly, firstly to transfer the or each stack of labels to the fixed support assembly, and secondly to push the or each stack of labels off the fixed support assembly. An intermediate support assembly is provided for supporting labels while the movable support assembly pushes the or each stack off the fixed support assembly.

Abstract: A paper-sheet dividing apparatus has a blade wheel which has a plurality of curved slots. Each curved slot is rotated to sequentially deliver a paper sheet to a conveyor belt. The apparatus also has a dividing member rotated together with the blade wheel and timed such that a corresponding curved slot for receiving the last paper sheet among the first predetermined number of paper sheets to be divided is axially matched with one of the first blades which is positioned between the curved slot which receives the first paper sheet among the second predetermined number of paper sheets and the curved slot which receives the last paper sheet described above. The dividing member is rotated through a predetermined angle and is separated from the blade wheel. During this movement, the paper sheet removed from the blade wheel is temporarily supported on the dividing member.

Abstract: A stacking apparatus for paper sheets has a transporting belt mechanism for sequentially supplying paper sheets one by one at predetermined intervals, rotatable blade wheels for receiving the paper sheets in elongated spaced defined therebetween, a stationary stop for abutting against the paper sheet rotated together with the blade wheels to remove each paper sheet from the space and for dropping the paper sheet toward a predetermined stacking position of a stacking unit, separators which are coaxially rotated together with the blade wheels without being brought into contact with the paper sheets inserted in the spaces, which stop at a receiving hand immediately before a first paper sheet drops from the blade wheels and which receive the subsequent paper sheets, which are started when a predetermined number of paper sheets previously stacked in the stacking position is cleared away by the stacking unit, which transfer the paper sheets from the receiving hand to the stacking position, and which are operated su

Abstract: In a paper sheet stacking apparatus according to the present invention, continuously fed paper sheets are received by rotating blade wheels, and are then dropped from the blade wheels at a predetermined position by means of a stationary stop. A separator capable of rotating coaxially with the blade wheels is stopped at the paper sheet dropping position to bear thereon the first of many sheaves of paper sheets to be allotted out of the dropped paper sheets. The paper sheets on the separator is temporarily transferred to an auxiliary stacking unit, and the separator is removed from the blade wheels. Then, the separator is rotated without touching the paper sheets and stopped at a position beside a stand-by position where it waits for the first paper sheet out of the next sheaf of paper sheets to be inserted into the blade wheels. Thereafter, the separator is moved further toward the blade wheels and stopped at the stand-by position.

Abstract: Overlapped sheets are conveyed against a stop to form piles, a plurality of the stops being provided on a starwheel. The leading edge of each forming pile is carried by carrier fingers operatively associated with the stops, most of the pile being carried over the actual pile table by a support element, which projects in ramp-like sloping manner through the table plane. The pile can be removed by a gripper after lowering the support element, while a new pile forms on a carrier finger swung in by rotation of the starwheel.

Abstract: A pile changing device for a printing press delivery mechanism which includes a first conveyor for delivering sheets from the press seriatim to a piling space, the sheets being accumulated on a pile board in the form of a skid. A track extends from the piling space to a second conveyor. A fork lift mechanism is provided having a carriage which is shiftable on the track. Control means, which is automatically triggered when the skid becomes full, causes the fork lift mechanism to remove the skid from the piling space and to deposit it on the second conveyor. Upon removal of the full skid from the piling space the control means causes feeding of an empty skid via a third conveyor from a skid magazine into a precise sheet-receiving position. an auxiliary pile board is interposed on the path of the delivered sheets during the brief interval when there is no skid in sheet-receiving position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for transporting sheet materials from a source location to a stacking workstation. A lower conveyor is positioned between the source location and the stacking work station. An upper conveyor having a first conveyor section and a second conveyor section is positioned above the lower conveyor such that the first conveyor section is above an end portion of the lower conveyor and the second conveyor section extends beyond the the downstream end of the lower conveyor. The first conveyor section is pivotably fixed at an upstream end. The upstream end of the second conveyor section is pivotably attached adjacent the downstream end of the first conveyor section. The downstream end of the second conveyor section is adapted to be operatively coupled to the top of the stack of sheet materials being stacked on a movable support of the stacking workstation.

Abstract: A device for separating a stream of rod-like articles in stack formation by projection in a direction transverse to the lengths of the articles comprises a movable support for guide means around which passes at least one flexible band. As the device is projected through the stream the part of the band in contact with the articles is held stationary thus minimizing disturbance of and possible damage to the articles. The device may be used to close off an opening through which a container is loaded or unloaded and may also by used to separate a horizontally moving stream into batches.

Abstract: New and useful stacking apparatus in which a stacker can form a stream of signatures into a stack, and also associate an end board with one end of the stack. Moreover, the stacker is associated with a clamping mechanism which, when it moves over to the stacker to clamp a stack of signatures, also brings an end board and deposits an end board on the stacker for association with a succeeding stack. The stacker has a main member which moves along a path between a stack receiving position and an end board receiving position. As the main member moves from the end board receiving position, the intermediate member moves out of its way. The stacker also has an interceptor for initiating formation of a stack and a unique way of transferring the partially formed stack from the interceptor to the main member.

Abstract: A sheet unloading device for use in a printing or duplicating machine, or the like, wherein sheets are delivered seriatim to a receiving tray whereat the sheets are deposited onto the top of a stack of sheets in the tray. An interposer mechanism is movable to an operative position at the end of the tray for dividing the tray into a first, lower portion and a second, upper portion. The interposer mechanism permits removal of the lower portion of the stack while sheets are continuously delivered to the upper portion of the stack. A back stop is provided at the end of the tray and can be selectively lowered to permit removal of the lower portion of the stack of sheets.

Abstract: A signature stacker providing improved structure for intercepting a stream of signatures of newspapers from a infeed conveyor of a press apparatus and having improved apparatus for controlling timed operation of the various elements of the stacker so as to provide for high speed and continuous operation of the stacker.

Abstract: Paper leaves, conveyed through a conveyer belt system, are inserted into arcuate grooves of rotating conveying wheels and subjected to a running speed reduction, and discharged under the rotating conveying wheels into a space by the use of a stopper. When the number of paper leaves falling into the space reaches a preset count, for example, projecting devices are actuated to project bar elements into the space, with paper leaves exceeding the preset count being piled on the bar elements. The preset number of paper leaves are then transferred from the space. Once transfer is complete, the bar elements are retracted enabling the paper leaves collected thereupon to fall into the space.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a stack of sheets from a succession of sheets, in which the stack is formed of portions each containing the desired number of sheets and the portions are displaced horizontally in the stack in relation to adjacent portions to facilitate later handling and processing of the portions. Alternate portions of the stack may be in vertical alignment or the horizontal displacement may be only in one direction so that the stack simulates a flight of steps. The displacement may be produced by supporting the top part of the stack and displacing the part of the stack below the support, the operation being repeated each time the support moves up one portion, or by forming each portion at a position displaced from the portion below it.

Abstract: In the stacking device for paper notes according to the present invention, the notes are successively transported edgewise and discharged from a transporting passage. Each discharged note is held between two adjacent blades of a rotating wheel, and is rotated toward a stacking box. A note edge contacting member is positioned along the path of the note as it rotates toward the stacking cradle. This note edge contacting member functions to maintain alignment of the notes by preventing projection of the notes and eliminating electrostatic charge caused by contact with the rotating blades. As a result, the notes are temporarily and evenly stacked.

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking paperboard blanks including a timed conveyor utilizing vacuum pressure to hold the blanks by their leading edges beneath the conveyor and serially advance them against a backstop whereupon they are released by the vacuum to settle upon an elevator which lowers incrementally as a stack of blanks is formed thereon. When the stack is completed, interrupter tines move over the stack and under the conveyor to store oncoming blanks while the stack is discharged from the elevator after which is rises. As the tines withdraw, the stored blanks settle on the elevator and subsequent blanks form another stack. A counter is used to energize operation of the tines to form stacks of a predetermined number of blanks on the elevator. An inclined conveyor utilizing vacuum belts is used to feed the blanks into engagement with the timed conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a stack of sheets from a succession of sheets, in which the stack is formed of portions each containing the desired number of sheets and the portions are displaced horizontally in the stack in relation to adjacent portions to facilitate later handling and processing of the portions. Alternate portions of the stack may be in vertical alignment or the horizontal displacement may be only in one direction so that the stack simulates a flight of steps. The displacement may be produced by supporting the top part of the stack and displacing the part of the stack below the support, the operation being repeated each time the support moves up one portion, or by forming each portion at a position displaced from the portion below it.

Abstract: Paper currency notes, transported edgewise one by one, are discharged from a transport passage. Each discharged note is held between blades of a rotating blade wheel and moves along with the rotation of the wheel. The notes are then separated from the blades by a checking wall of a stacking box, and stacked in the stacking box. When a predetermined number of notes, for example 100, are stacked in the stacking box, a rotating sectional stacking member is rotated along with the wheel and stops in advance of the stacking box so as to separate the 100th note from the 101st. Since the rotation sectional stacking member has the same axis of rotation as the blade wheel and moves at the same speed, there is must less danger of disruption of the smooth flow of notes.

Abstract: A device for the delayed piling of sheets in a delivery mechanism of a sheet fed printing press to provide time for the insertion of a temporary receiving tray as a filled pile board is removed and replaced by an empty pile board. A buffer storage device is located immediately above the support for the receiving tray for intercepting sheets entering the receiving space. The buffer storage device includes a front edge support for supporting the front edge of a sheet and a rear edge support for supporting the rear edge of the sheet. At least the rear edge support, which occupies a normal horizontal position, has a hinge mounting but is lightly counterbalanced so that the first few sheets, upon making a pile change, are intercepted providing a time delay for insertion of the receiving tray, but with the accumulated weight of the first few sheets being sufficient to overcome the counterbalancing force so that the intercepted sheets, following the time delay, are automatically dumped as a group upon the tray.

Abstract: A delivery mechanism for a sheet fed printing press in which a rear edge guide in the form of a traverse member guides the rear edges of the downwardly settling sheets into a condition of register. A brake assembly is provided for engaging the trailing edges of the sheets to decelerate them, the assembly being horizontally adjustable to accommodate sheets of different length and the traverse member being coupled by linkage to the brake assembly for simultaneous adjustment therewith. An intermediate stacking mechanism is provided having a horizontal frame and an intermediate pile receiver which is shiftable between a receiving position and an out-of-the-way position for temporarily accumulating sheets during a pile change. Detent assemblies at the ends of the traverse member lock the traverse member to the frame following horizontal adjustment.

Abstract: A sheet stacker with a separator plate having a movable stacker table with a stack supporter thereon. A first drive means is utilized for alternately lowering the separator plate and the stacker table, and a second drive means is utilized for alternately raising the separator plate and the stacker table. The second drive means is constantly running and two clutches are respectively interposed between the drive means and the plate and table and that second drive means is constantly running and is overcome by the downward drive means, but is effective upon suitable alternate actuation of the two clutches for the plate and the table.

Abstract: A piling device (11) forms a pile (15) of sheets (12). For pile change, the finished pile (15) is separated from sheets of the subsequent pile by means of a separating finger (22). After the main stop (17) at the front pile edge has been swung away, the pile is horizontally removed by means of a pile removal device (30) having grippers (31, 32). While this is happening, a carrier element (47) in the form of a horizontally located rack follows the rear pile edge (78) in the region of the pile upper surface (101) so that the separated newly forming pile is immediately taken over onto the carrier element (47). A holding device (77) supports the rear edge of the new pile and holds it firm.The new pile is then transferred onto a piling table (14) by lowering the carrier element (47). A second carrier element (48) works in paternoster fashion with the first and, for the next pile, carries out the same functions as the first set.

Abstract: In a sheet-fed printing press, a delivery table including a table top, leg-holding means secured to the underside thereof, and a plurality of legs removably held by said leg-holding means.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing sheets in a stack. The advancing edges of the sheets are brought to a halt by abutting stops. Hold down devices located in the region of the stops restrict the rising up of the advancing edges of the sheets against the stops. The hold down devices comprise rough or adhering surfaces on the stops and/or flexible and/or pivotal elements arranged above and extending obliquely over the stack in the direction of sheet advance.

Abstract: This invention is a stacker for a food loaf slicing machine of the kind in which a food loaf is advanced into a slicing station where slices of generally uniform thickness are cyclically sliced from the end of the loaf. The stacker includes first and second stack supports which are positionable to receive slices as they are cut off the loaf. When one stack support has received a complete stack that support is moved to a displaced discharge position and the other stack support immediately moves into an initial slice receiving position immediately adjacent the slicing station, where it can receive a first food loaf slice as cut with essentially no free fall. The stack support is then displaced downwardly approximately one additional slice thickness for each successive slice received, so that each food loaf slice is added to the stack with no free fall.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a stacker tyer for stacking newspapers received in a shingled stream from a printing press. A single centrally located stacker mechanism is flanked by a pair of compensators and outside of the compensators is a pair of tyers. Stacks are built in the stacker and moved laterally first to a compensator and then to a tying mechanism. A shuttle mechanism is used to move the completed stacks from the stacker to one or the other of the compensators and from there to the adjacent tyer. The shuttle mechanism supports the leading and trailing edges of each stack as it is moved, and the back side and bottom of each stack is supported by fixed bottom supports and back supports.

Abstract: Apparatus for conversion of a stream of partially overlapping imprinted sheets into discrete stacks each of which contains a fixed number of fully overlapping sheets has a chute one side wall of which arrests successive foremost sheets of the stream and causes such sheets to descend in the chute and to pile up on top of each other. A rotary separating device has three prongs which are moved seriatim from an upwardly inclined first position above the path of the stream to an upwardly inclined second position in which the respective prong intercepts the oncoming sheets of the stream. In to a horizontal third position, the respective prong continues to intercept the oncoming sheets and supports the lowermost intercepted sheet from below while the respective prong allows the intercepted sheets to descend in the chute in a fourth position. The stacks of piled-up sheets are removed during the intervals between movements of successive prongs between their second and fourth positions.

Abstract: A collector and discharge mechanism permits a continuous flow of sheet material into a stacker station while predetermined size batches are removed from the growing stack and discharged for processing and cartoning.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically forming hands or stacks of generally flat material such as bags or sacks of a desired count in synchronization with a high production bag manufacturing machine. The apparatus comprises an infeed counting conveyor which automatically accepts the continuous output of the bag machine and collects the bags in discrete stacks of a given quantity which are arranged for assembly into bundles of a uniform thickness to accommodate wrapping or banding.

Abstract: A paper sheets processing apparatus including a plurality of rod-like separators extending normally and horizontally into a paper sheets stacking chamber, said separators being rockable from their normal position to a position slanted upward by a certain angle as well as retractable in the longitudinal direction; and a plurality of beat members disposed at the upper portion of the stacking chamber so as to swing within a certain angle range and serving to forcedly beat down every paper sheet fed into the stacking chamber.

Abstract: A device for counting and delivering sheets which accumulates a plurality of paste-applied and folded cardboard sheets, delivered by a paste-applying and folding machine, in a hopper for delivery to a next step in batches of a prescribed number of sheets. A counter is employed to count the individual sheets as they are being accumulated in the hopper for further processing. A plurality of ledges reciprocal in a vertical direction and projectable into the sheets being accumulated in the hopper divide the sheets into batches of the prescribed number as a function of the sheets having been counted. The batches are then removed from the hopper and delivered to a binding machine which is adapted to bind the cardboard sheets as a next step.

Abstract: An arrangement for forming successive layers of sheets of paper and the like from a stream of individual sheets supplied in succession to a collecting station by a supply conveyor, and for transferring the formed layers to a continuously advancing discharge conveyor, includes an abutment capable of interrupting the advancement of the supplied sheets to form a layer from a predetermined number of sheets, and a clamping device which grips the layer of sheets and transfers the same to the discharge conveyor. The arrangement includes a drive including a transmission, particularly a kinematic linkage transmission, causing the abutment and clamping device to perform a preselected succession of movements, and a prime mover which is kinematically separated from the main drive of the machine in which the arrangement is used and thus from the drive of the supply and discharge conveyors.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for assembling timber output at the delivery end of a feed conveyor in packages of layers. The feed conveyor delivers timber pieces in equally spaced relationship. A transfer device is provided in direct connection to the delivery end of the feed conveyor and includes at least two carrier planes movable individually and after one another in a cyclic path. One carrier plane is always in a phase of its cyclic movement so as to constitute a continuation of the feed conveyor for receiving timber pieces delivered from the conveyor to form a layer. Each carrier plane during said phase of its cyclic movement moves ahead in agreement with the feed conveyor a distance equal to the width of the timber piece during the time the feed conveyor moves a distance substantially equal to the width of the timber piece and the spacing between them until a layer is completed.

Abstract: In a stack changing apparatus for sheet ejecting machines having a drop table vertically movable within a first frame structure, the drop table having a pallet to be placed thereon for receiving stacks; and a second vertical frame structure provided behind the first vertical frame structure having a carriage which is movable vertically and parallel to the drop table and, provided with pallet transport elements, is also horizontally movable between the second and the first frame structure, the improvement wherein one of two stacking platforms is alternatively used as the drop table, the platforms being selectively movable to one of the two sides of the first vertical frame structure and their stacking surfaces being below the level of the floor, the apparatus being further provided with an auxiliary skid for each stacking platform, the height of the auxiliary skid being such that when on a stacking platform the top of the skid is substantially level with the floor, each auxiliary skid having take-up elements f

Abstract: Device for removing a stack of sheets of paper from a place of deposit to which the sheets are conveyed by a conveyor including a platform and a carrier unit. The conveyor can be lowered in relation to the plane in which the sheets are conveyed as the height of the stack increases for receiving the stack. The carrier unit can be inserted above the platform in the area of the place of deposit and on which the sheets conveyed further to the place of deposit are stacked while the platform loaded with the stack is exchanged for an empty platform. The carrier unit is composed of two plates which are arranged directly one above the other and which are capable of being inserted independently of one another into the upper area of the stack.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for transferring sheet material from a receiving station to a stacking station. A vertically reciprocative roll case is mounted to a stationary main frame by airsprings. Horizontally reciprocative transfer arms mounted on the main frame between the parallel rolls of the roll case, extend to transfer a sheet assembly to an adjacent stacking station when the roll case drops to a level below such arms. Stacking arms extending between but below the extended transfer arms are cantilevered from a vertically movable carriage on a support frame and receive the sheet assembly when the transfer arms retract. Accumulator arms parallel to and vertically aligned with the stacking arms are carried by a separate carriage movable vertically on the support frame. The stacking arms index downwardly a short distance upon receipt of each sheet assembly from the transfer arms.

Abstract: A layboy mechanism for the continuous stacking and delivery of batches of sheet material received from a delivery mechanism and comprising means for continuously receiving cut sheets and forming them into a downwardly moving stack, divider means for dividing the stack into batches containing a predetermined number of sheets, and means for removing the lowermost batch while the remainder of the stack above it is supported by auxiliary support means which move between an operative support position and an inoperative position clear of the stack.

Abstract: Stacker apparatus includes a bottom support platform movable downwardly from an upper elevation for receiving and forming a stack of flat articles such as newspapers or the like. The support platform in its upper elevation first moves generally downwardly with snap acting intercept motion for intercepting the leading edge of a flat article to begin formation of a new stack. The support platform then moves downwardly with stack forming motion different from the intercept motion. An input mechanism feeding a stream of overlapped newspapers generally flatways into the stacker apparatus includes a dump gate for deflecting the stream of newspapers away from the stacker when a jam occurs.

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking and jogging cut sheets or carton blanks continuously includes a pair of side-by-side chambers comprising two side walls and a central divider panel and being open at the front, rear, top and bottom. A U-shaped elevator is disposed in each chamber and means is provided for raising and lowering each elevator individually. A plurality of vertically disposed, spaced stop fingers are mounted at the front of each chamber for outward swinging movement as a unit to permit removal of stacked blanks but normally operating as fixed stops for the blanks being fed to the chamber. Each chamber has a pair of vertical jogger plates and a motor, lever, linkage and pivot mechanism reciprocates one of the jogger plates toward and away from the divider panel and the other jogger plate toward and away from the stop fingers.

Abstract: Apparatus for conversion of a stream of partially overlapping imprinted sheets into discrete stacks each of which contains a fixed number of fully overlapping sheets has a chute one side wall of which arrests successive foremost sheets of the stream and causes such sheets to descend in the chute and to pile up on top of each other, and a rotary separating device with three prongs which are moved seriatim from an upwardly inclined first position above the path of the stream to an upwardly inclined second position in which the respective prong intercepts the oncoming sheets of the stream, thereupon to a horizontal third position in which the respective prong continues to intercept the oncoming sheets and supports the lowermost intercepted sheet from below, and finally to a fourth position in which the respective prong allows the intercepted sheets to descend in the chute.

Abstract: A card reader having means for receiving cards and transporting them past a read station and into an output hopper, the output hopper being modified to embrace means whereby cards can be unloaded from the output hopper while the machine remains in operation and is feeding cards through the reader and into the output hopper. The primary feature of the embodiment for unloading on the fly is a solenoid-actuated lever mounted on top of the output hopper, having a lever head at one end which when actuated presses against the side of cards in the hopper and clamps at least some of the cards in the hopper between the lever head and a cooperating indentation formed in the opposite side of the hopper, whereby the clamped cards are held in place.

Abstract: A stack of sheets is formed in a paper cutter by feeding spaced sheets from a first conveyor to a second and slower conveyor to overlap the sheets which are then fed onto a pallet, the latter being lowered as more sheets are fed. When a stack is near completion the first and second conveyors are decelerated and some sheets diverted from the first conveyor to form a gap in the flow of sheets, the second conveyor only is then accelerated for a period of time to enlarge the gap and then decelerate, both conveyors then being accelerated to normal speed. An auxiliary support is then moved into the path of the sheets falling on to the pallet in the gap previously created. While the completed stack is being removed a new stack is forming on the auxiliary support. The full pallet is replaced by an empty one and the auxiliary support is withdrawn to permit the new stack to drop onto the pallet.

Abstract: A device for receiving die cut blanks and forming a stack or pile of blanks within a magazine having at least a pair of spaced wall members which provide a pair of spaced parallel vertical wall surfaces of the chamber of the magazine characterized by at least one of the wall surfaces having a plurality of apertures and a device for retaining blanks in a pile in the magazine as a previously formed pile of blanks is being removed therefrom including a plurality of spaced fingers supported for movement in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the one wall surface between a first position extending through the spaced apertures into the chamber and a second position withdrawn from the chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for stacking sheets which are spaced apart on a conveyor. Two oppositely rotatable holders alternately receive the sheets from the conveyor and the holders have sheet engagers which move the sheets around to stack the sheets with the folds of sequential sheets in opposite directions in the stack to thus form a compensated stack relative to the folds. A receiver handles the stack, and it has a carrier for moving the stack away from the holders and it has an interceptor for initially receiving and forming the stack while the carrier is depositing the previous stack. Electrical apparatus, including sheet counters and drivers and control means for the holders, and switches and control means for the carrier and the interceptor, are all electrically interconnected for forming the stack in a certain counted number of sheets and for moving each stack. The method includes the steps mentioned above.

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking and intermittently discharging stacks of sheet material for electrical machines and the like. A plurality of mandrels are provided which are successively movable into a position for forming stacks of sheets continually supplied by a horizontal conveyor. A turntable is provided for moving the mandrels into and out of respective sheet receiving positions. In order to accommodate intermediate stacking of the sheets while mandrels are being exchanged, a mandrel tip is provided which is positionable in alignment with the mandrels when in a sheet receiving position. During normal stacking operations, the mandrel tip is supported at the respective mandrel. During exchange of mandrels clamping jaws hold the mandrel tip in position and a slide member is moved into a position so as to hold an intermediate stack of sheets on the mandrel tip.

Abstract: A bag stacker useful for plastic bags having a fence for stopping forwardly projected bags, raisable to permit a completed stack to move forward, a conveyor passing beneath the fence, a clamp moving with the conveyer to draw the completed stacks forward beneath the fence and a bag support arranged to assume, when the clamp engages a completed stack of bags, a position rearward of the fence, to receive and support bags arriving subsequently, this support being movable forward of the fence to disengage from accumulated bags. Preferably fingers extend below the fence and have trailing ends movable between raised and lowered levels and from a rearward position in which the ends extend rearwardly beyond the fence.These fingers move to the forward position prior to raising the fence and to the rearward position when the fence is raised and before the support is drawn forward of the fence, to insert the finger ends into the space between the clamp and support and thereby between completed and newly forming stacks.

Abstract: Apparatus for accumulating sheet material in stacked relation on a vertically descending tray and transferring the stack for subsequent processing. An oscillating transfer mechanism is positioned in the path of movement of the tray as it is lowered. The tray and stack is pivoted by cam means into a complemental position with the transfer mechanism and as it passes the transfer mechanism is deposits the accumulated stack on the transfer mechanism. The transfer mechanism is then oscillated to remove the stack. When the stacking tray has assumed its transfer mode, an auxiliary sheet material receiving tray is formed by rotating two vanes from a vertical to horizontal position to receive subsequent sheets. Upon return of the stack tray to its initial position, the vanes are rotated back to their horizontal position dropping the accumulated sheets to the tray.

Abstract: A copying machine includes a pair of copy material holders which are movable relative to a feed roller for selectively feeding copy material from either of the holders. In one embodiment, one of the holders is movable from a position adjacent the feed roller to a second position in which it receives already copied sheets. In a further embodiment, one of the holders is a pivoted cassette which is normally biased to a position adjacent the feed roller. This first cassette is movable away from the feed roller in response to the positioning of the second holder, also formed as a cassette, adjacent the feed roller. The second holder is slid into position on stationary rails.

Abstract: A sheet intercept mechanism for temporarily retaining sheets released by the take-off grippers above a delivery pile at the output of a sheet fed printing press. The mechanism includes a horizontal support member and a clamping member normally in open position but having means for closing to capture the edge of a dropped sheet. A horizontal actuator coupled to the support member advances it to a sheet receiving position above the edge of the pile. Triggering means are provided coupled to the take-off grippers for closing the clamping member phased with the release of a sheet so that the clamping member clamps the dropped sheet preventing it, and any subsequently dropped sheet, from dropping upon the pile so as to permit the pile to be removed and a new pile board inserted. The triggering means is disabled as long as the horizontal support is in its retracted position and enabled only when the support is in sheet receiving position.

Abstract: This invention relates to food processing apparatus, and in one embodiment includes collating apparatus for synchronizing the position of the leading edge of irregularly shaped, supple objects, such as tortillas, and apparatus for removing such objects individually from the synchronizing apparatus by grasping them by their front edges and transporting them to an associated stacking apparatus.