Abstract: Arrangement for automatically introducing paper ribbons into a plurality of angle-bars of a printing press, comprising a plurality of endless chains, one for each angle-bar, for conveying a respective ribbon to a folder-stitcher unit. Each chain has a gripper for grasping a leading end of the respective ribbon. Each chain is independently driven by a motor drive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating the velocity of a copy sheet in a color reprographic system creates a buckle in the copy sheet to decouple accelerations of the leading edge of the copy sheet from the portion that is in contact with the photoreceptor belt and reduces the buckle on long copy sheets for which the buckle can become large enough that the toner image on the body of the copy sheet can become disrupted by contact with stationary portions of the system. The method and apparatus also accelerates the leading edge of the copy sheet as the trailing edge disengages from the photoreceptor belt to prevent the uncontrolled trailing edge of lightweight copy sheets from contacting stationary portions of the system.

Abstract: A side-gripping conveyor arrangement functions to transport a steam of mutually overlapping newspapers carried by a substantially horizontal conveyor belt with one edge margin of the newspaper stream extending freely over one side of the conveyor belt. The conveyor arrangement includes a conveyor chain (30) which is guided along the edge margin of the newspaper stream and which supports spring clips (20) having legs (22) which are biased towards one another. The legs carry mutually opposing gripping elements (23) which are guided between an open and a closed position by means of guide arms (24) attached to the legs (22) of the U-shaped clip. The legs are also provided with slide buttons (27) which run on cam paths (50) for effecting the opening and closing movement of the clips (20).

Abstract: A photographic material clamping apparatus includes a rotatable drum that has a longitudinally extending central axis, a longitudinal opening offset from the central axis, and a plurality of radial openings extending between the drum surface and the longitudinal opening. A cover member overlies the plurality of radial openings. A counterweight is positioned in the longitudinal opening and is connected to the cover member. Spring means act on the counterweight to urge the cover member towards the surface of the drum to grip a piece of photographic material inserted between the cover member and the drum.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for releasably gripping a sheet and advancing the sheet through a transfer zone and into registration with information developed on a moving member. The apparatus includes a first gripping member and a second gripping member adapted to be moved relative to the first gripping member. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for applying a force on the second gripping member to urge the second gripping member towards the first gripping member to grip the sheet. Moreover, the apparatus includes a mechanism for advancing the first gripping member and the second gripping member through the transfer zone. The apparatus additionally includes a mechanism for moving the second gripping member relative to the first gripping member to acquire or release the sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for gripping a sheet includes a first gripping member and a second gripping member. The second gripping member includes a base which is movable relative to the first gripping member. The second gripping member further includes a plate which is secured to the base, the plate being adapted to cooperate with the first gripping member to grip the sheet.

Abstract: A gripper finger for a gripper spindle in a sheet-fed printing press includes first and second components. The first component has a gripper finger extension which contacts a gripper finger support at a transfer point. The first and second components cooperate to form an enclosure angle for enclosing the gripper spindle, with the first component contributing a maximum of 180 degrees to the enclosure angle and the second component supplementing the enclosure angle. The second component is fastened to the gripper spindle. A first compression spring is disposed between the ends of the first and second for exerting an adjustable, first spring force approximately in a direction of the transfer point. An adjustment screw is threadably engaged with one of the components and has a tip which lies against the supporting plane of the other component for exerting a screw force approximately in a direction of the transfer point.

Abstract: A paper holder of a video printer for improving an accuracy of a printing cycle by eliminating a position error of color of Y, M and C, and for reducing a printing time by discharging the record paper immediately after a printing cycle is complete.

Abstract: A nipping device is provided in a transfer unit having a fixed support and rotating element rotatably supported by the fixed support. The nipping device retains a printing sheet against the circumferential surface of the rotating element, and separates the printing sheet from the transfer unit. The nipping device includes a nipper, a pivoting lever device and a drive device. The nipper is disposed pivotally on the circumferential surface of the rotating element, and retains the feed-leading edge of the printing sheet. The levers of the pivoting lever device are disposed within the rotating element, pivotal on an axes intersecting the circumferential surface of the transfer unit, and functions therein to open and close the nipper by which the printing sheet is nipped against and separated from the transfer unit. The drive device is disposed in the fixed support, and functions to turn the pivoting levers.

Abstract: Folded main products (H) are brought from an inserting drum (2) with a fold directed at right angles to the conveying direction and in the open state to an acceptance station (U), where they are gripped at edges facing the fold by grippers in such a way that a gripper always grips the rear folding part (H.sub.h) of a main product in the conveying direction together with the front folding part (H.sub.v) of the following main product. As an almost continuous folding belt the main products are conveyed through an insertion section (1), whilst from above and between the grippers the insert products (E) are inserted in the main products.

Abstract: A drum for transporting sheets includes a drum base body having a plurality of sheet leading edge grippers and a sheet trailing edge holding part. A plurality of movable suction nozzles are used to smooth the sheet on the surface of the drum and the drum base body and holding part are shiftable circumferentially to stretch the smoothed sheet so that all wrinkles and other defects will be removed from the sheet.

Abstract: A device for monitoring sheet movement near the lay marks of sheet-fed offset printing presses. To ensure that a sheet has sufficient time to settle on the lay marks, the invention automatically selects between two instants at which sheet position is detected based on the state of the press (printing on or printing off). Since, depending on the state of the press, different procedures are performed before printing, selection of different instants of sensing provide a sheet the maximum amount of time possible for settling before detection.

Abstract: An arrangement on transfer drums for in-registry sheet transfer in sheet rotary printing machines, has gripper units mounted on cylinders, toothed segments which during a sheet transfer are in engagement, each of the gripper units having a gripper shaft, a gripper and a turnable gripper traverse which receives the gripper shaft and said gripper and fixedly connected with one of the turnable toothed segments, and an elastic element associated with the toothed segment.

Abstract: A structure of an intermediate cylinder of a sheet-feed press is disclosed.The present invention comprises a main shaft 10, a front edge gripper holder 12 formed integrally with the main shaft 10, having a group of front edge grippers 20 aligned in an axial direction, and having an arcuate outer surface section, holding discs 24 disposed at both side portions of the main shaft 10 in such a fashion that the rotation thereof relative to the main shaft 10 can be adjusted, and a rear edge gripper holder 22 having a group of rear edge grippers 28 aligned in the axial direction between the holding discs 24, and having a sheet member 38 disposed similarly on the outer peripheral surfaces between the holding discs 24, having an arcuate section, and partially overlapping the outer surface of the front edge gripper holder 12.

Abstract: A turning device for a sheet-fed rotary offset printing press for first form and perfector printing having a storage drum disposed between a turning drum and a transfer drum, the storage drum having a diameter triple that of the respective turning and transfer drums, comprising a sheet run-up lock disposed at the storage drum before a sheet transfer point between the transfer drum and the storage drum, and projecting into a travel path of a sheet having an improperly gripped at its trailing edge; and device for performing the method.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording apparatus wherein printing on record paper is performed with the record paper fixed on a platen roller is constituted such that, when the record paper is to be fixed, transmission of power to the platen roller is interrupted and the platen roller is fixedly held at a predetermined position, which enables realization of a transporting system for a transport system of a thermal transfer recording apparatus of the record paper fixing type which system includes a single motor therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a paper for use in a color video printer is disclosed. The apparatus reproduces the video signal on a paper fast and precisely by preventing the thermal head from random up or down movement. The improvement includes: a platen drum for rotating the paper; a thermal head for radiating heat according to a video signal input; a color ribbon disposed between the thermal head and the paper, for reproducing the video signal on the paper in response to the heat radiated from the thermal head; and means controllably coupled to the platen drum, for holding the paper upon the platen drum, the holding means being mounted at only both end of the platen drum.

Abstract: A sheet dealing apparatus feeds sheets, received within the apparatus, to a user through a sheet delivery portion by an operation of the user or receives the sheets into the sheet dealing apparatus from the user. Also, this operation may be similarly applied to the sheet delivery mode between the sheet dealing apparatus and another sheet dealing apparatus. The sheet delivery portion is contructed so as to be retractable or extensible with respect to a body of the apparatus. A sheet delivery window formed at the delivery portion is variable in position as necessary.

Abstract: An apparatus for advancing a sheet in a predetermined path is described. The apparatus includes a mechanism for advancing the sheet in the path. The apparatus further includes a first mechanism for controlling movement of the sheet while it is being advanced in the path, the first controlling mechanism being in contact with the sheet in a first mode of operation and being spaced apart from the sheet in a second mode of operation. Moreover, the apparatus includes a second mechanism for controlling movement of the sheet while it is being advanced in the path, the second controlling mechanism being in contact with the sheet in a first mode of operation and being spaced apart from the sheet in a second mode of operation.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly with uniformly spaced-apart grippers for sheet-like printed products wherein the grippers are pulled along a plastic guide by one or more endless flexible bands which replace conventional chains. Each gripper has one, two or more roller followers which are movable along one, two or more tracks defined by the guide. The guide has one or more plastic rails which are affixed to a strip-shaped metallic carrier. The grippers have pairs of jaws one of which supports the follower or followers and the other of which is pivotably mounted on the one jaw and is permanently biased to an operative positioned or to an inoperative position by a prestressed leaf spring which is integral with the second jaw.

Abstract: A drum for an image recording apparatus for absorbing and winding a recording material for the purpose of recording the image of an exposure head thereof. The main body of the drum is structured by arranging a plurality of cylindrical members having a relatively smaller axial direction. Since the drum is formed by arranging the cylindrical members, the drum can be readily manufactured. A guide is provided on the outer surface of the drum, this guide guiding, pressing, and retaining the front portion of the recording material to the outer surface of the drum so that the absorption of the recording material is conducted assuredly. The shaft of the drum is borne by a radial ball bearing which has a sealing member so that air leakage when the absorption is conducted is prevented.

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 printer uses a rotating platen to transport a sheet of print media receiver across a print head. The receiver is held to the platen with a positive receiver locking clamp at the beginning of a print cycle. The clamp is released prior to the completion of formation of an image on the receiver so that the receiver can be quickly removed from the platen. This reduces the print cycle time of the printer. The clamp is configured and operated such that the speed of the moving receiver is not changed when the clamp is released. The clamp configuration and operation permit the printing of high-resolution images without any discernible distortions caused by the release of the clamp during the image formation.

Abstract: A sheet transport system having a sheet gripper which includes at least one resilient member used to bias an upper gripping portion toward a lower gripping portion so as to releasably secure the leading edge of a sheet therebetween. The resilient member includes a stop which functions to register the sheet within the sheet gripper.

Abstract: A vacuum transfer apparatus for use in a sheet fed rotary printing press for supporting the unprinted side of a freshly printed sheet as it is moved from the press impression cylinder along a transfer path to a further processing station of the press, the apparatus including a vacuum chamber supporting a plurality of rotatable elongated rollers arrayed in spaced side-by-side parallel relationship laterally across the transfer path, and a vacuum pump connected to the chamber for producing a pressure differential across the freshly printed sheet to draw the unprinted side of the sheet into engagement with the support rollers by drawing air into the vacuum chamber through the spaces between the rollers as the sheet is pulled along the transfer path so that the printed side of the sheet can not be marked or marred.

Abstract: A feeder module for feeding sheet inserts and having a thickness detector for measuring the thickness of inserts comprises: a gripper drum disc for transporting the inserts upon its periphery; a detector caliper assembly including a pivotable arm having a follower roller borne at one end and a magnet mounted at the other end, the arm being spring loaded with the follower roller against the periphery of the gripper drum disc; and, a stationary Hall sensor to measure relative displacement between the sensor and the magnet. As an insert is transported upon the periphery of the gripper drum disc, the insert is interposed between the periphery and the follower roller and the Hall sensor senses the consequent magnet displacement as a measure of the thickness of the insert. In one embodiment, an adjustable anvil having a peripheral surface is mounted on a face of the gripper drum disc. The anvil is pre-adjusted so that its peripheral surface is disposed at a constant radius from the axis of rotation of the disc.

Abstract: In order to improve mechanical positive synchronization in a sheet-fed printing machine between gripper carriages guided in wave-like fashion through printing units on endless chains and the associated impression cylinder, the impression cylinders (1) have twice the diameter of the plate and blanket cylinders (2, 3). Sprocket wheels (34), also of twice the diameter of the blanket cylinders, are fixed on the ends of the double-size impression cylinders (1) and on them there are disposed two diametrically opposite gripper carriage locating and fixing devices (24-32) which are adjustable both radially and tangentially and which can also be used to bring the different printing plates into register with one another on the printed sheet (38).

Abstract: A printer uses a rotating platen to transport a sheet of receiver (print media) across a programmable print head. The receiver is held to the platen with a positive receiver-locking clamp at the beginning of a print cycle. The clamp is released prior to the completion of formation of an image on the receiver so that the receiver can be quickly removed from the platen. This reduces the print cycle time of the printer. The clamp is configured and operated such that the speed of the moving receiver is not changed when the clamp is released. The clamp configuration and operation thereof permit the printing of high-resolution images without any discernible image distortions being caused by the release of the clamp during image formation.

Abstract: Folded products, supplied in dual-comb like interdigited form are transported by a transport chain system (75) carrying grippers (84, 85) in a vertical direction to form a vertical stack. Grippers engage alternate products about their fold line, and hold the interdigited intermediate sheets therebetween. The transport system and a carrier structure are placed in relative positions to permit the grippers of the transport system to pick up the products (1, 2) at the fold line and, after reorienting the products, to place them in a vertical stack on a support (96, 110), a cam track (88) opening the grippers on the transport system (75) as the grippers pass about a vertically movable deflection wheel (97) to release the products. The deflection wheel moves upwardly as the stack grows.

Abstract: A gripper device for manually adjusting the position of a pair of gripper rows disposed on opposite sides of the periphery of double-size sheet-guiding cylinders, to a work and turn angle of exactly 180.degree.. Each of the gripper rows includes a cam follower roller and at least one cam follower roller is adapted to have its center-line displaced relative to the axis of the gripper shaft so that the distance between the axes can be varied.

Abstract: A platen roller apparatus having a cylindrical platen roller, a recording sheet retaining member capable of moving while being maintained in parallel with the axis of the platen roller, a positioning member for positioning a recording sheet on the platen roller; and members for urging the recording sheet retaining member inwardly in the radial direction of the platen roller. The recording sheet is retained while being pinched between the outer circumferential surface of the platen roller and the recording sheet retaining member.

Abstract: A paper guide wheel for printing presses is formed to include an outer surface eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel so as to form an air gap between the outer surface of the wheel and the paper as the paper is drawn thereover during movement through the press. The air gap gradually narrows as the wheel turns, allowing the freshly inked surface of the paper to gently nest against the outer surface at a point removed from the leading edge of the paper. The outer surface has a slightly convex contour in the axial direction to avoid marking of the paper by contact with the axial extremes of the outer surface. Foam material may be provided on the wheel rim to assist in supporting the paper without marking the freshly inked image.

Abstract: A print medium sheet feeding system for an ink jet printer having a print head with a planar array of jets is provided by clamping the leading edge of a paper after it is passed through a printing zone to a rotating assembly of parallel disks. The sheet is pulled through the printing zone by rotating the disk with the clamp being carried with the rotating drum. A platen may be provided which has a flat surface in the printing zone forming a tangent to the outer surface of the rotating disks. Alternatively, the platen may be removed and the sheet held in tension between the clamp and a nip region formed by a spring plate held against a restraining plate. In an alternative embodiment, the sheet is initially clamped against the drum by the combination of a lever arm which is selectively engagable with the drum for rotation therewith and an attached actuating arm having a plate which secures a sheet to the drum surface.

Abstract: A link chain has alternating first and second links which are articulately connected to each other by universal joints. Each first link carries a gripper with a fixed jaw and a second jaw pivotable between first and second end positions through a dead-center intermediate position. Springs are provided to permanently bias each second jaw to either of the two end positions, and each second jaw is connected with a follower which can track a set of cams at two spaced-apart stations to move the second jaw between its end positions. Each link of the chain carries two shafts for pairs of roller followers which track the lateral edge faces of two flanges of an elongated guide rail having an H-shaped cross-sectional outline. The guide rail is bent and/or twisted, if necessary, to establish a helical, arcuate, looped and/or other complex path for advancement of successive links between the two stations.

Abstract: Article handling apparatus comprises a carriage mounted to a support for to and fro movement along a path (A). An article conveyor is mounted on the carriage defined by opposed conveying surfaces for conveying articles relative to the carriage along a transport path substantially parallel with the path of movement of the carriage relative to the support. First and second drives are provided for moving the carriage and actuating the article conveyor respectively, whereby in one operating mode, when the carriage is moved by the first drive, the second drive causes a compensatory movement of the article conveyor such that the opposed conveying surfaces defining the transport path remain substantially stationary. The carriage is movable to either of two dispense positions at opposite ends of the carriage path such that when the carriage is positioned at a dispense position articles held on the carriage may be dispensed by suitably opening the article conveyor.

Abstract: A sheet deliverer apparatus for a sheet processing machine, particularly a sheet printing machine with a high stapling or stacking sheet delivery capability, wherein sheet deliverer upper and lower chain guide ways extend in the same direction of curvature, and a clamping device is provided to clamp the sheet deliverer chains in tension to provide very even and silent running of the sheet deliverer chains and the gripping pads, extended service life and uniform sheet travel free of flutter over the complete conveying way to the delivery staple or table or permit increased conveying output.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing sheet products includes a rotatable drum having a plurality of pockets adapted to receive individual sheet products. Plural rollers are disposed along the periphery of the drum between adjacent pocket openings. The rollers are rotated through a portion of the drum movement and locked against rotation through the remainder of the drum movement. Cam means are provided to lift the pockets radially outward, tilt the pockets, and open and close sidewalls of the pockets to facilitate ingress and egress of the sheet products.

Abstract: Sheet-guiding drum assembly for sheet-fed rotary printing machines includes a drum formed with a casing surface and provided with a casing foil disposed so as to have a given outer diameter, a member arranged beneath the casing foil and on the casing surface of the drum, and a device for varying the height of the member on the casing surface for varying as well the outer diameter of the casing foil.

Abstract: Apparatus for clamping receiver sheets to the print drum of a thermal transfer printer. The apparatus includes a clamp assembly mounted for radial movement and having a clamp strip extending over the drum periphery and an interior longitudinal body coupled to that strip at a plurality of axially spaced locations. A longitudinal lever member extends axially within the drum from a pivot point at one drum end to an actuation arm at the other drum end and has a pivot arm coupled to a central portion of the clamp body. Springs urge the clamp assembly radially inwardly and an actuator mounted on the other drum end selectively moves the lever member radially outwardly.

Abstract: In an imbricated formation delivered by an infeed device in each case two printed products lie in pairs upon one another and, viewed in a predetermined product conveying direction, bear upon the upstream or trailing printed product pair. A suction roll is arranged downstream of the infeed device which causes the current lower printed product to be downwardly bent in a direction transverse to a product conveying plane. The leading edges of the printed products are introduced in such separated or fanned apart condition into a respective gripper, engaged by such respective gripper and outfed in a further predetermined conveying direction. The spacing between neighboring grippers is minimal at a product take-over region, so that when the grippers are open in each instance a leading gripper finger of a trailing gripper bears against a trailing gripper finger of the neighboring leading gripper.

Abstract: Apparatus for variably accelerating a rotatable drive member comprises a slotted drive member mounted to rotate a drive shaft. A sun gear has two opposingly situated planet gears mounted to mesh with the sun gear. A driven annular gear rotates the planet gear. Each planet gear includes a cam member mounted to each planet gear off axis relative thereto. The cam members are received in the slotted drive member. As the annular gear is driven with angular velocity omega the cam members travel towards and away from the sun gear as they orbit around the sun gear. This movement causes the rotational movement applied to the drive member to vary between a maximum and a minimum angular velocity. Consequently, it is possible to arrange the apparatus to receive a rapidly moving product and slow it down before delivery onto a conveyor.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder including an automatic sheet winding device and an exposure device. The automatic sheet winding device includes a rotary drum and a sheet clamping device for clamping the original sheet wound around a circumferential face of the rotary drum such that a sheet clamping region and an exposure region on the circumferential face of the rotary drum are only slightly circumferentially spaced from each other.

Abstract: A method of calibrating registration of a sheet with a sheet gripper on a moving transport. The sheet gripper is adapted to move the sheet in a recirculating path in a printing machine. Movement of the sheet gripper and sheet is timed from a reference time until each reaches a loading zone. The times are compared to a preselected time and the movement of the sheet gripper and sheet adjusted to correspond to the preselected time. In this way, the sheet and sheet gripper arrive at the loading zone simultaneously.

Abstract: Individually controllable gripper elements are successively spacedly arranged at a ball-and-socket joint-link chain revolvingly driven and guided in a guide channel. At the leading end region of an overhang member of each gripper element there is seated a clamping jaw and at the trailing end region there is arranged a bushing. A shaft is rotatably and displaceably mounted within the bushing. A clamping finger, coactable with the clamping jaw, is rigidly connected with the upper shaft end. At the lower shaft end there is seated a slide shoe and the lower end region of the shaft is encircled by a pivotable element rotatably connected with the shaft. A compression spring rigidly bears for rotation at the pivotable element and the overhang member. When the slide shoe travels onto a stationary cam the clamping finger is raised against the force of the compression spring. An actuation element, which acts upon a further slide shoe, rotates the clamping finger through an angle of about 90.degree..

Abstract: A paper guide wheel for printing presses is formed to include an outer surface eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel so as to form an air gap between the outer surface of the wheel and the paper as the paper is drawn thereover during movement through the press. The air gap gradually narrows as the wheel turns, allowing the freshly inked surface of the paper to gently nest against the outer surface at a point removed from the leading edge of the paper. The outer surface has a slightly convex contour in the axial direction to avoid marking of the paper by contact with the axial extremes of the outer surface. Foam material may be provided on the wheel rim to assist in supporting the paper without marking the freshly inked image.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a printing sheet in a printer, including a gripper feeding belt for carrying grippers which grip a leading end of the printing sheet to feed it along a horizontal sheet feeding path; a plurality of toner printing units used for printing, in turn, colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (B), and arranged in series, at which a toner image is transferred to the printing sheet; and a plurality of sheet supporting belts arranged between the toner printing units to support the printing sheet in a horizontal state. The sheet supporting belt has at least one recess for receiving the gripper and is driven in synchronization with the grippers.

Abstract: A transfer or delivery cylinder for a sheet-fed rotary printing press having an endless chain conveyor carrying gripper bars and grippers and driven by a sprocket wheel concentrically mounted on a drive shaft for pulling freshly printed sheets from the impression cylinder onto the transfer or delivery cylinder for movement to a further processing station within the press, wherein the transfer or delivery cylinder is a right circular cylinder eccentrically mounted to the drive shaft so that upon initial engagement of the freshly printed sheet by the grippers, the leading edge of the cylinder is spaced below the sheet which is thereafter pulled smoothly and uniformly into contact tangentially with the sheet support surface of the transfer or delivery cylinder.

Abstract: A method and device for feeding signatures on to a fixed horizontal saddle of an input conveyor to a sewing machine; whereby the signatures, arranged with the backs facing rearwards, lying in respective vertical planes parallel to the fixed saddle, and separated by a distance of less than the maximum width of the signatures, are fed along a conveyor sloping downwards in the travelling direction of the input conveyor; the signatures being fed in an oblique direction in relation to the backs; each signature having a top corner projecting laterally from the stream of signatures travelling along the conveyor, which corner is engaged by a number of suction type parting heads located along, and moving reciprocatingly in the travelling direction of the signatures along the conveyor; and the signatures being so fed to an accelerating device designed to successively withdraw the signatures off the conveyor, and transfer the same, now parted, on to the fixed saddle; the parted front corner of each signature being guide

Abstract: The band or belt conveyor conveys the printed products arranged in an imbricated formation to a take-over region. In the imbricated formation, each printed product lies upon the next following or trailing printed product. An outfeed device, whose conveying direction extends in the take-over region from below towards the top, comprises grippers pivotably mounted at a revolvingly driven traction element. The conveying speeds of the band or belt conveyor and the outfeed device, respectively, are co-ordinated such that in each case two infed printed products are introduced into one open gripper. The depth of the grippers is larger than the spacing or pitch between the leading product edges of the printed products in the infed imbricated formation, so that the two printed products engaged or seized by one gripper can be outfed with unchanged mutual spacing or pitch. Imbricated formations can be thus formed during delivery or outfeed of the printed products.

Abstract: A web retention and advancement mechanism for a rotating drum utilizes a pair of spaced belts operating in grooves formed in the drum peripheral surface to retain the web to the drum for an arcuate portion of its rotation. Pulleys spaced from the grooves guide the belts in a path that extends about a portion of the drum and about the pulleys. The pulleys are spaced axially a distance greater than the inner edges of the grooves to cause the belts to travel a convergent path toward the drum to grip edges of the web in the grooves and hold the web to the drum while the belts are disposed in the drum grooves. A divergent path from the drum permits the belts to release the web.