Abstract: An item transport system includes an input transport for receiving items along a first transport path, an angle transport for conveying the items along a second transport path disposed at an angle with respect to the first transport path, an alignment transport for conveying the items along a third transport path disposed at approximately 90 degrees to the first transport path, and an alignment surface for engaging the items while the items are conveyed in the alignment transport. The alignment transport may include an alignment nip comprising a driven element and an idler element for engaging opposing surfaces of the items, a manifold, a source providing pressurized gas to the manifold, and an orifice in the manifold proximate to the third transport path, wherein the idler element is disposed in the orifice.

Abstract: A resistance device for use in an exercising apparatus having a plurality of resistance elements, a force transmission device and a resistance adjusting device. Through the force transmission device, a user can apply an exercise force to the resistance elements which in general provide a resisting force derived from atmospheric pressure. For adjusting the total resistance, the user may operate the resistance adjusting device to determine which resistance element(s) is(are) enabled to adjust the level of resisting force.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for peeling an image media-laminate to remove a throw-away layer from a keeper layer. The laminate is fed through a nip defined by upper and lower rolls and then the laminate is bent upwardly about a surface on the upper roll by an upwardly moving bar. One side of the bent laminate opposite the bar is held by vacuum adjacent a free edge of the laminate and then the bar is lowered during which a spring element on the bar deflects the free edge of the laminate to separate the layers due to differences in their stiffness. The lowering of the bar permits the keeper layer to descend as it separates from the throw-away layer which is released from the vacuum and continuously peeled by take-away rollers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for peeling a laminate containing image media wherein the leading edge portion of the laminate is struck by beater blades to initially separate the leading edge portion of one layer from the laminate. The separated leading edge portion is then transported into a nip defined by a peel surface and a lower peel roll after which the leading edge portion is bent about the peel surface by a folder driven by a linkage mechanism. While the leading edge portion of the laminate is bent, one layer is held by a vacuum device while the remainder of the laminate returns to its path of travel under its own resiliency. The separated layer is then peeled from the laminate by take-away rolls while guided by the peel surface. The remainder of the laminate is guided by a deflector roll to move along the path at a predetermined angle while the layer is being peeled. In one method, the layer is peeled at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the laminate.

Abstract: A device for conveying individual printed products to a second conveying track from a staggered flow of printed products on a first conveying track. A step is formed between the first conveying track and the second conveying track. The second conveying track branches off from the first conveying track at the step and has a front end disposed adjacent the step. The device includes a carriage disposed on the second conveying track and adapted to assume an oblique movement toward and away from the step. The carriage includes a flap disposed thereon. The flap can be pivoted into and out of an effective area of the first conveying track for engaging and disengaging individual products from the staggered flow.