Abstract: A device for transporting material, in the form of discrete sheets, seriatim to a stack of discrete sheets, and subsequently seriatim away from such stack. The discrete sheet material transport device comprises a support for a stack of discrete sheets. The stack support includes a first stop for a first marginal edge of a discrete sheet, and opposed second and third stops for opposed marginal edges of a discrete sheet perpendicular to the first marginal edge of such discrete sheet. Discrete sheets are delivered seriatim to the vicinity of the stack support and are urged in a first direction into engagement with the first stop to form a stack of discrete sheets on the stack support. The discrete sheets are subsequently urged seriatim in a direction opposite the first direction to remove discrete sheets seriatim from the stack on the stack support. The second and third stops are located to accurately position the stack of discrete sheets on the stack support.

Abstract: A sorter includes a feed belt for feeding a sheet, which is transferred from a sheet processor, vertically, a belt drive mechanism for running the feed belt in said one direction, a plurality of sorting trays, onto which at least one sheet is received, and which are stationary and arranged vertically, a distributing unit for distributing the sheet fed upon the running of the feed belt to a predetermined sorting tray, a press roller mechanism for pressing the sheet to the feed belt so that the sheet is frictionally engaged with the feed belt, thereby feeding the sheet upon the running of the feed belt, and moving mechanism for moving the press roller mechanism along the feed belt vertically.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus, such as a folder apparatus of a web-fed printing press, having a printed product delivery with two fan wheel arrangements overlapping each other. An exemplary embodiment includes a mechanism for continuously conveying flat products. The mechanism has devices attached thereto in a timed arrangement for positioning each flat product to be delivered, in its entirety, off a centerline of the fan wheel arrangements prior to the entry of the flat product into a pocket of the fan wheel arrangements.

Abstract: A high capacity conveyor assembly is utilizable with pressure sealers or other business forms manufacturing or handling equipment to efficiently handle forms that may be job separated, and provides high capacity outfeed. An infeed conveyor has a first horizontal conveyance surface and feeds forms in a first direction to a pair of nip wheels, with an outfeed conveyor downstream of the wheels for also feeding forms in the first direction and having a second horizontal conveyance surface. The nip wheels are powered and include a top nip wheel and a bottom nip wheel with a nip between them, the bottom nip wheel having a top peripheral surface closer to the outfeed conveyor than is the nip. A transition element (such as a low friction shelf) has a form supporting surface lower than the bottom nip wheel top peripheral surface, and is between the nip wheels and outfeed conveyor.

Abstract: A device for diverting signatures into pockets of at least two slow-down devices is provided. The device includes a set of high-speed tapes (3) arranged downstream of a pair of cutting cylinders (2). A set of diverting belts (6) comprises raised surface portions (6.3) and non-raised surface portions (6.4). The set of high-speed tapes (3) is assigned to the diverting belts (6) to ride on the raised and non-raised surface portions (6.3, 6.4) thereof, thus, periodically altering a signature conveying path (1) of signatures.

Abstract: A double-sided image forming apparatus includes a feed transport path which extends from a sheet cassette to an image forming section, a first discharge section, a second discharge section which is formed on a same side as side of the apparatus where the first discharge section is formed, a first transport path which extends from the image forming section to the first discharge section, a second transport path, which has a sheet insertion/discharge opening connected to a first discharge section side of the first transport path and which reverses a front and rear of a sheet transporting direction, a third transport path which connects the second transport path to the feed transport path, a fourth transport path which has a sheet insertion opening connected to the sheet insertion/discharge opening of the second transport path and a sheet discharge opening connected to the second discharge section, a jogger for adjusting sheets in the fourth transport path and sheets in the second transport path with a prescribe

Abstract: Apparatus for turning an envelope. The apparatus includes: a pivotable feed deck for receiving an envelope; a device for stopping the envelope on the feed deck; a device for raising and lowering the downstream end of the feed deck; and a pivotable upper arm drive located above the feed deck. The drive is pivotable at its upstream end and includes a pair of feed rollers fixedly secured to the upstream end of the drive, a pair of exit rollers fixedly secured to the downstream end of the drive, and a pair of biased exit rollers secured to the drive adjacent and upstream of fixedly secured exit rollers.

Abstract: A paper conveying device for overrunning paper from a stop position and then, switching the paper back to stop the paper in a stop position. The driving of a paper conveying section for conveying paper is stopped at the time point where the rear end of the paper reaches the stop position. Thereafter, the amount of overrun of the paper is detected, so that the paper is switched back by the amount. Consequently, the amount of overrun and the amount of switchback of the paper are suppressed to the minimum amounts required. In addition, the stress applied to the paper is reduced, and the paper is set in a short time.

Abstract: Paper sheets are fed in a first direction until the sheets abut a stop plate and fall downwardly to form a stack. A sensor detects a sign on a last sheet in a group and when that sheet falls on the stack, the entire group of sheets is transported away in a first direction generally perpendicular to the feed direction or a second direction opposite to the first direction. To aid in the transportation away, two pairs of drive rollers are mounted on either side of the transport which grasp the stack of sheets and transports them away from the stacking area.

Abstract: A random access mailbox has a stack of horizontally extended trays for receiving sheets of paper supplied from a printer. A modular construction provides a sheet transport system including gates to deflect sheets into a selected tray from sheet feeding rollers incorporated in the modules for carrying sheets through a sheet path defined between the rollers and pressure applying rollers to the respective gates which can be actuated randomly to deflect a sheet from the rollers into a selected tray between cooperative modules. A sheet detector is provided at each gate along the feed path to detect the presence of a sheet at any location along the feed path. The gates or deflectors nest or overlap vertically to reduce overall height of the apparatus and provide continuity to the sheet guide surfaces.

Abstract: A universal interface for operatively connecting and feeding the sequential copy sheet output of various reproduction machines of widely varying ranges of sheet output level heights to various independent copy sheet processing units having widely varying sheet input level heights with a free-standing movable interface module of a fixed narrow width. A sheet feeding path extends from one side of the module to the other for transporting the copy sheets. This sheet feeding path is preferably bi-directional and reversible for feeding copy sheets therethrough from either side. It is repositionable by vertically repositioning over a large vertical height range integral sheet path ends opening at opposite sides of the interface module, a retention system retains the sheet path ends at a selected height position mating with a selected reproduction apparatus sheet output level and a selected copy sheet processing unit sheet input level.

Abstract: A printer with a sorter unit allows printed recording sheets to be sorted to a single tray selected from a plurality of trays by a recording sheet guide mechanism that pivots around a shaft. Thus, the printer can sort the printed sheets by page, by user, or discharge the printed sheets paginated or with the printed side facing upward. The sorter trays includes a first detection lever that is rotated by the weight of recording sheets and a second detection lever that rotates in association with the first detection lever. A lever detector is provided on the sorter guide to detect the movement of the second detection lever. The sorter or guide is also provided with a sheet detection lever to detect a jam in the sorter guide.

Abstract: A discharge system for discharging copy sheets out of a copying machine body comprises a transport unit and a discharge unit. The transport unit transports copy sheets in a transverse direction of the machine. The interiorly-incorporated discharge unit acquires a sheet transported from the transport unit and actively transports the acquired sheet along a fore-and-aft direction of the apparatus toward the user-directed side of the copying machine in order to discharge it exteriorly. The overall occupied space of the copy machine is thus reduced; additionally, accuracy of copy sheet discharge is ensured.

Abstract: Conveyors for selectively conveying product delivered thereto either along a pair of side-by-side delivery lanes or a single delivery lane adjacent the pair of side-by-side lanes, the conveyors conveying product to output devices, such as stackers. One of the conveyors being laterally movable between a position aligned to receive product from one of the pair of lanes to a position displaced therefrom and displaced from the other one of the conveyors. The other one of the conveyors having an upstream section swingable about a pivot point to respectively align the upstream end of the swingable section either with the remaining one of the side-by-side lanes or with the single lane. Releasable clamping assemblies are released to provide movement of the conveyors and are clamped to retain the conveyors in the desired position. A drive coupler between one of the conveyors and the other of the conveyors may be selectively operated to either couple or decouple drive from the first-mentioned conveyor.

Abstract: A machine for sorting graphic and/or printing products in which the products are fed one after the other, comprising a framework, a conveyor for receiving individual products one after the other sensors for identifying each of the individual products on the receiving conveyor a central computer, a control console for the entry of predetermined data, selectively actuated elements for unloading the products from the receiving conveyor and at least one conveyor for discharging the unloaded products, wherein the receiving conveyor consists of a sliding surface and is disposed on the framework inclined at an angle of between 10.degree. and 90.degree.

Abstract: A sheet conveyor joint mechanism comprises: frames for connecting a first sheet processing unit to a second sheet processing unit; and a sheet carrying mechanism provided in the frames and having a sheet intake portion of a carrying path for carrying sheets which is positionally adjustable relative to a sheet discharging portion of the first sheet processing unit and/or a sheet discharging portion of the carrying path which is positionally adjustable relative to a sheet intake portion of the second sheet processing unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing an envelope from a stream of envelopes moving along a straight path. The apparatus includes: an envelope turner; a device for raising and lowering the downstream end of the envelope turner; an envelope sealer situated adjacent and downstream of the envelope turner; a device for detecting an envelope to be ejected; and a device for signaling the raising and lowering device to be raised in order to feed an envelope to be ejected over the envelope sealer.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing the direction of travel of a flat article being conveyed in a first direction to one of two other directions without changing the orientation of the article. The apparatus comprises a circular deck mounted on a frame. The deck is pivotable along a center axis of the deck between a left position and a right position. There is structure operatively coupled to the deck for conveying the article over the deck, the deck conveying structure having a first end and a second end, wherein, when the deck is in the left position, the deck conveying structure receives the article being conveyed in the first direction at the first end and conveys the article in a second direction of forty-five degrees (45.degree.) to the left of the first direction, and wherein, when the deck is in the right position, the deck conveying structure receives the article being conveyed in the first direction at the second end and conveys the article in a third direction of forty-five degrees (45.degree.

Abstract: In a sorting device for sorted storage of recording media, a transport unit (32) receives the recording media (12) and conveys them to a selected storage compartment (16). Transport unit (32) runs on an endless positioning belt (24). In transport unit (32), sheet (12) is seized and gripped by rollers (34, 36). A single motor (26) drives positioning belts (24) of transport unit (32) and a drive belt (42) for their rollers (34, 36).

Abstract: A first conveyor is adjoined downstream, as viewed in a predetermined conveying direction for an imbricated product stream, by a gap-forming device. A gap is formed in the imbricated product stream by means of the gap-forming device which feeds the imbricated product stream to a second conveyor. The gap-forming device comprises a belt conveyor provided with two laterally spaced transport belts, as well as an accelerating conveyor arranged between the two transport belts. A conveyor belt of the accelerating conveyor comprises passages which are distributed over approximately one half of its length. At the region of the conveying-active path of the conveyor belt, the passages are in connection with a suction trough. In order to form a gap in the imbricated product stream, the conveyor belt is driven at a higher speed than the belt conveyor, and the suction trough is connected to a negative pressure source.

Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying generally flat documents on-edge includes a primary conveyor belt defining a primary conveyor path, and at least one secondary conveyor belt defining a diverter station and having a first reach disposed in juxtaposed relation to a reach of the primary conveyor belt and a second reach inclined to the primary conveyor belt so as to establish an open span along the primary conveyor belt immediately downstream from the juxtaposed belt reaches. A document diverter mechanism includes pairs of guide arms selectively movable between first positions operative to guide a document along the open span of the primary conveyor belt after exiting the juxtaposed belt reaches, and second positions operative to divert a document from the primary conveyor path and guide the diverted document along the inclined reach of the secondary conveyor belt to a stacking station. A kicker arm assembly is operative to orient diverted documents at the stacker station for sweeping into a container.

Abstract: A printer with a sorter unit allows printed recording sheets to be sorted to a single tray selected from a plurality of trays by a recording sheet guide mechanism that pivots around a shaft. Thus, the printer can sort the printed sheets by page, by user, or discharge the printed sheets paginated or with the printed side facing upward. The recording sheet guide mechanism is constructed to pivot around the shaft so that only a single drive unit is employed to select a tray for sorting. Thus, the printer has a simple and small structure. The printer has a recording sheet discharge outlet with discharge rollers for discharging a recording sheet that has been printed by the electrophotographic process.

Abstract: The invention includes a sheet feeding apparatus having a sheet pocket with a first end and a second end, rollers spaced a predetermined distance from the first end and including a plurality of sheet-feeder nips, one of the nips being an inlet nip for directing a sheet into the first end of the sheet pocket, and at least one other of the nips being an exit nip for directing a sheet out of the first end of the sheet pocket, and bypass rollers for selectively permitting a sheet to exit the sheet pocket via the second end thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to the sheet transporting apparatus having a sheet storage device capable of storing sheets and provided in the middle of a sheet transport path; and a carriage unit with a sheet discharge mechanism for transporting a sheet to the sheet storage device and capable of reciprocating motion substantially above said sheet storage device.

Abstract: An automated teller machine (ATM) dispenses currency through a delivery port. Two opposing belts form a clamping unit during normal operation. Currency is clamped between the belts and the belts are rotated in a forward direction to deliver currency to the discharge port. If there is a problem with the delivery of the currency during dispensing, or a person fails to take money which has been delivered, the transportation unit pivots to change the delivery path and the belts move in a reverse direction to transport the currency to a storage area within the ATM.

Abstract: An arrangement for depositing valuable documents includes provisions for feeding the documents through an opening via intermediate storage between two mutually coacting belts (13, 14) to another opening leading to a storage space (18) of the arrangement. A command device can be operated to control the function of the arrangement from an external location. The coacting belts (13, 14) are part of an intermediate storage device (131-141-20) which is pivotally mounted in a housing (16), allowing an infeed-and-outfeed opening (15) between the two coacting belts to be positionally adjusted to one of the openings, either in response to a command from the command device (34) or in response to a signal from a sensor (17) adjacent a document transport path in the proximity of the intermediate storage device (131-141-20).

Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus includes first and second endless belts (38, 40) which are of resiliently stretchable material and parts of which are in cooperative relationship with respect to each other, a sheet (68) being fed through the apparatus while gripped between the cooperating parts of the belt drives (38, 40). One of the belt drives (40) passes around a pulley (60) associated with selectively operable actuating members (42, 46, 50, 52, 54). Operation of the actuating members (42, 46, 50, 52, 54) moves the associated pulley (60) so as to bring out a deformation of the cooperating parts of the belt drives (38, 40) and thereby change the length of the feed path for the sheet (68) through the apparatus. By operating the actuating members (42, 46, 50, 52, 54), the time at which the sheet (68) arrives at a certain location, such as a stacking wheel 75, may be adjusted.

Abstract: An apparatus for diverting and delivering sheets in which the sheets are positively controlled throughout the entire operation. Initially, a continuous web of paper passes between opposing cylinders comprising a rotary cutter. The lead edge of the web is then engaged by a pair of opposed nip rollers. Once held by these nip rollers, the rotary knife cuts a separate sheet from the front of the continuous web. The separate sheet then passes between and is accelerated by the nip rollers whereupon a dual set of diverting cams, in combination with a pair of conveyors, directs the sheet to one of two delivery systems. The next subsequent sheet is directed to the other delivery system so that each successive sheet is alternately diverted between the two delivery systems. Upon exiting either delivery system, the sheet is subjected to a snubbing means which decelerates the sheet and further allows the next subsequent sheet to overlap the previous sheet before being similarly decelerated.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing defective knocked down carton blanks, from a carton erecting machine. In one embodiment opposed sets of tractors for clamping the selected unit and driving it from the conveyor line with moving tractive belts. A sensing device detects carton blanks to be ejected by determining if they can be erected by the machine. Non-conforming blanks are returned to an unerected condition and a control device activated by the sensing device controls activation of the ejecting mechanism to quickly and automatically eject the defective carton blank.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus for sheets which are supplied from an office machine such as a printer, comprises a take-up site for receiving the sheet from the printer and a plurality of output sites. The sheet can be deposited into any one of the output sites. A support carries pairs of engaged rollers which define a feed channel for a sheet. The feed channel has an inlet end which is alignable with the take-up site for receiving a sheet from the office machine. The support can be pivoted about a swiveling axis to bring the outlet end of the channel to any one of the output sites. A control mechanism is connected to a stepper motor which engages the support for rotating the support about its swiveling axis.

Abstract: A sorter sorting a plurality of sheets one by one onto a plurality of receptacles disposed vertically. In the sorter, a minimum of two sheet dividers is provided in front of these receptacles to sort sheets by independently raising or lowering these sheet dividers.

Abstract: A system for distributing flexible sheet material by class into separate containers includes a large endless belt and a number of individual distribution roller assemblies each of which includes a smaller endless belt which opposes the larger endless belt at successive locations. The sheet material is transported vertically between the larger endless belt and the smaller endless belts of the individual roller assemblies. Distribution of the sheet material into one of the containers results when the roller assembly associated with that container is repositioned mechanically so that the smaller endless belt and the opposing portion of the larger endless belt are positioned horizontally at the entrance to the container.

Abstract: A sorter in which the various paper trays of the sorter may be randomly accessed is disclosed. The sorter includes a plurality of paper-receiving trays which are stationarily arranged in vertically spaced-apart relationship to one another at the downstream end of the sorter, and an upstream paper transporting and guiding device for receiving paper sheets from an upstream machine and delivering the same to selected ones of the paper trays. The deflecting device is pivotable at its upstream end and has its downstream end arcuately movable between the various vertical positions of the paper trays. A suitable indexing mechanism is provided for indexing the paper transporting and guiding device to selected ones of the paper trays.

Abstract: A device for sorting copied papers discharged from a copy machine according to page numbers thereof includes a guide plate pivotably mounted to a casing of the device at its one end adjacent a paper outlet of the copy machine. At the other end of the guide plate, a pair of paper-feeding rollers are disposed. The device also includes a lift motor adapted to pivot the guide plate in a stepwise manner via a pulley and a wire. Adjacent the guide plate, a plurality of trays are fixedly disposed.

Abstract: A machine for receiving and stacking blanks of cardboard or like material, of variable shape and format, cut out successively from a continuous web by a cutting-out apparatus located upstream of the machine, supplied in "scales" on an endless conveyor belt, overlapping one another, comprises a device for deviating the blanks through at least 90.degree.. This device comprises a drum of horizontal and transverse axis around which pass mobile endless belts extending up to a stacking stop, and passing around a motorized drive roller and guide rollers. At least one of the guide rollers is borne by a chassis mounted to pivot about the drum, so that the pivoting chassis may occupy two positions, namely a first horizontal position and a second vertical position.

Abstract: A sheet diverter, adapted for cooperative association with a cutter in a pinless folder assembly for a high speed printing press, wherein a ribbon is cut into a plurality of signatures destined for serially deflected parallel collation from a diverter path through the sheet diverter to a desired one of a plurality of collation paths to systematize the order of the signatures into a selected array, is comprised of an oscillating diverter guide member reciprocating in a diverter plane having a component generally normal to the diverter path of a signature through the guide member, for directing the lateral disposition of the leading edge of the signature into engagement with a diverter member separating a plurality of collation paths, each having a throat for receiving a selected signature and merging to a confined course for guiding it, the diverter member including a diversion surface disposed in each of the throats lying at a diversion angle respecting the travel of the signature from the oscillating guide m

Abstract: A sheet sorting device for use in a sheet processing machine having at least one sorting unit including a plurality of superposed sheet receiving bins and a first conveyor for conveying sheets selectively to one of the sheet receiving bins and a second conveyor positioned below and substantially normal to the first conveyor for conveying sheets from the processing machine to the first conveyor. The second conveyor is mounted to the sorting unit so as to be displaceable between a first position disposed below said receiving bins and a second position adjoining said sheet processing machine.

Abstract: A sheet receiver has a plurality of trays to receive paper sheets in a sequential or selected order as sheets are successively fed to the receiver from a source, such as a printer or copier, and transported to the inlet ends of the trays between opposing transport rolls which define a continuous straight paper path past the trays. Selected pressure or nip rolls are actuated from positions relative to feed rolls forming the straight path past the trays to positions relative to an adjacent feed roll to interrupt the straight paper path and form a nip at which the rolls are positioned to change the direction of sheet travel to direct a sheet into a tray.

Abstract: A stream of shingled printed products coming off a press at high speed, with variable speed of conveyance and with variable shingle spacing, has alternate products divided into two streams conveyed at reduced speed. Thus two cyclically driven chains present alternating gripper links at a pickup station to grip and transport the alternate products along diverging paths for release on a corresponding pair of conveyor lines for the divided product streams. To conform with varying speeds and spacings, the gripper chain drive is synchronized to operate the grippers as each individual product arrives.

Abstract: A sheet sorter including: a sheet feed passage having an outlet for feeding sheets one by one in a predetermined direction, and a plurality of bin trays situated adjacent to the outlet and stacked in a pile with gaps between the adjacent bin trays for receiving sheets fed from the passage. The gaps are widened, successively, at an inlet side of the bin trays. The passage is shifted up and down in synchronization with the widened gap so as to align the outlet of passage with the widened gap. A plurality of feed rollers are fixedly mounted on a shaft provided in the outlet for feeding the sheets into the widened gap. Swing plates are rotatably or swingably mounted on the shaft to direct the sheets onto the bin trays.

Abstract: Apparatus for diverting selected sheets of a scalloped stream of paper sheets from a first horizontal path into a second path which is coplanar with an adjacent and parallel to the first path has two superimposed rollers movable about a vertical axis to and from operative positions above the first path, and a flap which is located upstream of the rollers and is pivotable to and from a position in which it diverts successive sheets into the nip of the rollers when the sheets enter the second path. The axes of the rollers make an oblique angle with the direction of advancement of sheets along the first path, and the speed at which the rollers are driven is such that the sheets approaching the nip cannot catch up with the sheet in the nip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sorter of the type in which a distributor moves relative to a plurality of bins arranged fixedly along the inlets of bins to thereby distribute sheets into the bins individually, and is constituted by a pair of belts for transporting the sheet received from the copying machine toward the distributor and a tensioner for tensing the belts. Another arrangement of the invention has a device for preventing the movement of the distributor in both forward and reverse direction while the distributor is at a stop. Further another arrangement of the sorter includes structure for successfully guiding the leading edge of the sheet into a pair of rollers provided the distributor.

Abstract: A sheet diverter system in which a stream of sheets is fed by a pair of tapes to a gripping zone between a pair of separating cylinders. The tapes on opposite sides of the sheet diverge downstream of the gripping zone and wrap around a part of the outer periphery of the adjacent separating cylinder so that they travel at the same velocity as the outer periphery of the cylinder. The sheets advance toward the gripping zone at a velocity controlled by the separating cylinder and successive sheets are presented to the grippers carried by the cylinders so that alternate sheets are carried along different paths to different delivery stations.

Abstract: A pick-up and transfer mechanism for labels or the like, preferably for transferring labels in a labeling machine from a label magazine to a greater cylinder. The mechanism has at least one pick-up element on a carrying element rotating around a vertical axis. In order to obtain the required way of movement of the pick-up element relative to the rotating carrying element, the pick-up element is rotatably mounted on an intermediate carrier which in turn is rotatably mounted on the carrying element, with the axis of rotation of the pick-up element on the intermediate carrier being eccentrically arranged to the axis of rotation of the intermediate carrier on the carrying element and with the axis of rotation of the intermediate carrier on the carrying element being eccentrically arranged to the axis of rotation of the carrying element.

Abstract: A collator includes a series of twenty bins arranged in parallel with each other. A copy feeding member feeds copies supplied from a copying machine along inlets of the successive bins. First and second deflecting devices are arranged at uppermost two bins for delivering the copies into the uppermost two bins. A distributor is movable between the third bin and the twentieth bin for delivering the copies into the bins. An extra tray is provided separately from the bins. The collator further comprises a collate mode selecting member, a job separation mode selecting member and a non-collate mode selecting member.

Abstract: A switch system for clearing spoiled items from an overlapped stream of paper products such as signatures has a three-flight conveyor belt transporting system whose middle flight may be rocked bodily so that its downstream belt support roll, functioning as a switch roll, is moved between an upper position in which it is leveled up with the next flight, and a lowered position for sending the stream, when made up of spoiled items, downwards under the next flight to a separate delivery. The side face of the upstream belt roll of this same next flight is covered by a cover for neatly separating the stream and switching it over into the downward parts under this next flight. Over the switch a backer roll is placed so as to have its weight supported on the stream of products (in turn supported by the switch roll). In this way the products are well gripped and controlled.

Abstract: There is disclosed a gate mechanism including a conveyor for conveying a shingled stream of articles along either of two paths and for shifting between the two paths without interruption of the flow of articles. The mechanism includes an infeed conveyor having an end portion pivotable between a generally horizontal position in which it is aligned with one outfed conveyor and a downwardly inclined position in which it is aligned with a second outfeed conveyor. Prior to returning from the inclined position to the horizontal position a pivotable rake which includes a number of V-shaped members swings to clear the inclined portion of any articles and to temporarily support articles arriving on the infeed conveyor.

Abstract: A sheet diverter in the path of a stream of cut sheets to be diverted in predetermined sequence in different directions in which a pair of rotary diverters having cam surfaces thereon divert and guide the sheets in the predetermined sequence relative to a pair of guiding surfaces.

Abstract: A device for piling up flat workpieces especially box blanks characterized by a conveyor for transporting the box blanks in at least one stream of staggered blanks, a device for braking and separating the blanks in each stream of box blanks, a device for removing box blanks having contingent flaws from the conveyor, a piling device for forming piles of box blanks from the stream of blanks in the conveyor, a removing device for removing the piles of box blanks created in the piling device, a device for creating batches of box blanks standing on their edges from the piles and a device for transferring the piles of box blanks in an aligned fashion to the device for creating the batches. In particular the device for conveying includes a plurality of conveyors aligned one after the other in the direction of transport with the last conveyor in the direction of transport being pivotable around the drive roller and being part of the device for rejecting box blanks having contingent flaws.

Abstract: A metal sheet handling machine is disclosed which is characterized by a belt infeed conveyor with a belt tensioning arrangement and a mounting enabling the belt members to be readily removed laterally of the machine for replacement and when in operative position enabling leading end portions to be swung between two different levels, the normal raised position permitting sheets to advance across a pivoted gate to a horizontal carry over feed conveyor which advances the sheets across a reject piling area for deposit in one or more forwardly spaced sheet piling areas and the lowered position of the conveyor end portion permitting sheets to be advanced to a downwardly and forwardly inclined conveyor leading to a reject piling area, the pivoted gate being operable, when in lowered position, to bridge the gap between the discharge end of the infeed conveyor and the entrance end of the carry-over conveyor and when in raised position opening the gap and permitting entrance to the inclined reject conveyor when the end