Abstract: A system and method are provided for implementing an auger-based transport device as a vertical compiler in an image forming system. The auger-based transport device includes a plurality of mechanical augers for vertical transport of image receiving media substrates, or sets of substrates in a controlled manner. The disclosed auger-type drive systems leverage comparatively simpler mechanical operations to provide a plurality of auger devices that simplify the motions and mechanisms of the component elements in a vertical transport path in a manner that maintains positive control of each set of image receiving media substrates in a manner that does not disturb the sets as they are lowered vertically, eliminating errors introduced by random dropping of substrates in conventional vertical image receiving media substrate handling mechanisms. The auger components are not particularly limited in number, in pitch (constant or variable), in diameter and/or in use/function.

Abstract: A stacking apparatus includes a feed device that feeds a succession of elongated items to a pick-up station, and a rotating structure having first and second arms at different angles about a rotation axis of the rotating structure. The arms have receiving surfaces mounted thereto that receive the elongated items as a layer at the pick-up station during rotation of the rotating structure as the receiving surface travels past the pick-up station. The apparatus also includes a carriage having layer supporting forks that receive the layer from the receiving surface during rotation of the rotating structure as the receiving surface travels past a layer receiving station. The carriage carries the layer from the layer receiving station and deposits the layer at a layer stacking station from the forks to form the stack of superimposed layers.

Abstract: A device for forming stacks of sheet products, in particular of paper products, may include the paper products being supplied in an input stream by a feed conveyor to a transfer section. The device may also include at least two set-down tables each including a set-down surface for receiving stacks of the supplied paper products. The set-down tables may move along a circuit-like table-circulating path and may be flexible at least in some segments to conform to shapes of curvatures located in at least some parts and subregions of the table-circulating path. As a result, it is possible for the set-down tables to be guided into the curvatures with a leading front side edge of each of the set-down tables being a leading edge in a circulating direction of the set-down tables. The stacks of stacked paper products may then be transported away from a delivery section by a removal conveyor.

Abstract: In an apparatus for transferring products from a first conveying line to a second line conveying line operated stepwise in a feeding direction and particularly for feeding a boxing machine a plurality of compartments are aligned along the feeding direction. Each compartment has a bottom and a pair of lateral boards. The compartments receive products released by a manipulator and taken from the first conveying line. An actuator rotates the compartments from a loading configuration for receiving the products, to an overturned configuration, in which the compartments face corresponding, dwelling seats of the second, feeding line. A holding element closes the upper part of the compartments, moving from the loading configuration up to the overturned configuration. A pusher moves into the compartments in the overturned configuration, to push the products into the facing seats of the second, feeding line.

Abstract: A device for handling stacking or removing articles from a stack, has a stacking wheel located between the lifting elements for stacks and a conveyor. When the stacking wheel turns, depending on the direction of its rotation, an article is moved from the conveyor onto the stack in the lifting direction. The stacking wheel bears pairs of holding plates distributed around its periphery; on them swivelling fingers are supported. The swivelling fingers are pressed by springs into their action position in which they project over the facing surfaces of the holding plates and fit into receiving openings of the articles when articles are moved by the stacking wheel. Control plates are assigned to the stacking wheel and engage with their ramp edges the concave, downwardly pointing surface of the swivelling fingers to swivel them into their readiness position which does not project to the inside over the holding plates.