Abstract: The apparatus is the justifying station of an automatic bookbinding machine which stages collection of the sheets of the book, justifies the side and end edges of the sheets, feeds male and female plastic bookbinding strips one at a time from cassettes, assembles the sheets and strips and then binds the book. In the sheet justifying apparatus the sheets are deposited on an originally horizontal movable jaw. The latter is then raised toward a stationary jaw until the sheets are loosely clamped. Thereupon the jaws with sheets therebetween are pivotted to vertical position. A first side guide is caused to reciprocate rapidly against one side edge of the stack of shets, justifying the opposite edge against a stationary guide on the opposite side edge. Simultaneously, a front edge of the stack, justifying the rear edge against a stationary base plate.

Abstract: A device for lifting at least one material stack from a support, in particular a stack of blanks from an intermediate support or bottom support in the tobacco industry, comprises the following features: a gripper is guided freely movable in all directions by an industrial robot; the gripper comprises at least one clamping element which is displaceable in the vertical direction and adapted to be placed on the or each stack, at least one elastically deformable finger insertable between the stack and the intermediate or bottom support as well as sensors for detecting the distance between the gripper and the stack; a control circuit including at least one logic unit evaluates and processes the output signals of the sensors and controls the movement of the gripper from a predetermined starting position into the lifting position, the clamping of a stack between a finger and a clamping element, and the subsequent lifting and the carrying away of the or each stack.

Abstract: A method for transferring filled lettuce cartons from a field to a loading dock for shipment to an end user or buyer includes filling the cartons with head lettuce at a field site, closing and stacking the filled cartons in layers to a predetermined composite height on a plurality of adjustable pallets to form palletized carton stacks, and moving the stacks to a cooling facility and subsequently to the loading dock whereat the widths of the stacks are adjusted to fit the width of the cargo space of a transport vehicle. The stacks are then transported to the end user. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the filled cartons are uniquely stacked on the pallets in a compact and fully supported manner whereby they remain intact on the pallets for ease of handling by lift trucks for loading and unloading purposes.

Abstract: A board stacking machine comprising a feed conveyor for feeding a plurality of boards, precut to a predetermined size, to an accumulator which is displacebly secured at a discharge end of the feed conveyor for storing and releasing accumulated boards maintained in substantially horizontal alignment by the stacking effect in the accumulator and onto an input end of a control feed conveyor. A discharge conveyor is provided for feeding boards from an end section of the control feed conveyor to a feed supply position of a single board feed conveyor. The board orienting station has a delivery conveyor for supporting and transporting the boards in substantially horizontal alignment and in side-by-side abutting relationship. A discharge conveyor feeds the boards to a board holding station which supports a predetermined number of these boards oriented side by side in a board layer thereon, and positions the board layer on a vertically displaceable support with the boards maintained in alignment.

Abstract: Printed products are infed in an imbricated formation by a transport device to a stacker apparatus. These printed products are transported by a delivery belt conveyor and an infeed belt conveyor to a pivotably mounted infeed device. The outfeed end region of the infeed device opens into a stacker chute of a stacker device. At the infeed device there is arranged a support element. The printed products delivered by the infeed device to the stacker chute slide onto an elevationally displaceable stacker table. This infeed device is supported by the support element upon the stacked printed products. Governed by the pivotal motion of the infeed device, the stacker table of the stacker chute is incrementally lowered. As soon as sufficient printed products are available for forming a first partial stack in the stacker chute, this first partial stack is pressed by presser structure comprising piston-and-cylinder units and then this first partial stack is rotated about an upright axis through about 180.degree.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for handling stacks of sheets, including a carrier for lowering the sheets in a stacker and having a clamp which applies to the bundle and moves therewith throughout the lowering process. The clamp is mounted on the carrier for movement into and out of clamping position, and in the clamping position it permits the bundles to be lowered without bending or distorting the sheets which are otherwise dragging on a stationary support.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a suspended locating element against which the stack of sheets is urged and compacted, and a separator mechanism, set apart from the locating element at a distance matching the depth of a compacted ream, the sharp edge of which approaches and penetrates the stack; the separator mechanism is mounted by way of a damper to a drive system that traverses the entire assembly toward the infeed station of the wrapping machine while the remainder of the stack is held and compacted by a separately anchored mechanism to avoid the topmost sheets being dragged along with the separated ream.

Abstract: A guillotine type cutting machine for stacks of paper sheets has a table which supports the stock to be cut and a knife which can sever the stock in a vertical cutting plane. A feeding unit is provided to advance the stock along the table across the cutting plane, and a hold-down device is provided at the cutting plane to engage and press upon the stock opposite the descending knife while the stock is being severed. This hold-down device further serves to bear upon the stock during expulsion of air from the stock preparatory to the first cutting step. The air expelling unit has a roller which is lowered onto the stock adjacent the hold-down device and is then moved along the stock toward the feeding unit to expel air from pockets between the sheets. A cover is placed between the roller of the air expelling unit and the stock so that the roller need not directly engage the topmost sheet of the stock.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the stacking and/or palleting of, in particular, thin products of a printing press operation, which is characterized by a gathering and depositing station rotatable about a vertical axis. The invention relates, further, to a process, preferably with use of the device, in which the products, for the formation of a preliminary stack, are rotated about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the products and thereupon gathered lying one upon another into the stack, which stack is transferred into a depositing shaft arranged vertically under the stack, turned back about this axis through at least the previous rotation, or through 90.degree., 180.degree., 270.degree. plus or minus the preliminary rotation and then deposited.

Abstract: An apparatus and method according to the invention for determining respective deviations in the total number of signatures in each of a plurality of individual successive stacks from a given number of signatures having a ram for compressing the stacks of the signatures, a linear differential voltage transducer for measuring the relative heights of signature stacks by measuring distance that the ram travels, control apparatus comprised primarily of a programmable controller for processing the output of the transducer and optical detection means for monitoring the stack top for a sheet indicating that the stack has an odd count and disabling the control apparatus for indicating deviations in stack count. Additionally, a strapper which includes the apparatus for determining the count deviations adapted to monitor the position of a belt drive.

Abstract: Apparatus for lifting successive topmost stacks of large paper sheets and the panels beneath such stacks off a pile of superimposed stacks and panels has one or more separating units each employing a roller which is caused to bear upon the topmost sheet of the topmost stack of the pile and a sword which is aligned with or is disposed at a level slightly below the topmost panel of the pile and is caused to penetrate into the pile so as to lift the topmost stack with the topmost panel preparatory to automatic shifting of the lifted stack and panel sideways into a processing machine. The distance between the lowermost portion of the roller and the plane of the sword is adjustable to permit for subdivision of piles having thicker or thinner stacks. Any sheets which are lifted with a panel and belong to the stack below the lifted panel are stripped off the lifted panel by a continuously driven friction wheel which enters the gap that is formed by the sword.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the volumetric efficiency of a shipping container of standard tire carcasses is shown as a powered attachment to a standard warehouse tug or forklift. A horizontally extending steel plate, extending forward from the front of the tug, is powered for vertical motion by a double action, two stage hydraulic cylinder. The plate is enclosed by tightly fitting sliding stripper bars, which are spring-loaded into both the top and bottom surface of the plate; the stripper bars have a bronze wiper bushing at the point of contact with the plate, and are powered for wiping motion across the plate by a pair of balanced hydraulic cylinders.A vertical set of powered outriggers is installed on vertically acting hydraulic cylinders to provide a reacting force against the roof or side wall corners of a shipping container.In use, a standard, interleaved rick of tires is installed in a normal manner within a container.

Abstract: A device for providing signature stacks (12) with endboards (11) and for conveying the stacks (12) from a stack-forming position wherein such stacks are formed to the signature-pressing station (7), comprising a single endboard storage unit (10) fitted with a mobile wall (13) and with a charging unit (18) featuring a mobile cursor (23) designed to effect to-and-fro strokes of varying lengths, so that endboards (11) for signatures of all types and sizes may be loaded. The device further comprises a slide (41) for conveying the stacks (12), designed to run between a first limit stop position corresponding to the above stack-forming position and a second limit stop position corresponding to the stack (12) pressing or binding station. The travelling slide (41) is equipped with articulated side panels (51), so that stacks (12) made with signatures of any size whatever may be transferred from one location to the other.

Abstract: Two conveyors for stacks of paper sheets are coupled to each other for movement back and forth between a first position in which one of the conveyors receives one or more stacks and the other conveyor is relieved of the stack or stacks thereon, and a second position in which the one conveyor is relieved of the stack or stacks thereon and the other conveyor receives one or more stacks. In order to expel air from the stacks on the conveyors the foremost portions of the stacks are clamped by reciprocable rams to the respective conveyors and the thus clamped stacks are caused to move along stationary squeegees which bear against successive increments of the stacks behind the respective rams while the stacks, the respective rams and the respective conveyors move away from the stack-receiving positions.

Abstract: The plate feed apparatus of the present invention is comprised of a cylindrical carrier having air inlet holes located in its periphery which are connected to a vacuum source. A stack of plates is fed toward the carrier on a conveyor belt and each time one of the air inlet openings becomes aligned with the plates the front plate in the stack becomes affixed to the carrier and is rotated with it away from the stack. The plates then are released from the carrier for further handling. In order to prevent the plate being carried from striking the remaining plates a gap must be provided between them. In one embodiment this is accomplished by locating rollers, whose axes are parallel with the axis of the carrier, at the periphery of the carrier in positions which are rotationally ahead of the air inlet openings. In a second embodiment a pair of levers are mounted rotatably outwardly of the carrier sides.

Abstract: A stacker bundler apparatus for sheet material in signature form is provided. The apparatus includes a table having tracks on which a shuttle is mounted. The shuttle has a platform and is movable to a position under the signature. A pneumatic cylinder for raising the tracks is provided to engage the shuttle platform with the signature. The signature is the shuttle is transported to the forward end of the table where it is compressed by compression arms actuated by a lift cylinder and compression cylinder.

Abstract: An improved signature stacking apparatus includes an assembly which feeds signatures across a stack of signatures toward a register surface. As the signatures are moving toward the register surface, they are engaged by a precompressor assembly which applies a force to a leading end portion at each of the signatures in turn to urge the signature forwardly against the register surface and to press the leading end portion of each signature downwardly against other signatures in the stack of signatures. The precompressor assembly incudes a pair of arcuate paddles which extend outwardly from a rotatable hub. The speed of rotation of the hub is such that outer side surface areas of the paddles are moving at a speed which is greater than the speed of movement of the leading end portion of the signatures. Therefore, upon engagement of an outer side surface area of a paddle with a signature, the signature is accelerated toward the register surface.

Abstract: Palletizing apparatus having an air table pivoted on a compression plate, the table being swung up to a raised inclined position for receiving bags to be stacked on a pallet from an infeed conveyor with the bags arranged in a layer on the table, and swung down to a lowered position and moved to a retracted position below the conveyor for withdrawing the table from under the layer of bags for deposit of the layer to form the stack on the pallet, the pallet being held on an elevator, the bags on the pallet being compressible against the bottom of the compression plate by raising the elevator, and a pallet magazine below the conveyor from which a pallet is transferred to the elevator on each cycle of the apparatus for the stacking of bags on the pallet.

Abstract: A palletizing apparatus usable for depositing material on an underlying surface, and particularly an underlying layer of compressible material. The apparatus comprises a frame, a plate means mounted on the frame for vertically and horizontally moving the plate means relative to the frame, the plate means including an upwardly facing surface adapted for carrying a stack of material and a downwardly facing surface having therein a plurality of recesses extending in the direction of the horizontal movement of the plate means. Projections mounted on the frame extend upwardly into the recesses for preventing a previously deposited layer of materials from moving with the plate means as the plate means is withdrawn from under the stack. The palletizer further comprises means for withdrawing the plate means from under the stack while an underlying layer of compressible material is under compression.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically depositing parallelepipedic articles into an upwardly open collecting hopper, carton or the like, including a pair of article support members pivoted in spaced opposed facing relation, the support members respectively having spaced upper and lower jaw members defining respective opposed channel areas. The support members reciprocate in synchronous opposed pivotal movement between an article supporting position wherein their channel areas open in facing relation for receiving and supporting articles at their lateral sides on the lower jaw members and an article depositing position wherein the channel areas open downwardly for releasing the articles to drop gravitationally into the hopper or carton.

Abstract: Stacks which are about to be subdivided by a sword-like tool at a dividing station are monitored by a spring-biased mechanical sensor which causes the generation of signals serving to change the position of the stack at the dividing station with reference to the tool and/or vice versa if the monitored height deviates from an anticipated height so that the tool divides the stack into piles of desired height. The sensor monitors the stacks ahead of the dividing station.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking signatures is compactly constructed with a device to receive and forward horizontally a stream of the signatures partially overlapped from the end of a conveyor connected to the end of a rotary printing press; a device to pile up vertically the signatures into a small bundle; a frame member to stack up the small bundle directly underneath the piling device, such frame member being rotatable 180.degree. to turn each small bundle alternately for stack compensation; and a receiving table movable vertically within the frame member by an elevating mechanism and rotatable along with the frame member.

Abstract: A three-knife cutting machine for trimming the front side and the head- and foot-side of brochures, books, and the like, in which the products to be trimmed are slidable in stacks with the back side forward from a magazine charged from above downward by carriers adjustable to the desired stack height to the cutting station, and in which there is provided a shutter, likewise adjustable in height, by facing the back of the products to be trimmed, which serves for retaining the products remaining over the stack to be led off.

Abstract: A sheet collecting apparatus for collecting paper sheets, comprises a plurality of collecting chambers which are arranged to receive sorted bills through an insertion port, a shutter unit which is disposed to cover dispensing ports of all of the collecting chambers and is movable between a first position where all of the dispensing ports are closed and a second position where all of the dispensing ports are opened, and a drive section for driving the shutter unit in one of the first and second positions. The paper sheets are stacked in the collecting chamber when the shutter unit is located in the first position and the paper sheets are dispensed outside the collecting chamber when the shutter unit is located in the second position.

Abstract: The banknote counting and bandsealing device has a banknote stacker supported on a supporting shaft so as to be movable longitudinally and rotatable between a first position receiving the banknotes and a second position aligned with a bandsealing position. The banknote stacker has a banknote presser and the banknotes stacked on the banknote stacker in the first position are clamped by said banknote presser and transferred in the thus clamped state to the bandsealing position by rotation of said banknote stacker to said second position.

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking sheetlike articles of flexible material includes a stack follower engaging the trailing end of a stack to prevent separation of articles from the stack adjacent its trailing end as the edges of the articles drag across a guide surface during lowering movement of the stack.

Abstract: The apparatus forms multi-stack arrays of compressible, generally flat articles--for example, elongate catamenial napkins--on a receiving platform disposed adjacent a stack forming apparatus by pushing one stack against the back wall of the receiving platform, and then pushing successively formed stacks into adjacent relation with the last stack pushed onto the receiving platform. This is done with a stack pusher, and controlling the lengths of its successive strokes as required. Upon moving each stack into its respective position on the receiving platform, it is individually compressed to reduce the height of the stack to about the height of the carton into which the array is to be loaded as a unit. An array pusher then pushes the array orthogonally with respect to the direction of pushing the stacks onto the receiving platform to displace the array as a unit into a carton through a loading funnel.

Abstract: A sheet stacking duplex tray includes a movable finger which separates a first group of sheets under the finger from a second group of sheets above the finger. Sheets which have been copied on only one side are fed to a copy station from the bottom of the tray for second-side copying, as other sheets which have been copied on only one side are fed to the tray, to reside on top of the finger. When all sheets of the first group have been fed, the finger gravity-falls through an opening in the tray. A detector senses this finger movement, and a solenoid then resets the finger to rest on the top sheet of the sheets then in the tray.

Abstract: A stack top control method and apparatus includes sensing the vertical position of a top of signatures being stacked on a stacking platform at two spaced apart locations. Two belt assemblies tangentially contact at least a portion of opposed sides of the stack being formed adjacent the top locations being sensed. Each belt assembly is driven by a variable drive motor and applies a tangential, frictional drive force to the opposed sides of the stack being formed toward the stacking platform. A control circuit monitors the vertical position of the two spaced apart locations and controls the speed of each drive motor of the belt assemblies responsive to the sensed vertical position of the top of the signatures being formed into the stack. The top of the stack is thereby substantially leveled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling a stack of sheets, including the stacking of the sheets from a continuous incoming stream of sheets and on a lower endboard, and compressing the stack and restricting the sides of the stack while the stack is moved laterally to a station where an upper endboard is applied and the stack is strapped or bound and then moved further away.

Abstract: Flat objects, such as disk shaped print masters, that are stacked in a magazine are pressured by an ejector against the ejection orifice of the magazine. A support surface for the ejected object is located under the ejection orifice. The ejector is actuated by an ejector drive, which stresses the ejector until an object is ejected onto the support surface and the counter pressure generated by the ejected object attains a certain limiting value. The ejector is subsequently relieved. The apparatus makes it possible to eject the objects individually from the magazine in a reliable and precise manner with a relatively small effort.

Abstract: A sheet sub-stack separating and feeding apparatus comprises a device for holding down sheets independently laid one upon the other in a stack, a device for detecting the level of a sheet in a predetermined position as numbered consecutively from above, a sheet sub-stack raising member standing face to face with a side end face of the stack for horizontal and vertical movements, and a device for grasping a predetermined number of sheets as one sub-stack and adapted for horizontal and vertical movements. The sheet sub-stack raising member is moved to the level detected by the sheet level detecting device, inserted under the top sub-stack while it is held down, and then moved up to raise an end portion of the stack. The forward end portion of the sheet sub-stack raising member is then swung down to hold down the sheets under the sub-stack. The sheet sub-stack grasping device is then moved horizontally to grasp the end portion of the sub-stack and to separate the sub-stack from the stack.

Abstract: An improved apparatus is operable to stack signatures having one edge portion which is thicker than other edge portions of the signatures. The apparatus compensates for the thickness of the one edge portion by flattening the one edge portion and offsetting successive layers in a stack of signatures. The apparatus includes a platform which receives the signatures in an initial orientation. This platform is rotated about a vertical axis to offset a first group of signatures from their initial orientation. The signatures subsequently received on the platform have a relatively thick edge portion offset from the first group of signatures. After a retractable apparatus has been extended over the top of a group of signatures, the platform is raised to press the signatures against the retractable apparatus and thereby flatten the signatures.

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 document stacking and conveying apparatus has a plurality of document stacking and conveying units which are disposed at one end of a third elongate document stacking and conveying apparatus. The third unit has a conveyor for moving a stack of documents while a compressing device holds another stack which is stationary upon the conveyor deck of the third unit so that the moving stack of documents can be added to the downstream stack.

Abstract: An improved palletizing apparatus sequentially loads a plurality of layers of bundles of newspapers onto a pallet. The apparatus includes a layer position and sheet hold down assembly which (1) indicates the level of the uppermost layer of bundles in a stack of bundles on a pallet and (2) holds down pages of the newspaper at the top of the bundles. During operation of the palletizing apparatus, a layer of bundles is moved onto a retractable floor disposed above a pallet. The floor is then opened and the layer of bundles is dropped onto the pallet. An elevator is then operated to lower the pallet. The layer position and sheet hold down assembly indicates when the upper layer of bundles has been moved a predetermined distance beneath the floor so that the floor can close without interference with the stack of bundles. The layer position and sheet hold down assembly includes a frame which engages the top of the layer of bundles and a linkage which maintains the frame in a horizontal orientation.

Abstract: The stacker of the device for aligning and banding paper sheets is movable between a lower position for receiving and holding paper sheets from a supply belt and an upper position for forwarding the paper sheets to a subsequent step. A coil spring is connected at one end to a fixed part and at the other to a movable operating unit, and is associated with a holding plate through the operating unit. When the stacker has been moved to the upper position, the holding plate is moved upwards relative to the stacker to clear the stack of paper sheets in the stacker.

Abstract: A clamp device for paper sheets is comprised of a stacker member including a stacker piece and a stacker block and adapted for holding paper sheets whose number has been counted in a stacked state, a concavely curved paper sheet receiving surface formed on a surface of said stacker piece adjacent to and contactable with the paper sheets, a driving member provided to said stacker piece at a position opposite to said stacker piece, a convexly curved pressing surface provided on one end of said driving member and operable in a confronting relation to said curved paper sheet receiving surface, and a barrier plate mounted above said stacker piece for preventing popping out of the paper sheets from the stacker member upon impingement of the sheets onto said stacker block. The paper sheets may be clamped in a bent state by said concavely curved paper sheet receiving surface and said convexly curved pressing surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for expelling air from pockets between superimposed sheets of successive stacks has a brush or roller which can be lowered onto the topmost sheet of a stack while the leader of the stack is pulled along a stationary support by a tongs. The brush or roller urges successive increments of the lowermost sheet of the moving stack against a stationary or rotary anvil whereby the pockets of air are eliminated in automatic response to forward movement of the stack with the tongs. Expulsion of air from the stacks enhances their shape-retaining ability during transport toward the next processing station or stations as well as at such stations. The brush or roller is mounted on pivotable arms which can be rocked back and forth by one or more levers which are pivotable by a cam and follower assembly receiving motion from the main prime mover of the machine or production line wherein the stacks are formed and/or processed.

Abstract: A device for pressing a pile of sheets in a feeding unit or station including a vertically movable pressing carriage with a pressing device being guided in a vertical path formed by rails and a groove provided in a front surface of a gauge of the feeding unit. The pressing device includes a sensing arrangement acting on a switch connected in a control circuit for a pneumatic drive so that when introducing an additional batch of sheets into the feeding station the sensing device actuates the pneumatic piston to retract the pressing device to provide clearance for the additional batch.

Abstract: A process for dense packing on a conventional pallet three-cubic-foot bags containing a lightweight, loose material that will flow within that bag, by a stacking pattern where a pair of bags are arranged alongside and offset from one another on the pallet to make up each stack layer, with successive layers rotated ninety degrees (90.degree.) from the layer below; applying, in turn, to each bag a downward force, as by a person moving his feet thereon, to evacuate air from that bag and to shift the contents to fill in gaps or openings in the layer below; and securing that stack to the pallet for transport; and a stack of three-cubic-foot bags containing a lightweight, loose material by a practice of the process of the invention.

Abstract: A crane system sheet feeder method and apparatus employed for depositing collections of bundles of sheets in locations related to specific ones of sheet feeders, such that each collection of bundles can be utilized by an overhead crane to deliver the individual bundles to a specific one of the sheet feeders in accordance with the supply of sheets on that feeder. The bundles are initially bound, and the overhead crane has apparatus for removing the binding and removing the end boards from the bundles so that the bundles are deposited in the feeders free of any bindings.

Abstract: According to the invention, a machine is disclosed for handling and preferably loading loose signature packs onto a pallet. In a preferred embodiment, the machine comprises an industrial robot known per se, which has an arm movable in all planes. This arm is provided with a rotation device on which is mounted a gripping device incuding at least two horizontal, reciprocally movable carrying rods co-acting with a support plate and at least one vertical pressure plate movable toward and away from the carrying rods for gripping and conveying a pack of loose signatures from a conveyor and depositing them in a programmed pattern for building a load on a pallet.

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 breaking up stacks of paper sheets or the like into two or more thinner layers has a tongs having an upper and a lower idler roller, a reciprocable sword-like dividing tool which can penetrate into an edge face of a stack extending into the space between the rollers, a spring which biases the upper roller against the topmost sheet of the stack, a mechanism for moving the lower roller along a path wherein the lower roller has at least one component of movement at right angles to the planes of sheets between the rollers, and a mechanism for reciprocating the tool in synchronism with movements of the lower roller. The lower roller moves downwardly and away from the upper roller and away from the tool at least when the latter penetrates between the jaws above the last layer, and the lower roller is thereupon lifted to a predetermined operative position when the last layer of a stack is removed from the dividing station.

Abstract: Method for producing a bundle from an overlapping sheet-by-sheet stream of folded printed sheets on a slope where the stream is initially conveyed and is rerouted upward in order to form a stack inclined toward the vertical. The method comprises the steps of stacking the sheets on a moving base arranged at a right angle to the slope and moving downward on the slope; interrupting the flow of sheets after a certain number of sheets is stacked by cyclically forming a gap during conveyance to the slope, placing a firm support on the last sheet of the stack, compressing the stack and forming the stack into a bundle. The step of stacking includes jogging the sheets on a slope inclined toward the vertical by 10.degree. to 60.degree. in the conveying direction so that each sheet slides toward the slope under its own weight and/or by the push of the following sheet. The sheets drop onto the stack in a free fall.

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: Printing products from a printing machine are successively moved one above the other against a stop to form a stack. A leading product in contact with the stop is biased adjacent to its fold by a perpendicular force compressing the fold. A trailing product is moved on the free end face of the leading product and the perpendicular compressing force is substantially relieved upon approach of the trailing product fold to the stop. The trailing product is biased by a perpendicular force in such a manner that the trailing product is pressed adjacent its fold against the leading product. The movement of the trailing product is not hindered by the perpendicular forces and is synchronized with the build up and relief of the perpendicular forces.

Abstract: A bale wagon comprising a load bed for accommodating a stack of bales comprising a plurality of tiers of bales, and a bale transfer table for accumulating bales thereon to form tiers of bales and operable to deposit successively formed tiers of bales on the load bed. The transfer table has a convex load surface to improve the stability of the bale stack formed on the load bed.

Abstract: A device for use in conjunction with a sheet group separator of the type having a rotating slotted disk supporting a stack, together with a depressor for the lowermost group, and a finger for separating a corner of said group from the stack. The device comprises a vertically slidable weight at said stack corner so that a constant downward pressure is exerted to prevent upward curling of the corner which might reduce the effectiveness of the finger and depressor movements. A counterweighted pressure bar is pivotally mounted at the lower end of the weight so that placing additional sheets on the stack will not interfere with the operation. The weight is reset by pulling upwardly on a handle so that the pressure bar swings away to clear the new sheets and is swung back into position by the counterweight.