Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for separating, folding, stacking and transporting a continuous web that allows stacks of web that are relatively large (four-feet-high or more) to be generated at high speed directly beneath the folding mechanism and to be transferred as complete, discrete stacks to downstream locations and stack utilization devices without interrupting the ongoing, upstream stack-folding and stack-formation process. A zigzag folded web passes by a pair of opposing front and rear compression plate assemblies, with fingers that are extended to selectively project into the folding area, onto a stack supported by a vertically moving supporting mechanism. The supporting mechanism cycles between an ever-lower position in which upper, loose pages of the folded web pass by plate fingers (when retracted) and an upper position in which the stack engages and presses upwardly against the now-extended plate fingers to compress the stack.

Abstract: A jogger as used with carton blank forming equipment is provided having a slide with first and second shoulders for engaging a threaded dog contained within the side rail of the jogger body. The slide also includes a back channel which allows the slide to pass over the mounting bolt contained within a body race aperture.

Abstract: A separator finger apparatus and method for insertion of a separation finger into and removal from a stream of web product. The unique motion provided by the elements making up the separation finger apparatus permits the separation finger to be mounted close to folding rolls (from which the web product issues) with reduced separation finger-to-folding roll interference. Specifically, the separation finger is manipulated to rotate and translate simultaneously as it is inserted into or removed from the stream of web product. The elements creating the separation finger motion are preferably a pivot arm mounted for rotation about a first axis and a translation member mounted for rotation about a second axis. The pivot arm is preferably rotatably coupled to the separation finger at a third axis. The separation finger is preferably coupled to the translation member for translational or sliding motion therealong.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for sensing the position of the top of a stack of material in a stacking apparatus. The mechanism includes, a hub assembly, an arm, a stop, a torsion device that biases the arm toward the stop, a first trigger and a second trigger. The hub assembly has a hollow center portion configured to accept a shaft that is rotatably and driveably mounted to a stacking apparatus. The hub assembly includes a hub having a first form and a second form each mounted to a respective hub end. The arm has a first end pivotally mounted to the first form, and a second end configured to removably contact the stack of paper. The first trigger is configured to trigger a height sensor. The height sensor is mounted to the stacking apparatus, and the height sensor is configured to provide a first signal to a central processing unit to lower a collection table when the arm triggers the height sensor. The stop is mounted to the first form below the arm, the stop configured to stop the pivoting movement of the arm.

Abstract: A curl eliminator for eliminating a curl from paper to be printed by a printer. The printer has a paper feeder including a paper tray for storage of the paper on a ferric top surface of the paper tray and for feeding the paper into the printer for subsequent printing. The curl eliminator has an elongated strip disposed at the top surface of the paper tray such that it opposes the curl of the paper thereby tending to flatten the curl. The curl eliminator also has a magnetic strip fastened to the elongated strip for mounting the elongated strip to the top surface of the paper tray. The elongated strip is mounted to the top surface of the paper tray by a magnetic attraction between the magnetic strip and the top surface of the paper tray. Also provided are a paper tray and printer having the curl eliminator of the present invention.

Abstract: A continuous fan folded paper stacker that is easily adjustable to stack various sizes of forms comprising a base, guide arm and receiving platform. The guide arm acts in conjunction with the platform to allow stacking of various sized forms. The Z-shaped guide arm may be vertically adjusted with respect to the base and may be inverted to accommodate smaller than standard sized paper. The L-shaped platform works in conjunction with the guide arm by sliding horizontally with respect to the base to neatly stack different sizes of paper.

Abstract: A paper stacker for use with a printer which prints connected sheets that are to be stacked in a folded relationship having a surface for receiving the paper with a frame surrounding the paper that is raised in relationship to the paper in order to maintain paper within the confines of the frame as the frame moves upwardly. The frame is balanced by a constant force spring, and is indexed by optical sensors. The frame includes two adjustable fences for variously sized paper which adjustably moves with paddles to press the paper edges downwardly in the stack. Pinch rollers for driving the paper include low inertia drive rollers formed of a relatively low density plastic material with a pair of idler rollers. To improve stacking, ironing tractor idler rollers iron the tractor perforations, and chains orient the catenary stacking movement.

Abstract: A device (1) for continuous plaiting of web-shaped material with a plaiting table (2) and a plaiting arm (3) possesses auxiliary depositing means (5) insertable between the plaiting arm (3) and the plaiting table (2). The auxiliary depositing means (5) enable continuous plaiting of the material, even when the material stack (4) laid on the plaiting table (2) is being unloaded from the plaiting table (2). Apart from that, in order to attain the most regular possible layering of the web-shaped material, the plaiting table (2) and the auxiliary depositing means (5) are arranged to be height adjustable. Additionally, the auxiliary depositing means (5) possesses recesses (15) that can be penetrated by the supporting elements (16) of the plaiting table.

Abstract: Machine for folding a web (3) in a zigzag manner includes a transport mechanism (2) for the web (3), a receiving device (5) at the bottom for collecting the folded web, a folding mechanism (4) mounted between the transport mechanism (2) and the receiving device (5) and a detection device (19,20) to detect improper folds mounted under the folding mechanism (4), wherein the machine includes a device arranged to move the web (3) backward in the folding mechanism (2) and a control device (22) connected to the backward moving device and the detection means (19,20), so that, at least upon a first detection of an improper fold, the web (3) is moved backward in the folding mechanism (4) by said backward moving device over such a distance that the improper fold is entirely unfolded and so as to afterwards allow again for the normal forward movement of the web (3) through the folding mechanism (4).

Abstract: A printer output paper collector 70 is described for refolding and stacking fanfold paper 20 that is discharged from a continuous form printer 12. The collector 70 includes a base 72 with opposing end walls 74 and 76 having guiding surfaces for receiving the fold lines or ends of the sheets and guiding the sheets downward to progressively form the restack. The collector 70 has a resilient support assembly 82 that includes a central pedestal 84 extending above the base 72 for supporting the restack above the base 72. A resilient plastic sheet member 102 is mounted on the pedestal 84 with cantilevered wing sections 108 and 110 extending from the pedestal 84 outward toward the end walls 74, 76 to resiliently support the restack adjacent the fold lines. As the height and weight of the restack increases, the additional weight causes the wing sections 108, 110 to deflect downward to maintain the top layer 62 of the restack substantially flat to facilitate the refolding of the sheets 26.

Abstract: A paper stacker includes adjustable sides to receive paper passively of different widths. The uppermost ends of the sides are flared to avoid paper encountering these ends, permitting the received paper to slide down between the sides to settle on a bottom surface without assistance. Each of the sides has a portion cut away to permit grasping a paper stack for removal. A trapezoidal platform is located on the bottom between the sides and has a friction material on a substantially flat upper surface to prevent paper slippage.

Abstract: A paper accumulator unit comprising a table which can be lifted and lowered, being kept in a horizontal condition and on which paper which has been discharged from above is continuously stacked and stored, a stepping motor for lifting and lowering the table with the driving torque of its rotary shaft, and an electromagnetic brake coupled to the rotary shaft of the stepping motor, which brakes the rotation of the rotary shaft when the brake is in a deenergized state.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing continuous form stationery folds a strip of paper along transverse lines of weakening formed therealong to form a zig-zag stack of paper. The apparatus alters the orientation of the zig-zag stack of paper to facilitate further processing of the paper.

Abstract: A system for conveying folded web and forming discrete stacks of folded web comprising a conveyor that receives a stack of folded output web from a web folder and separator. The conveyor drives the web from an upstream end, adjacent the web folder and separator, to a downstream end. A supporting surface, which can comprise a plurality of pivoting rails biased by a spring, selectively supports the web remote from and off of the conveyor so that a compressed stack can be formed adjacent the folder and separator. At selected times, the stack is moved by the supporting surface into communication with the folder and separator so that it can be conveyed downstream. An elevator platform can be located at the downstream location for receiving successive stacks thereon. The elevator ascends and descends so that the tops of the successive stacks are aligned with the conveyor for receipt of a further stack thereon.

Abstract: A paper folding apparatus for folding a copied sheet of paper discharged from a copying machine. The apparatus includes a feed roller pair for feeding a sheet of paper, a first folding roller pair, a second folding roller pair. This second folding roller pair is disposed in opposition to the first folding roller pair, for folding the sheet of paper fed from the feed roller pair in cooperation with the first folding roller pair. A swingable paper guide unit is disposed above the first and second folding roller pairs, for guiding the sheet of paper fed from the feed roller pair selectively to the first folding roller pair or the second folding roller pair. A paper guide plate is disposed between the first and second folding roller pairs, for leading a leading edge of the sheet of paper guided by the paper guide unit to a nip portion of the first folding roller pair or the second folding roller pair.

Abstract: A zig-zag folding apparatus which includes a swing chute movable in a forward and rearward direction to transmit narrow sheet material between spaced, forward and rearward folding stations. A sheet folding device is located at each of the folding stations which includes a chain carrying a series of paddles, and a drive train which rotates the chain and paddles with respect to the folding station. In the course of moving in a forward and rearward direction, the swing chute transmits the narrow sheet material into contact with beaters or knock-down fingers located at each folding station which direct the sheet into a folding position where the paddles carried by the chain operate to fold or crease the sheet material along its perforations and thus form a stack of zig-zag folded sheets.

Abstract: A method for sorting, separating and indicating sections of an outputted stack, such as printed continuous paper web. A continuous web is outputted which includes a plurality of sections having pages therein. Page separation and section separation locations are determined upon the web wherein the size of each page in a section is equal and wherein the size of at least one section separator page disposed adjacent to a section separation location is unequal to the size of the other pages in the section. The web is folded at each of the subsequent page separation locations upon an alternating face to produce a zig-zag pattern. The section separator pages may be folded so that their size is greater than or less than the size of the pages in the section and the section separator pages may be cut so that their size is greater than or less than that of the pages in the section.

Abstract: A sheet stopping system for a folding machine for the folding of a sheet in the form of a continuous band in a zig-zag like manner, in which the folding machine comprises a supporting plane (18) onto which means associated with the sheet in the form of the continuous band is fed to have it impinge alternately against hinderances (24, 26) limiting one of the two opposite sides of the supporting plane (18). The sheet supporting system includes the supporting plane and pairs of vertically slidable fingers (38a, 38b) projecting downwardly from the hinderance for engaging the supporting plane (18) to prevent the introduction of a sheet starting portion between the hinderance and the supporting plane (18).

Abstract: Apparatus for handling a continuous web of Z-fold computer paper discharged from a printer includes a conveyor having spaced apart paper stacking and stacked paper removing regions. Included in the apparatus is a plurality of stacking blades moveable in a generally horizontal plane between extended and retracted positions. The blades are also moveable between upper and lower positions; in their upper position the extended blades are directly above the stacking region in a position to intercept a stream of paper from the printer, the intercepted paper forming an intermediate stack on the extended blades. When the blades are in their upper and retracted positions, they are positioned out of the stream of paper. In their lower position, the extended blades are directly below the conveyor paper stacking region.

Abstract: Continuous fan-fold paper, the flexure of whose folds has been lessened by laser printing, is re-stacked between a pair of paddle towers whose paddles, hinged on continuous vertical belts, urge the paper into folds at its transverse perforations. No synchronization of paddles with the printer is required.

Abstract: A method for zig-zag folding a web of sheet material includes feeding the web with a pair of rollers against an obstacle to form a loop. The loop is engaged by a roller having a higher peripheral speed than the pair and engaged against another obstacle to form a fold line from the first loop and to form a second loop. Another roller having a higher peripheral speed than the pair forms the second loop into a fold line, and the steps are repeated to form a zig-zag folded stack.

Abstract: A web separator is provided that cuts a web at predetermined separation locations. Downstream of the cutting, the web is folded at predetermined fold locations. A continuously swinging director, downstream of the folding, guides advancing sections of web to opposing fold edges of a supported zig-zag stack. The web is driven into the continuously swinging director by a driving member. The driving member is deactivated selectively by a clutch, while other elements of the separator continue to operate. A central drive motor may be interconnected with each of the drive member, swinging director, folding and support elements. Fold and separation locations may be determined by a bar code detector and selectively operable upper and lower conveyor belts may be disposed below the supported zig-zag stack.

Abstract: Splicing apparatus for a laser printer and to assist in carrying out an operating method for a service apparatus for laser printers having a pair of conveying belts with upper surfaces parallel, co-planar and displaceable in the same direction and having a stationary splicing area provided between the conveyor belts with fixed and movable anchors for the temporary anchoring of two sheets to be spliced, and an adhesive tape supported for unwinding by two V-shaped gorges having an apex flush and aligned with the splicing line, and a motor coupled with a frame for the translation thereof between a first position in which it forms the upper cover for an exit from the service apparatus of the laser printer and a second position in which it is displaced towards one end in a cantilevered manner, so as to uncover and give access to the exit of the service apparatus.

Abstract: The paper stacker includes a pair of pivoted generally L-shaped elements disposed above a vertically movable paper tray. The elements pivotally depend such that their lower paper support legs are normally inclined and terminate at free edges in a roller. Upon upward movement of the tray and stacking initial sheets of fan-folded paper on the tray, the sheets engage the undersides of the elements to pivot the elements and, hence, the lower legs into generally horizontal positions whereby paper may be stacked on the horizonally disposed support legs of the elements. Upon reaching a predetermined stack height, the tray moves downwardly away from the elements, enabling the paper carried thereby to fall through the opening onto the tray.

Abstract: A method for sorting, separating and indicating sections of an outputted stack, such as printed continuous paper web. A continuous web is outputted which includes a plurality of sections having pages therein. Page separation and section separation locations are determined upon the web wherein the size of each page in a section is equal and wherein the size of at least one section separator page disposed adjacent to a section separation location is unequal to the size of the other pages in the section. The web is folded at each of the subsequent page separation locations upon an alternating face to produce a zig-zag pattern. The section separator pages may be folded so that their size is greater than or less than the size of the pages in the section and the section separator pages may be cut so that their size is greater than or less than that of the pages in the section.

Abstract: A method of forming a new pile after the discharge of a completed pile in a machine for forming piles in zigzag fashion from a flexible web, the method consisting in rupturing the web at a transverse perforation line located between the last flap of the pile being formed and the first flap of the new pile to be formed, advancing the ruptured web until the forward edge of the first flap reaches a position corresponding to its final position at the base of a new pile, stopping the swinging unit, lowering the supporting table for discharge of the completed pile and providing a pressure air cushion underneath the zone of the forward edge of the first flap which forms a temporary support during the absence of the supporting table, removing the temporary supporting cushion when the table has returned to its working position and restarting the operation of the swinging unit.

Abstract: Downstream of a paper leaf stacking machine, e.g. a paper napkin folder, there is a device comprising supports on each of which is mounted at least one leaf separating finger.Each support is kept, by a stop, in a fixed position corresponding to that in which the paper folder forms and deposits the folded leaves. After a predetermined number of leaves have been deposited, the stop is disengaged and the finger is snapped in between one sheet and the next and so advances at least part of the way with the stack of folded sheets. At a certain point of the path, each pack of leaves, as marked by two successive fingers, is lifted out by a forceps or the like and each support is returned to its starting position.

Abstract: A method and machine for folding, stacking and separating continuous forms in a moving web, the continuous forms web being prefabricated with regard to width, margin line holes and transverse perforations intended for zigzag folding of the web to form it into a stack after it has been provided with print in a printer having a supply of series of preferably personalized forms, wherein each series includes an initial form marked with an address and optionally with a separation mark a first system having feed means for the web which cooperation with the line holes advance the web in controlled register, and means for cutting the web on electronic command from a sensor which reacts to the separation mark or, alternatively, on electronic command from the printer, and a second system comprising a driven feed device for advancing the web and a swinging waddling device, the web passing through the waddling device and being formed during the swinging movements thereof into a zigzag folded stack, and further means for

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking panels of a running web in zig-zag formation by folding the web along transversely extending weakened fold lines has a vertically movable table which supports successive growing stacks at a stacking station and has a concave or convex upper side serving to impart to the panels above it a concavo-convex shape. The fold lines between the panels of the growing stack are pushed downwardly and thereby caused to assume an arcuate shape by a set of rotary folding fingers and by a conveyor which cooperates with a suction chamber and pulls the adjacent fold lines of the growing stack downwardly toward the upper side of the table. The concavo-convex panels of the growing stack are stiffer than plane panels and ensure that the growing stacks resemble parallelepipeds with neighboring sides disposed at right angles to each other and without sagging of panels between the corresponding fold lines.

Abstract: In the apparatus for binding stacks (31) of zig-zag-folded layers (40) a folder (10) is followed by a stacking device (43), which has a lifting table (14). In stacking area (41) following folder (10) is provided a separating device (24) in the form of a rake with front separating heads (100), which can be provided with blast air nozzles. A straightening device (22a) is used for periodically compressing the folded edge (82a) and the folder is preceded by a cutting mechanism (110) for making cuts on the folded edges (82a) to be separated, so that the separating devices (24) are not required to operate at areas on the edges provided with conveying holes.

Abstract: Inlet and outlet service units for a printer in a service apparatus for machines using continuous strips of paper forms or sheets are combined and the inlet unit carries out the splicing of the last sheet of the pack being fed to the first sheet of the immediately following pack while the outlet unit takes care of collection, piling and accordion-like folding in packs of predetermined size and a cut to separate the strip arriving from the printer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically separating interfolded sheets from an interfolder into bundles having a predetermined count. Two separator plates are inserted into the stack of sheets at the proper sheet count, defining a bundle. An elevator and one of the separator plates take the bundle away from the discharge area of the interfolders.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes for receiving sheets from a sheet stacker, separating them into bundles, and removing the bundles from the discharge area of the sheet stacking apparatus. The apparatus includes a frame, a rotatable receiving means mounted on the frame, means for separating the bundles of sheets being received, and means for rotating the rotatable receiving means. The receiving means may include a plurality of sheet receiving chambers, each chamber having an elevator which may be lowered in the respective chamber. The apparatus also has means for raising each elevator. The separating means accumulates the sheets being received from the sheet stacker while the receiving means is being rotated.

Abstract: Zig-zag folded layers of paper webs are stacked downstream of a folder on a lifting table. A belt is raised to hold a nearly completed stack from below and a separating rake with leading spear shaped heads is moved into the stack at a division between sheets, and severs the stack along a fold. The lifting table and separating rake are shifted together as the separating rake advances, during which the stack to be removed is supported on the raised belt. A new partial stack accumulates on the separating rake while the old stack is removed, the belt is lowered and the table is raised. The table and rake are then returned to their original position to resume stacking on the table. Shifting of the table and separating means, and movement of the raised belt, are driven from a common drive by means of a controllable freewheel clutch engaging over a part of the cycle.

Abstract: In equipment for receiving, cutting, piling and transferring in package form a continuous strip of sheets of forms deposited accordionwise coming from a printer cutting devices operating together with devices blocking the two sheets forming the pleat at which the cut will be made as well as reading devices which control said cutting devices in relation to a mark applied to said continuous strip are provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for receiving and forming a cut pile of sheets which are received in joined form from a processing station, and includes a dragging device to control the feed of the joined sheets, a guide to move the uncut sheets past a cutting mechanism in an accordian-like fashion, and a plate to receive the cut pile of sheets; and a temporary support and separator between the receiving plate and the guide to provide for the cutting of the sheet material in pre-fixed sheet lengths.

Abstract: Within electroaccounting and data processing centers, the sheets of forms processed by the printing machine, in particular by a laser or fast printing machine, are shaped as a continuous strip, which by means of the apparatus in accordance with the invention is assembled into packages wherein the strip is folded, and the packages are automatically shaped, separated from the strip that comes from the printing machine and transferred to successive processing in a continuous manner without interfering with the printing machine operation.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for stacking a continuous paper form having uniformly positioned folds or seams as it exits from a device such as a printer. It utilizes a pair of curved surfaces over which an air flow is alternately directed to alternately create an air film over each of the curved surfaces. This air film attracts the paper in such a manner that the continuous paper form is refolded in a bin or stacker in its original configuration.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for positioning a continuous paper form having uniformly positioned seams and emanating from a high speed printing device, such as from a high-speed computer printer, in a bin or stacker. Air jets positioned on the stacker are utilized in a mode whereby air bursts from the jets impinge at discrete locations on a top surface of the form as it emanates from the printer. The air bursts cause the continuous paper form to fold naturally in a stacker bin at the paper seams.

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking a web of continuous prefolded paper forms includes a compacting mechanism having a plurality of elongate rigid compacting finger elements vertically suspended in pairs and freely pivotable from a horizontal rotating crankshaft located above and along one side of a paper stack. The finger elements which have a roughened active surface are vertically reciprocated by the crankshaft so that their active surface slidingly engages the topmost fold or edge of the stack during downward movement but disengages the stack during upward movement.

Abstract: A support or carrier web, composed of sections interconnected along a separation or fracture line, is folded in a zig-zag configuration and stacked upon an elevationally displaceable support element. After the stack reaches a certain height pressure fingers are pivoted into an effectual position where they press against one side of the finished-form stack. Above these pressure fingers there are arranged suction heads which can be advanced into a position where they engage below the further arriving sections. By applying negative pressure, effective at a suction opening, there is fixidly retained at least the lowermost section of the next stack to be formed. Both of the sections belonging to the different stacks are held in an open position by the suction heads. Into the opening between both of the aforementioned sections there is introduced a roll grate carrying at its leading end a cutter or knife.

Abstract: A paper folding apparatus has paper supply means capable of continuously supplying paper, a paper supporting table on which the paper supplied by the paper supply means may be piled in folded condition, and paper folding and conveying means disposed at a predetermined angle on the opposite sides of the surface of the paper for folding the paper supplied by said paper supply means into a fold dimension.