Abstract:
A signature gathering machine having an improved rotary lifter separator for separating and deflecting the lowermost signature of a stack of signatures in a stack hopper for extraction therefrom while continually supporting the forward edges of the signatures in the stack thereby reducing pressure and friction on the lowermost signature being extracted and reducing the possibility of the next lowermost signature following the signature being extracted. The rotary lifter separator comprises a disk-like rotary separator having a leading edge which rotates into the stack between a detached lowermost signature and the stack and separates and positions the forward edge of the lowermost signature whereupon it is gripped by a rotary drum mechanism and pulled in an extracting direction from the stack. The periphery of the upper surface of the disk-like rotary separator continually supports the forward edges of the signatures in the stack as the separator rotates. Additionally, a stack support means supports the forward edges of a portion of signatures in the stack thereby further reducing the pressure and friction on the lowermost signature. A controlling means cyclically releases the support to the portion of signatures permitting them to settle towards the bottom of the hopper.
Abstract:
A SIGNATURE GATHERER FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BOOKS OR BOOKLETS WITH GATE-FOLDED PAGES WHICH INCLUDES A BI-DIRECTIONAL ROTARY DISC SEPARATOR FOR SEPARATING SIGNATURES AT THEIR FOLDED CORNERS, WHETHER STACKED FOR FEEDING GATEFOLDED OR STANDARD-FOLDED SIGNATURES.
Abstract:
A vertical stack of signatures is formed by first forming a dense, shingled array of signatures on a support means including first and second support surfaces oriented to define an included, obtuse angle. With the support means in a first position and the first surface extending generally horizontal, the signatures are positioned thereon in seriatim order leaning against the second surface and having one of their peripheral edges resting on the first surface. After the dense, shingled array is formed, the support means are shifted to move the dense, shingled array to a position wherein the second support means extends generally horizontally. Subsequently, a force is applied to the signatures'' peripheral edges in engagement with the first surface to shift the edges in vertical alignment relative to the second surface. Additionally, guide and stop means are provided to engage the peripheral edges opposite the edges against which the force is applied to assure the desired vertical alignment. In the particular embodiment disclosed, the dense, shingled array is formed by a pair of spaced conveyor belts from a loose, shingled stream of signatures. The belts include inclined members whhich deflect the leading edge of the signatures in an upward direction and moves them into position on the aforementioned support means.
Abstract:
An improved method and apparatus are provided for removing a densely shingled series of folded sheet material articles from a storage tray and moving the sheet material articles into a loosely shingled overlapping stream. The series of sheet material articles is transferred to a multiple of spaced-apart conveyor belts in a first conveyor assembly by moving the tray downwardly through a space between the conveyor belts. As the tray moves downwardly, the lowermost edge portions of the sheet material articles are supportingly engaged by longitudinally extending upper runs of the conveyor belts. The forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles is held in an on-edge orientation by a plurality of sprocket wheels. As the conveyor belts advance the series of sheet material articles, the sprocket wheels are rotated to sequentially release or separate the sheet material articles. The released sheet material articles are moved to a second conveyor assembly by a transfer conveyor. The transfer conveyor is retractable from a position in which it extends between the conveyor belts of the first conveyor assembly to enable the tray to move through the space between the conveyor belts. To provide for the disposition of the sheet material articles on the second conveyor assembly in an overlapping stream, the transfer conveyor is driven at a higher speed than the first conveyor asembly and the second conveyor assembly is driven at a higher speed than the transfer conveyor.