Abstract:
The method of forming a book, magazine, newspaper or the like from at least first and second signatures comprises the steps of printing the first signatures and delivering the first signatures from the printing press in an overlapped shingled stream. Segments of that shingled stream are placed on a support and are releasably clamped in a stable condition on the support. The support with the signatures clamped thereon is transported and stored remote from the printing press. The signatures are then removed from storage while clamped on the support. The signatures are then unclamped and unloaded from the support and the signatures are fed in a shingled stream to a first hopper of a collating machine. The second signatures are printed and the second signatures are fed toward a second hopper of the collating machine while the first signatures are delivered to the first hopper of the collating machine, and the first and second signatures are then collated in the machine by operation thereof. Preferably, the signatures, when they are stored, are stored in a shingled relationship on the support and all folded edges of the signatures lie in one plane on the support.
Abstract:
A collating apparatus for assembling a magazine from a plurality of signatures has a conveyor movable successively through a plurality of signature feeding stations and includes equipment for sensing and counting malfunctions of each feeding station. The counter is periodically reset after a predetermined number of machine cycles; if the number of malfunctions exceeds a preset stored limit before the counter is reset, the machine is stopped automatically. A rejection station following the last signature feeding station rejects magazines for which any of the feeders sensed a malfunction. An inspection station following the rejection station senses the presence or absence of a magazine and compares the results with a malfunction-data record to monitor the performance of the rejection station. One or more feeding stations may be switched to a mode of operation in which a single malfunction instead of an unacceptable fault rate stops the machine.
Abstract:
Plurality of newspaper stuffers, each of which has one or more feeding hoppers with preprinted newspaper sections, are adapted to receive printing press output of freshly-printed news sections in at least one hopper of each stuffer, to enable online formation of final assembled newspaper product. Control means are provided to divert press output between different stuffers, as needed. System includes means for storing excess press output in an accumulator section and recirculating same to a stuffer on demand, e.g., when the press stops production, or when press supply is insufficient to meed demand of stuffer adjacent to accumulator.