Quadtech, Inc.

Eric L Kuhne

Ingermar S d'Agrella

Karl P Schaefer

John M Neary

Gary J Laatsch

Jeffrey Karch

David T Quadracci

The invention recites a gate that is selectively operable to pass a stream of printed products to one of a first path and a second path. The waste gate includes a frame and a first roller member supported by the frame for rotation about a first axis. The first axis is fixed with respect to the frame. A second roller member is supported by the frame for rotation about a second axis. The second roller is movable with respect to the first roller between a first position and a second position. A conveyor belt is supported by the first roller and the second roller such that when the second roller is in the first position, the stream of printed products pass along the first path and when the second roller is in the second position, the stream of printed products pass along the second path.

Conveyor waste gate

A signature slow-down section in a folder of a printing press for slowing down signatures is provided. The folder is driven by a folder drive mechanism and the signature slow-down section includes a frame, a slow-down mechanism supported by the frame, and a motor connected to the slow-down mechanism for rotatably driving the slow-down mechanism separately from the folder drive mechanism. The motor is selectively operable to drive the slow-down mechanism at a speed in response to the position of the signatures relative to the slow-down mechanism.

Apparatus for slowing down and guiding a signature and method for doing the same

Provided is a sheet diverter for directing signatures moving in serial fashion along a diverter path to one of a plurality of collation paths. The sheet diverter includes a pair of diverter rolls for directing a signature to one of the plurality of collation paths and a diverter wedge for deflecting the signature to a selected one thereof. The diverter wedge is positioned between the diverter rolls so as to reach high into the diverter path thereby providing increased support to the signature as it travels from between the diverter rolls to the diverter wedge. The diverter rolls are permitted to intermesh with the diverter wedge so as to allow the diverter wedge to be so positioned.

Growing community of inventors

Big Bend, WI, United States of America

Eric L Kuhne