High speed on-line stitcher for signatures and webs

Abstract

Three adjacent continuously running chain link assemblies having two contiguous common paths, respectively in those paths (1) form staples from lengths of wire and (2) insert and clench the staples while creasing a signature passing through the linear path defined by the contiguous chain links. This produces simplified equipment operable at high speeds synchronously on line with signatures from a rotary printing press, or the like. The wire lengths are handled and formed into staples by very simple non-critical mechanical means constituting a magnetic male die member and female shaping die member carried by respective contiguously traveling chain link assemblies to mate as they move about sprockets into an arcuate path leading into their contiguous mated linear travel path. Similarly the staples are passed through the signatures and clenched in entering the second contiguous path where incremental chain link carried creasing die sets grasp, transport and crease the signatures over the linear contiguous pathway to present a folded and stapled output signature.