Background Of The Present Invention This invention relates to a multiple point delivery apparatus for separating and delivering a series of articles to a plurality of discrete receiving devices.

In the forming of printed articles, a series of the articles are formed and subsequently assembled. The forming of the articles preferably involves an on-line system in which a web of indefinite length is passed through printing, cutting and forming aDparatus to form the individual articles. The printing, forming and processing can normally be completed in high speed in-line apparatus. The articles from the in-line apparatus are normally discharged at a rate in excess of that which can be incorporated in the final processing, such as assembly, stacking or the like. To maintain the on-line operation, various separating systems have been proposed for receiving of the in-line articles as produced and diverting of the articles into two or more streams thereby permitting a reduced rate of final assembly and processing. A widely proposed system includes a belt conveyor system having an in-line path, and one or more angulated offset paths. Diverting members selectively move into the path of the incoming single supply stream to selectively divert selected articles from the in-line path to one of the alternate paths. For example, U.S. Patent 4,666,146 which issued May 19, 1987, discloses a vertical stream or flow system having a diverting system including a vertical in-line belt conveyor and an angulated offset belt conveyor. A segmental deflector moves thrugh the vertical path and deflects alternate articles into the offset path. A bull-nose guide between the two conveyors also guides the articles into the alternate path. British patent 1,208,969 of October 14, 1970 discloses a horizontal conveyor for moving sheets in a

horizontal path through a diverting gap. An angled conveyor at the end of the gap transports the sheets from the horizontal path. A pair of oppositely rotating diverters move through the belt and gap to engage the sheets and divert and then in the alternate paths. U.S. Patent 3,391,777 which issued July 9, 1968, discloses a similar system with pad-like members movable between two horizontal levels and a single diverter for supporting the sheets in one path and having an enlarged cams for raising the wheel to the alternate path. European patent application number 0244650, published November 11, 1987 also discloses a sheet cutting and diverting apparatus.

With the increasing speed soecifications used in printing lines and other high speed processing lines, the demands on the smooth controlled movement of printed paper sheets or articles and the like has placed greater demands on the design of separating and diverting equipment. In particular, the product must be positively moved throughout the system to establish and maintain smooth, reliable flow of product with minimal damage and product waste. This requires very -careful synchronization between the movement of the mechanisms involved including in-feeding, transport through the diverting mechanism and withdraw of the product from the diverting mechanism.

Summary of the Present Invention

The present invention is a high speed multiple point delivery apparatus including an in-feed belt conveyor and a multiple point diverting unit with a pair of conveyor units having diverging delivery paths. The offset conveyor unit may have the path extended upwardly or downwardly with respect to the horizontal path. The horizontal belt unit includes a continuous top belt conveyor and an interrupted bottom belt conveyor. The top belt unit includes a short initial section and a downstream section spaced from

the initial section. The downstream spacing of the top belt conveyor section defines a sheet path with a diverting gap. Diverting elements pass through the gap supporting the sheet into one or the other of the conveyor units. The bottom conveyor unit has an initial section formed as a common portion for the initial section of the horizontal conveyor unit, and belt conveyor projecting downwardly from the initial section. The pair of diverters have one or more diverting segments having a smooth circular cam surface and rotate with their axis located with respect to the respective paths to pass the cam surface through the horizontal and offset paths essentially at the downstream end of the diverting gap. The diverters and sheet move with a generally match surface speed and preferably with the diverters at a somewhat greater surface speed. The cam segment has a circumferential length substantially greater than the length of the gap, and establishes an increased time within the gap, and maintains maximum support of the sheet within the gap. The cam segment preferably has a total length equal to about three times the length of the diverting gap. The cam surface moves to engage the leading end of the sheet as it moves into the gap. The axis of rotation of the lower cam segmental diverter is essentially vertically located with respect to the axis of the in-feed end of the conveyor belt of the horizontal conveyor unit. The forward projecting end of a sheet or article is immediately picked up by the curved cam surface and smoothly transferred in the horizontal path. Alternately, the upper curved cam surfaces divert the sheet into the conveyor belts of the offset conveyor at the inlet end of the belt or run.

Applicant has found that the location of the gap and the particular conveyor arrangement in combination with the appropriate location with the

divertinq members has produced a reliable and effective high speed multi-point delivery system for on-line application in the printinq art particularly adapted for application in the high speed printing and graphic arts.

In accordance with another feature, the various basic components of the line are formed ^" as separate building modules, with the modules particularly constructed to allow assembly of the modular components into various processing systems.

Generally, basic to the modular construction is the forming of self-contained modular units having appropriate supporting side frame structures supporting the working components and related to other modules to secure the frame structures into abutting relationship to form particular machines. Generally, all modular units are formed with essentially flat vertical planar end edges, which can be directly connected by connection portions which are mirror images. The edges preferably have corresponding spaced horizontal holes for boltinq of the frames in abutting engagement.

This modular construction allows the completely separate self-contained structures each having its own drive input for operating the corresponding elements. The drive inputs can be interconnected to each other to form a common drive assembly or separately driven depending upon the application and combination to which the several components are aoplied.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

In the drawinqs:

Fiq. 1 is a side elevational view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention for receiving of a series of sheet members from a cutter unit and deliverinq of the formed sheets into a plurality of delivery points;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the diverting unit shown in Fig. 1 with the diverting unit shown in a developed illustration to more clearly show the drive connection;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section illustrating the position of the diverters; and

Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the modular construction of the several machines forming a web processing line, such as shown in Figs. 1-3.

Description Of The Illustrated Embodiment Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a line is shown for processing a pair of side-by-side webs 1 of indefinite length to form a plurality of individual sheets 2. The sheets may be single elements or folded multiple paper elements and the terminology sheets is used herein to generally refer to all such elements and the like. The webs moving in parallel in a common horizontal plane. The webs 1 pass through a multi¬ point delivery system in which sheets 2 from each web section are delivered to a pair of vertically stacked downstream receiving stations 3 and 4, and receiving stations 5 and 6. The slit web is passed through a rotary sheeter 8 which is operable to cut successive lengths of the webs 1 and la to form and discharge the sheets 2 in a horizontal plane. A coupling belt conveyor 9 has its upstream end located immediately adjacent the discharge location of the sheeter and transports and delivers the sheets into the multiple point delivery apparatus 10. The multiple point delivery apparatus 10, in its association with the other elements, particularly forms the subject matter and embodiment of the present invention.

The unit 10 includes a horizontal conveyor unit 11 mounted in-line with the coupling belt conveyor 9. As shown in Fig. 2, the flow path for sheets 2 and 2a are symmetrical in the machine, and the receiving station ^*" > is behind station 3 in Fig. 1, as shown by

breaking away a portion of the station 3. An offset conveyor unit 12 has a downwardly projecting conveyor portion 13 for receiving of sheets 2 and transport of the sheet downwardly for discharge into the receiving stations 4 or 6, with web 1 moving into station 4, and web la moving into station 6, as shown by the broken away portion of station 4 in Fig. 1. The horizontal and downward paths are illustrative only, and the paths may be oriented with a horizontal and upward path or as a combination of an upward path and of a downward path. The ends of the horizontal and offset conveyor units 11 and 12 are shown coupled to a transfer or discharge conveyor unit 14 and 14a, respectively. These latter sections provide for horizontal transfer or movement of the corresponding sheet 2 to the respective aligned receiving stations and typically may provide for known shingling of the sheets which are then fed to a batching and stacking apparatus, not shown.

Generally, the present invention is particularly directed to the construction of a four point delivery unit 10 including the coupling conveyor 9, and the associated equipment is briefly described for purposes of overall illustration, and description and explanation of the illustrated embodiment of the invention.

The rotary sheeter is of a known construction and includes a pair of vertically stacked cuttinq rolls 16 and 16a having appropriate knife units 17 for cuttinq successive lateral lengths of the web.

The coupling belt conveyor 9 provides a positive sheet movement from the sheeter 8 into the multiple point delivery unit 10. The coupling belt conveyor ^*" » consists of an endless top belt 21 and a generally similar bottom endless belt 22. The belts are supported by a plurality of spaced rolls 24 and 24a, with abutting horizontal runs 23 in-line with the

discharge path from the sheeter 8 and driven in proper relationship to transfer the sheets 2 from the cutter to the delivery unit 10. In the illustrated system, at least one of rolls 24 and 24a of the rolls supporting the belts 21 and 22 is coupled to each other by a drive belt 25 which is also coupled to a common drive belt, not shown, for the several components of the sheet forming and delivery system.

As shown in Fig. 1, the conveyor belts 21 and 22 consist of a plurality of laterally spaced belts mounted for parallel guided movement over the guide rolls for maintaining the parallel runs 23 in close spaced frictional engagement with the opposed surfaces of the sheets 2. The rolls 24 and 24a for the respective belts provide a common synchronized movement of the belts for corresponding movement of the sheets 2 from the sheeter 8 into the multiple point delivery unit 10. Although the separate coupling conveyor 9 may provide a particularly useful and optimal transfer of the separated sheets, the sheets may be directly fed to the infeed end of the conveyors 11 and 12 of multiple point delivery unit or apparatus 10. The conveyor 9 may also be formed integral with the respective belts of the conveyor units 11 and 12 forming a common input station, as presently described.

Each of the conveyor units 11 and 12 includes similar laterally spaced endless belts. A plurality of horizontal sheet diverters 27 and a similar plurality of offset diverters 28 are rotatably mounted to the opposite vertical sides of the conveyor units 11 and 12. The rotating diverters 27 and 28 rotate between the belts of conveyor units 11 and 12 and engage the sheets 2 moving through the delivery unit 10 to establish movement of alternate sheets through the horizontal conveyor unit 11 or alternately through the inclined conveyor unit 12. Each of the diverter units is similarly constructed and shaped.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, each diverter 27 is a generally bow-tie shaped member having similar pie shaped sections or segments 29 and 30 projecting radially in diametrically opposite directions from a common bearing hub 31. The outer peripheries of the segments 29 and 30 have a common radius. The hubs 31 are rotatably mounted on a common drive shaft 32 with the peripheral surface moving in the direction of the sheets 2 and at an angular velocity related to the linear speed of the sheets 2. Generally, the diverter surface speed is equal to or slightly greater than the sheet surface speed. The axis of the shaft 32 is located with respect to the radius of the segments to locate the surface passing through the horizontal plane of the conveyor unit 11.

Diverters 28 similarly move between the belts of the conveyor unit 11 and directs the sheets downwardly onto conveyor unit 12.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 3, the conveyor units 11 and 12 are both endless belt conveyors extending from immediately adjacent the discharge end of the coupling conveyor unit 9 and including a common input section 33 transporting sheets 2 from the coupling conveyor 9 into the delivery unit 10. The common input section 33 defines a short horizontal run to support the sheets as they move into the apparatus, and as previously described may be coupled directly to the discharge side and feed rolls of the rotary sheeter 8.

Conveyor unit 11 includes a horizontal top belt 34 which extends from the coupling unit 9 throughout the length of the delivery unit 10 including the input section 33, with a horizontal run 34a. A horizontal bottom belt 35 is mounted in downstream relation to the common input section 33 and defines a diverting space or gap 36 within the length of the delivery unit 10 and particularly the conveyor unit

11. The belts 34 and 35 define a horizontal flow path for transport of the sheets through the common input section 33, gap 36 and the belt 35 of the delivery unit. The incoming sheet 2 to be transported along this path is supported by the lower diverter 27 during its movement through the gap 36 for horizontal movement through conveyor unit 11. In high speed processing of sheets from a sheeter, the velocity of the sheets are such as to establish a horizontal movement of the sheets 2 into the diverting gap 36. However, sheet 2 must be supported and guided to maintain smooth and uninterrupted flow of the sheet.

Referring to Fig. 3, the inclined conveyor unit 12 for transport of sheets 2 from the horizontal flow path includes a bottom endless belt 37, the upstream end of which constitutes the input part of the common input section 33. As previously noted, the belts 34 and 37 forming input section 33 may be extended through the cutter apparatus to replace the separate coupling belt conveyor shown in the drawings. The belt 37 induces an inclined belt portion or run 38 which projects at an angle downwardly from the upstream end of the diverting space or gap 36. An inclined conveyor top belt 39 is mounted in parallel operative relationship with the inclined portion of belt 37 and provides a belt conveyor for grasping and carrying of a sheet 2 downwardly through the delivery unit and through the discharge conveyor 14a. A sheet 2 to be carried bv the inclined conveyor unit 12 is guided onto the inclined portion of the conveyor unit 12 and into the opposed belts 38 and 39 by the top mounted or upper diverters 28.

Thus by synchronized rotation of the diverters 27 and 28, alternate sheets 2 move along the horizontal conveyor unit 11 to discharge unit 14 (shown in Fig. 1) and the alternate inclined conveyor unit 12 and the discharge unit 14a. The sheets 2 may be transferred in

a single path by inactivating the appropriate diverter unit and operating the other diverter unit at the proper speed.

Referring to Fig. 1, the discharge unit 14a includes an endless toD belt 40 located immediately adjacent the bottom end of the inclined belt portion or run 38 of the conveyor unit 12 and extends outwardly therefrom. A bottom belt 41 projects outwardly as an extension of the bottom belt structure 37 and in opposed aliqned relation with the belt 40. The belts 40 and 41 provide transfer of the diverted sheet 2 as it is moving from the inclined belt portion 38. The discharge unit 14a has belt 41 operating at a relatively slow speed to reduce the speed of the sheet thereon and following high speed sheet 2 moves over the tail portion to shingle the sheets for transfer to a batcher and the like.

The formed sheets 2 initially pass successively into the coupling section 9, which may be driven at an increased speed relative to the rotary cutter to insure complete separation of the sheets at the infeed end of the multiple point delivery unit 10. The sheets are grapsed by belts 21 and 22 to firmly and positively transport the sheet product into the delivery unit. In Fig. 3, a sheet 2 has been passed into the delivery unit and has its tail end in the incoming belt section 33 and its leading edge already into the downstream portion of the offset conveying unit 12 as defined by the belt 37 and the opposed belt 39. It thus passes downwardly through the diverter gap 36.

The upper diverter 28 is shown rotated significantly into gap 36 with the center of the one segment 30' approaching alignment with the roll at the inlet end of the belt 35. The cam segment 30' thus positively moves the sheet 2 onto the belt 37.

The alternate sheet following the sheet shown in Figs 1 and 2 enters the incoming belt section 31 and common belt section 33 into the diverting gap 36 after segment 30* has moved from the gap. Simultaneously, the rotation of the diverter 27 moves its segment 29 upwardly into the diverter gap. The incoming end of sheet 2 moves into the gap with the cam member 2 ^** ) still approaching the gap 36. Sheet 2 may tend to droo down with the inclined portion but will still have a very distinct horizontal extension. The surface of cam 29 moves into the gap immediately adjacent to the upstream end of the gap and rotates upwardly. Its radius is such that it moves into close spacement to the upper run of the belt and directs the sheet into the horizontal path adjacent the top belt 34. The sheet is thereby transported into the belts 34 and 35 and discharged into the transfer conveyor 14. Just prior to the leading edge of the rotating diverter 27 entering the gap, a short unsupported section of the sheet exists between the input section 33 and the diverter segment 29, and may tend to drop slightly. The cam segment rapidly rotates into the gap 36 and the sheet moves into engagement with the smooth curved surface of the diverter 27, which carries the sheet upwardly to positively locate the leading edge into the plane defined by the upper and lower belt runs of the belts.

Referring to the horizontal diverter 27, its axis of rotation is essentially horizontally aligned with respect to the axis of the small rollers 48 supporting the stacked input ends of the horizontal conveyor belt 35 and the inclined belt 39. The cam surface of diverter 27 moves through the gap and enters the plane of the horizontal conveyor unit 11 tangentially to the belt and essentially at the grasping or gripping portion of the top belt 34 and the

bottom belt 35 of the conveyor unit 11 to guide sheet 2 into and through the gap.

The upper diverter 28 similarly functions with respect to the inclined conveyor unit 12. Again, the large cam surface 29' and 30' moves into the gap 36 immediately downstream of the offset support for the discharge end of the input section 33. The axis of the common support shaft 32' for diverter 28 is located such that the radius surface moves into tangential engagement with the inclined belt essentially in line with the supporting roller adjacent 28 at the input end of the upper belt 39 of the unit 12 to assure continued flattening and forcing of the sheet 2 into gradual and progressive movement between the belts for smooth uninterrupted acceptance by the conveyor unit 12.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the upper conveyor belt of the unit 11 is a single elongated belt unit having a bottom run extending throughout the length of the delivery unit 10. The upstream end of the belt is supported by an appropriate guide roll 43. The downstream end is supported by a similar roller 44.

The bottom belt of unit 11 is similarly constructed with a continuous upper run in opposed abutting operative engagement to the bottom run of the upper belt. The bottom belt is supported at its forward most end by a relatively small roller 48 dictated by the small available spacing between the upper unit 11 and the lower unit 12 at the end of gap 36. Again, the transfer run is a continuous run with the downstream end coupled to the driven roller 49 for synchronized movement of the belt. The return run passes over appropriate idler rollers 50 to maintain the desired tensioned movement of the belt.

The inclined belt movement includes the single continuous belt from the common input section 33 and the downwardly inclined portion or section 38. The

lower belt 37 has its upstream end supported on the roller 51 aligned with the corresponding roller 43 for the lower belt of unit 11. It extends downstream in a similar manner to the inclined portion. A small roller is provided just downstream of an idler roll 51a and provides for smooth turning of the belt downwardly into the inclined direction where the belt then extends downwardly to a driven roller 53 for guided driven movement along the inclined linear path. The return run of the lower belt of unit 12 again passes over appropriate idler rollers 54 and in a upper return roll to redirect the unit into the horizontal direction to the upstream guide roller.

The upper belt 39 of the unit 12 has its upstream end located in alignment with the upstream end of the lower belt of the upper unit 11 and is supported by the similar small roller 56 adjacent roller 48. The return run passes over suitable idler and guide rollers and a generally lower driven roller 57 to provide the desired synchronous movement with the other belts.

Both of the upstream ends of the individual belts of the upper unit 11 and the lower unit 12 located between the inclined belt and the horizontal belt of the respective units are located to minimize the length of the gap 36 while maintaining of appropriate support of the belting.

A common drive belt 58 is wrapped about the drive rollers 49 and 53 for conveyor units 11 and 12. In addition, a belt 59, shown in Fig. 1, interconnects the drive to the coupling conveyor unit 9 and the main drive for the delivery unit to establish and maintain synchronized movement of the various conveying devices. The opposite ends of shafts for rollers 49 and 53 are respectively gear coupled to the shafts of rollers 44 and 57 to drive the related upper belts of the conveyors 11 and 12 respectively, as at 59a in Fig. 2.

The diverter units are positively gear driven. As shown in Fig. 2, the shafts 32 and 32* are coupled to end meshing gears 60 and 61. The upper gear 61 is coupled through a gear train 62 to the main belt drive 6 for the machine to establish and maintain synchronous movement of total mechanism and thereby providing controlled high speed movement of the paper sheets or products through the apparatus.

The delivery unit 10 is driven in timed relation to the sheeter 8 using a timed belt drive system, with the diverters 27 and 28 separately gear driven. With appropriate construction, the diverters may be driven with the timing belts coupled to the basic timing belt drive system.

The invention provides a highly satisfactory multiple point delivery system particularly adapted for the graphic arts.

As previously discussed, the diverter can be constructed with the alternate sheet paths in other offset orientations. For example, a combination of a horizontal run or path and an upwardly spaced run or path may be provided.

The horizontal unit 11 would include a horizontal conveyor with a lower belt extended through the delivery unit 10. A horizontal top belt would be mounted downstream in relation to a common input section to define a top diverting space or gap within the length of the delivery unit 10. The upper diverter would hold the sheet onto the belt for transport along this path. The diverter primarily functions to move the sheet from the path of the sheet moving from the sheeter, and depending on the particular application, the horizontal unit could operate without the upper diverter in the embodiment under consideration.

In this alternate embodiment, inclined conveyor unit would include a top endless belt with the input end part of the common input section and an

inclined belt portion or run projecting at an angle upwardly from the upstream end of the diverting space or gap. An inclined conveyor lower belt would be mounted in spaced relation to the common input section 33 and in parallel operative relationship with the inclined portion of the top belt to provide a belt conveyor for grasping and carrying a sheet 2 upwardly through the delivery unit and through the second path. A sheet 2 to be carried by the inclined conveyor unit is guided by the lower diverter portion of the offset conveyor unit. The lower diverter 28 would be constructed with its axis located in general vertical alignment with the inlet end and with the cam moving into engagement with the leading edge of the sheet to deflect the sheet smoothly upwardly into and through the conveyor unit 12. Further, the vertically arranged conveyor units 11 and 12 could be constructed diverging conveyor units to alternately move the sheets upwardly and downwardly with respect to the incoming path of the sheets 2.

The combination of the illustrated embodiment with the relatively short gap, the relatively large segmental portions of the diverter and the interrelationship and location of the engagement with the belt structures adjacent to the opposed belting produces a highly desired and smooth and effective movement of the sheets through the multiple point delivery unit.

As shown in Fig. 4, the various basic components of the structure are preferably formed as building modules with the modules particularly constructed to allow assembly of components as in Fig. 1. The structure is such that the components can be separated and individually combined in other combinations.

In Fiq. 4, six modules are shown including a conventional sheeter unit 70, a signature cutter unit

71, a diverter unit 72, a shingling unit 73, a batcher unit 74 and an exit receiver unit 75. Basic to the modular construction is the forming of each of the individual components as a more or less self contained units, each having appropriate supporting side frames extending parallel to each other and to the flow path through the line, as at 76. The working and web transfer components are mounted between the side frames of each unit to define an inlet end and discharge end. The side frames are specially constructed to accommodate direct connection of the several modules such that when a module is to be assembled with another module, it is merely necessary to secure the frames firmly in position and thereby provide for appropriate flow of the web and/or sheet members through the line.

The module 70 is connected in the upstream end of the line to form successive sheets from a flat single layer web or module 71 is connected to the diverter for forming signatures from a moving folded web. The two modules 70 and 71 are shown as typical alternate machines used with the other illustrated modular apparatus.

Referring particularly to module 70, the machine has spaced side frames 77. Each side frame 77 is a plate member havinq a flat vertical edge 78 in which three vertical spaced threaded openings or holes 79, 80 and 81 are formed. Each hole 79-81 extends horizontally on the downstream edge 78 of the frame 77. The signature cutter module 71 and frames 77 rest on the floor 82 to support the structure. The module 71 is similarly constructed with its side frames 83 formed from similar plate members having flat vertical edges 84 with a pair of threaded openings, 86 and 87 on the edge. The holes 86-87 in the frame plate members 83 are spaced in accordance with holes 80 and 81. Frame plate members 83 are shown supported on a bottom

pad or leg unit 88 to locate the cutting paths of modules 70 and 71 in a common discharge plane.

The diverter side frames 89 are plate members having a flat vertical edge 90 at the upstream end of the plates. Three attachment openings 91 are located adjacent the upstream portion, with horizontal edge¬ wise holes 92, 93 and 94 extending from the three openings 91. The openings and particularly holes 92-94 are spaced to mate with the holes 79-81 of module 70 and the holes 85-87 of module 71.

The downstream ends of the diverter frames 89 are similarly formed with a flat vertical edges 95. Each edge has three vertical spaced threaded edge holes 96, 97 and 98. In the diverter assembly shown, the horizontal batching device includes a T-shaped frame 99 having a cross frame 100 aligned with the horizontal path through the apparatus. The upstream end of the cross bar portion has top and bottom flanges 101 and 102, each having an edge attachment hole 103 and 104 aligned with the top threaded hole 96 in the diverter frame 89 for attachment to the diverter unit 72. The holes 96 are aligned with the cutter module attachment holes 85 and 86 and if the diverter is not used, the shingling frame is directly attached to the cutter module 70 or 71. The stem 104 of the T-shaped frame 99 rests on the floor and is preferably secured thereto. As shown, the slow tape 105 of the shinglinq conveyor is supported at the upstream end on a bracket 106 extending from frame 99 and within the diverter frames 89 and at the downstream end within the shingling frames 99. A top fast tape 107 is supported on a pivoted bracket 108 and support the intermediate runs of the shinqlinq conveyor belts in cooperative alignment with the horizontal conveyor of the diverter.

An auxiliary hat-shaped bracket 108 is secured to the lower portion of the diverter frame 89 and

supports the upstream end of the shingling conveyor 109 adjacent to the inclined diverter conveyor, as shown. The bracket 108 has apertured end flanges 110 which are bolted to the edge of the diverter frames 89 as by bolt openings 111. The downstream portion of conveyor 109 is supported by arms 112. The arms 112 support the belt pulleys and support rolls and project into the stem to locate the discharge end of the conveyor within the stem.

The batcher unit 74 and the exit receiver unit 75 are mobile devices. An upper conveyor 113 and a lower conveyor 114 for transfer of the processed sheet elements are similarly provided in the batchinq unit for similar transfer from the aligned shingling units to the exit receiver 75, The batcher is moved into position without necessity of physical connections.

The lower conveyor unit 114 has a forward extended arm 115 to project the conveyor through the stem and into proper coupling to the shingling unit. The lower conveyor belt is not installed within respective frames or support structures if the diverter unit 72 is not a part of the line, or if the diverter is to be operated without activating of the downward diversion of alternate sheets.

The respective modules permit maximum flexibility in providing sheet-element batching systems.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, all of the frames are thus formed with essentially flat vertical planar surfaces, and each unit is specially formed as a self-standing assembly with the relatively heavy frame plates to the operator side and drive side of the apparatus. The various rotary components are rotatably mounted in suitable bearing structures on and in the frames in accordance with known practice. The frame end edges with the threaded holes spaced to couple the several units, each

of which has the flow path related to the threaded holes provides a simple, effective and readily fabricated modular line or system.

This modular construction allows the completely separate self-contained structure, each having its own drive input for operating the corresponding elements. The drive inputs can be interconnected to each other to form a common drive assembly or separately driven depending upon the application in combination to which the several components are applied.