Method and apparatus for manufacture of swatch-bearing sheets

A method of forming sheets having swatches applied at predetermined locations thereon, the method comprising:

• feeding a sheet to a gripper mechanism;
• gripping a leading edge of the sheet with a gripper mechanism;
• pulling the sheet with the gripper mechanism in a downstream direction through an adhesive applying station;
• applying glue to the sheet at predetermined swatch locations at the adhesive applying station;
• pulling the sheet in the downstream direction through one or more swatch stations with the same gripper mechanism that pulls the sheet through the adhesive applying station;
• applying one or more swatches to the sheet at the predetermined swatch locations having glue thereon when the sheet is at the swatch station;
• and
• releasing the gripper mechanism from the sheet.

An apparatus for moving a sheet through machinery for applying swatches, the apparatus comprising:

• a driven sprocket with a cam thereby;
• an idler sprocket with a cam thereby;
• an endless drive chain extending between the driven sprocket and the idler sprocket;
• an upper jaw and a lower jaw rotatably hinged together on the drive chain;
• a spring biasing the upper jaw and the lower jaw into contact;
• wherein the upper jaw is moved out of contact with the lower jaw when the upper jaw is in contact with the cam by the driven sprocket or the idler sprocket.