Apparatus for sampling printed sheets from a continuous stream of such sheets

Apparatus for taking samples from a continuous row of printed sheets travelling in overlapping relationship along a predetermined path, comprising in combination:

• conveyor means for feeding the row of overlapping printed sheets along the predetermined path, said conveyor means being adapted to provide a sample exit to which is open the predetermined path;
• divider means movable between a first and a second position with respect to the predetermined path, said divider means when moved to said second position being disposed in the predetermined path so as to cause some consecutive ones of the printed sheets to travel on one side thereof, where the predetermined path is open to the sample exit, and the succeeding printed sheets to travel on the other side thereof;
• first actuator means for moving said divider means between said first and said second positions;
• extractor means movable between a third and a fourth position past the predetermined path, said extractor means being moved, immediately following the movement of said divider means from said first to said second position, from said third to said fourth position for traversing the predetermined path from said other to said one side of said divider means and thus for extracting at least the last of said some consecutive printed sheets from the predetermined path, with the extracted printed sheet being delivered out of the sample exit;
• and
• second actuator means for moving said extractor means between said third and said fourth positions.