Web fed printing collator processing unit and method

Apparatus for handling two or more elongated webs, said apparatus comprising:

• elongated track structure;
• a plurality of separate, elongated, web-supporting bars shiftably supported on said track structure for travel therealong;
• a web feeder located proximal to said bars for sequentially feeding a first web onto and between the bars in a draped fashion, and thence feeding one or more additional webs onto said first web in generally conforming, draped relationship on top of the first web;
• means for sequentially shifting said bars past said feeder as said web feeding progresses;
• means for holding said webs against significant relative movement therebetween after feeding of said additional web(s) to maintain a required alignment therebetween;
• means for selectively removing at least two of said webs from said bars while maintaining the alignment therebetween for final processing of the webs.

Handling apparatus for an elongated web having a series of marginal apertures along the length thereof, comprising:

• a plurality of separate, web-supporting elements, at least certain of said elements including pin means;
• means mounting said elements for shifting thereof along a predetermined path;
• a web feeding device disposed proximal to said elements for feeding said web onto said elements;
• means for shifting said elements past said device as web feeding progresses in a manner such that sections of said web are successively draped over and between said elements, and
• deflector structure for intermittently engaging and shifting said web as feeding thereof progresses for periodically causing a desired pin means to be inserted into a desired web aperture.

Apparatus for handling at least first and second elongated webs, said apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of spaced web-supporting elements;
• elongated track structure for mounting said elements in disposition receiving and supporting said web in draped fashion, said elements being movable along said track structure;
• web feeding and alignment means for feeding said webs onto said elements for support thereby one on top of the other in draped relationship, and for initially establishing and maintaining required alignment between said webs when the latter are on said elements,
• said track structure presenting linear sections joined by arcuate sections for movement of the elements along a nonlinear path of travel;
• and
• mechanism at each arcuate section of the track structure engageable with individual elements for positively moving the latter along the length of a corresponding arcuate section without binding of the elements during movement thereof.

Conveyor apparatus, comprising:

• track structure including, as a part thereof, a serpentine section presenting at least one arcuate corner;
• a plurality of elongated, separate bar elements supported by said track structure for shifting of the bar elements about said track structure;
• and
• means for positive, powered movement of the bars about said corner without binding of the bar elements therein,
• said bar element moving means, including
• a bar element-engaging arm;
• means for moving said arm around said corner;
• and
• means for shifting said arm into engagement with an individual bar element located at the beginning of said corner as said arm begins the movement thereof around the corner, for maintaining said engagement during movement of the arm about said corner in order to move the bar element therearound, and for shifting said arm out of engagement with said bar element after said bar element has cleared said corner.