Apparatus and method for forming signature into a V-configuration

Apparatus for transporting signatures along a path between two conveyors from an upstream location to a downstream location and forming the signatures into a V-shaped configuration, comprising:

• a first conveyor having a first plurality of rollers coaxially mounted along a first axis transverse to the path, the first plurality of rollers having circumferential surfaces and different diameters which define a V-shape, and a first plurality of endless loop members having a generally flat configuration mounted to travel along the path and pass respectively over the circumferential surfaces of the first plurality of rollers for transporting the signatures along the path;
• a second conveyor having a second plurality of rollers coaxially mounted along a second axis transverse to the path, the second plurality of rollers having respective circumferential surfaces opposed to the respective circumferential surfaces of the first plurality of rollers, the second plurality of rollers having diameters complementary to the first plurality of rollers to also define the V-shape, and a second plurality of endless loop members having a generally flat configuration opposed to the first plurality of endless loop members and mounted to travel along the path and pass respectively over the circumferential surfaces of the second plurality of rollers for transporting the signatures along the path;
• wherein one of the first and second pluralities of rollers has a central roller having an axial length and a maximum diameter greater than the axial length;
• and
• driving means for driving the first and second endless loop members at substantially identical speeds.

Apparatus for transporting signatures along a path between two conveyors from an upstream location to a downstream location and forming the signatures into a V-shaped configuration, comprising:

• a fist conveyor having a first plurality of rollers coaxially mounted along a first axis transverse to the path, the first plurality of rollers having circumferential surfaces and different diameters which define a V-shape, and a first plurality of endless loop members having a generally flat configuration mounted to travel along the path and pass respectively over the circumferential surfaces of the first plurality of rollers for transporting the signatures along the path, the first plurality of rollers including a central roller and two end rollers, the central roller of the first plurality of rollers having a larger diameter and smaller axial length than the two end rollers of the first plurality of rollers;
• a second conveyor having a second plurality of rollers coaxially mounted along a second axis transverse to the path, the second plurality of rollers having respective circumferential surfaces opposed to the respective circumferential surfaces of the first plurality of rollers, the second plurality of rollers having diameters complementary to the first plurality of rollers to also define the V-shape, and a second plurality of endless loop members having a generally flat configuration opposed to the first plurality of endless loop members and mounted to travel along the path and pass respectively over the circumferential surfaces of the second plurality of rollers for transporting the signatures along the path, the second plurality of rollers including a central roller and two end rollers, the central roller of the second plurality of rollers having a smaller diameter and greater axial length than the two end rollers of the second plurality of rollers;
• and
• driving means for driving the first and second endless loop members at substantially identical speeds.

A method of transporting signatures along a path between two conveyors from an upstream location to a downstream location and forming the signatures into a V-shaped configuration, comprising the steps of:

• feeding signatures between a first plurality of endless loop members having a generally flat configuration on a first conveyor and a second plurality of endless loop members having a generally flat configuration on a second conveyor:
• driving each of the first and second plurality of endless loop members generally along the path at substantially identical speeds;
• orienting the first plurality of endless loop members in a V-shaped configuration with a respective first plurality of rollers coaxially mounted along a first axis transverse to the path and having different diameters which define a V-shape;
• orienting the second plurality of endless loop members in a V-shaped configuration opposed to the first plurality of endless loop members with a respective second plurality of rollers coaxially mounted along a second axis transverse to the path, opposed to the first plurality of rollers and having different diameters complementary to the respective diameters of the first plurality of rollers;
• transporting the signatures along the path by engaging the signatures with the endless loop members and forming the signatures into a V-shaped configuration with the endless loop members;
• and
• discharging the signatures in a V-shaped configuration from the conveyors at the downstream location.