Process and apparatus for processing printing products

An apparatus for processing printing products, comprising

• a machine frame (10),
• printing product conveying means (14) for serially delivering printing products along a path of travel,
• a pack-forming unit (12) which includes means (56, 112) for forming the delivered printing products (16) into a tube-like configuration,
• means (18, 56, 112) for feeding and applying a retaining element (34) to each of the printing products (16) so as to maintain the printing products (16) in the tube-like configuration and form packs (20) thereof, and thereafter releasing the formed packs (20),
• a first stack compartment (22) positioned below said feeding and applying means for receiving the released packs (20) therein in a generally longitudinally aligned relationship, said stack compartment (22) including a movable base (40) for selectively opening and closing the bottom thereof,
• a second stack compartment (24) positioned below said first stack compartment (22) and into which the packs (20) stacked in the first stack compartment (22) fall upon an opening of the base (40),
• an ejector (26) positioned adjacent the second stack compartment (24) for laterally ejecting the packs (20) therefrom, and
• bundle-forming means (28) positioned adjacent said second stack compartment (24) for positioning a bundling element (30) round the stacked packs (20) which have been laterally ejected by said ejector and so as to maintain the packs together.