Apparatus for placing inserts of different thicknesses and widths into newspaper jackets

In apparatus for sequentially feeding stacked inserts one at a time from each of a plurality of insert containers into opened newspaper jackets as the jackets are moved by a conveyor along a path past the containers, the apparatus including a plurality of inserting devices mounted on first supports and controlled by a driver and first timing elements for withdrawing the inserts one at a time from each of the containers and for propelling the inserts into the opened jackets as the jackets pass by the containers, wherein the improvement comprises:

• each of said inserting devices including a first shaft rotatably mounted in said supports and connected in operative relationship for being rotated by said driver;
• a plurality of first circular drum elements fixedly mounted on said shaft;
• a plurality of first movable belt assemblies positioned, respectively, on predetermined of said drum elements and between said predetermined drum elements and said conveyor for movement with said predetermined drum elements as said predetermined drum elements are rotated by said shaft;
• and
• a plurality of second movable belt assemblies connected in operative relationship with said timing elements and movably adjustable in directions substantially parallel with respect to said shaft for respective positioning in opposed relationship with said first belt assemblies and said predetermined drum elements for receiving an insert, withdrawn from one said container, between said first and second belt assemblies and for propelling said insert into said jacket.