US3871639A - Method of automatically producing a continuously processable multicopy writing surface assembly, and apparatus for performance thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Method and apparatus for producing a multicopy writing surface assembly comprising a continuous web and attachments affixed thereto wherein the continuous web moves in one direction and the attachments move toward it from the opposite direction against a stop at which point they are interconnected.

Description

trite Feiix ts Patet [191 METHOD OF AUTOMATTCALLY PRODUCiNG A CONTENUOUSLY PROCESSABLE MULHCOPY WRll'HNG SURFACE ASSEMBLY, AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMANCE THEREOF [75] Inventor: Willi Felix, Strengelbach,

Switzerland [73] Assignee: .105. Hunkeier AG lFabrilt Fur Graphische Maschinen, Wikon, Switzerland 22 Filed: Oct. 26, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 301,100

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 1, 1971 Switzerland 15912/71 [52] U.S. Cl. 270/52, 282/115 A [51] Int. Cl.B65h 39/00 [58] Field 01 Search 270/52-59;

ten

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,691,327 10/1954 Hawley 270/52 X 2,801,846 8/1957 Stoothoff et a1. 270/56 3,389,038 6/1968 I Robison,Jr.... 156/552 X 3,572,682 3/1971 Leach et a1. 270/52 3,630,513 12/1971 Davidson, Jr. et a1 270/53 Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-V. Millin Attorney, Agent, or FirmBrowdy and Neimark 571 ABSTRACT Method and apparatus for producing a multicopy writing surface assembly comprising a continuous web and attachments affixed thereto wherein the continuous web moves in one direction and the attachments move toward it from the opposite direction against a stop at which point they are interconnected.

34 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures L4,L5 L6 4 3029 PATENTEUHAR 1 8 ms 7 3.871.639 sum 10F 55 R mm mm 8 $8 q 8 METHOD OF AUTOMATICALLY PRODUCING A CONTINUOUSLY PROCESSAIBLE MULTICOPY WRITING SURFACE ASSEMBLY, AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMANCE THEREOF The present invention concerns a method of automatically producing a continuously processable multicopy writing surfaceassembly comprising a continuous Industrial practice today knows of no suitable machines or methods for the production of such continuously processable multicopy assemblies. The production of such assemblies has hitherto been effected by manual methods, involving inadequate output and insufficient precision.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate the said drawbacks by providing a method characterized in that the continuous web moves in one direction and the attachments move towards it from the opposite direction, and that the two are interconnected and then laid down in an ordered manner.

The invention is now to be described by way of example with reference'to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. I shows a side view ofa machine for the affixing of single forms, address labels or the like onto continuous forms, or of multiple sets onto continuous single webs;

FIGS. 2-6 show diagrams of part of the machine according to FIG. 1 in various positions corresponding to the different steps in the process of affixing sets to a pilotweb;

FIG. 7 shows a diagrammatic top view of part of the machine according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 shows a section along line a-A in FIG. 7;

FIG 9 shows a section along line BB in FIG. 7.

The machine shown in FIGS. 1-7 comprises a support 1 for-apilot web 4 which is taken from apilot web stack 3 and which presents edge perforations serving to advance thepilot web 4. Arranged above thepilot web stack 3 is an adjustable guide bar which, viewed in the moving direction of the pilot web, is succeeded by a gluing station 7. Succeeding this is a lay-on and press-on station 9. The machine further comprises a device designed to receive a stack ll ofattachments 12, which are formed in sets intended to be affixed to thepilot web 4. Afeeder 13 is designed to withdraw theattachments 12 from thestack 11 and feed them to the layon and press-on station 9. The machine further comprises a tiltablepneumatic station 15 with suction and blast air for separation of theindividual attachments 12 from thestack 11. The lay-on and press-on station 9 is succeeded by an intermittently operating feeder, which in its turn is succeeded by a lay-down device 17; the web, with the attachments affixed to it, passes through the latter device and subsequently reaches a heightadjustable lay-down table 19, which can be automati cally lowered. The machine is controlled by switches arranged on aswitchbox 21. Arranged below the aforesaid stations and concealed in FIG. 1 by casing plates is a gearbox with gearing and drive for the intermittent advance of thepilot web 4.

The machine shown in FIG. 1 operates with two webs running side by side. Fitted to the machine frame areslidable bearings 26 which hold apivot rod 27. Clamped to thepivot rod 27 are nozzle supports 29 withremovable glue nozzles 30. A central heightadjustable glue vessel 32 supplies glue through aflexible tube 33 to thenozzles 30. By adjusting the height of theglue vessel 32 it is possible to vary the glue flow and thus the glue coating in accordance with the type of material, for instance. Afaucet 34 fitted to thesupply tube 33 permits the glue supply to be shut down for prolonged pauses or for changing thenozzles 30. The

supply tube 33 leads into adistributor tube 36, whence the various connecting tubes 37 lead to thenozzles 30.

Instead of spot gluing by individual nozzles, it is pos- .sible to adopt wipe gluing, sweeping the whole form width or part thereof. In such case, it is necessary to ensure before each advance of the pilot web that all parts such as stops and the like are retracted in order to prevent smudging of the gluing place.

The lay-on and press-on station 9 comprisesbearings 39 with apivot rod 40 to whichpress fingers 41 are adjustably fixed. One or, where applicable, several of thepress fingers 41 are provided with aplate spring 42. Anotherpivot rod 43 supports twostops 44 for each web, withguide slots 45 and stop surfaces46, for theattachment 12 to be laid in position. The term attachment as used herein denotes a single form, label or the like which is attached to a set of continuous forms, for instance, or a set of forms which is attached to a carrier or a pilot web. Arranged above the aforesaid components is a rig 48 with afixed support 49 to which abeam 50 is pivotally connected by apin 51. A programcontrolled tappet 52 capable of moving up and down is connected to thebeam 50. Arranged on each side of thebeam 50 and fastened thereto by arod 55 is apivoted arm 54 which is slidable across the web direction and whose position is therefore adjustable to the width of the attachment. The pivotedarm 54 is provided with a double-actingelectric magnet 56 which serves to opcrate a gripper S7 with a fixed upper clamp 58 and a lowerpivotable clamp 60. Theclamp 60 is fastened to apivot rod 61. It also presents astrap 62. A pin 63 is slipped through twostraps 62 and supports the twogrippers 57 belonging to apivoted arm 54 or, more particularly, thelower clamps 60 of the said grippers. The pin 63 is provided with arod 64 which is connected by a ball joint 65. The upper portion of therod 64 extends through theelectric magnet 56 and is provided at its free end with aspring 66 and aspring disk 67 which is adjustable for the purpose of pre-tensioning thespring 66.

To prevent the attachments, such as multiple sets, labels and the like, from getting nicked or torn when hitting thesurfaces 46, thegrippers 57 are arranged between the-two stops 44. Thegrippers 57 are not only feeding devices, but also serve to position the attachments to be affixed.

Arranged on the attachment stack table 10 is thepneumatic station 15 which, as previously mentioned, blows air from below through the stack table 10 in the direction of thearrows 69, in order to reduce the pressure of thestack 11 lying on the table 10 and thereby reduce the friction opposing the withdrawal of thelowest attachment 12.

Thesuction heads 70 are designed to pull the head of theattachment 12, such as a multiple set, away from thestack 11 and downwards. This action permits anair nozzle 71 to blow pressurized air between thelowest attachment 12 and theoverlying stack 11. Theair nozzle 71 may concurrently have the form of a retainer to hold up the stack overlying theattachment 12 to be withdrawn. FIG. 3 shows a set 73 which is withdrawn from thestack 11 in opposition to the movingdirection 74 of thepilot web 4 and is laid onto the preceding set 75, involving an overlap; This overlap can be obtained if, as explained, the set 73 moves in opposition to thepilot web 4. Before the processed webs reach the stacking device, they pass over a drivenroller 78 with two slightly leadingupper pressure rollers 79.

The stacking device further comprises apivoted stirrup 81. Thepilot web 4 is provided at points corresponding to half the attachment length with afold 82 which permits thepilot web 4 with theattachments 12 to be stacked in the manner shown in FIG. 1, so that thepilot web 4 folds up in such a manner that thehead 83 of the attachment is enveloped by thepilot web 4, while the other half of the attachment lies free. As a result, all attachments are restacked lying in the same position, i.e. coincident.

When continuous form sets with attachments are restacked, thestirrup 81 and the table 19 are not required. Such continuous form sets are passed over an edge; analogous to the edge of the lay-down table 19, into a receptacle (not shown).

It is further possible to provide the delivery end of the machine described with a cutting device to trim the perforated edges from the webs, while the web run-in end of the machine may be equipped with a transverse perforating device and/or a punching device. It may also be convenient to arrange a numbering device at the delivery end of the machine for the purpose of consecutively numbering the forms, labels, etc., after the gluing operation.

The above described machine operates as follows:

The pilot web 4 (or, instead, a continuous form to which single forms, labels and the like are to be attached) is drawn from thepilot web stack 3 and moves from right to left according to the FIGS. The intermittent motion is produced by a spiked belt engaging the edge perforations of thepilot web 4. The advance stroke of thepilot web 4 is set according to the length of the attachment or, more particularly, to the length of the overlap 76 by means of change gears. This construction thus permits the operator to set any advance stroke of thepilot web 4 required.

After the advance stroke, the gluing station 7 goes into action. Thepivot rod 27 with thenozzles 30, until then lifted, turns anticlockwise to lower thenozzles 30 on to thepilot web 4. This results in spot gluing of the pilot web according to the arrangement of thenozzles 30. The dwell-time of thenozzles 30 on thepilot web 4 is adjustable, ensuring highly accurate control of the glue quantity discharged by the nozzles. Then the pivot rod turns clockwise to lift the nozzles from the pilot web. Further lifting (by hand) permits thenozzles 30 to be easily cleaned.

Then the pilot web drive automatically restarts and brings thepilot web 4 in a further stroke to a point below the lay-on and press-on station 9. At each stroke, the gluing station 7 repeats the gluing of thepilot web 4 or the continuous set in the above described manner.

During the gluing phase, thepneumatic station 15, comprising the blowingair 69, theblow nozzles 71 and the suction heads 70, has prepared thelowest attachment 12 of thestack 11 for withdrawal. In this, theair nozzle 71 hold up the remaining stack during withdrawal of the lowest attachment. For this, they swing past the head of the lowest attachment to a point below the stack. The twogrippers 57 arranged between thestops 44 as shown in FIG. 2 are in the open position, with thelower clamp 60 moved down by theelectric magnet 56. During the last portion of the movement toward thestack 11, thehead 83 of theattachment 12 passes in between the twoclamps 58 and 60. At the end of the movement of thegrippers 57, theelectric magnet 56 acts to close thegrippers 57. Then thearm 54 with thegrippers 57 swings back, with the result that the said grippers withdraw an attachment 73 (FIG. 3) between the stack ll and the stack table 10 and convey it towards thepilot web 4 and thestops 44. The pivotedarm 54 moves to a lowest position (FIG. 3) and thence moves into the home position (FIG. 4).

The connection of therod 64 by the ball joint 65 ensures that the twogrippers 57 are operated evenly, and that theattachment 12 is simultaneously gripped regardless of its thickness.

Before this final phase in the motion of the pivotedarm 54, the attachment 73 passes with itshead 83 into theguide slots 45 of thestops 44. Before that, the motion of the pivotedarm 54 was slowed so as to ensure that the leading edge of the attachment 73 comes to rest gently against thesurfaces 46 of thestops 44. Shortly before the attachment reaches thesurfaces 46, theelectric magnet 56 de-energizes, and thegrippers 57 are held by the action of thespring 66 in a position whose clamping effect is reduced and which is adjustable in respect to clamping power. Once the attachment has reached thestops 44, the grippers are withdrawn from the attachment, now at rest. During the withdrawal of the grippers from the attachment, thepivot rod 40 in thebearings 39 turns anticlockwise, so that theplate spring 42 comes to rest on the attachment 73 and holds it fast. This prevents the attachment 73 from rebounding and ensures its accurate positioning. Then, after the withdrawal of the grippers from the attachment, thepivot rod 40 performs a second movement, lowering thepress fingers 41, which exert pressure at selected points across the whole gluing width of thehead 83 of theattachment 73 or 12, in such a manner that thepress fingers 41 bear exactly on the previously glued points. A suitable glue setting under pressure is used, so that thehead 83 of the attachment 73 is affixed to the corresponding points on thepilot web 4.

After this positioning, thegrippers 57 return to their gripping position shown in FIG. 2. For this purpose, after the movement into the position shown in FIG. 5, thebeam 50 is slightly lifted together with thepivot rod 54 and thegrippers 57 by the lifting of thetappet 52, and then thearm 54 swings clockwise into the gripping position. During that motion, theelectric magnet 56 reopens thegrippers 57, and thearm 54 is lowered by thebeam 50 and thetappet 52.

Thenext attachment 12 is then gripped and placed onto thepilot web 4, as described. So, while the first gluing point of thepilot web 4 reaches the lay-on and press-on station during the second stroke described, theattachment 12 is pulled into the said station in opposition to the moving direction of thepilot web 4, as described, and is first held fast on the pilot web l by theplate spring 42. Then, as described, thepivot rod 40 performs a second movement, lowering thepress fingers 41 to affix attachment to pilot web.

Before the next stroke begins, involving the advance of thepilot web 4, thepivot rod 40, in the present case controlled by cams (not shown), turns clockwise, removing thepress fingers 41 as well as theplate spring 42 from the glued attachment 73. After the advance or the next stroke, thepilot web 4, at standstill, receives glue, while the particular attachment 73 is affixed to thepilot web 4 under the pressure of the loweredpress fingers 41. During the gluing and affixing, thearm 54 with thegrippers 57 has again reached its gripping position, while before that thebeam 50 was again lowered by thetappet 52 during the return stroke and returned to the correct gripping position. The cycle now starts afresh, in that during the advance of thepilot web 4 described the next attachment E2 or 73 is withdrawn from the stack ll and placed onto the pilot web l. The final position is reached at standstill, and plate spring and press fingers ensure the correct affixing of the attachment to the pilot web. When attachments are affixed to thepilot web 4, the latter together with the affixed at tachments passes between the drivenroller 78 and theupper pressure rollers 79, where, owing to the position of thepressure rollers 79 with respect to the roller 7%, the foot of theattachment 12 is given an upward direction, while thestirrup 81 swung towards theroller 78 guides the pilot web 4i downwards. Thepilot web 4 is automatically folded about thefold 82, as shown in FIG. 1. During this folding operation, thestirrup 81 swings out clockwise, as shown in FIG. ll, so that it engages and spreads theattachment 12, so that the lower halves of the attachments come to lie exactly one above the other. In this manner, thepilot web 4 with the at tachments is restacked.

Where attachments are affixed to continuous forms, restacking is performed in the manner described earlier.

As mentioned, it is possible to adjust the stroke or the advance of thepilot web 4 to requirements. instead of multiple sets, it is possible to affix adhesive address labels, forms and the like to continuous webs. In all cases, the machine operates in basically the same manner, and all the need be done is setting of the stops, the advance stroke, the gluing nozzles and the press fingers accordingly.

For the purpose of affixing various kinds of form, several machines may be set up pin line. It is also possible to provide each web with several suitably controlled pivotedarms 54 withgrippers 57 to permit identical or different attachments to be affixed to the sets of a continuous form at different points, for instance. Moreover, it is possible by suitable programming to omit one or several attachments after, say, every hundred forms, for instance. Again, it is possible concurrently with one of the process phases, such as the gluing phase, to interconnect various superimposed continuous webs, as by punching. Finally, it is possible to apply the glue to the attachment instead of to the pilot web or the continuous form.

It is an essential feature of the above described machine that the attachments can be placed onto a web and affixed thereto at any point desired, and that the d attachments are positively guided and held until their connection with the web is ensured.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of automatically producing a continuously processable assembly including a continuous web and attachments, having a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the leading edge of the attachment is connected to the web, comprising:

moving the continuous web in one direction;

moving the leading edge of one of said attachments toward the continuous web from the opposite direction;

accurately stopping the motion of the attachment upon contact with a predetermined portion of the continuous web; and

interconnecting the leading edge of the attachment and the continuous web in an orderly manner.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the continuous web moves intermittently and the attachment is affixed thereto during the intermission.

3. Method according to claim 2,. wherein the attachments are taken from a stack and, during the move ment of the continuous web, are positioned above the latter.

l. Method according toclaim 3, wherein the gluing and the interconnecting of attachment and web are performed immediately after the web stops.

5. Method according toclaim 4, further comprising positioning the attachment against a stop, holding it fast, withdrawing the conveying means of the attachment from the latter, and then, for affixing, pressing the attachment against the continuous web at least at the glued points.

6. Method according toclaim 3, wherein the attachment to be withdrawn from the stack is exposed to compressed air which is blown from the front between the attachment and the remainder of the stack.

7. Method according to claim l, further comprising applying glue to the web, placing the attachment thereonto and affixing it thereto, and then delivering the finished multicopy writing surface assembly in an ordered folded manner.

8. Method according to claim 7, wherein gluing is performed spotwise, and that gluing time is variable.

9. Method according to claim 7, wherein the attachments having the form of multiple sets are interconnected by punching, during the gluing or affixing to the continuous web.

It). Method according to claim 7,. wherein the attachment is guided and held fast from the beginning of its withdrawal from the stack to the gluing operation, inelusive.

lll. Method according to claim 7 wherein the attachment is a set of multiple sheets and the continuous web is a pilot web wherein, for the purpose of ordered delivery, the pilot web is folded about a middle fold in such a manner that the leading edge portions of the sets lie between pilot web portions while the trailing edge portions of the sets lie in direct contact one above the other.

12. Method according to claim ll, wherein an adhesive agent setting under pressure is used.

13. Method according toclaim 12, wherein the means designed to hold the attachments in position is used as a pressing means to cause the adhesive agent to set.

14. Method according to claim 1, wherein the attachments having the form of sets of multiple sheets are affixed to the continuous web in a partially overlapping manner.

15. Method according to claim 14 wherein the attachment is a set of multiple sheets and the continuous web is a pilot web wherein, for the purpose of ordered delivery, the pilot web is folded about a middle fold in such a manner that the leading edge portions of the sets lie between pilot web portions, while the trailing edge portions of the sets lie in direct contact one above the other.

16. Method according to claim 1, comprising loosening the attachment in the stack, withdrawing it therefrom, conveying it towards the continuous web in a direction opposed to the advance of the said web and bringing it in slowed movements up against stationary stop surfaces, and, once the attachment rests against the stops, holding it fast, releasing it from the conveying means, pressing it against the pilot web and connecting it thereto by gluing, and then folding the pilot web with the attachments.

17. An apparatus for automatically producing a continuously processable assembly including a continuous web and attachments, having a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the leading edge of the attachment is connected to the web, comprising:

web feed means for moving the continuous web in one direction;

attachment feed means for moving the leading edge of one of said attachments toward the continuous web from the opposite direction; positioning means for accurately stopping the motion of the attachment upon contact with a predetermined portion of the continuous web; and

connecting means for interconnecting the leading edge of the attachment and the continuous web in an orderly manner.

18. Apparatus in accordance withclaim 17, wherein said positioning means includes stops designed to positionthe attachment with respect to the continuous web.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the stops are stationary and are provided with a guide slot and a stop surface.

20. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said attachment feed means further includes grippers designed to grip and convey the attachments.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein when the attachment comes up against the stops, the grippers are positioned between the said stops.

22. Apparatus according to claim which is provided with several grippers for the purpose of affixing several attachments side by side on one web.

23. Apparatus according to claim 20, further including a double-acting electric magnet and a spring designed to vary the clamping power of the gripper.

24. Apparatus according toclaim 17, further comprising a gluing station with nozzles which can be moved upward for cleaning.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24 further, comprising a lay-on and press-on station succeeding the gluing station.

26. Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the lay-on and press-on station is provided with clamping fingers capable of being lifted and lowered.

27. Apparatus according toclaim 26, wherein at least one of the press fingers is provided with a plate spring clamping means.

28. Apparatus according toclaim 17, wherein said attachment feed means includes a pivoted arm which is'capable of being lifted and lowered and which is provided with at least two grippers which are connected to a magnet by a ball joint and whose lower halves are pivotally connected to the pivoted arm, while the upper halves are rigidly connected to the said pivoted arm.

29. Apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said pivoted arm with the grippers is connected to a rig which is arranged above the continuous web and is capable of being lifted and lowered in controlled manner.

30. Apparatus according toclaim 17, further comprising a stacking device comprising at least one roller which has a lead with respect to a lower roller and hav- I ing a pivoted stirrupshaped means which is designed to guide the pilot web towards the stack as well as to spread out the overlapping multiple sets.

31. Apparatus according toclaim 17, capable of being set up in line with other systems of a design identical with its own design.

32. Apparatus according toclaim 17, further comprising a holding means which is designed as a blowing nozzle and which is designed to hold the stack overlying the lowest attachment.

33. Apparatus according toclaim 32, further com prising a pneumatic station which blows into the bottom of the stack and which presents at least one suction head designed to suck the head portion of the lowest attachment and which is provided with at least one air nozzle which blows in opposition to the withdrawal direction and blows air between the lowest attachment and the remainder of the stack and concurrently serves as a support for such remainder.

34. Apparatus according toclaim 32, wherein said nozzle is pivotally arranged for the purpose of supporting the remainder of the stack.

Claims (34)

1. A method of automatically producing a continuously processable assembly including a continuous web and attachments, having a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the leading edge of the attachment is connected to the web, comprising: moving the continuous web in one direction; moving the leading edge of one of said attachments toward the continuous web from the opposite direction; accurately stopping the motion of the attachment upon contact with a predetermined portion of the continuous web; and interconnecting the leading edge of the attachment and the continuous web in an orderly manner.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the continuous web moves intermittently and the attachment is affixed thereto during the intermission.

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein the attachments are taken from a stack and, during the movement of the continuous web, are positioned above the latter.

4. Method according to claim 3, wherein the gluing and the interconnecting of attachment and web are performed immediately after the web stops.

5. Method according to claim 4, further comprising positioning the attachment against a stop, holding it fast, withdrawing the conveying means of the attachment from the latter, and then, for affixing, pressing the attachment against the continuous web at least at the glued points.

6. Method according to claim 3, wherein the attachment to be withdrawn from the stack is exposed to compressed air which is blown from the front between the attachment and the remainder of the stack.

7. Method according to claim 1, further comprising applying glue to the web, placing the attachment thereonto and affixing it thereto, and then delIvering the finished multicopy writing surface assembly in an ordered folded manner.

8. Method according to claim 7, wherein gluing is performed spotwise, and that gluing time is variable.

9. Method according to claim 7, wherein the attachments having the form of multiple sets are interconnected by punching, during the gluing or affixing to the continuous web.

10. Method according to claim 7, wherein the attachment is guided and held fast from the beginning of its withdrawal from the stack to the gluing operation, inclusive.

11. Method according to claim 7 wherein the attachment is a set of multiple sheets and the continuous web is a pilot web wherein, for the purpose of ordered delivery, the pilot web is folded about a middle fold in such a manner that the leading edge portions of the sets lie between pilot web portions while the trailing edge portions of the sets lie in direct contact one above the other.

12. Method according to claim 1, wherein an adhesive agent setting under pressure is used.

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the means designed to hold the attachments in position is used as a pressing means to cause the adhesive agent to set.

14. Method according to claim 1, wherein the attachments having the form of sets of multiple sheets are affixed to the continuous web in a partially overlapping manner.

15. Method according to claim 14 wherein the attachment is a set of multiple sheets and the continuous web is a pilot web wherein, for the purpose of ordered delivery, the pilot web is folded about a middle fold in such a manner that the leading edge portions of the sets lie between pilot web portions, while the trailing edge portions of the sets lie in direct contact one above the other.

16. Method according to claim 1, comprising loosening the attachment in the stack, withdrawing it therefrom, conveying it towards the continuous web in a direction opposed to the advance of the said web and bringing it in slowed movements up against stationary stop surfaces, and, once the attachment rests against the stops, holding it fast, releasing it from the conveying means, pressing it against the pilot web and connecting it thereto by gluing, and then folding the pilot web with the attachments.

17. An apparatus for automatically producing a continuously processable assembly including a continuous web and attachments, having a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the leading edge of the attachment is connected to the web, comprising: web feed means for moving the continuous web in one direction; attachment feed means for moving the leading edge of one of said attachments toward the continuous web from the opposite direction; positioning means for accurately stopping the motion of the attachment upon contact with a predetermined portion of the continuous web; and connecting means for interconnecting the leading edge of the attachment and the continuous web in an orderly manner.

18. Apparatus in accordance with claim 17, wherein said positioning means includes stops designed to position the attachment with respect to the continuous web.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the stops are stationary and are provided with a guide slot and a stop surface.

20. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said attachment feed means further includes grippers designed to grip and convey the attachments.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein when the attachment comes up against the stops, the grippers are positioned between the said stops.

22. Apparatus according to claim 20 which is provided with several grippers for the purpose of affixing several attachments side by side on one web.

23. Apparatus according to claim 20, further including a double-acting electric magnet and a spring designed to vary the clamping power of the gripper.

24. Apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising a gluing station with nozzles which can be moved upward for cleaning.

25. Apparatus according to Claim 24 further, comprising a lay-on and press-on station succeeding the gluing station.

26. Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the lay-on and press-on station is provided with clamping fingers capable of being lifted and lowered.

27. Apparatus according to claim 26, wherein at least one of the press fingers is provided with a plate spring clamping means.

28. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said attachment feed means includes a pivoted arm which is capable of being lifted and lowered and which is provided with at least two grippers which are connected to a magnet by a ball joint and whose lower halves are pivotally connected to the pivoted arm, while the upper halves are rigidly connected to the said pivoted arm.

29. Apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said pivoted arm with the grippers is connected to a rig which is arranged above the continuous web and is capable of being lifted and lowered in controlled manner.

30. Apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising a stacking device comprising at least one roller which has a lead with respect to a lower roller and having a pivoted stirrupshaped means which is designed to guide the pilot web towards the stack as well as to spread out the overlapping multiple sets.

31. Apparatus according to claim 17, capable of being set up in line with other systems of a design identical with its own design.

32. Apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising a holding means which is designed as a blowing nozzle and which is designed to hold the stack overlying the lowest attachment.

33. Apparatus according to claim 32, further comprising a pneumatic station which blows into the bottom of the stack and which presents at least one suction head designed to suck the head portion of the lowest attachment and which is provided with at least one air nozzle which blows in opposition to the withdrawal direction and blows air between the lowest attachment and the remainder of the stack and concurrently serves as a support for such remainder.

34. Apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said nozzle is pivotally arranged for the purpose of supporting the remainder of the stack.

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