Patent ID: 8857806

Claim:
An apparatus for transporting flat products in a first direction and for orienting such products for applying printed indicia while the products are transported, comprising: a folder, a printer and a conveyor system having a conveyor structure, which is twisted about an axis, wherein the axis is generally parallel to the first direction, wherein the conveyor system transports the flat products in the first direction while holding the products in a first orientation generally orthogonal to the first direction, and, during transport, rotates each product about said axis, and folds a peripheral portion of the product in a direction opposite the first direction, in an orientation and position for applying printed indicia on the peripheral portion of the product, wherein the conveyor system comprises a plurality of grippers to hold the products, and further including a cam surface along the conveyor system which swings the grippers forward about an axis, to align the peripheral portion of the product in the first direction, and further including a control system which determines whether the peripheral portion of the product is aligned in the first direction, and effects alignment of the product.