Abstract: A method is suitable for processing a plurality of electronic documents designated for processing and delivery to a plurality of recipients, each recipient having a zip code associated therewith. Each electronic document is assigned a plurality of attributes, and the documents are sorted into one or more attribute groups based on the attributes, such that the electronic documents of each attribute group share at least one of the attributes. Output groups are then formed from the electronic documents of each attribute group based on the zip code associated with each electronic document, such that the electronic documents of each output group have similar zip codes. The output groups can then be routed to processing sites for processing the electronic documents to form physical documents for delivery to the recipients.

Abstract: A method can be used for processing electronic documents, each of which are assigned a plurality of attributes. The documents are sorted into one or more groups based on the attributes, such that the electronic documents of each group share at least one of the attributes. The attributes of the documents in each group are analyzed to determine an appropriate processing site for each group, and then the groups are each routed to their respective processing sites determined to be appropriate therefor.

Abstract: A method is suitable for processing a plurality of electronic documents designated for processing and delivery to a plurality of recipients, each recipient having a zip code associated therewith. Each electronic document is assigned a plurality of attributes, and the documents are sorted into one or more attribute groups based on the attributes, such that the electronic documents of each attribute group share at least one of the attributes. Output groups are then formed from the electronic documents of each attribute group based on the zip code associated with each electronic document, such that the electronic documents of each output group have similar zip codes. The output groups can then be routed to processing sites for processing the electronic documents to form physical documents for delivery to the recipients.

Abstract: A method can be used for processing electronic documents, each of which are assigned a plurality of attributes. The documents are sorted into one or more groups based on the attributes, such that the electronic documents of each group share at least one of the attributes. The attributes of the documents in each group are analyzed to determine an appropriate processing site for each group, and then the groups are each routed to their respective processing sites determined to be appropriate therefor.

Abstract: A preform overcladding device is provided. The preform overcladding device includes an injector for providing particles having a predetermined material, and a preheater for preheating the particles provided by the injector. The preform overcladding device also includes a heater for heating and depositing onto a preform the particles preheated by the preheater.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the shape and position of a deformable object are described. At least a portion of an object is heated to a temperature sufficient to render the heated portion deformable by a force. An image profile of the heated portion of the object is obtained. A controller compares the image profile to a reference profile and produces an error image signal. Based on the error image signal, an instruction signal is generated. A force applicator responsive to the instruction signal applies a radial force to at least one distinct predetermined location on the heated portion of the object in response to the instruction signal to cause the heated portion of the object to conform to the reference profile. The invention is particularly useful in controlling the shape of an optical fiber preform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the shape and position of a deformable object are described. At least a portion of an object is heated to a temperature sufficient to render the heated portion deformable by a force. An image profile of the heated portion of the object is obtained. A controller compares the image profile to a reference profile and produces an error image signal. Based on the error image signal, an instruction signal is generated. A force applicator responsive to the instruction signal applies a radial force to at least one distinct predetermined location on the heated portion of the object in response to the instruction signal to cause the heated portion of the object to conform to the reference profile. The invention is particularly useful in controlling the shape of an optical fiber preform.

Abstract: An arrangement for collapsing tubular formations into optical preforms includes a control arrangement which controls the pressure build-up at the downstream end of the tubular formation during all of but the last one of the collapsing increments to control the flow of a gaseous medium through the interior of the tubular formation from an upstream end to and beyond the downstream end of the tubular formation. The magnitude of the back-up pressure is controlled by a set point controller in dependence on the actual value of the back-up pressure, the set point controller being operative for counteracting any deviation from the desired pressure. The set point controller controls the flow-through cross-section of a control valve that admits a pressurized inert gas to a region situated downstream of the downstream end of the tubular formation and also downstream of the point at which the pressure build-up is being measured.

Abstract: An arrangement for collapsing tubular formations into optical preforms includes a control arrangement which controls the ratio of hydrogen to oxygen in an oxyhydrogen burner flame during the collapsing operation toward overabundance of hydrogen when it is desired to increase the degree of evaporation of glass from the outer surface of a tubular proportion being collapsed. This arrangement is used for bringing the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the core region to that of the cladding region in an optical preform resulting from the collapse into or close to a predetermined range, regardless of the initial value of this ratio in the original tubular formation, by evaporating more or less of the glass from the outside of the tubular formation during the collapse.