Abstract: An in-line mail weighing system and scale comprises a mail piece transport mounted atop a load cell. The mail piece transport includes a drive assembly and a pressure assembly defining a transport path. Mail pieces are moved through the mail piece transport, on edge. The load cell takes a series of weight measurements for each mail piece in a stream of mail pieces as each mail piece moves through the mail piece transport at a constant high speed, and then accurately calculates the weight of each mail piece.

Abstract: A label applicator for cutting labels to be applied to objects such as newspapers, letters, or flat mailpieces. The label applicator includes a movable blade and a fixed blade for cutting a label from label material fed through the label applicator. The fixed blade may be located on a cutting assembly via registration pins. The label applicator may include a paddle for applying the label to an object. The applicator may be incorporated into a mail processing system and controlled by various controllers.

Abstract: A label applicator for cutting labels to be applied to objects such as newspapers, letters, or flat mailpieces. The label applicator includes a movable blade and a fixed blade for cutting a label from label material fed through the label applicator. The fixed blade may be located on a cutting assembly via registration pins. The label applicator may include a paddle for applying the label to an object. The applicator may be incorporated into a mail processing system and controlled by various controllers.

Abstract: A labeling assembly for applying labels carried on a substrate to a sequential series of moving documents is provided. The assembly transports the document in a generally vertical end on end orientation down a conveying path and peels the label from the substrate to position the peeled label in a generally vertical orientation. The labeling assembly also includes a paddle having a front surface with vacuum ports for attaching and releasably retaining the peeled label on the front surface. An actuating mechanism pivots the paddle to force an end of the retained label into contact with the document. Upon contact, the downstream end of the retained label adheres to the document and the label is pulled off the paddle. As the label is pulled off the paddle the contact between the end of the paddle presses the label against the document.

Abstract: An insertion machine includes an insertion station (44) whereat groups of items are stuffed into an envelope held open at an envelope opening station (49). The insertion station comprises a cam (212)-driven carriage (202) which linearly reciprocates in a direction (480) toward and away from the envelope opening station (49). The carriage (202) carries a plurality of selectively mounted, selectively rotatable pusher fingers (204). The pusher fingers (204) have a profile suitable for shoving items along a partially inclined insertion plate surface 403 and into an opened envelope. The pusher fingers (204) are selectively rotatable to an operative orientation (720) and to an inoperative orientation (722) under the supervision of a controller (205). Jam detectors (550, 552) are provided proximate reciprocating entry fingers (500, 502) which move when a jam occurs in the inserting process. Should a jam occur, the pusher fingers (204) are controlled to rotate to their inoperative orientation (722).

Abstract: The size of the gap separating first and second jaw members (26, 28) comprising a gripper arm is made adjustable by the provision of a translatable bracket (80) upon which an actuator (30) is supported. As the bracket (80) translates, so do the actuator (30) and a linkage (32) which connects a pivotable jaw member (28) to the actuator (30). Translation of the actuator (30) and linkage (32) changes the size of the gap separating the pivotable jaw member (28) and the other jaw member (26), thereby permitting the gripper arm to accommodate and engage articles of differing thicknesses.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting article engagement errors and for calibrating engagement error detection apparatus associated with a plurality of gripper arms (16) of an insertion machine (10). Gripper arms (16) at each of a plurality of insert stations S comprise a first jaw member (24) and a second jaw member (26) which selectively engage articles therebetween. Field-generating means (420) is mounted on one jaw member while a Hall Effect sensor (400) is connected on the other jaw member. The sensed flux density of the generated field is a function of the relative displacement of the first and second jaw members (24,26). A signal generated by the sensor (400) operated in a slide-by mode is related to the separation of the first jaw member (24) and second jaw member (26). If the sensor-generated signal is within predetermined limits of a stored reference signal a proper number of articles are engaged between the first and second jaw members (24,26).

Abstract: Both positive pressure fluid and negative pressure fluid are used in a method and by an apparatus to at least partially separate a sheet prior to the feeding of the sheet. A carriage 22 having registration arms 160 resiliently coupled thereto is rotated toward a sheet lying in a storage position in a hopper 200. The carriage 22 bears both a positive pressure-communicating port 54 and negative pressure-communicating orifice, preferably in the form of two bellows-type sucker cups 56A, 56B. Positive pressure fluid is applied through port 54 in a manner whereby at least a portion of sheet 220 is attracted to a surface 52 in which ports 54 lie. While positive pressure fluid is being applied, the carriage 22 is rotated away from the storage position of the sheet 220, thereby deflecting at least a portion of the sheet about a first axis 208 of the sheet 220.

Abstract: A gripper arm includes jaw members (24,26) between which articles are engaged and from which engaged articles are released in precise placement upon a transport means. Jaw (26) is actuated by solenoid actuating means (28) acting through linkage means (30) to perform the engagement and release operations. The activation of the solenoid actuating means (28) is controlled to be dependent upon the operating speed of a machine in conjunction with which the gripper arm is used. The solenoid actuating means (28) is assisted by biasing means (122) which is preloaded to facilitate the application of a desired holding force on articles engaged between the jaw members (24,26). The jaw member (24) has a piece (162) of high coefficient of friction material embedded in a surface oriented to contact articles engaged between the jaws (24, 26).

Abstract: A breath tester includes an electronic detector providing an information signal with an amplitude level which varies as a function of the alcohol content in the breath under test. An anomaly detector circuit stores a signal related to the peak of the information signal, and continually compares this peak value with the instantaneous value of the information signal. When the difference between the peak signal level and the instantaneous signal level exceeds a preset amount, the output display of the breath tester is modified to indicate the analysis process has been disturbed by an anomalous chemical substance.

Abstract: In a breath tester of the type wherein a subject blows breath into an input for a predetermined continuous and uninterrupted flow, which breath is exposed to an electronic detector element whose output signal is employed to derive and display an output which is representative of the alcohol present in the breath and which detector, if subject to continued exposure of additional breath after the predetermined flow, is prone to produce an erroneous output, an electronic system is provided for electrically storing and isolating a detector signal produced from only the predetermined flow, whereby errors resulting from continuous flow or mechanical valving arrangements are avoided. The system disclosed includes circuit means for switching out and holding the end of flow detector signal and for producing an output based on that signal.