Abstract: A method of preparing items to be mailed, in which periodically at least one main document is inserted into an envelope by way of a mail preparation system comprising an inserter station. A printing is printed through use of a printer on an envelope, which printing corresponds to a given main document. In accordance with the invention the printed envelope is fed from the printer to the inserter station, where the given main document is inserted into the printed envelope that corresponds to that main document. Furthermore a system for preparing items to be mailed comprises a printer, an envelope supply path and an inserter station connected thereto. In accordance with the invention the printer (6) is connected to the envelope supply path (5), in such a way that the envelopes can be fed from the printer (6) along the envelope supply path (5) to the inserter station (2).

Abstract: A method for setting a folding station included in an apparatus for preparing items to be mailed. This apparatus further comprises a document-supply station, an envelope-inserter station, transport means interconnecting these stations and setting means for setting at least the folding machine. For setting the fold height of a fold to be formed in a document or stack of documents, data are inputted to the setting means, these data representing the height of an envelope intended as a package for the document or the stack of documents. The fold height is determined and set by the setting means, at least partly depending on the inputted data representing the height of the envelope. The invention enables rapid and reliable setting of a folding station of an apparatus for preparing items to be mailed. The invention further relates to an apparatus for preparing items to be mailed, adapted for carrying out the present method and a folding station adapted for use as a part thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing an item to be mailed using a printer in which a main document is printed and a line of mail preparation stations comprising an inserter station, responsive to an output, comprising instructions for controlling the printer and the mail preparation stations, said instructions for controlling the mail preparation stations being detected and fed to those mail preparation stations. According to the invention the main document is fed directly from the printer to the mail preparation stations and the supply of the instructions for controlling the mail preparation stations is carried out in accordance with the printing of the main document. Further, an apparatus according to the invention is set forth, to be used for carrying out the method according to the invention.

Abstract: A method of preparing items to be mailed, in which periodically at least one main document is inserted into an envelope by way of a mail preparation system comprising an inserter station. A printing is printed through use of a printer on an envelope, which printing corresponds to a given main document. In accordance with the invention the printed envelope is fed from the printer to the inserter station, where the given main document is inserted into the printed envelope that corresponds to that main document. Furthermore a system for preparing items to be mailed comprises a printer, an envelope supply path and an inserter station connected thereto. In accordance with the invention the printer (6) is connected to the envelope supply path (5), in such a way that the envelopes can be fed from the printer (6) along the envelope supply path (5) to the inserter station (2).

Abstract: Method and device for folding pliable material. Arranged approximately on opposite sides of a feeding plane and directly opposite each other are folding rollers. The starting point is a position of the pliable material where a portion of the pliable material is in the feeding plane and a portion is bent out of that plane. An arcuate poriton of the portion of the pliable material that is bent out of the plane is folded over and conducted to a folding/nipping area between the folding rollers by pressing that portion at at least one location against the proximal folding roller and rotating this folding roller. A trailing portion of the pliable material is fed from the feeding plane in a controlled fashion. The folding rollers then make the fold. The invention enables accurate control of the location where the fold is made and the exertion of a relatively small force is sufficient for the pliable material to be conducted into the folding nip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining a plurality of serially supplied sheets into a set, depending on markings carried by the sheets and read by a reader, and discharging a set to a further handling station, such as an inserting machine. The leading edge of the first sheet of a set, and successively the remaining part of the sheet, is deflected out of its plane of transport, preferably downwardly and through about 180.degree., into a new plane of transport, in which the sheet is arrested in a flat condition. Each subsequent sheet of a set is similarly deflected and displaced into a position overlying the preceding sheet, and after thus completing the set, it is discharged. At choice, a set can be discharged with the leading edges being the edges that were the trailing edges during the supply of the sheets, or with one of the feed side edges of the sheets in leading position.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for folding pliable material, such as documents, which may differ in quality and length and which are conveyed in assembled form or successively in a transport track. The material is provided with a fold by bending the leading edge and a contiguous portion of the material out of the plane of transport, creating a folding area by guide means and forming the folding edge by folding means. The bending out of the plane of transport of the leading edge and the contiguous portion of the material takes place during the conveying of the material, the bringing into a tubular form of the material, the flattening of the tubular form, and the feeding of the material in that flattened form to the folding means. The apparatus comprises a transport track with feeding means and, as viewed in transport direction, folding means arranged downstream thereof, as well as guide means arranged between the feeding and the folding means.

Abstract: A combined separating, bursting and sorting apparatus for a continuous web of multi-forms having sheet divisions fixed by perforation lines, provided with a bursting device, a path of travel, and a sorting device consisting of a plurality of receptacles for separated and bursted sheets, said path of travel beginning at a plurality of plate-shaped infeed elements with connected, elongated, tensioned guide elements which extend substantially linearly to a deflection at a receptacle, which infeed elements for inserting a layer of the continuous web of multi-forms are capable of being deflected or swivelled away from each other and are combined to a packet by inserting thin distance plates in the side edge regions on both sides of the path of travel and the guide function of a guide element receding at the point of deflection is taken over by a guide plate which extends to the next deflection and follows same, and adjoins the path of travel on one side, the other side of which is formed by belt conveyor means or

Abstract: A method of opening an envelope along three edges, in which the envelope is moved to an opening or edge removing device along a supply path, one edge being guided along said device for cutting open or removing the edge. Next, the envelope is rotated through 90.degree. to be subsequently guided again along the opening or edge removing device for opening the second edge, which cycle is repeated for the third edge. An apparatus for performing this method includes a housing having an inlet path leading to the supply path along which the opening or edge removing device is arranged, a first set of members for moving and guiding the envelope co-extensively with the inlet path, and a second set of members for moving and guiding the envelope in a direction perpendicular to the inlet path along the opening or edge removing device, and a third set of members for guiding and moving the envelope along a quarter-circular path, which returns the envelope, turned 90 degrees, to the first set of members in the inlet path.