Abstract: An apparatus may include a gantry including an arm configured to affix a transaction card to a card carrier, a conveyor configured to convey the card carrier to the gantry in a first direction, and a controller configured to receive inputs comprising at least a desired location on the card carrier where the transaction card is to be affixed and a desired orientation of the transaction card on the card carrier, move the arm of the gantry based on the inputs in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, rotate the arm based on the inputs in a fourth direction perpendicular to the second direction and the third direction, and affix the transaction card to the card carrier by the arm of the gantry.

Abstract: A system may include a folding apparatus configured to fold a card carrier for affixing a transaction card to the card carrier and a processor which can receive a first input from a user regarding a number of folds desired in the card carrier and a location of the folds on the card carrier, receive a second input regarding one or more directions of the folds to be made on the card carrier, and transmit a signal to a positioner motor configured to position the card carrier based on the first input and the second input such that the folding apparatus folds the card carrier according to the first input and the second input.

Abstract: A system may include a transaction card reader configured to detect an identifier of a transaction card to be affixed to a card carrier, a card carrier reader configured to detect an identifier of the card carrier, a transaction card stager comprising a plurality of compartments each configured to hold a transaction card, and a processor. The processor may receive, from the transaction card reader, the identifier of the transaction card, receive, from the card carrier reader, the identifier of the card carrier, and determine whether the identifier of the transaction card corresponds to the identifier of the card carrier. Based on the determination that the identifier of the transaction card corresponds to the identifier of the card carrier, the processor may select a first compartment of the plurality of compartments to place the transaction card.

Abstract: Advanced card machines and associated card merge methods are provided. A form may be provided from a first supply of forms to a first track that is configured to advance the form. A foldable payment card may be selected from a second supply of foldable payment cards, wherein the selection of the payment card does not result in the payment card being folded. The selected payment card may be advanced, without folding the payment card, along a second track to a position in which the payment card is supplied to the form Additionally, an adhesive may be applied to one of the form or the payment card, and the adhesive may attach the payment card to the form when the payment card is supplied to the form.

Abstract: Advanced card machines and associated card merge methods are provided. A form may be provided from a first supply of forms to a first track that is configured to advance the form. A foldable payment card may be selected from a second supply of foldable payment cards, wherein the selection of the payment card does not result in the payment card being folded. The selected payment card may be advanced, without folding the payment card, along a second track to a position in which the payment card is supplied to the form Additionally, an adhesive may be applied to one of the form or the payment card, and the adhesive may attach the payment card to the form when the payment card is supplied to the form.

Abstract: Advanced card machines and associated card merge methods are provided. A form may be provided from a first supply of forms to a first track that is configured to advance the form. A foldable payment card may be selected from a second supply of foldable payment cards, wherein the selection of the payment card does not result in the payment card being folded. The selected payment card may be advanced, without folding the payment card, along a second track to a position in which the payment card is supplied to the form Additionally, an adhesive may be applied to one of the form or the payment card, and the adhesive may attach the payment card to the form when the payment card is supplied to the form.

Abstract: A system for assembling a shipping package includes a feeder feeding an envelope from a supply of envelopes and a transport mechanism that transports a shipping container from a supply of shipping containers and places the shipping container in position for the feeder to insert the envelope into the shipping container. The envelope contains a replacement presentation instrument and a shipping indicator, and the shipping indicator includes a shipping address visible through a first substantially clear window in the envelope. Each shipping container has a second substantially clear window, and when the envelope has been inserted into the shipping container, the shipping address is visible through the second substantially clear window.

Abstract: Advanced card machines and associated card merge methods are provided. A form may be provided from a first supply of forms to a first track that is configured to advance the form. A foldable payment card may be selected from a second supply of foldable payment cards, wherein the selection of the payment card does not result in the payment card being folded. The selected payment card may be advanced, without folding the payment card, along a second track to a position in which the payment card is supplied to the form Additionally, an adhesive may be applied to one of the form or the payment card, and the adhesive may attach the payment card to the form when the payment card is supplied to the form.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for affixing attachments, such as double-sided adhesive slips, to credit cards and other presentation instruments. Exemplary systems include a conveyor configured to transport the article along an article processing path, and an attachment assembly. The attachment assembly may include an advance motor configured to advance an attachment web along a web path, a peeler disposed along the web path and configured to separate an anchor portion of the attachment away from the attachment web, and a positioner disposed along the web path and configured to adjust the position of the web path relative to the article processing path, such that the anchor portion of the attachment is contacted with the article when the positioner moves the web path within sufficient proximity of the article processing path.

Abstract: A system for assembling a shipping package includes a feeder feeding an envelope from a supply of envelopes and a transport mechanism that transports a shipping container from a supply of shipping containers and places the shipping container in position for the feeder to insert the envelope into the shipping container. The envelope contains a replacement presentation instrument and a shipping indicator, and the shipping indicator includes a shipping address visible through a first substantially clear window in the envelope. Each shipping container has a second substantially clear window, and when the envelope has been inserted into the shipping container, the shipping address is visible through the second substantially clear window.

Abstract: Sheet processing systems and methods are provided, including systems and methods for advancing and organizing sheets. System can include an alignment mechanism having an alignment plate, a first advancing mechanism configured to individually advance each sheet of a series of sheets in a first direction from a lower feeder to the alignment mechanism, a second advancing mechanism configured to individually advance each sheet of the series of sheets in a second direction from the alignment mechanism to an accumulator, such that the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a sensor configured to read an identification code of each sheet of the series of sheets, and a processor configured to control operation of the first and second advancing mechanisms based on sensor readings of the identification codes.

Abstract: According to the invention, a system for masking a portion of an envelope near the envelope's perimeter is disclosed. The system may include a supply mechanism configured to support an envelope, and provide the envelope to a first position. The system may also include a transport mechanism configured to move the envelope from the first position to a second position. The system may further include a masking apparatus configured to adhere a masking element to a portion of the envelope near the envelope's perimeter.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided which use a powered orientation controller incorporated into mail processing equipment in such a way to reorient materials as they pass through the equipment. In this way, the use of powered orientation controllers can provide significant advances to the flexibility of current mail processing equipment.

Abstract: According to the invention, a system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials is disclosed. The system may include a frame, first element, a second element, a compression mechanism, and a rotational device. The first element may be movably coupled with the frame. The second element may also be movably coupled with the frame. The compression mechanism may be configured to compress the stack of sheet-like materials between the first element and the second element. The rotational device may be configured to rotate the frame between the first position and the second position, where in the second position the stack of sheet-like materials is inverted relative to the first position.

Abstract: A method of reading cards includes receiving card carrier information for each of at least two card carriers. The card carrier information identifies at least one card relating to each card carrier. The method also includes reading card information from a card a first time, reading card information from the card a second time, comparing the card information as read the first time to the card information as read the second time, rejecting the card if the card information is inconsistent, comparing the card information as read either the first time or the second time to the card carrier information, rejecting the card if the card information does not match the card carrier information for one of the at least two card carriers, and mounting the card to one of the at least two carriers if the cards' card information matches the card carrier information of the carrier.

Abstract: A card reader includes a receiving arrangement configured to sequentially receive cards from an upstream process and position the cards to be read. It also includes a first reader configured to read card information from cards a first time and a second reader configured to read card information from cards a second time. The second reader is positioned such that the information is read by the second reader after the information is read by the first reader. The card reader also includes an advancing mechanism configured to advance cards from the receiving arrangement, through the first and second readers, to a downstream process. The card reader also includes a processor programmed to receive card carrier information that identifies at least one card relating to a particular card carrier. The processor also receives card information from the first reader and from the second reader.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for affixing attachments, such as double-sided adhesive slips, to credit cards and other presentation instruments. Exemplary systems include a conveyor configured to transport the article along an article processing path, and an attachment assembly. The attachment assembly may include an advance motor configured to advance an attachment web along a web path, a peeler disposed along the web path and configured to separate an anchor portion of the attachment away from the attachment web, and a positioner disposed along the web path and configured to adjust the position of the web path relative to the article processing path, such that the anchor portion of the attachment is contacted with the article when the positioner moves the web path within sufficient proximity of the article processing path.

Abstract: Sheet processing systems and methods are provided, including systems and methods for advancing and organizing sheets. System can include an alignment mechanism having an alignment plate, a first advancing mechanism configured to individually advance each sheet of a series of sheets in a first direction from a lower feeder to the alignment mechanism, a second advancing mechanism configured to individually advance each sheet of the series of sheets in a second direction from the alignment mechanism to an accumulator, such that the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a sensor configured to read an identification code of each sheet of the series of sheets, and a processor configured to control operation of the first and second advancing mechanisms based on sensor readings of the identification codes.

Abstract: RF devices used in financial and other transactions are moved sequentially to stations of a preparation device that prepares the RF devices for delivery to customers. At one station, an RF reader reads an identification code from the RF device and a label reader reads information on a mailing label. The read information is used to verify the mailing information to assure that the RF device is being delivered to the correct recipient.

Abstract: A card reader includes a receiving arrangement configured to sequentially receive cards from an upstream process and position the cards to be read. It also includes a first reader configured to read card information from cards a first time and a second reader configured to read card information from cards a second time. The second reader is positioned such that the information is read by the second reader after the information is read by the first reader. The card reader also includes an advancing mechanism configured to advance cards from the receiving arrangement, through the first and second readers, to a downstream process. The card reader also includes a processor programmed to receive card carrier information that identifies at least one card relating to a particular card carrier. The processor also receives card information from the first reader and from the second reader.