Abstract: A weighing system is provided to measure the article weight by first and second weight measurement devices. The first and second weight measurement devices each include a platform adapted to accept an article traveling along an upstream processing path and a device for sensing article weight as the article traverses the platform. Furthermore, the platforms of the first and second weight measurement devices define weight acquisition paths which are substantially parallel to one another. A diverter mechanism is provided to direct articles from the upstream processing path to one of the first or second weight acquisition paths. The diverter mechanism is controlled by a system processor which directs articles to one of the weight measurement devices depending upon its status, i.e., whether the path is available to receive another article for measuring weight. By diverting mailpieces to parallel weight acquisition paths, throughput is enhanced by multiple weight measurements occurring simultaneously.

Abstract: A materials handling system includes a feeder station having a plurality of material feeders and an insertion subsystem. Each of the plurality of feeders are connected to a common material transport path. A first material transport path is connected to the common material transport path and to the insertion subsystem. A second material transport path is connected to the common material transport path and to the insertion subsystem. A third material transport path is connected to the first material transport path and to said insertion subsystem. The second material transport path may include a materials processing subsystem such as a folder subsystem. The common materials transport may include a pre-fold accumulator transport having a pre-fold accumulator gate. A first diverter may be provided to selectively divert materials being transported by the pre-fold accumulator transport to the first or to the second material transport.

Abstract: A feeder for feeding media items from a tray includes a first nudger roller and a second nudger roller. The first and the second nudger roller are moveably mounted to the feeder. The first and the second nudger rollers are in a first position when a tray of a first type is connected to said feeder the first and said second nudger rollers are in a second position when a tray of a second type is connected to said feeder. The tray of a first type may be a shingle feed tray and the tray of a second type may be a stacks feed tray. With the shingle feed tray the first position for the first and the second nudger rollers are where each nudger roller engages each media item in a shingles tray when each such media item is positioned in the shingles tray to exit the shingles tray and to be moved from the shingles tray into said feeder.

Abstract: A software sign on sequence is provided that allows devices to negotiate how they will communicate, what data will be exchanged and how they will mechanically operate, when they are connected to each other. This avoids the necessity of supplying new software programs to each device which is time consuming and expensive.

Abstract: A weighing system is provided to measure the article weight by first and second weight measurement devices. The first and second weight measurement devices each include a platform adapted to accept an article traveling along an upstream processing path and a device for sensing article weight as the article traverses the platform. Furthermore, the platforms of the first and second weight measurement devices define weight acquisition paths which are substantially parallel to one another. A diverter mechanism is provided to direct articles from the upstream processing path to one of the first or second weight acquisition paths. The diverter mechanism is controlled by a system processor which directs articles to one of the weight measurement devices depending upon its status, i.e., whether the path is available to receive another article for measuring weight. By diverting mailpieces to parallel weight acquisition paths, throughput is enhanced by multiple weight measurements occurring simultaneously.

Abstract: A page buffer for receiving and holding, in queue, pages prepared by a printer and subsequently processed by mailpiece inserter. The page buffer includes pairs of vertically-aligned rollers defining a plurality of page stations therebetween. Each pair of rollers is spaced-apart and defines a nip for driving printed pages along a feed path. Furthermore, each page station is defined by and between a first pair of rollers disposed downstream of an adjacent second pair of rollers. A drive means is also provided for independently driving the pairs of vertically-aligned rollers. The drive means is controlled such that, in a first operating mode, the pairs cooperate to drive printed pages along the feed path. In a second operating mode, the drive means is controlled such that at least one of the page stations causes its respective first pair of rollers to retain and hold a leading edge portion of a printed page while the adjacent second pair drives and releases a trailing edge portion of the printed page.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus and method for measuring the weight of articles fed along a processing path. The weighing apparatus includes multiple segments, i.e., a primary scale segment adapted to weigh articles of a first configuration, and at least one secondary scale segment adapted to cooperate with the primary segment to weigh articles of a second configuration. The articles of the second configuration are larger than those of the first configuration in at least one dimension or direction. Inasmuch as the articles are fed along a processing path, a conveyor or transport means is provided to feed the articles to the scale segments. The conveyor may be controlled to momentarily pause the articles over each scale segment to obtain an accurate weight measurement. The weight measurement apparatus is particularly well-suited for use in mailing machines to calculate the value of postage indicia.

Abstract: A media item feed tray with an exit area for media items includes a sled moveable toward and away from the feed tray exit area. A biasing surface is mounted to the tray and extends away from the feed tray exit area. A spring member is mounted on the moveable sled and is connected to the biasing surface such that when the moveable sled is moved away from the feed tray exit area energy is stored in the spring member. The biasing surface may be a shaped rail with a cam surface and the moveable member may include a cam follower which engages the shaped rail cam surface. A first cam section and a second cam section can be provided with the moveable sled urged toward the feed tray exit area when the cam follower engages the shaped rail first cam surface section and urged away from the feed tray exit area when the cam follower engages the shaped rail second cam surface section.

Abstract: A materials handling system includes an insertion subsystem for inserting materials into envelopes to form mailpieces of a first type and mailpieces of a second type. The materials handling syatem also includes a first mailpiece transport path located downstream from the insertion subsystem and having a curved portion along which mailpieces of said first type are transported, and a second mailpiece transport path being substantially horizontal, located downstream from the insertion subsystem, and along which mailpieces of the second type are transported. Further, a diverter is included that diverts mailpieces of the first type to the first transport path and mailpieces of the second type to the second transport path.

Abstract: A print interface system includes a printer integrated in combination with a sheet handling system such as a mailpiece inserter. The print interface system facilitates the handling of sheet material in various operating modes, including conventional printing, duplex printing, and mailpiece creation modes. The system includes an interface module having upper and lower housing segments defining first and second feed paths. A first feed path directs sheet material to a stacking surface of the upper housing segment and a second feed path directs sheet material to a downstream module of the sheet handling device. A repositionable diverter bifurcates the path exiting the printer to direct sheet material to one of the two feed paths. Furthermore, the upper housing segment is pivotally mounted to the lower housing segment to provide internal access to one of the first and second feed paths.

Abstract: A print interface system including a printer integrated in combination with a sheet handling system such as a mailpiece inserter. The print interface system facilitates the handling of sheet material in various operating modes, including conventional printing, duplex printing, and mailpiece creation modes. The system includes a printer having multiple feed paths for printing on opposing face surfaces of a sheet material. One of the feed paths directs sheet material to a staging tray and another feed path directs sheet material to a downstream module of the sheet handling system. The system further includes a positionable diverter for directing sheet material to one of the feed paths and a sheet sensor for determining when a sheet of material has been directed along the feed path leading to the output tray. A controller is operative to alternately reposition the diverter from one of two positions.

Abstract: In a mail inserter having an envelope movement mechanism to move an envelope into an insertion station and a feeder to move a pack of insert material into an insertion position so that the insert material can be inserted into the envelope, a linear array of optical sensing elements is used to determine the position of one edge of the insert material and another linear array of optical sensing elements is used to determine the position of one edge of the receiving envelope in order to make sure that there is sufficient end clearance between the insert material and the receiving envelope. A stepper motor is used to adjust the envelope position, if the end clearance is outside a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method and system for closing opened envelopes flaps against the envelope body includes transporting an envelope in a first direction and parking the envelope in a first parked position. An envelope flap closing mechanism is moved to commence the movement of the envelope flap toward said envelope body. The envelope flap is closed against the envelope body while transporting the envelope in a second direction toward a second parked position. The flap closing mechanism may be moveable from a lower position to an upper position. The envelope flap closing system may include a first transport path of travel for envelopes to be moved seriatim in a first direction from an entrance point to an exit point. A moveable flap closing mechanism is mounted along the path of travel for movement between a lower position and an upper position.

Abstract: The sheet capacity of a pivoting feed head is combined with a complimentary pivoting design for the paper tray lift, such that a large total capacity of sheets is attained within a compact space, while allowing the lifting mechanisms to be located outside of the perimeter of the paper tray.

Abstract: An envelope with its flap in an open position is driven along a transport path by first transport means (31a) at a first location. When the crease line between the flap and the body of the envelope reaches a predetermined location along the transport path, buckling means (31b, 53) engage the envelope from opposite sides at a second location, spaced apart from the first location, such as to cause the envelope to buckle laterally of the transport path and be partially closed. The buckling envelope with its crease line leading is then received by sealing means (31a, 31b), by means of which the envelope fully closed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for clearing a jam that occurs on a mailing machine sheet feeder are presented. An envelope stripper and moistener portion of the mailing machine can include a jam release mechanism that provides for a release handle to unlock an upper transport and swing the transport and related portions of the mailing machine into an upright position leaving a transport deck and blade exposed, and thereby facilitating the clearing of a jammed envelope or other mailing piece. The sheet feeding device can include a feeder portion, an upper transport portion and a transport deck. The jam clearing device can include an upper transport frame pivotally mounted to the sheet feeding device via an upper transport pivot shaft and a latching means for securing the upper transport frame in a home position.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for clearing a jam that occurs on a mailing machine sheet feeder are presented. An envelope stripper and moistener portion of the mailing machine can include a jam release mechanism that provides for a release handle to unlock an upper transport and swing the transport and related portions of the mailing machine into an upright position leaving a transport deck and blade exposed, and thereby facilitating the clearing of a jammed envelope or other mailing piece. The sheet feeding device can include a feeder portion, an upper transport portion and a transport deck. The jam clearing device can include an upper transport frame pivotally mounted to the sheet feeding device via an upper transport pivot shaft and a latching means for securing the upper transport frame in a home position.

Abstract: A method for expelling air out of mailpieces includes the steps of creating a stack of the mailpieces; cutting an opening in at least some of the mailpieces; jogging the stack of mailpieces; and subjecting the stack of mailpieces to at least one compression/decompression cycle during the jogging step thereby expelling air out of the at least some of the mailpieces through their corresponding openings. A jogger system incorporates the structure for accomplishing the method.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to a folder apparatus for sheets, and more particularly an improved knife folder. In an embodiment, the folder comprises an inducer which is repositionable between a first position and second position, and an idler roller. In the first position the idler roller and a fold roller form a nip. The inducer further comprises a blade adjacent to the idler roller. A first side of the blade and another fold roller define a portion of the feed path adjacent to the another fold roller. When the inducer is in a second position an auxiliary feed path is formed and the sheet may travel along the auxiliary feed path and subsequently be buckled by the blade when the inducer returns to the first position.

Abstract: A method for expelling air out of mailpieces includes the steps of creating a stack of the mailpieces; cutting in at least some of the mailpieces; jogging the stack of mailpieces; and subjecting the stack of mailpieces to at least one compression/decompression cycle during the jogging step thereby expelling air out of the at least some of the mailpieces through their corresponding openings. A jogger system incorporates the structure for accomplishing the method.