Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting sealed packages having volumetric dimensions includes a frame having an inlet and an outlet side, conveyor means for conveying packages along a path of transport from the inlet side through said frame towards said outlet side, and first inspection means disposed adjacent to said conveyor means and pivotally connected to said frame, such that upon being contacted by a package located on said conveyor means said first inspection means are pivoted around at least a first pivoting point. The first inspection means includes first counteracting means for applying a first load on said package urging said first inspection means against said package to be tested, and means for generating a first indication of the volumetric dimensions of said package.

Abstract: In a method for the automated processing of bulk mail, envelopes are transferred to a receiving apparatus in bulk fashion (from incoming mail trays or the like) for the extraction of documents contained by the envelopes, and the extracted documents are delivered to a remittance processing device, preferably both automatically and without the need for human intervention. Subsequent processing of the extracted documents within the remittance processing device then proceeds in usual fashion, completing the acquisition of information which is necessary to ready such documents for deposit into the banking system. Also disclosed are various presorting functions so that only envelopes containing documents of a specified type will be fully processed, other sorting functions such as the identification of specific types of documents (invoices or checks) for separate processing, and the use of a single extraction device to deliver extracted documents to either one, or a series of remittance processing devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automated processing of bulk mail which incorporates a number of operating stations that serve to accomplish the various aspects of mail extraction, as well as the subsequent processing of extracted documents, and which are operatively associated with one another to serially process envelopes and extracted documents in continuous fashion and substantially independent of their characteristic features. To this end, the operating stations of the apparatus are configured to be as independent as possible of the characteristics of the envelopes and their contents so that envelopes and contents of varied characteristics can be effectively handled by the apparatus without requiring any significant adjustments.

Abstract: An extraction apparatus for the automated processing of bulk mail includes a first pair of rollers forming a nip for receiving each of a plurality of envelopes, with their contents. The envelopes, which have been opened along plural contiguous edges, are then passed to a second pair of rollers following the first pair of rollers, for receiving the opened envelopes (with the contents) from the first pair of rollers. The second pair of rollers are spaced from one another and each include a suction cup for engaging faces of the opened envelope responsive to an applied vacuum, and for spreading the faces of the envelope apart. A third pair of rollers following the second pair of rollers forms a nip for receiving the contents from between the second pair of rollers, thereby removing the contents from the envelope.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automated processing of bulk mail, wherein envelopes are transferred to the apparatus in bulk fashion (from incoming mail trays or the like) for the extraction of documents contained by the envelopes, communicates with a remittance processing device, preferably both automatically and without the need for human intervention. Subsequent processing of the extracted documents within the remittance processing device then proceeds in usual fashion, completing the acquisition of information which is necessary to ready such documents for deposit into the banking system.

Abstract: Document detector and collector for detecting and collecting identifiable documents from a high speed stream of documents. A plurality of documents including identifiable documents are fed along a path. A detector detects the identifiable documents. A table is mounted above the document path to receive the identifiable documents. A first vacuum wheel responsive to the detector, removes the identifiable documents and feeds the removed documents to a second vacuum wheel. The second vacuum wheel delivers the documents to the delivery table.

Abstract: A document processor for transporting documents through a path, detecting flaws thereon by electronically scanning each side of the document, printing selectable indicia only on unflawed documents, and sorting and storing separately the flawed and unflawed documents. The electronically scanned information is compared with a master document stored in a computer memory. As a result of this comparison, outputs are provided from the computer which are indicative of a favorable or unfavorable comparison for controlling the printing and sorting functions.

Abstract: High speed document processing and sorting apparatus. A stream of documents is guided along a path at high speed. A detector is mounted along said path to detect identifiable documents. A magazine is mounted to receive the detected documents. A vacuum wheel is mounted to remove the detected documents from said path to said magazine. The vacuum picker comprises a vacuum wheel mounted a predetermined spacing over said path, the vacuum wheel having a surface speed equal to the high speed document speed. A solid wheel is movably mounted below said vacuum wheel and below said path. A detector control moves the solid wheel and document up into contact with the vacuum wheel when it is desired to remove a document moving at high speed.

Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus for documents requiring secure handling, such as banknotes. The documents are fed one at a time along a main flow-line in which they are sensed to determine whether they are in a fit condition or in an unfit condition. If unfit, they are routed into a secondary flow-line leading to a shredder, the secondary flow-line including further checking structure to ensure that documents classed as unfit in the main flow-line are present in the secondary flow-line at the appropriate time and are guided to the shredder.