Abstract: The invention provides a delivery system and layered stacking device for paper packages. The layered stacking device comprises a upper layer mechanism, a lower layer mechanism, and a pushing mechanism. The upper layer mechanism protrudes to an outlet of a delivery device to receive at least two paper packages. The paper packages will be stacked and neatly arranged on the upper layer mechanism. When the lower layer mechanism is raised to a first height and therefore close to the outlet, the upper layer mechanism will be withdrawn from the outlet of the delivery device, thereby the lower layer mechanism will receive the stacked paper packages that are dropped from the upper layer mechanism. Afterwards, when the lower layer mechanism is fallen to a second height, the pushing mechanism will push the stacked paper packages on the lower layer mechanism to a feeding device next the lower layer mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking a product, including: a control circuit; at least one vacuum cup arranged to adhere, with negative pressure and at a first location, at least one sheet of material to the at least one vacuum cup; and at least one sensor to monitor an area proximate the at least one vacuum cup and transmit at least one signal regarding a presence of at least one sheet of material in the area. The apparatus is arranged to displace to a second location. The control circuit is arranged to determine, responsive to the at least one signal, the at least one sheet of material is not present in the area and generate an error signal indicating that the at least one sheet of material is not present in the area.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus and methods for bindery systems are disclosed. An example method includes engaging a signature assembly with an end of a separator to cause 1) a first page of the signature assembly to be disposed on a platform and 2) a second page of the signature assembly to be disposed on the side of the platform; drawing the first page toward the platform; and imaging the first page when the first page is on the platform.

Abstract: A method and device for the production of books, including: moving book blocks successively along a conveying section of a book production line; supplying a stack of book cases to the book production line; identifying a marking on each of the book blocks and the book cases; transmitting an identified marking on at least one book case to a machine control of the book production line; assigning a dataset stored in the machine control for a sequence of book cases to the supplied stack; determining a sequence in the machine control for book blocks positioned on the conveying section; comparing the dataset for the sequence of the book cases to the sequence of the book blocks; and removing and/or supplying at least one book block from or to the conveying section if the sequence of the book blocks deviates from the sequence of the book cases using the machine control.

Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus is presented that includes a first module arranged along a sheet conveyance route from the upstream to the downstream thereof, and a second module arranged adjacent to the first module. The first module includes a first control part to transmit destination information and category information of discriminated sheets and to execute conveyance control to the sheet residing along the first conveyance route. The second module includes a second control part to execute conveyance control to the sheets residing along the second conveyance route, and to transmit information of the number of sheets in each category stacked in the first stacking device. The first control part is configured to execute a cross-check to determine whether the information of the number of sheets in each category received from the second control part matches the information of the number of sheets transmitted to the second control part.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a tab sheet supply unit and a control unit. The tab sheet supply unit supplies tab sheets of an identical type from an identical sheet supply tray as a chapter tab sheet to be inserted at a breakpoint of a first level of classification of a document to be printed, as well as a section tab sheet to be inserted at a breakpoint of a second level that is a finer level of classification than the first level of classification. The control unit causes the tab sheet contained in the sheet supply tray to be discharged as an unnecessary tab sheet, if the tab position of the tab sheet to be supplied next from the sheet supply tray does not match with the tab position of the tab sheet to be inserted next during the printing of the document, until both of the tab positions match.

Abstract: A method and system for validating the completeness of a document collation includes obtaining information concerning a document having a first page and a last page, and processing the obtained information. The processed information is employed to apply a marking on the document that may be readable through an enclosure that visually obscures the marking. The marking may provide information regarding the completeness of the document collation within the enclosure. The processed information may be employed in a manner such that the applied marking includes a first page mark on the first page of the document collation and a last page mark in the last page of the document collation. The marks may be applied in respective predetermined zones on the first page and the last page. The first page zone and the last page zone may have a predetermined relationship for a document collation.

Abstract: A document discarding apparatus includes: a metal detector that detects presence or absence of a metal embedded in a document; a code reader that reads a code; an instruction accept portion that accepts an instruction to discard the document; a document discarding portion that discards the document; a first determining unit that, according to the presence or absence of the metal, determines whether the document may be discarded in the document discarding portion; a second determining unit that, according to the code, determines whether the document may be discarded in the document discarding portion; and a document discarding control unit that, when the instruction accept portion accepts an instruction to discard the document, on condition that the first determining unit and the second determining unit both determine that the document can be discarded in the document discarding portion, controls the document discarding portion to discard the document.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a tab sheet supply unit and a control unit. The tab sheet supply unit supplies tab sheets of an identical type from an identical sheet supply tray as a chapter tab sheet to be inserted at a breakpoint of a first level of classification of a document to be printed, as well as a section tab sheet to be inserted at a breakpoint of a second level that is a finer level of classification than the first level of classification. The control unit causes the tab sheet contained in the sheet supply tray to be discharged as an unnecessary tab sheet, if the tab position of the tab sheet to be supplied next from the sheet supply tray does not match with the tab position of the tab sheet to be inserted next during the printing of the document, until both of the tab positions match.

Abstract: When handling paper sheets, the paper sheet present at the uppermost or lowest part of each batch of the paper sheets is assigned as a designated paper sheet, and then intrinsic information on this designated paper sheet is associated with transaction information corresponding to the batch of the paper sheets. Thereafter, a plurality of batches of the paper sheets are stacked, one on another, in a certain number corresponding to transactions, while the intrinsic information on each designated paper sheet is already associated with the corresponding transaction information. Then, such stacked batches of the paper sheets are handled, collectively, by a paper sheet handling system. Thereafter, each recognition result on the plurality of batches of the paper sheets, respectively handled by the paper sheet handling system, is separated by utilizing each designated paper sheet.

Abstract: The disclosed method identifies potentially faulty sheets that were printed when the parameters were outside the predetermined normal parameter range and maintains one or more locations of the potentially faulty sheets within the stacks of sheets. If one or more of the stacks of sheets contain one or more of the potentially faulty sheets, the method prints one or more printing fault cover sheets and outputs the printing fault cover sheets to the stacks of sheets that contain the potentially faulty sheets. The printing fault cover sheets identify the locations of the potentially faulty sheets within the stacks of sheets. By providing the printing fault cover sheets and continuing the printing operation, the method can be set to stop the printing only for printing parameters that physically prevent printing, and not for printing parameters that only affect printing quality, thereby maintaining high productivity while still allowing the user to easily locate sheets that potentially have printing faults.

Abstract: A printer as an image forming apparatus controls to discharge the tab sheets that became no longer necessary when the type of tab sheets supplied is changed. Thus, the printer controls to discharge the tab sheets that became no longer necessary while printing a unit number of copies for a printing job.

Abstract: A system for gathering printed products includes a transport device and feed devices for the printed products, which form a gathering line, wherein the transport device has receiving points for the printed products located at regular intervals on a revolving traction apparatus. A sensor, which monitors the functionality of the receiving points along the transport line to detect defects, is connected to a control unit, which determines the feed of the printed products to the receiving points of the transport device.

Abstract: A book product apparatus and method for producing books includes the step of supplying a controller, a gathering line, and a plurality of feeding devices, wherein the feeding devices are adapted to dispense at least one signature onto the gathering line based on instructions from the controller. The method further includes the steps of loading a customer list and a separate recipient list associated with each feeding device into the controller and comparing two customer data sources to generate the instructions to send to the feeding devices as to what signatures to dispense from the feeding devices.

Abstract: A sheet finishing apparatus includes a punch unit to punch a sheet, and a saddle unit to bundle and to fold the sheets. A position and an inclination angle of a puncher are changed according to a skew amount of the sheet, the puncher is controlled to form punch holes in the sheet at positions symmetric with respect to a folding line, and punching is performed so that an interval between the folding line and the punch hole becomes small at the inside of a bundle of the sheets and becomes large at the front cover side.

Abstract: A collecting device for forming a printed product includes a conveyor and a plurality of printed material delivery devices, the plurality of printed material delivery devices including a first delivery device for first printed materials and a second delivery device for second printed materials. A first transfer device is assigned to the first delivery device and delivering the first printed materials to the conveyor and a second transfer device assigned to the second delivery device and delivering the second printed materials to be collected with the first printed materials on the conveyor. Each of the first and second transfer devices have printed material buffer positions between the respective first and second delivery devices and the conveyor, which permit advantageous reduction in the amount of waste.

Abstract: A paper-handling unit serves for generating groups of items, wherein each group includes a plurality of items. The paper-handling unit includes at least one input channel for receiving the items, a portion to generate groups from the received items, a drive-out station for driving out a generated group, a detector detecting predetermined features from the items of a driven-out group, and a controller. The controller is operable to determine whether a predetermined event has occurred to drive the drive-out station to drive out a group if the predetermined event has occurred, to determine whether information was obtained from the detector during a predetermined interval, to stop the paper-handling unit if no information was obtained from the detector during the predetermined interval, and to stop the paper-handling unit if information was obtained from the detector during the predetermined interval which indicates that the driven-out group does not meet at least one predetermined criterion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preparing presentation instruments for distribution. Some of the methods include reading a code from a distribution stock, accessing a database and determining a presentation instrument to be associated with the distribution stock, selecting the presentation instrument, and associating the presentation instrument with the distribution stock. The various systems include hardware and/or software components for implementing the methods.

Abstract: A paper sheet processing apparatus includes a plurality of bundling devices, and a plurality of chute devices which temporarily hold bundles, which are bundled by the bundling devices. A second transfer conveyor, which is slower than a first transfer conveyor, is disposed on a downstream side of the first conveyor. A transmission sensor, which detects abnormality in length of the bundle, is provide along the second conveyor. The distance from a release position of the bundle from the chute device, which is located on a most downstream side, to a terminal end of the first conveyor and the length of the second conveyor are set such that a time until the bundle, which is released from the most downstream chute device, is transferred onto the second conveyor is longer than at least a time until the bundle, which is transferred from the first conveyor, passes through the second conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing waste sheets from a sheet feed apparatus, removes waste sheets in a ergonomic manner. The bottom sheet or sheets from a stack of sheets is moved from an input hopper to a waste hopper. An accumulation of sheets in the waste hopper are rotated to an on-end orientation for convenient removal from the sheet feed apparatus. A conveyor may be provided to convey the on-end waste sheet out of the sheet feed apparatus. Sensors and alarms may be provided to modify a user when the waste sheet hopper is full. An interlock mechanism may be provided to prevent waste sheets from being added to the waste sheet hopper when it is full or tilted for sheet removal.

Abstract: A collecting device for forming a printed product includes a conveyor and a plurality of printed material delivery devices, the plurality of printed material delivery devices including a first delivery device for first printed materials and a second delivery device for second printed materials. A first transfer device is assigned to the first delivery device and delivering the first printed materials to the conveyor and a second transfer device assigned to the second delivery device and delivering the second printed materials to be collected with the first printed materials on the conveyor. Each of the first and second transfer devices have printed material buffer positions between the respective first and second delivery devices and the conveyor, which permit advantageous reduction in the amount of waste.

Abstract: A signature transport device includes a first conveyor moving a first signature and a second signature in a first direction. A signature lifting device removes the first signature from the first conveyor and a gripper removes the first signature from the signature lifting device at a first location. The signature lifting device has an inhibit position where the second signature follows a path, the path bypassing the first location so that the gripper bypasses the second signature. The present invention also provides for a method for transporting signatures.

Abstract: A collecting device for forming a printed product includes a conveyor and a plurality of printed material delivery devices, the plurality of printed material delivery devices including a first delivery device for first printed materials and a second delivery device for second printed materials. A first transfer device is assigned to the first delivery device and delivering the first printed materials to the conveyor and a second transfer device assigned to the second delivery device and delivering the second printed materials to be collected with the first printed materials on the conveyor. Each of the first and second transfer devices have printed material buffer positions between the respective first and second delivery devices and the conveyor, which permit advantageous reduction in the amount of waste.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing sheets, statements, and/or inserts prior to mailing are provided. One sheet processing system includes a receiver adapted to receive first and second single page sheets to be processed. The first sheet originates from a stack of first sheets, and the second sheet originates from a stack of second sheets. In some systems, the first and second sheets are of different sizes. The system includes a first read head adapted to read a first identifier from the first sheet, and a second read head adapted to read a second identifier from the second sheet. A circuit coupled to the first and second read heads is adapted to compare the first and second identifiers to determine whether a match exists. At least one identifier may include a magnetic stripe.

Abstract: In an image forming system including an intermediate conveyance apparatus capable of superimposing plural sheets conveyed from an image forming apparatus, and of conveying the superimposed sheets to a sheet finisher as a set, a controller causes a conveyance interval for sheets in the image forming apparatus to be the first conveyance interval, then, superimposes plural sheets in the intermediate conveyance apparatus, and conveys superimposed sheets to the sheet finisher as a set, when characteristic information of sheets to be conveyed continuously agrees with a prescribed condition. The controller causes a conveyance interval for sheets to be the second conveyance interval greater than the first conveyance interval, and conveys sheets from the intermediate conveyance apparatus to the sheet finisher, without superimposing sheets in the intermediate conveyance apparatus, when the characteristic information of sheets to be conveyed continuously does not agree with the prescribed condition.

Abstract: A method and control system for controlling an installation (1) for gathering flexible individual products (10), in which installation a stream of collections (20), which are from supplied streams that each have one individual product type, can be formed and conveyed to further processing (3). Each collection (20) has a predetermined quantity of individual products (10). Faulty collections (20) containing a supply fault with regard to one or several individual products are not processed separately but are regarded as faultless collections (20) under certain conditions. Accordingly, faulty collections are advantageously not conveyed to a fault corrective action until a quota of the faulty collections exceeds a predetermined reference limit.

Abstract: A system for processing presentation instruments that includes a presentation instrument reservoir, a presentation instrument reader, a distribution stock holder, a distribution stock reader, two or more motor systems for advancing distribution stock and presentation instruments, and attaching the presentation instruments to the distribution stock when codes printed on the instruments and stock match each other. In some cases, the motor systems can interface to an interface controller via a serial interface, and the interface controller can be coupled to a process control computer via an Ethernet connection. In some cases, distribution stock is blank and has no readable code, in which case the blank stock is automatically advanced to a reject bin without interrupting the operation of system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing selectively collated print products employ a production section, a control device, a transfer-out device for transferring out defective print products, a detection device that detects and records gaps resulting from the transfer out of defective print products, and a transfer-in device. Initially, a line of print products are processed in a production section; a predetermined number of print products are diverted from the production section and supplied to a product buffer. If the print products are not diverted, the line of print products continue in a conveying section and gaps between the print products are detected and recorded via the detection device. A number of print products are removed from the product buffer based on a control signal from the control device to fill detected gaps between print products in the conveying section; and the removed print products are inserted into the recorded gaps.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing sheets, statements, and/or inserts prior to mailing are provided. One sheet processing system includes a receiver adapted to receive first and second sheets to be processed. The first sheet originates from a stack of first sheets or a continuous form sheet, and the second sheet originates from a stack of second sheets or a continuous form sheet. The system includes a first read head adapted to read a first identifier from the first sheet, and a second read head adapted to read a second identifier from the second sheet. A circuit coupled to the first and second read heads is adapted to compare the first and second identifiers to determine whether a match exists. In this manner, the sheet processing system is able to confirm that the first and second sheets are both intended to be sent to the same customer.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling inserts for printed materials has been developed. The apparatus includes a printed material conveyor that includes a support post and a gripper. The conveyor receives and supports the printed material from below. After an insert has been placed inside the printed material, it is delivered to a stacker and jackets with insert errors are automatically returned to the conveyor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automatically synchronizing a number of paper feeding channels of an inserting system involving the following steps: a) inspecting the sheets provided for output in one of the channels by comparing their group sequence number and their sheet sequence number with predetermined reference values; b) outputting the inspected sheets from this channel if their group sequence number and sheet sequence number correspond with the set reference values; c) inspecting the additional sheets provided for output in one or more additional channels if the group sequence number or the sheet sequence number of a previously inspected sheet does not correspond with the set reference values; d) outputting the sheets from the additional channels if their group sequence number and sheet sequence number correspond with the set reference values, and; e) identifying a group as a defective group and outputting the sheet with the smallest group sequence number and with the smallest sheet sequence num

Abstract: A rotary blade device for interacting with printed materials has a rotating arm, a first pulley rotatably supported on the rotating arm, a first blade fixed to the first pulley, a fixed pulley, and a first belt connecting the first pulley to the fixed pulley so that as the arm rotates, the first pulley rotates with respect to the arm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for collating a plurality of separate groups or bundles of similar flats mailpieces arranged in a predetermined delivery point sequence, each mailpiece imprinted with a distinct delivery point or address indicia, to produce a single stream of mailpieces in new groups, where each new group comprises a plurality of mailpieces all addressed to a distinct delivery point. The apparatus comprises a plurality of feed units, each unit configured to process a quantity of similar mailpieces, each with a distinct delivery point indicia on the face of the mailpiece, and to deposit each mailpiece in a distinct pocket on a collation conveyor which traverses all of the plurality of feed units. Each pocket will ultimately contain different mail pieces, all addressed to the same delivery point Multiple new groups of mailpieces are then automatically placed in containers in a sequence corresponding to a predetermined delivery route.

Abstract: A signature transport device has a conveyor for moving a plurality of signatures in a first direction, and a rotary blade device having a first blade having an edge for lifting a first signature of the plurality of signatures from the conveyor, the edge being parallel to the first direction, and the first blade rotating about an axis perpendicular to the edge. A printing press and rotary blade device are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for collating a plurality of separate groups or bundles of similar flats mailpieces arranged in a predetermined delivery point sequence, each mailpiece imprinted with a distinct delivery point or address indicia, to produce a single stream of mailpieces in new groups, where each new group comprises a plurality of mailpieces all addressed to a distinct delivery point. The apparatus comprises a plurality of feed units, each unit configured to process a quantity of similar mailpieces, each with a distinct delivery point indicia on the face of the mailpiece, and to deposit each mailpiece in a distinct pocket on a collation conveyor which traverses all of the plurality of feed units. Each pocket will ultimately contain different mail pieces, all addressed to the same delivery point. Multiple new groups of mailpieces are then automatically placed in containers in a sequence corresponding to a predetermined delivery route.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for preventing components in an inserter machine from causing the inserter machine to stop or function less than optimally due to lack of proper attention from an operator. Accordingly, various component conditions are categorized based upon two or more levels of urgency, and each component having such a condition signals the category of urgency to an operator.

Abstract: For allowing a reduction in the processing capacity to be accommodated without a delay in a system, in which articles are supplied and transferred to an article processing device (8) from an article delivering device (4) in a regularly clock-cycled supply stream, articles are not transferred to the article processing device when there is no processing capacity. Instead, they are conveyed onwards along a return track (9) and are re-introduced into the supply stream at a return point (6) upstream of the transfer point (7). For each re-introduction of a returned article into the supply stream, a gap is produced in the supply stream in a gap formation point (5) upstream of the return point (6).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for personalizing printed media such as (but not limited to) catalogs, magazines, and books are disclosed. Personalized components are created before binding of the media occurs, reducing use of ink-jet printers on-line. At least the personalized components contain machine-readable indicia to permit identification and coordination of use of the components during the binding processes.