Abstract: Generating a printstream in a computer that is preferably remote from the one or more inserter systems. Once generated, the printstream is transmitted preferably to a high speed, high volume, printer for producing the printed documents to be included in the mail pieces, such as billing statements. The printed documents are then delivered to the one or more inserter systems, which are to be used as the input sheets in the one or more inserter systems. The print stream is also provided to a workstation computer coupled to the one or more inserter systems. This workstation interpolates the printstream in order to generate a reprint database containing electronic files corresponding to each of the printed documents. Also coupled to the workstation is a local printer, which may be used to generate documents, for re-processing purposes, from data received from the reprint database.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing an information-based indicia program (IBIP) address and postage in a document inserter mailing system is disclosed wherein a third-party word processing software with mail merge capabilities generates text and a matching address is used as the input for a client application in high-volume document processing and mail systems without programmatically altering the word processing program to accommodate the printing subsystem. Addresses are validated and corrected in the printing subsystems prior to creation of the indicia image and address image to be printed on the mailpiece. One or more documents are inserted into the corresponding address matched envelope, which is sealed and has appropriate postage affixed prior to placement in the delivery stream.

Abstract: A mailer for shipping cells contained in a cell culture apparatus, wherein the mailer comprises a containment system that can absorb and contain within the mailer a fluid that may leak from the cell culture apparatus. The containment system comprises an absorbent material that surrounds the cell culture apparatus; a liquid impermeable layer which seals the absorbent material so as to contain the fluid within the mailer; and a leak proof seal formed between a top panel of the mailer and a bottom section of the mailer into which is inserted the cell culture apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically positioning a plurality of suction devices over the throat of envelope to lift the throat.

Abstract: For assembling mail items, a type of envelope is selected from different types. Another station is accordingly set and a flat object is packaged in an envelope of the selected type. Prior to the assembly of a series of mail items, a set of basic finishing instructions applying to said series is activated. This set contains a first and a second set of instructions, each for selecting a first respectively second one of the different types of envelopes and with an instruction for an associated first respectively second setting of the other station, and a selection criterion for selecting, per individual mail item, one of the sets of instructions. Thus, within the framework of a preset set of basic finishing instructions, another one of the available types of envelope can simply be selected per mail item to be assembled individually.

Abstract: A machine and a process for the automatic enveloping of messages with a variable number of sheets provide; the supply of message sheets on a first accumulating plane (9, 48); the supply of envelope sheets on a second accumulating plane (17, 28, 29), which forms an angle with the first accumulating plane, such as to obtain the overlaying of the front ends of the envelope sheets and message sheets; the simultaneous feeding of the envelope and message sheets such that complete overlaying therebetween is obtained; and the simultaneous folding of the envelope sheets and message sheets, obtaining an envelope.

Abstract: A postal item receiving trays 41 respectively receives postal items 1a-1f issued and collected form each of companies of various industries, the postal items 1a-1f from each of the companies previously sorted into respective divisions of specified delivery areas covered by a specified delivery agency. A postal item extraction unit 42 extracts groups of multiple postal items 2 respectively expressing the destination addresses which coincide each other from the postal items 1a-1f as received in the postal item receiving trays 41. A postal item wrapping and weight sorting unit 43 lumps each of the groups of multiple postal items 2 as extracted by the postal item extraction unit 42 and successively wrapping each of the groups thereof as lumped by means of a specific wrapping component such as a wrapping envelope 3 with a transparent film material 3a.

Abstract: An apparatus for high speed packing of envelopes is disclosed. The apparatus includes an envelope flap opening assembly which facilitates the opening of each envelope by a finger of an opening element as the envelope passes through packing apparatus. Each envelope may then be conveyed into a first staging assembly where the envelope is stopped, allowing a freely rotating conveyor to force the envelope into contact with an ejection conveyor to direct the envelope from the first staging assembly. The envelope is then transported to the packing assembly by an intermediate conveyor having a plurality of distinctly and selectively driven conveyors to allow staging of the envelopes along the intermediate conveyor. A quick and efficient envelope packing assembly then packs the envelopes and ejects the envelope to an exiting conveyor which seals each packed envelope.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for opening an envelope for document insertion in a document inserting system. The apparatus includes: an air chamber having a first end and an opposing second end and an inlet in the first end; a piston movably located in the air chamber for dividing the air chamber into a first chamber near the first end and a second chamber near the second end; a suction cup operatively connect to the air inlet to pick up the throat of an envelope; a spring operatively connect with the piston; and a cam operable at a first position to compress the spring and to keep the piston near the first end, and at the second position to release the spring which urges the piston to move away from the first end and expand the first chamber, thereby creating a suction force for the suction cup.

Abstract: A laminated page having a carrier sheet; two barrier plies, at least one of which is laminated to the carrier sheet; and sample material enclosed between the two barrier plies. The present invention also relates to a method of making the laminated page, including a mass manufacturing method in a single pass on a printing press.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically filling and sealing envelopes in a complete sequence starting with envelopes being placed in an initial position and terminating with filled envelopes being delivered fully prepared for being labelled and stamped. The novel feature is turning the envelopes from a position with their front sides facing downwards into a position with their reverse sides facing downwards, with the contents of the envelopes being introduced when they are in the last-mentioned position. In consequence of the invention a faster operating and considerably more compact apparatus can be attained than in the prior art.

Abstract: A food product wrapping apparatus and method, in which four sticks of food product are simultaneously molded and wrapped during each cycle of operation, using a four cavity set mold plate and four cavity wrapping machines. A shuttle plate has two sets of four cavities and is alternately moved into a dosing mold for filling of one set of cavities and thence over a respective four cavity wrapping machine. All four sticks are simultaneously pushed out of the mold cavities and thereaft through the wrapping machine cavities.

Abstract: A method of advancing sheets includes the step of advancing a first enclosure sheet with a first scuffer. The method also includes the step of advancing a second enclosure sheet into contact with the first enclosure sheet with a second scuffer so that the first enclosure sheet and the second enclosure sheet create a pocket. The method further includes the step of advancing a confidential sheet within the pocket with the first scuffer. An apparatus for advancing a confidential sheet into a pocket defined by a number of enclosure sheets is also disclosed.

Abstract: A single web is printed in side-by-side relation with variable and non-variable information forming document and envelope web portions. The web is split longitudinally and the document web portion is cut to form discrete documents. Each document is folded about transverse foldlines to form a folded document and rotated 90.degree. for registration with matching envelope portions on the envelope web. Glue lines are applied to the envelope web. The envelope web is then plow-folded along both margins to form first and second flaps overlying and containing the document within the envelope portion of the envelope web. The glue lines are sealed to one another and excess envelope web material between adjacent envelopes is removed whereby envelopes containing documents sealed within the envelopes and forming mailers are provided.

Abstract: A mail item feed device adapted to be mounted on the upstream side of a franking machine and including in succession along a mail item transport path, a first or mail item feed area for receiving a stack of mail items, a second or mail item selection and transport area including a selector and transport module for separating the items one by one from the stack, and possibly a third or mail item closing area including a closing module for closing the mail items, the selector and transport module including independent selector means including selector rollers for separating the mail items one by one from the feed area and transport means including at least one set of transport rollers co-operating with the conveyor means in the selection and transport area to transport the mail items separated in this way towards an area farther downstream, and manual release means additionally being provided for raising the selector rollers if the mail items have a thickness greater than a predetermined thickness.

Abstract: In an inserting apparatus an envelope holder comprises a first envelope support connecting to a document feed path, for holding an envelope in a filling position in or against a first surface, and a second envelope support connecting to an envelope discharge path, for carrying another envelope in or against a second surface and in an overlapping relation with an envelope simultaneously held in the filling position. Also described is a method in which an envelope to be filled is brought into the filling position before the preceding, filled envelope has left a feed-through path and this envelope brought into the filling position temporarily overlaps the filled envelope. The proposed apparatus and method enable an increased processing capacity.

Abstract: A method for providing confidentiality to a facsimile transmission includes the step of advancing a back enclosure sheet into a print engine. The method further includes the step of advancing the back enclosure sheet out of the print engine and to an envelope forming station. The method yet further includes the step of securing the back enclosure sheet to a front enclosure sheet so as to form an envelope at the envelope forming station. The method also includes the step of advancing a confidential sheet into the print engine. The method moreover includes the step of printing information associated with a page of the facsimile transmission onto the confidential sheet with the print engine. The method also includes the step of advancing the sheet out of the print engine and into the envelope.

Abstract: A direct mail article that is produced from an integral web or sheet of card stock that can be transmitted through the mails without an outer wrapper or envelope comprises a large or oversized card approximately the size of a book or magazine cover, a preformed reply envelope that is separably joined to the card directly or through an intermediate reply device panel that is separably joined to the envelope flap. The preformed reply envelope and reply device panel are folded to a superposed position on the card and secured to the card for mailing by releasable adhesive means. Alternatively, the direct mail article comprises a large card and a reply device panel, the reply device panel comprising at least one business reply card and at least one advertising panel, all of which are separably joined along transverse parting lines to each other and to the card and folded to a superposed position on the card where they are secured for mailing by releasable adhesive means.

Abstract: A sealing assembly includes a first roller having a sealing ridge attached thereto. The sealing assembly includes a second roller. The sealing ridge is positioned in operative contact with the second roller during a first mode of operation. The sealing ridge is positioned out of operative contact with the second roller during a second mode of operation. The first roller rotates during the first mode operation. The second roller is held stationary during the first mode of operation. A method of sealing an envelope in a document security apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming an envelope in a document security apparatus includes the step of advancing a first enclosure sheet and a second enclosure sheet to a sealing station within the document security apparatus. The method includes the step of holding both the first enclosure sheet and the second enclosure sheet stationary relative to the sealing station. The method also includes the step of securing the first enclosure sheet to the second enclosure sheet during the holding step. A document security apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing a printed product having a computer disk incorporated therein, including the steps of providing a sheet of material, placing personalized indicia onto either the disk or the sheet of material, depositing the disk onto the sheet of material, folding the sheet of material over the disk to produce a package, gathering the package with a signature to produce a book block, and binding the book block to produce a printed product. The placing step can include the step of printing or the step of adding a label to either the disk or the sheet of material. The depositing step can include the step of positioning the disk over the personalized indicia such that the disk covers the personalized indicia. The placing step can occur either before or after the depositing step.

Abstract: A method of enclosing a confidential sheet in an envelope within a document security apparatus includes the step of operating a print engine so as to advance a first enclosure sheet therethrough. The method also includes the step of advancing the first enclosure sheet from an output of the print engine to a first position at a sealing station. The method further includes the step of advancing a second enclosure sheet to a second position at a sealing station. The method moreover includes the step of securing a first portion of the first enclosure sheet to a second portion of the second enclosure sheet at the sealing station so as to create the envelope having an access opening defined therein. The method also includes the step of operating the print engine so as to advance the confidential sheet therethrough.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for sealing an envelope having a first lateral side and a second lateral side includes a support roller. The envelope includes (1) a first enclosure sheet having a first pressure sensitive adhesive thereon, and (2) a second enclosure sheet having a second pressure sensitive adhesive thereon. The sealing assembly also includes a sealing member which is movable between the first lateral side and the second lateral side. The first pressure sensitive adhesive is urged into contact with the second pressure sensitive adhesive by interaction between the sealing member and the support roller when the sealing member is moved between the first lateral side and the second lateral side. A method of sealing an envelope having a first lateral side and a second lateral in a document security apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for providing confidentiality to a facsimile transmission includes the step of advancing a front enclosure sheet into the print engine. The method also includes the step of printing information associated with a first page of the facsimile transmission onto the front enclosure sheet with the print engine. The method further includes the step of advancing the front enclosure sheet out of the print engine and to an envelope forming station. The method yet further includes the step of advancing a back enclosure sheet to the envelope forming station. Moreover, the method includes the step of securing the back enclosure sheet to the front enclosure sheet so as to form an envelope at the envelope forming station. The method also includes the step of advancing a confidential sheet into the print engine. The method yet further includes the step of printing information associated with a second page of the facsimile transmission onto the confidential sheet with the print engine.

Abstract: A backstop member for use in an insertion station operative to insert an enclosure collation into an open end of an envelope. The insertion station having a deck with a transport mechanism for conveying an envelope, an opening mechanism for opening an envelope and a backstop member mounted below the deck for stopping the envelope in the insertion station preparatory to insertion of the enclosure collation. The backstop member includes an elongate stopping portion having a substantially planar surface configured to abut against and prevent travel of an envelope in the insertion station being driven by the transport mechanism when the elongate stopping portion is caused to extend above the deck. The backstop member also provides a cam portion having an ellipsoid configuration dimensioned to cause a portion of the envelope being driven by the deck transport mechanism to travel over the ellipsoid configuration and away from the deck in the insertion station when the cam portion is caused to extend above the deck.

Abstract: There is provided a separable multiple ply envelope assembly or mailer and process for making same having superimposed outerplies adhered together at their peripheral edges so as to form an envelope and including at least one extractible insert sheet formed from a respective inner ply, and a removable tear-off stub portion along at least one side or face of the assembly to which a corresponding side of the envelope and the insert are both attached, characterized in that the insert sheet is folded prior to its insertion between, and adherence together of the outer plies. Processes for constructing such an assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: Enveloping apparatus with an envelope filling position (4) and, extending therefrom, an envelope transfer track (46) extending along a closing nip (49) beside the envelope transfer track (46). Beyond the closing nip (49) the envelope transfer track (46) comprises opposite surfaces and a brake, blocking or drive mechanism (60) for at least delaying movement in direction of transport of those surfaces. The control structure (43, 61, 72) is adapted to activate an upsetting feature (55, 56, 71) in response to a displacement of that envelope (5) from the envelope filling position (4) through a fixed, specific distance. With the opposite surfaces with a nip thereinbetween, movement in direction of transport of envelopes with the leading edge in different positions can be delayed, stopped or reversed, without requiring adjusting a stop or the like. There is also described a method for filling and closing envelopes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a folded document, such as a mailer, including a camera and microprocessor for viewing printed information on a printed sheet and storing the information in a memory. The printed sheet is then folded to enclose the printed information within the folded sheet. A printer is connected to the camera and microprocessor to retrieve the stored information and print the information on the folded sheet.

Abstract: The invention is the improved process and method of DNA banking in which DNA or other genetic material is collected and stored, preserved, banked in a home/self-storage setting. Home/self-storage is to mean "not commercially banked." The invention includes the manufacture of kits designed to collect and bank DNA and other genetic material in a home/self-storage setting. The objective of the invention is to preserve genetic material in the event that it is needed for genetic analysis, genetic testing, genetic diagnosis, genetic therapy, forensic analysis, identification.

Abstract: A food product wrapping machine includes a frame having through cavities each receiving a food product stick pushed into the cavity atop a wrapper sheet. An inwardly projecting blade at each end with a clearance space causes formation of a folded flap and a pair of wings on the wrapper as a stick enters a cavity end. Folding fingers at each end of the cavity engage the wrapper wings and fold them against the stick. Inward movement of a pair of folding blades creates additional top flaps on the sheet, which are then folded down by pivotal plates to complete the wrapping process.

Abstract: The present invention is an envelope sheet capable of being automatically printed and formed into a standard business envelope using a high-speed separate sheet printer in line with high-speed separate sheet folding and pressure sealing equipment. The present envelope sheet comprises a front panel connected to a back panel along a bottom fold line, to a closing flap along a top fold line, to a left-side flap along a left-side fold line and to a right-side flat along a right-side fold line. The front panel, back panel, closing flap and both side flaps each have an upper surface and a lower surface. The back panel is adhered to the left-side and right-side flaps with a latent adhesive sandwiched therebetween. The present invention also includes a method and apparatus for automatically printing and forming an envelope from the present envelope sheet, as well as automatically stuffing the envelope while it is being formed.

Abstract: A card package and method for delivering a card to a customer is provided. The card package includes a card carrier constructed of a synthetic sheet of paper laminated with a plastic material and having unique customer data disposed thereon. The card package further includes an information card constructed of the synthetic sheet of paper and laminated with the plastic material and having unique customer data disposed thereon corresponding to the customer data disposed on the card carrier. The information card is integrally formed with and selectively detachable from the card carrier. The method comprising inserting the card carrier and the integrally formed information card into an envelope with the card carrier and the information card remaining in a flat condition and delivering the envelope with the card carrier and the information card inserted therein to the customer.

Abstract: A holder or packaging arrangement is provided for a compact disk or data storage disk. The packaging arrangement comprises a first pocket piece formed of clear plastic or other transparent material, and a second pocket piece formed of material such as non-woven fiber, the two pocket pieces being joined together along common edges to form a pocket sized to receive a compact disk. The arrangement further includes a panel of stiff material having an aperture formed therein, such as a hard cover of a book or binder for printed material associated with the compact disk. A sheet of heavy paper or like material is affixed to the back side of the panel, the pocket and compact disk being trapped between the panel and the paper so that the compact disk is viewable through the aperture and the transparent material of the first pocket piece.

Abstract: Documents are printed in accordance with sets of printing instructions. To a processing station, processing instructions are supplied, each associated with one of the sets of printing instructions. The order in which the processing instructions are executed corresponds with the order in which the sets of printing instructions are executed. Printed documents are supplied to the station, which processes the documents in accordance with the processing instructions whose turn is next. In order to check the processing of the documents, starting from one of the printing instructions, associated verification data are determined. The printing on the printed documents is scanned, whereby a scanning result is obtained. A scanning result is compared with verification data of which the associated sequence information corresponds with the sequence information assigned to that scanning result. If too large a difference is found, a difference report signal is generated.

Abstract: An office machine for processing mail items includes mechanical elements for folding mail items and inserting them in envelopes and a data processing unit operating under the control of a configuration program to place the mechanical elements of the machine in a particular operating mode in accordance with configuration data. An interface receives a portable external element including a memory and inserted into an opening in the machine at the location of the interface means. The processing unit reads configuration data previously stored in the memory of the portable element when the machine is switched on with the portable element present in the interface means in order to place the mechanical elements of the machine in the operating mode corresponding to the configuration data.

Abstract: A plurality of interconnected envelope blanks are formed from an envelope web of paper. Die cut windows are also formed in each envelope blank of the interconnected web and transparent window patches are adhesively secured over the die cut window. A plurality of inserts from insert webs of paper are formed and may be variably imaged. The inserts are collected and disposed on the interconnected envelope blanks with address information registering through the window. The interconnected blanks and web form with inserts applied are severed to form discrete envelope blanks and later folded and glued to form complete mailers.

Abstract: A method and a device for packing continuously conveyed printed products being conveyed one of individually and in groups by enveloping a product insert with a packing element. The product insert includes one of a single product, a plurality of products supplied in succession and a group of products. A plurality of substantially V-shaped insertion compartments being continuously conveyed in a compartment conveying direction along a closed conveying path are provided, together with a plurality of prefolded packing elements each having a fold in a substantially continuously conveyed stream of packing elements. A respective packing element is successively introduced into each insertion compartment such that the fold of the respective packing element is introduced into a corresponding insertion compartment first. It is then ensured that each respective packing element is in an open position thereby providing open packing elements. Thereafter, a product insert is inserted into each open packing element.

Abstract: A stuffed mailing envelope is formed from webs of paper. A plurality of insert sheets are constructed from webs of insert paper by variably imaging the insert webs, and then intelligently aligning them and cutting them into aligned sheets, and then folding the aligned sheets to produce a formed insert. A plurality of interconnected envelope blanks are formed from an envelope web of paper, and a plurality of insert sheets (including the formed insert) are collected and placed on each of the envelope blanks while they are interconnected in web form. Then, while conveying the interconnected envelope blanks in web form, the blanks are severed from each other and are formed around the inserts to produce a final mailing envelope containing a plurality of insert sheets. The envelope blank typically has two parallel minor flaps and two parallel major flaps.

Abstract: A facsimile packaging device and associated method wherein the pages of the facsimile transmission are packaged between a first and second sheet of packaging material which are affixed about their peripheries so as to form a package containing the transmission. The first sheet and second sheet of packaging material are delivered from a single stack of packaging material sheets. The first sheet of packaging material, the pages of the facsimile transmission and the second sheet of packaging material are sequentially delivered to a receiving tray, whereupon the second sheet is affixed to the first sheet to form the package.

Abstract: A system and a method for sealing a flapless envelope are provided. The sealing system has a translating station for moving the flapless envelope via a conveyor, an opening station for opening an end of a flapless envelope by means of suction and a sealing station for moistenable adhesive on the flapless envelope to thereby seal the flapless envelope. The method has the steps of lifting a top sheet of the flapless envelope using a plurality of suction tubes, holding a bottom sheet of the flapless envelope using a suction controlled bottom plate, applying a fluid onto an adhesive on the bottom sheet of the flapless envelope and squeezing the top sheet to the bottom sheet to seal the flapless envelope.

Abstract: A first embodiment of the envelope comprises an outer envelope forming an interior, and a packing material secured in the interior of the outer envelope and forming a pocket for receiving an article. This packing material is comprised of a flexible and expandable packing material forming a multitude of slits arranged to allow the packing material to be pulled into a three-dimensional shape in which the packing material cushions and protects the article inside the packing material. A second embodiment of the envelope of this invention comprises a plurality of sections connected together to form an interior for holding an article; and each of these sections is comprised of a flexible and expandable paper material forming a multitude of slits to allow the sections to be pulled into three dimensional shapes in which those sections cushion and protect the article in the interior of the envelope.

Abstract: A system reads a data record from a card and, based on this information, prints on a section of a travelling web of paper. The printed web section is tracked and the card providing the data record is affixed to the web section. The printed web section with card is then separated to form a letter sheet and inserts are selected for the letter sheet with card based on the previously read data record for the card. The letter sheet with card and selected inserts is then stuffed into an envelope and an indication of the weight of the envelope with enclosures, based on the known weight of the envelope, card and letter sheet and the known weights of the selected inserts, is provided to a franking machine.

Abstract: A system for forming and sealing envelopes stuffs each envelope with an insert. Envelope blanks are received and fed to an envelope former. The envelope former partially forms the envelope blanks with a sealed longitudinal end and an open longitudinal end. Insert blanks are fed and are formed into inserts. The inserts are moved along longitudinal axes and into the open longitudinal ends of the partially formed envelope blanks parallel to the envelope longitudinal axes.

Abstract: A mailed business-solicitation letter personalized with an intended recipient's address at one selected location and his/her name at a second selected location, which is embodied in a cardboard mailing enclosure to provide an external display of the mailing address to assist in the delivery thereof and to present the name as a personalized salutation of the letter, to thereby contribute to obviating the stigma of unsolicited "junk" mail.

Abstract: An on-the-fly envelope stuffing apparatus has an envelope feeder comprising a pair of parallel feed belts for underlying the back panel of the envelope and a laterally aligned medial feed belt for overlying the front panel of the envelope. The medial feed belt descends below the level of the parallel feed belts in the downstream direction. An envelope fed lengthwise through the belts is bent so that the envelope flap is partially opened. This allows interposition of a flap guide to fully open the envelope. The envelope feeder dispenses the envelopes serially to an envelope conveyor. An endless tray conveyor parallels the envelope conveyor. Each tray supports an insert stack against which arms on the tray rest. As the trays move downstream in synchronism with envelopes on the envelope conveyor, each tray is cammed toward an envelope so that the arms enter the opening of the envelope.

Abstract: A system reads a data record from a card and, based on this information, searches a database for additional letter data and prints on a section of a travelling web of paper the data record and letter data. The printed web section is tracked and the card providing the data record is affixed to the web section. The printed web section with card is then separated to form a letter sheet and inserts are selected for the letter sheet with card based on the previously read data record for the card. The letter sheet with card and selected inserts is then stuffed into an envelope and an indication of the weight of the envelope with enclosures, based on the known weight of the envelope, card and letter sheet and the known weights of the selected inserts, is provided to a franking machine.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus and method for making an envelope from ordinary size, readily available, writing paper. Preferably, the apparatus is a compact desk-top size machine that can be combined with any common office printer, such as a laser printer, or even be incorporated thereinto to form a single machine. The apparatus enables the provision of a system for integrating and simplifying office computerized printing of letters and addressing of envelopes, by using a single paper tray whereby, for example, following the printing of a letter on one or more sheets of paper, the subsequently fed final sheet of paper from the paper tray is routed to the envelope making apparatus, perhaps after the printing of an address on the final sheet, whereby an envelope is created.

Abstract: An envelope stuffing device in which no moving parts are required for opening the mouth of an envelope for the insertion of inserts therein. The stuffing device has a plurality of leaf springs, two of which are adjacent the ends of an envelope and are located directly above openings within a floor of the device. Other leaf springs are located intermediate the ends of an envelope, so that when the flap of the envelope is in registration with the leaf springs, the outer leaf springs push down on the end of the envelope and the intermediate leaf springs hold the flap on the floor, thereby causing the mouth of the envelope to open. The device includes a conveying mechanism for placing inserts into to envelope when the mouth of the envelope is open.

Abstract: A card package production system (10) with interchangeable inserters (24A, 24B) and carrier folders (86A, 86B) to enable use of forms (26A, 26B) of different types verifies the carriers (30) if they are properly produced and rejects them if they are not prior to the attachment to a carrier. A card carrier (26A) has a pair of corner pockets (31) and a flap (33) in which a card (30) is inserted. The corner pockets (31) are opened by bending the carrier form over an arcuate member (170).

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for inserting documents into an envelope. The apparatus includes: an envelope inserting station; a device for feeding documents toward an envelope situated at the envelope inserting station; a device for inserting the documents into the envelope; a device for sensing whether or not the envelope is properly aligned at the insert station to receive the documents; and a device for diverting an envelope not properly aligned at the insert station.