Abstract: Apparatus for inserting documents into an envelope. The apparatus includes: a housing frame; a constantly turning roller rotatably mounted to the frame; a lower, rotatable belt mounted to the frame and trained over the roller, the lower belt having an upper reach; and an upper, rotatable belt mounted to the frame, the upper belt having a lower reach engagable with the upper reach of the lower belt for transporting the documents. The apparatus further includes: a device for separating the front wall from the back wall of the envelope, the device located on the downstream side of the upper and lower belts; an envelope throat opening blade mounted to the frame on the downstream side of the upper and lower belts; and a pivotable trigger cam connected to the blade and engageable with the constantly turning roller and the documents, whereby when the documents engage the cam, the roller is engaged by the cam to thereby drive the opening blade into the throat of the envelope.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating the front and back walls of an envelope. The apparatus includes a supporting frame; a device mounted on the supporting frame for holding an envelope having a back wall, a front wall, and a flap extending from the back wall but not contiguous with the back wall; and an orbital claw assembly mounted in the supporting frame. The claw assembly includes a claw movable in an orbit which positions the tip of the claw at an appropriate time between the front and back walls of the envelope and thereafter further movement of the claw in the orbit causes the claw to separate the front wall from the back wall of the envelope.

Abstract: An inserter is provided for use with one or more feeders. The inserter will receive material ejected from the first feeder, create at least one fold in the insert and then direct the insert into an awaiting envelope. The envelope is gradually opened as it is moved into position to receive the insert. A second insert may be urged into the first insert to initiate the fold in the first insert and urge the first insert into the envelope. The inserter may be provided with a slotted roller to create a channelized flow of air for opening the envelope to receive an insert therein.

Abstract: Mail inserting and collating apparatus includes an envelope conveyor for continuously conveying envelopes along a first path; a plurality of envelope carrier mounted on the envelope conveyor and movable therewith, for holding the envelopes; an insert conveyor for continuously conveying a plurality of inserts along a second path, at least a portion of the second path running substantially parallel and adjacent to the first path; a plurality of pockets mounted on the insert conveyor and movable therewith, for holding the inserts; a rotatable kicker roller for removing a lowermost insert from a stack of inserts and moving the lowermost insert toward a pocket adjacent the stack, the kicker roller having an arcuate rubber projecting surface for engaging the lowermost insert from the stack during rotation of the kicker roller and a vacuum port extending through the kicker roller and terminating in the projecting surface; a drive for intermittently rotating the kicker roller; a vacuum supply for supplying a vacuum t

Abstract: An insertion machine includes an insertion station (44) whereat groups of items are stuffed into an envelope held open at an envelope opening station (49). The insertion station comprises a cam (212)driven carriage (202) which linearly reciprocates in a direction (480) toward and away from the envelope opening station (49). The carriage (202) carries a plurality of selectively mounted, selectively rotatable pusher fingers (204). The pusher fingers (204) have a profile suitable for shoving items along a partially inclined insertion plate surface 403 and into an opened envelope. The pusher fingers (204) are selectively rotatable to an operative orientation (720) and to an inoperative orientation (722) under the supervision of a controller (205). Jam detectors (550, 552) are provided proximate reciprocating entry fingers (500, 502) which move when a jam occurs in the inserting process. Should a jam occur, the pusher fingers (204) are controlled to rotate to their inoperative orientation (722).

Abstract: Mail inserting and collating apparatus includes an envelope conveyor for continuously conveying envelopes along a first path; a plurality of envelope carriers mounted on the envelope conveyor and movable therewith, for holding the envelopes; an insert conveyor for continuously conveying a plurality of inserts along a second path, at least a portion of the second path running substantially parallel and adjacent to the first path; a plurality of pockets mounted on the insert conveyor and movable therewith, for holding the inserts; a rotatable kicker roller for removing a lowermost insert from a stack of inserts and moving the lowermost insert toward a pocket adjacent the stack, the kicker roller having an arcuate rubber projecting surface for engaging the lowermost insert from the stack during rotation of the kicker roller and a vacuum port extending through the kicker roller and terminating in the projecting surface; a drive for intermittently rotating the kicker roller; a vacuum supply for supplying a vacuum

Abstract: A system for in-line processing of envelopes and the like includes a first upstanding feed hopper for feeding primary envelopes through a first printing station operative to print predetermined indicia on the primary envelopes after which they are conveyed in the direction of their major longitudinal axes through a plurality of inserter stations operative to insert special event envelopes between selected ones of the primary envelopes. The primary and insert envelopes are conveyed by conveyance means in-line past an ink jet type printer station operative to print particular cluster data on each successive envelope making up a set, followed by a station for the automatic collating and packaging of sets of envelopes into cartons. The conveyance means include a endless vacuum belt which holds the envelopes flat in a continuous stream and allows easy transfer to and from the conveyance means.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for forming floppy disk envelopes. Envelope blanks are manipulated while attached to a continuous web of envelope material to facilitate handling and alignment of the blanks. Initially, fold lines are impressed into the envelope blanks to define the precise dimensions of the envelope. Envelope flaps are then partially folded to define a receptacle into which the disk media is then inserted. The remaining flaps are then folded and sealed, and lastly the folded envelope is detached from the continuous web. A particular apparatus for impressing the envelope blanks includes a male die, female die cavity, and mechanism for reciprocating the dies. The preferred score profile includes a pair of radii joined by a hinge section.

Abstract: Mail inserting and collating apparatus includes an envelope conveyor for continuously conveying envelopes along a first path; a plurality of envelope carriers mounted on the envelope conveyor and movable therewith, for holding the envelopes; an insert conveyor for continuously conveying a plurality of inserts along a second path, at least a portion of the second path running substantially parallel and adjacent to the first path; a plurality of pockets mounted on the insert conveyor and movable therewith, for holding the inserts; a rotatable kicker roller for removing a lowermost insert from a stack of inserts and moving the lowermost insert toward a pocket adjacent the stack, the kicker roller having an arcuate rubber projecting surface for engaging the lowermost insert from the stack during rotation of the kicker roller and a vacuum port extending through the kicker roller and terminating in the projecting surface; a drive for intermittently rotating the kicker roller; a vacuum supply for supplying a vacuum

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting insert items into an enclosure, the ert items being selectively compiled by data coding. At the insertion station of the apparatus the insertion items are inserted without reduction in speed by top belts and bottom belts, past lateral insertion guides which are pivoted into the inside edges of the enclosure, directly into the enclosure which is aligned by means of movable cams operated in timed relation to the apparatus and which is opened by top and bottom vacuum devices. The filled enclosure is then conveyed by a segmental roller such that the insertion items retain their speed throughout the insertion operation and do not stop.

Abstract: A hopper for an automatic envelope stuffer and the like includes first and second base rails each having a column extending upwardly therefrom. The columns are spaced further apart at their upper ends than at their lower ends. Endpieces are provided across the ends of the base rails and project upwardly to define a hopper space for receiving envelopes and the like. Support pins extend through the endpieces and project into the hopper space for supporting envelopes therein.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for continuously and sequentially inserting inserts in envelopes are disclosed. The apparatus includes parallel and adjacent insert and envelope conveyors which continuously move inserts and envelopes at identical speeds. An insert cam is disposed adjacent the insert conveyor and includes a portion which causes each insert to slidably move toward the envelope conveyor at the same time that the inserts are being moved parallel to the envelope conveyor. Envelopes are fed onto the envelope conveyor with their flaps up and adjacent and parallel to the insert conveyor. The flaps are opened by a flap opening cam thereby enabling the inserts to sequentially enter the envelopes as the inserts are slidably moved toward the envelope conveyor. A cam then closes the flap on the inserted envelope and the envelope conveyor ejects the inserted and closed envelopes to appropriate locations for further processing.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a continuous assembly of sealed envelopes having upper and lower sections and comprising at least one insert of the type used as a postal mailer or the like.

Abstract: Production machine which automatically rapidly continuously heat-seals blister packs of pharmaceutical capsules into match book-like covers coated on interior surfaces with a heat-sealing composition and provided on outer surfaces with descriptive printed material. The machine deposits these covers in a folded condition onto flights spaced uniformly transversely across an endless conveyor chain, opens the folded covers in order to receive the blister packs between sealing flaps and back covers of the match book-like covers, heat seals the blister packs therebetween, and then folds front covers thereover prior to packaging. Several operations are necessarily synchronized with continuous stop-and-go movement of the chain by means of cams, linkages, and pivoting members.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing the content from envelopes having two adjacent edges opened by slitting or cutting is equipped with two facing suction devices. At least one suction device is movable perpendicular to the envelope plane for separating the envelope. During the operating phase, one suction device is movable with respect to the other in the envelope plane in order to effect a relative movement between the envelope and the contents of the envelope. This facilitates removal because the envelope held by the suction device is additionally deformed, i.e., given a corrugated configuration by the movement in the envelope plane. As a result, easy removal of the envelope content is possible.

Abstract: A fully automatic system for folding stockings or a like long, substantially flat, non-rigid article around a cardboard insert, including foldable insert, and enclosing the stockings with the insert in an envelope of transparent, thermoplastic material. A great deal of saving of manual labor enables ideal streamlining of the whole process for manufacturing stockings for remarkable reduction in manufacturing cost. Sealing of the envelope containing the stockings with gummed tapes may be performed fully automatically, also.

Abstract: In envelope stuffing apparatus which has an enclosure inserting station and includes a deck at the inserting station, structure for delivering the envelope in a path of travel to the inserting station, structure for opening the envelope and structure for inserting an enclosure into the envelope; and wherein the opening structure includes a ledge for supporting the flap of the envelope above the deck, and a first finger insertable into the envelope for stripping apart from each other the front and back panels of the envelope; there is provided an improvement in the envelope opening structure. The improvement comprises: a solenoid operable in response to delivery of the envelope to the inserting station; a second finger for depressing the envelope toward the deck against the resistance of the flap supporting ledge; and a linkage assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a machine and method wherein envelopes are removed from a supply hopper, one by one, and then transmitted to a plurality of sequentially disposed cutting stations wherein one end edge of the envelope is first severed, and thereafter an adjacent side edge of the envelope is severed. The envelope with two adjacent edges thus severed is transmitted to a processing station at which the envelope is opened and held open by suction cups, for removal of contents by an operator. The envelope is thereafter transmitted to a detector station to confirm content removal and then to a recovery station, and then to a point of discharge. Means is provided for adjusting the opening of the suction cups at the processing station, and stop means is provided for positioning the envelope as it reaches the processing station.

Abstract: There is disclosed a new and improved envelope processing machine. The machine includes an envelope hopper for storing a quantity of envelopes to be processed, an envelope processing station, spaced from the hopper, a table top surface adjacent the processing station providing a work surface for an operator, and incrementing conveyor means extending beside the table top surface and from the hopper past the processing station. The conveyor means is arranged for incrementally conveying the envelopes a predetermined distance in immediate succession from the hopper to the processing station through at least one intermediate stop position between the hopper and the processing station. As a result, sufficient spacing between the hopper and the processing station is provided to permit the table top surface to be dimensioned for providing a sufficient work surface area for an operator while still maintaining an efficient processing rate.

Abstract: There is disclosed a new and improved envelope processing machine. The machine includes a supply hopper for retaining a quantity of envelopes to be processed, cutting means for severing an edge of an envelope, an envelope processing station, envelope feed means, and envelope transmitting means. The envelope feed means removes the envelopes from the hopper and places them onto the transmitting means one at a time in succession. The transmitting means conveys the envelopes to the cutting station whereat an edge of each envelope is severed. The transmitting means then conveys the envelopes one at a time to the envelope processing station which includes envelope opening means having a pair of reciprocating tacky adhesive pads arranged to grip and separate opposite panels of the envelopes to facilitate the removal of contents therefrom.

Abstract: The present device is able to move the walls of an envelope apart from each other when supported by a support having a number of grooves disposed therein. The device includes fingers which when moved into these grooves exert a pressure on a portion of the lower envelope wall covering these grooves, thus moving this portion away from the upper envelope wall and partially opening the entrance opening of the envelope which is afterwards further opened by further movement of the fingers to enable the introduction of documents into the thusly opened envelopes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a document collating and envelope stuffing apparatus having a continuous conveying mechanism that collects and collates documents from feeding stations and conveys the collated documents to an envelope stuffing station in a continuous manner. The feeding stations have platforms associated therewith where the documents are deposited so as to be picked up by the conveying mechanism and subsequently stuffed into envelopes. Downstream from the stuffing station is another conveying mechanism that conveys the stuffed envelopes to sealing and postage metering devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a machine and method wherein envelopes are removed from a supply hopper, one by one; transmitted to a cutting station wherein one edge of the envelope optionally may be severed; the envelope then being transmitted to a processing station at which the envelope is opened and held open by suction cups, for removal or insertion of contents by an operator. The envelope is thereafter transmitted to a detector station and then to a recovery station and then to a point of discharge. The dwell time of the envelope at the processing station may be adjusted as desired by the operator.