Abstract: A supply station for positioning enclosures on an enclosure-collating path of a mail-processing installation allows a simple conversion from operation for processing a stack of comparatively flexible, thin enclosures to operation for processing a stack of comparatively thick, essentially inflexible enclosures. The conversion is achieved using a magazine housing inside a supply station housing mounted so that it can be secured in two different pivot positions, whereby in one pivot position the lowermost enclosure of a stack of enclosures is bent using a vacuum arrangement in which the front end of the enclosure in the withdrawal direction can be gripped by a gripper, while in a second pivot position of the magazine housing, the front end in the withdrawal direction of a lowermost, comparatively thick and essentially inflexible enclosure is pushed by means of a pusher arrangement directly into the open claws of the gripper.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a frame, a rotatable first shaft, wherein the first shaft includes a first cam, a rotatable second shaft, an item gripper connected to the second shaft by a connection including a link and an offset shaft rotatably connected to the link, and a linkage. The link is adapted to rotate with the second shaft for pivoting the offset shaft about the second shaft. The item gripper includes jaws adapted to open and close when the offset shaft is axially rotated relative to the link. The linkage connects the first cam on the first shaft to a rider on the offset shaft. The linkage includes a second having a stepped surface for a stepped movement of the rider along the stepped surface to open the jaws during a predetermined angular movement of the offset shaft about the center axis of the second shaft.

Abstract: This present invention is a method and system for providing an up-to-the-minute location of a recipient for delivery of a message. A computerized system imports corporation databases containing employee location codes and delivery preference information (as well as addresses for various message media such as FAX telephone numbers, E-mail addresses, Pager telephone Numbers, etc.) to a database in or accessible by the corporation's Mail Room. The system includes WEB-based and telephone access to this information to allow employees to keep this information up to date.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing mail packages to be sent to recipients. The package includes a carrier envelope with a front address window and a back window. A content document having a style code printed on it is positioned at the back of the carrier envelope. The content style code is positioned to be visible through the back window of the carrier envelope. A reply envelope is enclosed with an address area aligned with the front window of the carrier envelope. Mail packages are prepared by storing a corresponding content style for the recipient. While transported, the content style code is scanned. From the style code, a recipient having the corresponding content style is selected from the stored list. That recipients name and address are printed onto the address area of the reply envelope through the address window on the front of the carrier envelope.

Abstract: A system and method to provide identification codes to track outbound mail and corresponding replies. Tracking is enabled where an intended recipient is not determined until after physical components of the mailpiece are assembled. A first ID code is associated with a second ID code on a return envelope. The first ID code is positioned on a front of the return envelope proximal to a return address on the return envelope. The second ID code is positioned on a back of the return envelope proximal to a recipient address region on the return envelope. The return envelope is inserted into a carrier envelope with the front of the return envelope facing the back of the carrier envelope, and the second ID code and the recipient address region being visible through a front window in the front of the carrier envelope. A recipient address is printed in the recipient address region of the reply envelope, through the front window on the carrier envelope.

Abstract: A collation control mechanism is used to transfer a collation from a dual accumulator to an exit nip of a collation machine. The collation control mechanism has a middle drum and two side rollers to form an upper nip and a lower nip. The drum is caused to rotate alternately in a clockwise direction and in a counter-clockwise direction for transferring a collation from the upper bay and the lower bay, respectively, to the exit nip. A motor is used to drive the drum in both the clockwise and counter-clockwise direction. A coupling mechanism including two sets of one-way clutches is used to engage the motor to the upper and lower rollers of the exit nip so that the upper roller is caused to rotate only in the counter-clockwise direction while the lower roller is cause to rotate only in the clockwise direction.

Abstract: An improved inserter input system and method for transversely cutting a web of printed material into separate sheets, the web including a plurality of separated side-by-side sheets. A set of sheets on the web is transported to the cutting device. One or more of the sheets in the set belongs to a new collation for which sheets have not previously been cut. The system determines whether sufficient collation parking spots exist to accommodate a new collation. If there are no available collation parking spots, and if all of the sheets in the set belong to the new collation, then transverse cutting is delayed until an open collation parking spot becomes available. If there are no available collation parking spots, and if a subset of sheets belong to a prior collation, then the web is partially cut to separate only the sheet, or sheets, that belong to the prior collation. The cutting of the other sheet(s) is delayed until the open collation parking spot becomes available.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for cutting and processing sheets from a web of printed material comprising first and second side-by-side portions of sheets along a length of the web. A first transport is arranged to transport the web in a first horizontal direction. A web splitter splits portions of the web as they are transported on the first transport. An extended path transport, in line with the first transport, transports the second portion of the web in an extended path. A direct path transport, in line with the first transport, transports the first portion of the web on a more direct path. As a result of these different paths sheets within the first and second web portions are re-sequenced in a manner suitable for processing by downstream modules, such as a right angle turn module.

Abstract: A method of transporting items includes receiving a group of one or more items in a singulation device, implementing a singulation routine, measuring a speed of a first portion of the group, measuring a speed of a second portion of the group, and comparing the speed of the first portion with the speed of the second portion. The method may further include continuing the singulation routine where the speed of the first portion is not equal to the speed of the second portion, and terminating the singulation routine where the speed of the first portion is equal to the speed of the second portion. The method may also include transporting a lead item away from the singulation device. The singulation device may include opposing transport elements.

Abstract: An item transport system includes a first transport element rotating around a plurality of first transport rollers in a first direction, a second transport element in opposing relation to the first transport element, the second transport element rotating around a plurality of second transport rollers in a second direction opposite to the first direction, a guide plate proximate to the first transport element for engaging the items during processing by an item processing element, and an item registration device configured to maintain the items in registration with the guide plate. The item registration device includes a plurality of independently articulating pivot assemblies biased to engage the second transport element with the first transport element and a plate associated with each pivot assembly. Each plate is fixedly constrained with respect to the pivot assembly at one end and slidably constrained with respect to the pivot assembly at another end.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for ejecting ink drops from a plurality of ink jet nozzles in order to print on an envelope in a mail piece production process. The envelope has been stuffed and is therefore not flat, especially near the edges. Mail piece composition data is obtained and stored for the mail piece, and based upon that composition data a nozzle delay pattern is determined. For each ink jet nozzle, ink is ejected in accordance with the delay pattern so as to contact a point of the envelope's surface at the same time as drops from other ink jet nozzles.

Abstract: A stitcher system includes a stitcher mechanism for stitching collations of documents and adapted to form stitches from a conductive wire moved into the stitcher mechanism. A non-conductive spool is mounted for rotation on a spindle. A conductive wire is wound on the non-conductive spool. The conductive wire has a tail end adjacent to the non-conductive spool and a lead end remote from the spool. The spool rotates when the conductive wire is moved into the stitcher mechanism to provide conductive wire to be used by the stitcher mechanism to form stitches. A sensing circuit is provided with a circuit path that includes the conductive wire wrapped on the non-conductive spool and a conductive member mounted to engage the wire. The sensing circuit path becomes open when the conductive wire is not wrapped on the non-conductive spool to thereby detect an out of wire condition.

Abstract: In a rotary feeder for conveying enclosures, in particular into conveying compartments of an enclosure-collating path, during operation, shocks within the gear mechanism of the drive unit of the feeder drum on account of gear mechanism play are avoided and the level of noise during operation is reduced in that a cam-actuated pair of claws (10, 11) is provided in each case at two diametrically opposite locations of the feeder drum (2) of the rotary feeder, and the cam (16) for actuating the pairs of claws is configured in sections (O) with an increasing in the radial spacing of its profile in accordance with a claw-opening movement counter to the prestressing force of prestressing means (19, 20) and, in sections (C) with a decrease in the radial spacing of its profile in accordance with a claw-closing movement under the prestressing force of the prestressing means, such that a braking moment on account of the claw opening counter to the prestressing force of the prestressing means, this braking moment being tr

Abstract: The solution involves the use of two or more motors to drive a common mechanism. The single control loop includes a position sensing device coupled to only a first of the plurality of servo motors and generating a position signal. A signal comparator receives the position signal and compares the position signal with a predetermined desired position based on a desired motion profile. The difference from the actual position and the motion profile is output as a position error signal. A signal converter receives the position error signal and derives a conversion signal based on the error signal. The conversion signal is provided to a plurality of signal amplifiers, which in turn are coupled to the plurality of servo motors. The amplifiers provide power to the motors for driving the mechanical load.

Abstract: An improved sheet accumulator for stacking serially fed sheets transported on a paper path. The accumulator includes a guide deck. Above the guide deck, a plurality of parallel belts are positioned to provide a driving force for sheets on the deck. Within the accumulator, a ramp apparatus is positioned across the paper path whereby sheets driven by the belts on an upstream portion of the accumulator deck are driven over the ramp apparatus and deposited in an accumulating region of the accumulator deck on a downstream side of the ramp apparatus. Preferably, snap-down belts are provided between ramp structures snap transported sheets quickly into place on the stack and to hold them there. Sheets are stopped by an accumulator stop mechanism located at a downstream end of the accumulating region that prevents movement of sheets by the belts while sheets for an accumulation are being collected.

Abstract: A guide deck for use with a sheet processing device having a paper path. The adjustable paper path guide deck apparatus includes a first roller proximal the input end and a second roller proximal to the output end. These rollers support a flexible sheet of non-permanently deforming material wrapped around them. The surface of the sheet forms a guide deck for the paper path. To adjust for different sized sheets, the guide deck is movable along a paper path direction while moving around the first and second rollers. A locking mechanism is coupled to the adjustable paper path guide deck apparatus for preventing the flexible sheet from moving around the first and second rollers when in a locked position, and allowing movement around the first and second rollers when in an unlocked position.

Abstract: A method for positioning a second flat item atop a flat first item includes the steps of: providing a first conveyor for transporting the first item and rotatably mounting a hard nip roller on an axle so that the hard nip roller engages the first conveyor. A second conveyor for transporting the second item is disposed at an angle relative to the first conveyor and a discharge end of the second conveyor meets the first conveyor at the hard nip roller. First and second soft nip rollers are mounted on the axle on opposite sides of the hard nip roller and are spaced apart from one another by a distance less than a width of the second item. The hard nip roller and the first and second soft nip rollers simultaneously engage the second item and separate it from the second conveyor, depositing the second item onto the first item.

Abstract: The present invention relates to turning and recording and/or reproducing multiple pages or leaves from a material, such as a book or periodical. A leaf lifting mechanism lifts the leaves of the material (e.g., book, periodical, etc.) from which the images are to be obtained. The leaf lifting mechanism can turn the leaves of the material itself, or also work cooperatively with an image recordation mechanism to turn the leaves of the material. During recordation, the image recordation mechanism follows the curvature of the leaf being recorded to minimize image distortion or degradation. The recorded images may be reproduced by a reproduction device such as a photocopier or printer.

Abstract: A system and method for processing incoming mailed ballot packages having a voter ID code, a verification signature on the envelope, and a ballot enclosed within the envelope. Prior to receipt of the incoming ballots voter signatures have been electronically stored and associated with voter ID's. Ballot packages are fed and transported on automated machinery. Voter ID's are scanned and cameras are used for capturing images of the signatures from the ballot packages. Based on the scanned voter ID's, electronically stored voter signatures are retrieved. Next, the captured verification signatures are compared with the stored voter signatures corresponding to the scanned voter ID's. A validation file is generated that indicates which ballot packages had verification signatures that were successfully matched with stored voter signatures during the comparing step. Finally, the equipment sorts ballot packages to separate successfully matched and validated ballot packages from unvalidated ballot packages.

Abstract: A drive apparatus for a mail-processing system is specified, which apparatus has an enclosure-collating path, which is intermittently driven at least in one end section, an adjoining inserting station for sets of enclosures and an envelope-filling table, which extends parallel to the enclosure-collating path and in front of the inserting station and over which envelopes pulled from a stack of envelopes are pulled by means of an envelope-gripper chain in front of the inserting station and held open there and, once filled with the sets of enclosures, are conveyed away by the gripper chain.