Patents Assigned to Bell & Howell
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Patent number: 7396011Abstract: A modular bin or pocket has an integrated transport assembly and mail piece diverter assembly and is usable in a bin stacker section in mail handling and sorting systems. The modular bin is individually removable, interchangeable and replaceable from the bin stacker sections of the mail processing system to allow for repair or maintenance of malfunctioning bins leading to reduced down time of the mail processing system. The modular bin further enables vertical and/or horizontal progressive modularity, i.e., vertical and/or horizontal expansion, of the bin stacker sections of the mail processing system which allows for cost-effective expansion of mail handling systems. Further, there is disclosed a tray management system and a tier diverter system that are usable in mail handling systems that use the modular bin with double sided bin stacker sections or single sided bin stacker sections with or without a turnaround section.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2007Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell CompanyInventors: Ed Svyatsky, Walter S. Conard, Tomasz Bednarek, John Overman, Tony Estis, Mike Stollenwerck, Manny Panopoulos, Gary vanErmen, Mike Swift, Richard Szewczyk
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Patent number: 7394914Abstract: Method of automatically sorting mail 1 which has to be forwarded by means of a sorting machine, which processes the mail 1 in a continuous main stream A and where the sorting machine comprises a feeder 2 via which a variety of unsorted addressed mail is fed. The singled mail 1 is marked with an individualising identifier by a following marking device. Each identifier is assigned to a data set in a file, and by means of a following reading device 5 the addresses on the mail 1 are taken up. A taken-up address is deciphered by a recognition module and is written in the corresponding data set. The mail 1 is assigned a corresponding error information when the address cannot be deciphered. A mail piece with assigned error information is then sorted out of the main stream as scrap mail 6.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2004Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell CompanyInventor: Robert Hickman
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Patent number: 7389624Abstract: A high-speed envelope transport and packing system includes a conveyor for conveying an open envelope having a flap, a packing station for inserting an object into a conveyed open envelope, and a bending member disposed upstream of the packing station. The bending member is configured to impart a bend in a conveyed open envelope by displacing a center portion of the envelope relative to widthwise distal end portions of the envelope and to maintain a bend in the envelope until the open envelope is gripped by a gripping device in such a manner as to provide access to an interior of the open envelope or until an object is at least partially inserted into an interior of the open envelope.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2004Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell CompanyInventors: Bradford D. Henry, Frank Shinn
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Patent number: 7360758Abstract: An accumulator apparatus for accumulating one or more sheets or articles is provided and includes a sheet accumulator portion for accumulating one or more sheets or articles, a ramp disposed upstream of the sheet accumulator portion relative to a flow direction of the sheet or article, an actuator and a pusher plate connected to the actuator. The actuator is configured to move the pusher plate away from the ramp in a direction toward a sheet accumulation portion of the accumulator apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2004Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell CompanyInventors: Michael R. Drago, John J. Semanick, John H. Vitko
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Patent number: 7325732Abstract: A method and system for mail security and traceability is disclosed. Identification code producing equipment prints an encrypted code which identifies the source of the individual mail piece on each mail piece in a batch of mail. When the mailer submits the mailing to the Postal service, recording equipment captures and records the identity of the person submitting the mail. Verification equipment samples the batch of mail and reads the identification code on each mail piece in the sample. Paperwork submitted with the mailing also contains an encrypted code which is scanned and compared to the identification code on the mail pieces to verify the origin of the mailing. Any mail piece that does not have a mark or that has the wrong code is rejected.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2001Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell Postal Systems CompanyInventors: Richard Wojdyla, David Schwaba
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Publication number: 20070244824Abstract: The present subject matter relates to systems and methods related to licensing and licensing activation. In particular, the present subject matter relates to a system and method for managing the overall licensing and function/feature deployment process throughout an enterprise. More particularly, the present approach involves providing a user with access to a licensing system and providing access to at least one attribute of the licensing data for one or more products from the licensing system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2006Publication date: October 18, 2007Applicant: BOWE BELL + HOWELL COMPANYInventors: Paul Motley, David Rawlings, Bob Richards, Roger Spitzig
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Publication number: 20070244823Abstract: The present subject matter relates to systems and methods related to licensing and licensing activation. In particular, the present subject matter relates to a system and method for managing the overall licensing and function/feature deployment process throughout an enterprise, and more particularly, to product licensing and product function or feature enablement of products in a secured manner by way of the activation of a security device. More particularly, the present approach involves allowing for the customization of a security device to accommodate product updates and/or new product functions or features to be enabled.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2006Publication date: October 18, 2007Applicant: BOWE BELL + HOWELL COMPANYInventors: Paul Thomas Motley, David Rawlings, Bob Richards, Victor Tolomei, Roger Spitzig, Eric Moreau
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Patent number: 7259346Abstract: A modular bin or pocket has an integrated transport assembly and mail piece diverter assembly and is usable in a bin stacker section in mail handling and sorting systems. The modular bin is individually removable, interchangeable and replaceable from the bin stacker sections of the mail processing system to allow for repair or maintenance of malfunctioning bins leading to reduced down time of the mail processing system. The modular bin further enables vertical and/or horizontal progressive modularity, i.e., vertical and/or horizontal expansion, of the bin stacker sections of the mail processing system which allows for cost-effective expansion of mail handling systems. Further, there is closed a tray management system and a tier diverter system that are usable in mail handling systems that use the modular bin with double sided bin stacker sections or single sided bin stacker sections with or without a turnaround section.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2006Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Bowe Bell & Howell CompanyInventors: Ed Svyatsky, Walter S. Conard, Tomasz Bednarek, John Overman, Tony Estis, Mike Stollenwerck, Manny Panopoulos, Gary VanErmen, Mike Swift, Richard Szewczyk
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Patent number: 7236935Abstract: A method and apparatus provide physical verification of a correct association between information printed on a closed face package and material and/or information contained inside the closed face package. A closed face package with a document or article inserted therein has a window permitting a portion of the document to be read from a location outside of the package. A first optical device is employed to read data printed on the package and a second optical device is employed to read document data, which document data is printed on the inserted document and appears through the window of the package. A data file is read to access account information stored therein corresponding to the document data. The accessed account information is compared with the package data to determine whether a matching association exists between the package data and the document data. If the matching association is determined to exist, the package is allowed to be further processed.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2000Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell CompanyInventor: Leo A. Haydt, III
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Patent number: 7232126Abstract: The present subject matter relates to the field of document material handling in high-speed in-line mailing systems. In particular, the present subject matter relates to a cross track divert device, system and method for diverting a suspect or invalid document from a paper pathway prior to the document entering a raceway conveyor. The cross track divert device is designed to divert and remove the suspect or invalid document without stoppage of the mailing system's operation cycle.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell CompanyInventors: Michael Drago, Edward Otto
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Publication number: 20070119757Abstract: A modular bin or pocket has an integrated transport assembly and mail piece diverter assembly and is usable in a bin stacker section in mail handling and sorting systems. The modular bin is individually removable, interchangeable and replaceable from the bin stacker sections of the mail processing system to allow for repair or maintenance of malfunctioning bins leading to reduced down time of the mail processing system. The modular bin further enables vertical and/or horizontal progressive modularity, i.e., vertical and/or horizontal expansion, of the bin stacker sections of the mail processing system which allows for cost-effective expansion of mail handling systems. Further, there is disclosed a tray management system and a tier diverter system that are usable in mail handling systems that use the modular bin with double sided bin stacker sections or single sided bin stacker sections with or without a turnaround section.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2007Publication date: May 31, 2007Applicant: Bowe Bell & Howell CompanyInventors: Ed Svyatsky, Walter Conard, Tomasz Bednarek, John Overman, Tony Estis, Mike Stollenwerck, Manny Panopoulos, Gary VanErmen, Mike Swift, Richard Szewczyk
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Patent number: 7220093Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2004Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Bowe Bell & Howell Postal Systems CompanyInventors: John Overman, George Rabindran, Steve Archer, Dan Rice, Tom Wells, Ken Guenther
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Patent number: 7210893Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for combining multiple small stacks of flats mailpieces into a single large stack of mailpieces and then transferring the large stack to a standard flats mail tray, all while maintaining the sequence order of the mail in the accumulated stack. The apparatus is comprised of three primary subsystems: a bridge conveyor, a stack accumulator, and an output tray station. The bridge conveyor carries mailpieces from the exit conveyor of a mail processing machine such as a collator, to the stack accumulator. The stack accumulator combines small stacks of mailpieces into large stacks in a desired sequence. The output tray station provides support for an empty tray as the accumulated mail stack is transferred to the tray, and then releases the filled tray in a controlled manner.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2000Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell Postal Systems CompanyInventors: John Overman, George Rabindran, Steve Archer, Sherrie Rice, legal representative, Mike Stollenwerck, Mike Ogarek, Dan Rice, deceased
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Patent number: 7201372Abstract: Sheet accumulator systems and methods are provided for forming a stack of under-accumulated sheets. The method can include advancing sheets in a predetermined sequence and under-accumulating a first portion of the advanced sheets in a first stack. The method can also include under-accumulating a second portion of the advanced sheets in a second stack and automatically stacking the first stack of sheets on the second stack of sheets to form a combined stack wherein the combined stack is in a predetermined sequence.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2003Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell CompanyInventors: Edward J. Kapturowski, Ronald J. Mich
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Patent number: 7168700Abstract: A sheet feeder apparatus and method with throughput control. By varying the speed at which sheets are fed from a supply, the sheet feeder apparatus and method assures that the throughput capacity of a downstream operation is never exceeded. Speed is varied based upon the length of the sheets being fed. Furthermore, the sheet feeder apparatus can have worn components replaced quickly and by operators of minimal skill level.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2003Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell CompanyInventors: Herman G. Skadow, Stephen R. Archer, Thomas D. Para, Ramesh Pankajakshan, Richard M. Szewczyk
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Patent number: 7152212Abstract: Automated methods and systems for analyzing data associated with an industrial process parse data entries received from devices in an industrial process, such as a mail or paper processing system. The parsing can include applying state machines to the data to identify events and produce output relating to the process for which the data is being analyzed. Statistical measures are computed for the output from each of the state machines. The statistical measures are compared to design limits. Output is displayed to the user in a format that facilitates interpretation of the data.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2002Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell CompanyInventor: David M. McMahan
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Patent number: 7141745Abstract: An in-line mail weighing system and scale comprises a mail piece transport mounted atop a load cell. The mail piece transport includes a drive assembly and a pressure assembly defining a transport path. Mail pieces are moved through the mail piece transport, on edge. The load cell takes a series of weight measurements for each mail piece in a stream of mail pieces as each mail piece moves through the mail piece transport at a constant high speed, and then accurately calculates the weight of each mail piece.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2002Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Bowe Bell +Howell Postal Systems CompanyInventors: Roy Schoon, Gary L. VanderSyde, David Schwaba, Mike Stollenwerck, Eric Yadong Jin
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Patent number: 7121311Abstract: A label applicator for cutting labels to be applied to objects such as newspapers, letters, or flat mailpieces. The label applicator includes a movable blade and a fixed blade for cutting a label from label material fed through the label applicator. The fixed blade may be located on a cutting assembly via registration pins. The label applicator may include a paddle for applying the label to an object. The applicator may be incorporated into a mail processing system and controlled by various controllers.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2003Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell Postal Systems CompanyInventors: Gary L. VanderSyde, Roy Charles Schoon, Jospeh Mitchell
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Patent number: 7100911Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a plurality of sheet articles into a document includes a plurality of individual sheet input paths along which one or more sheet articles can be advanced, and a central accumulation area for accumulating the sheet articles. The central accumulation area includes a single-level accumulation surface for receiving one or more sheet articles advanced from each individual sheet input path and accumulating the sheet articles in a single stack. The central accumulation area can receive sheet articles from two or more different directions. The sheet articles can optionally be staged for accumulation into subsets prior to advancement to the central accumulation area. The central accumulation area advances the assembled document into an output path.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2003Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell CompanyInventors: Neal J. Middelberg, Gerard A. DeRome, Jr., Dale R. Curry
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Patent number: 7097095Abstract: A mail preparation system for processing a mail piece comprises a magazine section to hold the mail piece and a feeder for feeding the mail piece into a transport path in a vertical position. Mail processing equipment may be placed along the transport path for processing the mail piece.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2005Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell Postal Systems CompanyInventors: Walter S. Conard, David Schwaba, Richard Wojdyla