Patents Assigned to Bowe Bell & Howell Company
  • Publication number: 20110197269
    Abstract: The present teachings provide and method and system for a split medium mail for customer communications. The present application relates to techniques and equipment used to create a single page summary communication included in a mailpiece to be mailed to a customer. The single page summary contains information necessary to access a full version of the customer communication by way of secure web access.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: Bowe Bell + Howell Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Maselli
  • Publication number: 20110182468
    Abstract: A feeder control system and method are disclosed. The system includes a feeder information detector, and a feeder information leverager to provide integrity verification, system control and/or reporting. The method includes the steps of detecting feeder information, and leveraging the feeder information to provide integrity verification, system control and/or reporting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: BOWE BELL + HOWELL COMPANY
    Inventors: Roger Spitzig, Bob Richards, Michael Boston, David Rawlings
  • Patent number: 7987141
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a method and system for labeling a mail piece, and more specifically, to the application of variable sized labels to mail pieces based on the contents of the label and real-time mail processing information. More particularly, the present approach involves calculating expected label preparation time based on configuration of a labeler and printer timing information and/or real-time performance measurements to determine execution of information content printing, label feeding and cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Bowe Bell & Howell Company
    Inventor: Raymond Lee
  • Publication number: 20110098847
    Abstract: A feeder control system and method are disclosed. The system includes a feeder information detector, and a feeder information leverager to provide integrity verification, system control and/or reporting. The method includes the steps of detecting feeder information, and leveraging the feeder information to provide integrity verification, system control and/or reporting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: BOWE BELL + HOWELL COMPANY
    Inventors: Roger SPITZIG, Bob Richards, Michael Boston, David Rawlings
  • Patent number: 7858889
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing mail items transported in a stream on a transport section. The apparatus includes a weighing system which is accessible via the transport section. The weighing system includes a distributor device which divides the stream of mail items into two paths, the paths being joined together again by way of a combining device. A weighing section is provided in the first of the two paths for the automatic weight determination of the mail items, and the second path is configured to bypass the weighing section, with no weighing taking place in the bypass. In other embodiments, a calming/settling section is provided immediately prior to or after the weighing section. The mail items are transported in a clamped manner on one edge over the weighing section, whereas in the settling section, the mail items are transported on one edge while leaning against one of the lateral guide belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Bowe Bell & Howell Company
    Inventors: Wilfried Hahn, Matthias Emanuel
  • Publication number: 20100315692
    Abstract: A feeder control system and method are disclosed. The system includes a feeder information detector, and a feeder information leverager to provide integrity verification, system control and/or reporting. The method includes the steps of detecting feeder information, and leveraging the feeder information to provide integrity verification, system control and/or reporting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: BOWE BELL + HOWELL COMPANY
    Inventors: Roger Spitzig, Bob Richards, Michael Boston, David Rawlings
  • Patent number: 7834289
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for processing a mailing including one or more mail pieces. The exemplary systems and method include capturing address data, addressee data, or address and addressee data associated with each respective mail piece of the mailing. A delivery point address code and a unique identifier are determined for the respective mail piece based at least in part on the captured address data, addressee data, or address and addressee data. In addition, a machine readable code is generated comprising at least a mailer identifier for the mailing and the unique identifier. The machine readable code is then printed on the respective mail piece. Also disclosed are exemplary systems and methods for retrieving a delivery point address code from a move data file. A machine readable code is generated from the delivery point address code and a unique identifier, and is printed on the mail piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Bowe Bell & Howell Company
    Inventors: Wayne Henry Orbke, John Sadler, William Andrew Grady, Richard Wojdyla, Walter S. Conard
  • Patent number: 7804979
    Abstract: A feeder control system and method are disclosed. The system includes a feeder information detector, and a feeder information leverager to provide integrity verification, system control and/or reporting. The method includes the steps of detecting feeder information, and leveraging the feeder information to provide integrity verification, system control and/or reporting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell Company
    Inventors: Roger Spitzig, Bob Richards, Michael Boston, David Rawlings
  • Patent number: 7745754
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for processing a stream of mail pieces from different sources. The steps include detecting information corresponding to the first source from at least a first mail piece of the stream, detecting information corresponding to the second source from at least a second mail piece of the stream, counting a number of mail pieces for each of the first source and the second source, and generating a report detailing a count of mail pieces for each of the first source and the second source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell Company
    Inventors: Walter S. Conard, Steven J. Krejcik
  • Patent number: 7741575
    Abstract: Mail processing methods and techniques for sorting and commingling mail from various mail sources including the tracking of the mail pieces through processing. Such tracking entails uniquely identifying each mail piece, received in batches from the mail sources, and recording the unique identification of each mail piece. The received mail is sorted and commingled in a first pass, to form first collections, and each first collection is loaded into a uniquely identified mail container. For each respective mail piece, the tracking entails recording an association of the unique identification of one of the mail containers into which it is likely the respective mail piece is sorted on the first pass. After processing is complete, postal and client reports can be adjusted based on actual first pass counts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell Company
    Inventors: Brian C. Bowers, Steven J. Krejcik, Walter S. Conard, Michael R. Swift
  • Patent number: 7735827
    Abstract: The disclosed concepts provide for a method and apparatus for processing batched items, which may comprise a multitude of flats, e.g., letters. The individual items are conveyed in a row and abut against a band conveyor with one edge. They are at least partially resting against and overlapping each other in a shingle-like manner. The overlapping flats are further separated (fanned out) by guiding mechanisms on each side of the overlapping flats that accelerate and decelerate as necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell Company
    Inventor: Matthias Emanuel
  • Patent number: 7663072
    Abstract: A delivery point packaging system and method of preparing and sorting mail pieces sorts, packages and assembles mail pieces into a predetermined delivery point order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Bowe Bell & Howell Company
    Inventors: Walter S. Conard, Rich Wojdyla, Steve Archer, Brian Bowers, John Overman
  • Patent number: 7637490
    Abstract: Inserting systems and methods are provided for use in sheet processing. The inserting systems and methods provide improved handling of sheet articles during processing. Sheet articles can be advantageously and efficiently advanced in separate stacks and later combined for insertion into an envelope. For insertion into an envelope, the mouth of the envelope can be selectively variably opened depending upon the amount of insertion material to go into the envelope where the amount an envelope is to be opened can be based upon processing or job information. Sheet articles can be registered and aligned to facilitate processing efficiencies. Sheet articles with creases, such as envelopes with mouth flaps, can be processed through a roller system to bend the crease so that the flap of the envelope assumes a desired position for subsequent processing. Additionally, sheet articles can be processed through a staging station with increased capacity for sheet processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell Company
    Inventors: Edward J. Kapturowski, Robert T. Snyder, Chris Peterson, Richard D. Johnson, Joseph I. Zuech
  • Publication number: 20090313182
    Abstract: The present teachings described herein pertain to mail preparation systems, and more specifically to the processing of mailings to obtain destination entry discounts. The teachings herein also pertain to the processing of mailings by various document processing systems, such as sorters, inserters or vision systems attached to document processing systems, to enable processing of mail articles to maximize destination entry discounts. Still further, the teachings pertain to schemes for the enablement of delivery and logistics information to be arranged respective to a mailing during mail processing to obtain destination entry discounts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: BOWE BELL + HOWELL COMPANY
    Inventors: Erik RUNSTROM, Walter S. Conard
  • Patent number: 7631869
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates generally to a system and method for controlling functions in a mail sorting system based on gap length measurement and tracking. The system and method includes a plurality of sensors located along one or more mail piece transport paths. The sensors are used to collect data regarding the gap length between each mail piece transported through the system. The gap length data is processed and stored within a controller/processor that uses the gap lengths to control the operation of one or more devices within the mail sorting system. For example, the gap lengths may be used to control the operation of a diverter, a printer or any other electromechanical, hardware or software device. The gap lengths can be used to trigger and/or inhibit the operation of the one or more devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell Company
    Inventors: Brian Bowers, Christopher Crutchfield, Kenneth Yuen, Gary Van Ermen
  • Patent number: 7607653
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for maintaining density and positioning of a grouped sheet articles, such as for feeding of sheet articles from or into the group. One or more pneumatic sensing systems can be used to monitor and control pressure of sheet articles within the group. Dynamic adjustment can be made to the density and position of the sheet articles in the group such as by controlling a motorized belt to move at least a portion of the group of sheet articles in response to an indication to do so from a controller in communication with the pneumatic sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell Company
    Inventors: Frank Shinn, Edward J. Kapturowski, Walter S. Conard
  • Patent number: 7607649
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for staging and processing documents including sheet articles, particularly for processing of sheet articles for mail processing. Different sets of pusher members for advancing document sets along a conveying path are used within the sheet processing machine. The action of the different sets of pusher members within the staging station permits a larger window and location to feed document sets into the staging station to increase processing efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell Company
    Inventors: Edward J. Kapturowski, Richard D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7498539
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Bowe Bell & Howell Company
    Inventors: Ed Svyatsky, Walter S. Conard, Tomasz Bednarek, John Overman, Tony Estis, Mike Stollenwerck, Manny Panopoulos, Richard Szewczyk
  • Patent number: 7454882
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for variably opening envelopes, such as for an inserting system. A deck is provided that creates a conveying path on which insert material can travel. A feeding guide that holds open a mouth of each envelope can be attached to the deck. Based on the physical characteristics of the material to be inserted into the envelope, the deck and feeding guide are movable to control the amount that the mouth of each envelope is held open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell Company
    Inventors: Edward J. Kapturowski, Robert T. Snyder, Chris Peterson
  • Publication number: 20080179225
    Abstract: Mail processing methods and techniques for sorting and commingling mail from various mail sources including the tracking of the mail pieces through the processing. Such tracking entails uniquely identifying each mail piece, received in batches from the mail sources, and recording the unique identification of each mail piece. The received mail is sorted and commingled in a first pass, to form first collections, and each first collection is loaded into a uniquely identified mail container. For each respective mail piece, the tracking entails recording an association of the unique identification of one of the mail containers into which it is likely the respective mail piece is sorted on the first pass. After processing is complete, postal and client reports can be adjusted based on actual final pass counts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: BOWE BELL & HOWELL COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian C. Bowers, Steven J. Krejcik, Walter S. Conard, Michael R. Swift