Abstract: For generating and finishing documents, a first data file in a first format, which describes the content of a document, is provided. The first data file is converted into a second data file (21-25; 121-125) in a second format, in which image defining instructions and other instructions for finishing the document occur. The second data file (21-25; 121-125) is processed into a processed second data file (21-25) with driving instructions for generating documents and associated driving instructions for finishing documents. Thereafter, in accordance with the driving instructions, a document is generated and finished in accordance with the driving instructions. Also disclosed are a system and a program structure for carrying out the proposed method. A considerable saving on the variety of software required for operating different operating systems and kinds of equipment is feasible, while information concerning the image such as it has been created in composing the document is maintained.

Abstract: A system for opening or extracting postal items and for franking postal items includes a franking apparatus for franking postal items, an opener or extractor for at least opening postal items, and a transport structure for transporting the postal items. The franking apparatus and the opener or extractor are arranged along the transport structure at least when in an operating condition. A method for opening or extracting postal items and for franking other postal items involves serially transporting the postal items to be opened or extracted along a transport path, opening or extracting each one of the postal items that is passed along the transport path, also transporting each of the other postal items to be franked along the transport path, and applying at least one postage mark on each of the postal items to be franked that is passed along the transport path.

Abstract: For generating and finishing documents, a first data file in a first format, which describes the content of a document, is provided. The first data file is converted into a second data file (21-25; 121-125) in a second format, in which image defining instructions and other instructions for finishing the document occur. The second data file (21-25; 121-125) is processed into a processed second data file (21-25) with driving instructions for generating documents and associated driving instructions for finishing documents. Thereafter, in accordance with the driving instructions, a document is generated and finished in accordance with the driving instructions. Also disclosed are a system and a program structure for carrying out the proposed method. A considerable saving on the variety of software required for operating different operating systems and kinds of equipment is feasible, while information concerning the image such as it has been created in composing the document is maintained.

Abstract: In determining a setting condition of an apparatus for assembling mail items from mail components (20, 21, 23, 25) it is detected, in a setting phase, in which of a number of feeder stations (1, 2, 34, 35) of that apparatus mail components (20, 21, 23, 25) are present. Feeder stations (1, 2, 34, 35) in which mail components are present are automatically brought into an operating condition, and feeder stations (1, 2, 34, 35) in which no mail components are present are automatically brought into a non-operating condition. As a result, at the start-up of the apparatus, on the basis of the loading thereof, it is automatically determined which station is to be brought into an operating condition and which are to remain standby. An apparatus specifically arranged for practicing the proposed method is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for the separation of sheets includes a transport structure for exerting a force on an outermost sheet of a pack of sheets in the direction of transport and a separation structure for exerting a force on at least one other sheet of the pack against the direction of transport to prevent the other sheet from moving along with the ourtermost sheet in the direction of transport. The apparatus also includes a treating device for treatment of the engaging surface of the transport structure and/or the separation structure to increase the frictional coefficient of the engaging surface. Thus, a more reliable separation effect can be obtained especially over a longer period.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding sheetlike material from a stack, with a holder for receiving a stack for supporting the stack and opposed side guides for guiding sheetlike material of the stack in a feeding direction. One of the side guides is displaceable relative to the other one. As, further, one of the side guides is movable between a working position projecting relative to the platform for guiding sheets in a working area and a filling position in which the working area is at least partly cleared for passing therethrough sheets to be placed in the bolder, filling of the apparatus is facilitated and this can be carried out faster.

Abstract: An apparatus for the separation of sheets includes a transport structure for exerting a force on an outermost sheet of a pack of sheets in the direction of transport and a separation structure for exerting a force on at least one other sheet of the pack against the direction of transport to prevent the other sheet from moving along with the outermost sheet in the direction of transport. The apparatus also includes a treating device for treatment of the engaging surface of the transport structure and/or the separation structure to increase the frictional coefficient of the engaging surface. Thus, a more reliable separation effect can be obtained especially over a longer period.

Abstract: A method for registration of existing, physical documents determining a code through use of a data processor structure, actuating a marking assembly for applying a mark, which represents the code, on each document to be registered, actuating a registration device in response to the application of the mark through use of the data processor structure, and registering accordingly data corresponding with the code, on a protected information carrier. Because it is one and the same data processor structure that carries out the determination of the code, the application of a mark corresponding with the code, and the storage, in a protected memory, of codes that correspond with applied marks, a safeguard regarding the authenticity of stored data regarding documents is obtained in a highly efficient and reliable manner.

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 the 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: In an electromagnetic operating system having a coil for electromagnetically controlling a mechanical operating member for operating the processing of objects in response to an alteration in an electrical voltage condition, the control system is arranged for generating test command pulses of different magnitude, for registering a command code in accordance with a smallest magnitude test command pulse causing the operating member to move, and for subsequently correcting alterations in the voltage condition for controlling the operating member in accordance with the registered command code. The control system is responsive for effecting the corrections in the alterations of the voltage condition in accordance with the registered command code. This enables simple correction for differences in the response delay among different electromagnetic operating systems.

Abstract: In the in-line processing of flat objects (S1-S7), the flat objects (S1-S7) are fed from a device (4) and serially transferred to a downstream system (5). In the system (5) the objects (S1-S7) are transported and, if necessary, temporarily collected. The temporary collection of specimens of the objects (S1-S7) occurs in a configuration with a pitch in the direction of transport which is smaller than the dimensions in the direction of transport of the objects (S1-S7) in question. Then collected objects (S1-S7) are moved away from each other, from that configuration, and further transported with mutual interspaces. Because the flat objects (S1-S7) are stored with a pitch less than the size in the direction of transport, a large number of objects (S1-S7) can be collected in a buffer portion (34, 35; 134; 234) of a small length. Because the objects (S1-S7) are stored with a pitch in the direction of transport, however, they can be readily moved away from each other.

Abstract: For individually separating outer sheets (9, 109) of a stack (6, 106) in a holder (1, 101), in each case in the area of an outer sheet or an outer set of sheets a suction is generated for sucking at least a portion of an outer sheet or set of sheets (9, 109) from an initial position, away from the stack, to a discharge position. From that discharge position a sheet or set of sheets is discharged away from the stack (6, 106) by a discharge structure engaging the sheet or set of sheets. The suction assembly (12, 112, 212) in each case generates a pulsed suction in a position spaced from the initial position. As a result, the sheets or sets of sheets can be reliably displaced one by one to the discharge position, while the intended operation of the apparatus is little sensitive to the suction strength set.

Abstract: For rotating a flat object, a rotor is provided with a transport element for engaging an object in the rotor. A transmission element is coupled to the rotor. Between the transmission element and the transport element of the rotor, there is a transmission for causing the transport element to rotate relative to the rotor in response to rotation of the transmission element relative to the rotor. As a coupling structure between the rotor and the transmission element is arranged for retaining the transmission element relative to the rotor when rotation of the rotor is allowed, and for releasing rotation of the transmission element relative to the rotor when a switch is made to retaining the rotor, a fast, friction-low operation is enabled.

Abstract: A belt assembly which, in operation, can be tensioned along a path, comprising a belt having a toothed surface and a oppositely located back surface and at least one unit fastened to the belt on the side of the back surface. Where the unit is fastened to the belt, parts of the belt are bent out of the path of the belt assembly in the direction of the unit. The unit includes a retention element which engages the toothed surface of the bent belt parts so that a pitch between the teeth of the belt located on either side of the unit is a whole multiple of the teeth pitch of the belt.