Abstract: A method is provided for configuring a mailpiece creation system to minimize system set-up, mitigate errors and reduce the skill level required to perform tabbing operations. The method includes the steps of (i) determining a fold configuration of the sheet material employed in the creation of a mailpiece, (ii) determining the dimension of an adhesive tab for securing a free edge of the sheet material, (iii) determining a target location for the placement of each adhesive tab relative to the free edge of the folded sheet material, (iv) configuring at least one system parameter of the mailpiece creation system in accordance with at the fold configuration, adhesive tab dimension, and/or target location, and (v) executing a mail run job by the mailpiece creation system.

Abstract: A tabbing apparatus to dispense tabs from a carrier substrate and facilitate the loading of tab stock internally of the tabbing apparatus. The tabbing apparatus includes an input mechanism operative to supply and convey a stream of tab stock and an output mechanism operative to accept and take away the stream of tab stock supplied by the input mechanism. The tabbing apparatus further includes a peeler bar operative to dispense adhesive tabs from a carrier substrate, and a displacement mechanism for repositioning the peeler bar from a loading position to a dispensing position. The displacement mechanism, is furthermore, operative to disengage the peeler bar from the stream of tab stock while in the loading position and engage the peeler bar with the stream of tab stock while in the dispensing position.

Abstract: A system for dispensing tabs from a carrier substrate, each of the tabs having an adhesive backing for securing the tabs in spaced-apart relation to the carrier substrate. The system includes an input mechanism operative to supply an input stream of the tab stock and an output mechanism operative to accept and take away an output stream of carrier substrate from the tab stock supplied by the input mechanism. The system further includes a peeler bar having first and second surfaces disposed on the periphery of the peeler bar. The peeler bar, furthermore is interposed between the input and output streams such that the underside surface of the carrier substrate slideably engages the first and second peripheral surfaces. The first peripheral surface has an arcuate shape along an elongate axis of the peeler bar and is oriented relative to the second peripheral surface so as to effect an abrupt directional change with respect to the input and output streams.

Abstract: A feedback sensing system for positioning and dispensing adhesive tabs to secure the free edges of a folded sheet material. The feedback sensing system comprises: (i) a drive mechanism for adaptively driving tab stock around a peeler bar of a tabbing head, (ii) a sensing device for detecting the position of each adhesive tab relative to an edge of the peeler bar, and (iii) a controller for adaptively controlling the drive mechanism based upon a position signal to optimally pre-position each adhesive tab relative to the edge of the peeler bar for dispensing each adhesive tab.

Abstract: A cross-fold system for use in combination with a device for folding sheet material and includes a rigid guide structure having a stationary reaction surface for supporting and guiding folded sheet material along a feed path between a sheet feed mechanism and a tensioning mechanism. Furthermore, the cross-fold system includes a paper break assembly disposed between the sheet feed mechanism and the tensioning mechanism. The paper break assembly, furthermore, includes an abrasion bar disposed transversely of the feed path and in opposed relation to the rigid guide. Moreover, the paper break assembly is repositionable from an active position to an inactive position such that, in the active position, the abrasion bar pressingly engages the sheet material against the stationary reaction surface of the guide assembly, and, in the inactive position, the abrasion bar permits the sheet material to pass to the tensioning mechanism without engaging the sheet material.

Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus is disclosed having a first sheet feeding means for advancing a sheet along a sheet path, a second sheet feeding means for feeding the sheet along a continuation of the sheet path, driving means for driving the first sheet feeding means independently of the second sheet feeding means and for common drive of the first and second sheet feeding means, and a drive controller arranged to control said driving means to enable a sheet to be driven along the sheet path from the first sheet feeding means to the second sheet feeding means whilst the second sheet feeding means remains undriven and to enable continued feeding of the sheet by both sheet feeding means.

Abstract: An accumulator apparatus for paper collations is disclosed having an accumulation chamber for receiving sheet material, the chamber defined by a fixed guide on one side, a movable guide on the other side and a movable stop member at one end. Driving means are included for driving said sheet material against said stop member, and means are provided for moving the movable guide between a first position in which it is spaced from the fixed guide by a gap sufficiently small to prevent buckling of the sheet material as it is driven by the driving means against the stop member, and a second position in which the movable guide is spaced away from the fixed guide for discharge of the sheet material from the chamber.

Abstract: A stopping device for stopping the travel of sheets along a sheet path is disclosed having a gate member movable between an interference position in which it prevents the travel of sheets along the sheet path, and a release position in which sheets are permitted to travel along the sheet path, and having a lock-out means operable to lock the gate member in the interference position against forces substantially in the direction of travel of sheets along the sheet path.

Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus for feeding a sequential plurality of sheets is disclosed having a sheet feed path for guiding sheets in a sheet feeding direction through the apparatus, the apparatus comprising driving means for driving sheets along the sheet feed path, and trail edge deflecting means located on the sheet feed path, the trail edge deflecting means being arranged to deflect the trailing edge of a leading sheet to ensure overlap by a following sheet on a predetermined side of the leading sheet.

Abstract: A sheet handling device is disclosed having at least one sheet feed path therethrough from an inlet to an outlet, the sheet feed path defined by guiding means for directing sheet material from the inlet to the outlet, the apparatus comprising a plurality of processing sections located along the sheet feed path for performing a plurality of operations on sheet material being handled by the device, said processing sections including an accumulator section, and wherein the accumulator section is arranged within a main chamber of the sheet handling device and is configured to be accessible via an access doorway for jam clearance.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for feeding sheets one-at-a-time along a path is disclosed having: means for storing a plurality of sheets; a feeder/separator comprising feeding means for engaging the sheets and feeding them from the means for storing and a separator for engaging sheets fed by the feeding means to thereby feed single ones of the sheets one-at-a-time along the path whilst remaining sheets not being fed along the path are halted by the separator; and a clearance mechanism for engaging said remaining sheets and removing them from the separator region in a sheet clearance process.

Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus for storing a plurality of sheets is disclosed having a storage chamber having a first transverse dimension, a platform located within the storage chamber for storing a plurality of sheets in a substantially vertical stack thereon, a feeder for feeding a top sheet from the stack, and means for moving the platform upwards to hold the stack in operative contact with the feeder, wherein the platform comprises a support portion having a second transverse dimension which is less than the first transverse dimension, for allowing sheets stacked on the platform to droop below the support portion in at least one overhanging region.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for feeding sheets one-at-a-time along a path is disclosed having: means for storing a plurality of sheets; a feeder/separator comprising feeding means for engaging the sheets and feeding them from the means for storing and a separator for engaging sheets fed by the feeding means to thereby feed single ones of the sheets one-at-a-time along the path whilst remaining sheets not being fed along the path are halted by the separator; and a clearance mechanism for engaging said remaining sheets and removing them from the separator region in a sheet clearance process.

Abstract: A handle for attachment to a rotational shaft, the handle comprising a lever handle, for attachment to the rotational shaft for aiding application of torque to the shaft, and an alignment boss, separate from the lever handle, for attaching the lever handle to the shaft and for aligning the lever handle at a predetermined orientation with respect to an alignment feature of the shaft.