Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing printed envelopes provides feeding the web from a source roll into a laser printer. Predetermined envelope information such as address, name, and presort codes may be placed upon the web at selected locations thereon by the printer. The printed web is then output from the laser printer to an output roll. The printed web output roll is subsequently mounted onto an envelope folder in which each of the predetermined printed locations is detected. These predetermined locations are subsequently cut and the sheets derived therefrom are folded into individual envelopes. These envelopes are subsequently output to a collection point in a predetermined sequence. Prior to cutting and folding, additional enhancements such as embossing may be provided to the printed web.

Abstract: A web separator is provided that cuts a web at predetermined separation locations. Downstream of the cutting, the web is folded at predetermined fold locations. A continuously swinging director, downstream of the folding, guides advancing sections of web to opposing fold edges of a supported zig-zag stack. The web is driven into the continuously swinging director by a driving member. The driving member is deactivated selectively by a clutch, while other elements of the separator continue to operate. A central drive motor may be interconnected with each of the drive member, swinging director, folding and support elements. Fold and separation locations may be determined by a bar code detector and selectively operable upper and lower conveyor belts may be disposed below the supported zig-zag stack.

Abstract: A method and appaaratus for selective high-speed insertion of sheets from a plurality of webs into envelopes provides a mechanism for folding and inserting sheets into preformed envelopes. Preformed envelopes are provided for folding and inserting from a source that may be a roll. A plurality of sheets are fed for folding and inserting into envelopes. A leading sheet from each of the webs is selectively driven and cut at a collection point for folding and inserting. The selecting of sheets for feeding and cutting may be accomplished by means of a CPU that may include a bar code detection system disposed along each of the webs. A system for widening the openings of envelopes to facilitate insertion of contents may also be included. This system may comprise a strip along each of the envelopes is a stream that includes a folded section within each opening or may comprise tabs disposed along an opening side of each envelope.

Abstract: A method for sorting, separating and indicating sections of an outputted stack, such as printed continuous paper web. A continuous web is outputted which includes a plurality of sections having pages therein. Page separation and section separation locations are determined upon the web wherein the size of each page in a section is equal and wherein the size of at least one section separator page disposed adjacent to a section separation location is unequal to the size of the other pages in the section. The web is folded at each of the subsequent page separation locations upon an alternating face to produce a zig-zag pattern. The section separator pages may be folded so that their size is greater than or less than the size of the pages in the section and the section separator pages may be cut so that their size is greater than or less than that of the pages in the section.

Abstract: A system and method for directly feeding unstacked paper sheets into a printing device having a moving image conducting element with a plurality of images placed thereon for transfer to the paper and having a wait station for controlling the timing of paper transfer to the image conducting element. A continuous stream of paper sheets is directed to a printing device wait station. The rate of the movement of the paper sheets into the wait station is controlled to present each paper sheet at a predetermined rate relative to the operating speed of the image conducting element. The spacing of the leading edge of each paper sheet, as it is presented to the wait station, is made relative to the linear spacing between consecutive images on the image conducting element.

Abstract: A system and method for creasing continuous web at predetermined locations. A continuous web material is biased in the first direction. The web is then pinched in a second direction. This pinching is accomplished by drawing a bend in the web into the pinching element, and, following the pinching, the web including a crease is driven out of the pinching element. This section of web containing a crease is then output from the system. A second pinching may also be performed subsequent to the first pinching. This second pinching would occur on the opposite face of the web at a further point along the web. This would result in a zig-zag pattern of creases.

Abstract: A method for sorting, separating and indicating sections of an outputted stack, such as printed continuous paper web. A continuous web is outputted which includes a plurality of sections having pages therein. Page separation and section separation locations are determined upon the web wherein the size of each page in a section is equal and wherein the size of at least one section separator page disposed adjacent to a section separation location is unequal to the size of the other pages in the section. The web is folded at each of the subsequent page separation locations upon an alternating face to produce a zig-zag pattern. The section separator pages may be folded so that their size is greater than or less than the size of the pages in the section and the section separator pages may be cut so that their size is greater than or less than that of the pages in the section.

Abstract: A machine for feeding rolls of web material to a utilization device that is adapted to draw the web material into the utilization device. The roll machine includes a frame carrying a carriage that supports a pair of arms having respective chucks that are adapted to move toward and away from each other for engaging and disengaging with the core of a roll that is being supported and fed. An overhead drive arrangement is used for driving the periphery of the roll in combination with a torque roller for maintaining tension in the web. A gravity loop of the material has its position sensed for control of the roll drive means in a manner to match the rate of use by the utilization device.

Abstract: A web feed system for a laser printer that controls the feeding of web through the printer to a receiving device. The system includes an input feed station and an output feed station. At the output feed station there is a shock absorbing support roller and a series of rollers including a torque roller that support the web in a detection loop. Several features are incorporated to permit ease of transition between box and roll feed states.

Abstract: A machine for feeding rolls of web material to a utilization device that is adapted to draw the web material into the utilization device. The roll machine includes a frame carrying a carriage that supports a pair of arms having respective chucks that are adapted to move toward and away from each other for engaging and disengaging with the core of a roll that is being supported and fed. An overhead drive arrangement is used for driving the periphery of the roll in combination with a torque roller for maintaining tension in the web. A gravity loop of the material has its position sensed for control of the drive to the roll in a manner to match the rate of use by the utilization device.

Abstract: A web feed system for a laser printer that controls the feeding of web through the printer to a receiving device. The system includes an input feed station and an output feed station. At the output feed station there is a shock absorbing support roller and a series of rollers including a torque roller that support the web in a detection loop. Several features are incorporated to permit ease of transition between box and roll feed states.