Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting article engagement errors and for calibrating engagement error detection apparatus associated with a plurality of gripper arms (16) of an insertion machine (10). Gripper arms (16) at each of a plurality of insert stations S comprise a first jaw member (24) and a second jaw member (26) which selectively engage articles therebetween. Field-generating means (420) is mounted on one jaw member while a Hall Effect sensor (400) is connected on the other jaw member. The sensed flux density of the generated field is a function of the relative displacement of the first and second jaw members (24,26). A signal generated by the sensor (400) operated in a slide-by mode is related to the separation of the first jaw member (24) and second jaw member (26). If the sensor-generated signal is within predetermined limits of a stored reference signal a proper number of articles are engaged between the first and second jaw members (24,26).

Abstract: An insertion machine has a stationary table for holding inserts, and a linearly movable table for receiving and holding envelopes. The moving table jogs left or right to align the insert and envelope so that the insert may be pushed into the envelope. A parallelogram drive mechanism has a first pair of belt drives which form vertical parallel arms. As the table moves back and forth, the length of the parallel vertical drive mechanism does not change appreciably so that the ends of the vertical arms float up and down. There is no need for sliding gears, shafts, or the like to transfer power to the table. A second pair of belts drive the vertical belts from a stationary point at a center of the side of the parallelogram which is opposite the table. The second pair of drive belts enables the lower ends of the first pair of drive belts to float up or down slightly without causing any dislocation as a result of table movement.

Abstract: An insertion machine system includes an insertion machine 100 of a type wherein a plurality of insert stations 152 are positioned proximate conveyor means 120 travelling therealong for selectively feeding inserts onto the conveyor means 120. A buffer and turnover assembly 106 receives a printed envelope from in-line printer means 104 and automatically introduces the printed article onto the conveyor 120 travelling proximate the insertion stations 152. A data processor 108 governs the acquistion from an information storage medium of information indicative of text to be printed on an envelope and information indicative of insert machine control signals. The data processor 108 further governs the operation of the printing means 104 whereby the printing means 104 prints on an envelope readable text.

Abstract: An insertion machine system includes an insertion machine 100 of a type wherein a plurality of insert stations 152 are positioned proximate conveyor means 120 travelling therealong for selectively feeding inserts onto the conveyor means 120. A buffer and turnover assembly 106 receives a printed envelope from in-line printer means 104 and automatically introduces the printed article onto the conveyor 120 travelling proximate the insertion stations 152. A data processor 108 governs the acquisition from an information storage medium of information indicative of text to be printed on an envelope and information indicative of insert machine control signals. The data processor 108 further governs the operation of the printing means 104 whereby the printing means 104 prints on an envelope readable text.

Abstract: An inserting machine having an improved hold-down member which provides for reduced friction between the hold-down member and the inserts as the inserts pass beneath the hold-down member. An endless belt moves with the lugs in order to transport the inserts along the insert track while friction between the bottom-most insert in a stack and the insert track. The possibility of thin or flimsy inserts jamming the insert track or being erroneously moved to another insert pile is greatly reduced.

Abstract: The illustrated embodiment teaches a three-way valve system for an ink jet printer. The system has an inlet, a main outlet, a vent, and two needle valves (a shut-off valve and a vent valve) which sit in respective valve guides. The passageways are arranged so that for ink to reach the outlet or vent, it travels through the shut-off valve seat and guide. Similarly, to reach the vent, fluid must pass through the vent valve seat and guide. The shut-off valve and vent valves are arranged to reciprocate through the action of a lever with a fulcrum between the two needle valves. The lever is connected to an actuator solenoid and an opposing bias spring. For opening of the valve system, the solenoid pulls the lever to shut the vent valve, thereby permitting the pressurized ink to lift the shut-off valve off its seat. When the shut-off valve is seated, a smaller area is exposed to pressure than when it is not seated. Therefore, the ink exerts a greater force on the opened shut-off valve.

Abstract: An improvement in an ink jet printing system which uses a catcher or gutter to intercept drops of ink deflected from the ink jet printing stream. The ink drop catcher serves to remove the drops of ink which have collected on the face of the catcher by means of capillary paths extending from the face of the catcher to a porous block. The porous block may be connected to a vacuum souce for removing the ink from the printing head.

Abstract: A device for feeding address labels on a web with the address labels arranged in a column, each address label equal in size to adjacent address labels. There are non-addressed areas at equally spaced distances along the web, with the non-addressed areas separated by the address labels. There are two cutters placed after the web feeder. The first cutter operates after each increment of the web. The second cutter operates only after an increment of the web wherein the web is fed the distance of an address label plus the height of a non-addressed area. The non-addressed area is cut from the address label and removed, and the cut address label is affixed to the mail piece. The device provides for incrementing the web either a distance equal to an address label or a distance equal to an address label plus the height of a non-addressed area.

Abstract: A device for allowing the removal of a central or coupling shaft which is connected to a main shaft having its ends retained within bearing supports. At the joints between the coupling shaft and main shaft there is complementary coupling pieces which align the coupling shaft with the main shaft. A releasable collar maintains the shafts in a locking relationship and there are locating means on the shaft to positively position the collar around the joint.

Abstract: A bar code printing device with mechanical generation of a parity or check character. The mechanism is indexed by moving a plurality of push buttons or levers which when individually moved, engage a code belt which is connected to a parity generating mechanism. Each of the push buttons is associated with a single character of a sequence and can be moved in random order.

Abstract: A new and improved vacuum document feeder provides a vacuum cup support mechanism which follows a somewhat crescent-shaped coupler curve that eliminated the vacuum cup wear-producing disadvantages of the prior art and provides for increased feeding rates. A four-bar system moves a table over the somewhat crescent-shaped coupler curve, while at all times holding an edge of the table parallel to the documents. At least one vacuum cup is pivotally mounted on the table, to sweep over an angle which accommodates leaning documents. Cams on a drive pulley associated with the transport system coordinates the table movement with both the pivoting and vacuumizing of the cups.

Abstract: The inventive ink jet printing system is driven from a repertoire data storage medium such as perforated tape or cards, magnetic tape or cards, or the like, on which the stored data may be changed, updated, increased or decreased, or deleted in whole or in part. The data read from this storage medium is fed into a microprocessor which directs a ganged multiplicity of ink jet printing heads, to simultaneously printout a plurality of lines of type. A transport mechanism picks up and feeds paper, magazines, or the like through a printing station where the ganged ink jets print out responsive to the data supplied from the repertoire storage medium. A number of housekeeping functions are carried out simultaneously, to insure that ink is delivered to and collected from the nozzles of the printing heads.

Abstract: An ink cartridge comprises a box containing a plastic bag or bladder which is manufactured, filled and sealed in the controlled environment of a factory. As manufactured, the bladder has almost no chance of any substantial amount of air being entrapped therein. It has no openings, except for a small fill opening which is sealed immediately after the bladder is filled with ink. The bladder has rounded contours to prevent entrapment of gas and foreign substances. A plastic tube is welded to the outside of the bladder so that it may be penetrated and the bladder may be cleanly punctured within the tube in order to introduce the ink into the machine without simultaneously introducing air or other foreign matter into the ink. A special follower arrangement feeds a piercing tool into the plastic tube without buckling or kinking it.

Abstract: The inventive ink jet printing system is driven from a repertoire data storage medium such as perforated tape or cards, magnetic tape or cards, or the like, on which the stored data may be changed, updated, increased or decreased, or deleted in whole or in part. The data read from this storage medium is fed into a microprocessor which directs a ganged multiplicity of ink jet printing heads, to simultaneously printout a plurality of lines of type. A transport mechanism picks up and feeds paper, magazines, or the like through a printing station where the ganged ink jets print out responsive to the data supplied from the repertoire storage medium. A number of housekeeping functions are carried out simultaneously, to insure that ink is delivered to and collected from the nozzles of the printing heads.

Abstract: A mail or letter preparing system prepares both "self mailers" and envelope letters for mailing. The system includes apparatus for cutting individual-page letter sheets or leaving letter sheets as united pages. The united page sheets are folded by a first folder to be the same size as individual-page sheets. A second folder then folds both the individual sheets and the united-page sheets to letters of a predetermined envelope size. Also under the control of a central computer, a sealer seals some of these folded letters for mailing as they are and transports the others "as self-mailers" to inserter apparatus. Likewise, the inserter apparatus after adding any additional inserts which are to accompany enveloped letters, stuffs the unsealed letters into respective envelopes, but merely transports the sealed self mailers there-through without stuffing them into envelopes. Both stuffed envelopes and self mailers are expelled from the inserter from the same exit and transported by the same conveyor to a sorter.