Abstract: An separating and staging machine is disclosed which is used in conjunction with high speed document processing apparatus in which a succession of collations of insert material moving along an insert material feed path to an insert location are inserted into envelopes fed to the insert location. The machine of the present invention feeds envelopes from a storage hopper to a feed path which is long enough to accommodate a plurality of staging locations at which individual envelopes are maintained until one is fed to the insert location, after which the envelopes at each staging location are advanced to the next staging location, and a new envelope is fed from the storage hopper to the first of the staging locations. With this arrangement the distance between successive envelopes moving through the staging locations is approximately equal to the distance between successive collations moving along the insert material feed path, thereby increasing the rate at which envelopes can be fed to the insert location.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for receiving a sheet from a first direction and transporting the sheet in a second direction. The apparatus comprising: a device for feeding the sheet in the second direction; a deck having an imput end for receiving the sheet from the first direction and an output end and including a lower deck plate and an upper deck plate pivotally mounted and vertically spaced above the lower deck plate. The apparatus further comprising a controller and a device for pivoting the upper deck plate between a closed position and an open position. The controller for causing the pivoting device to rotate the upper deck plate to the open position to receive the sheet from the first direction, causing the pivoting device to rotate the upper deck plate to the closed position after receiving the sheet and thereafter causing the feed device to feed the sheet in the second direction through the deck output end.

Abstract: A pressure roller assembly for use in a transport system. The transport system including a drive system in operative engagement with the pressure roller assembly for feeding an article in a path of travel. The pressure roller assembly including: a shaft; a roller having an inner diameter; a pair of first hubs each having a bearing surface and fixably mounted to the shaft in spaced apart relationship so that the first hub bearing surfaces are facing each other; a pair of second hubs each including an through hole having a diameter greater that the shaft diameter and a bearing surface corresponding to the first hub bearing surfaces, respectively, the second hubs spaced along the shaft between the first hubs and slideably mounted to and in bearing engagement with the roller inner diameter so that the second hub bearing surfaces are facing the first hub bearing surfaces, respectively; and means for biasing the second hub bearing surfaces into bearing engagement with the first hub bearing surfaces, respectively.

Abstract: Apparatus for singulating paper sheets. The apparatus includes: a deck for supporting a plurality of paper sheets; a device for feeding the plurality of paper sheets along the deck; a retarding roller situated above the deck for retarding the plurality of paper sheets; and a feeding roller situated below the retarding roller for feeding the lowermost of the paper sheets past the retarding roller, which has a metal sleeve with a grit coating having a hardness on the Rockwell "C" scale of at least 60 and a grit size according to the U.S. Standard System between 10 and 320.

Abstract: A system for determining the proper operation of a feeding apparatus includes a detector for detecting the feeding of two or more overlapped documents. The detector is connected to a processor for processing detected information and providing an output signal indicating that the detector has detected the presence of two or more overlapped documents. An adjustment arrangement is connected to the detector for adjusting the detector to detect the presence of overlapped documents for various different types of documents to be utilized with the feeding apparatus. A display is connected to the detector which displays a first condition when no documents are detected by the detector, a second condition when a single document is detected by the detector and a third condition when overlapped documents are detected by the detector. The system may include two or more spaced apart detectors each with their own adjustment arrangement and associated display.

Abstract: A belt feeding assembly for feeding paper sheets. The assembly includes: a pair of side frames; an upstream shaft and a downstream shaft mounted in the side frames; a first timing pulley and a second timing pulley each having a one-way clutch for mounting on the downstream shaft; a third timing pulley and a fourth timing pulley each having a one-way clutch for mounting on the upstream shaft; a first timing belt mounted on the first and third pulleys; a second timing belt mounted on the second and fourth pulleys; and a device for driving the first and second timing belts, whereby when the first and second timing belts are initially driven at the start of operation, the one-way clutches enable the timing belts to properly and precisely seat in the timing pulleys.

Abstract: Apparatus for singulating documents seriatim. The apparatus includes: a frame; a device for feeding documents from an upstream position to a downstream position; a separating roller rotatably mounted in the frame; a lower, take-away roller rotatably mounted in the frame situated downstream of the separating roller; and a pivotable housing pivotably mounted in the frame. The housing includes an upper, take-away roller situated above and adjacent the lower, take-away roller, and a separating stone situated above and adjacent the separating roller.

Abstract: A module for transporting, aligning, diverting and stacking a plurality of envelopes. The module includes: a housing frame; a registration wall secured to the housing frame; a fixed transport panel secured to the housing frame; a pivotable, envelope diverting transport panel situated upstream and adjacent the fixed transparent panel; a device for pivoting the pivotable panel between a horizontal plane and an acute angle with the horizontal plane; a stacking chamber secured to the housing frame situated beneath the fixed transport panel; and a roller assembly secured to the housing frame for transporting the envelopes in a downstream direction and for aligning the envelopes against the registration wall.