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 drive unit for a document feeding machine having: a paper feeding module having a pair of support railings; and a modular drive unit. The drive unit includes: a shaft journaled in the support railings; a conveying belt mounted on the shaft for conveying documents from an upstream position to a downstream position, the upper reach of said belt defining a feed path; a cross bar extending between and removably secured to the pair of support railings; a drive unit support plate secured to the cross bar; and a motor for driving the conveying belt secured to the support plate. When the cross bar is detached from the pair of support railings, the drive unit support plate, the motor and one end of the conveying belt drop below the feed path to facilitate repair of the modular drive unit.

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: In an inserter system, an apparatus for bar code scanning includes a scanner, a travel bar attached to a frame of an inserter, and adjustable brackets for slidably fastening said scanner to the travel bar. The travel bar is positioned wherein said scanner is moveable transverse to a paper path travelled by a sheet having a bar code symbol thereon. The apparatus further includes a plate attached to the adjustable brackets, and nylon and hook type fasteners for fastening the scanner to the plate. A transparent medium deck is positioned between the scanner and the paper path. The transparent medium deck is resistive to abrasion and has optical characteristics which would allow scanning by the scanner through the transparent medium deck.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjustably positioning a scanner along a transport deck includes a cartridge; and a belt structure rotatably mounted in said cartridge, for positioning the scanner transversely along the transport deck. The belt structure includes a reach parallel to the transport deck having an aperture at which the scanner can be mounted. There is adjustment structure, adjacent the belt structure, for rotating the belt structure to adjust the position of the aperture.

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: Apparatus for marking an edge of an envelope moving in a first, substantially horizontal plane. The apparatus includes: a supporting arm; a mechanism for simultaneously rotating the arm in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane and translating the arm perpendicular to the second plane; and a marker for applying ink to the envelope edge secured to the supporting arm. The marker includes a roller for contacting the envelope edge, a reservoir for storing a supply of ink, and a device for feeding the ink from the reservoir to the roller, whereby at an appropriate time the marker may be rotated and translated from a nonmarking position into a marking position adjacent the envelope edge for marking the envelope edge.

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.