Abstract: A web bursting machine is disclosed in which a pair of webs of indefinite length having individual sheets thereon delineated by transverse lines of weakening in the webs are separated therefrom by applying a mementary tension in the webs while drawing the webs over bursting elements while the webs are traveling longitudinally. The webs are fed simultaneously and continuously, but with the sheets of one web offset by one half pitch or sheet length from the sheets of the other so that a sheet is burst from one web or the other with each half pitch of travel of the two webs together, thereby eliminating any down time which would otherwise result from feeding the webs intermittently and stopping one web while the other is being burst.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for nest folding at least one smaller document of a collation while folding larger documents of the collation comprises the steps of: providing a buckle chute folder having a plurality of buckle chutes with one of the buckle chutes including a kicker structure adjacent a buckle chute stop; transporting to the buckle chute folder a collation having documents of at least two sizes; feeding the collation into the buckle chute having the kicker structure; buckling the larger of the documents into a nip of fold rollers as the lead edge of the collation hits the buckle chute stop; bouncing the smaller of the documents out of the buckle chute as the larger of the documents enter the nip of the fold rollers; and completing the first fold of the larger documents with the smaller documents nested within the first fold.

Abstract: An optical scanning system comprises an optical scanner, a first circuit for generating a reference pulse and a second circuit for comparing a benchmark pulse scanned by the scanner to the reference pulse. The comparing circuit provides an indicating signal of one of a less than, a greater than and an equal to signals as a result of the comparison. There is a third circuit for adjusting sensitivity of the scanner based on the indicating signal. In one embodiment a visual indication is provided to distinguish between the less than, greater than and equal to signals so that a manual adjustment can be made to the scanner sensitivity. In another embodiment, automatic adjustments are made if a predetermined number of less than or greater than signals are provided before an equal to signal is provided by the comparing circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing an elongate portion of a web of sheets, wherein the web portion includes a plurality of uniformly dimensioned successive sheets bordered by an elongate marginal edge having a plurality of sprocket holes formed therein at equal intervals along its length, the apparatus comprising: structure for guiding the web portion in a downstream path of travel, the guiding structure including a pair of spaced apart idler rollers and a timing belt endlessly looped about the rollers, the belt including a plurality of sprockets extending outwardly therefrom at said equal intervals, the belt including a belt run aligned with the path of travel, the web portion sprocket holes disposed in meshing engagement with the belt run sprockets for guiding the web portion in the path of travel; and structure downstream from the guiding structure for feeding the web portion downstream in the path of travel against an upstream force exerted thereagainst by the guiding structure.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting an evelope including a body having opposed front and back wall portions defining a bottom edge, wherein the envelope includes a flap wall portion extending from the front wall portion and defining therewith a crease edge extending parallel to the bottom edge for folding the flap wall portion in overlaying relationship with the back wall portion, and wherein the front and back wall portions define parallel-spaced side edges extending between the crease and bottom edges, the apparatus comprising: first structure for conveying the envelope in a first direction wherein the front and flap wall portions thereof are upwardly oriented, the first conveying structure including first structure for aligning one envelope side edge in the first direction; second structure for conveying the envelope in a second direction wherein the front and flap wall portions thereof are downwardly oriented, the second conveying structure including second structure for aligning the one envelope side edge in the

Abstract: The mailing machine includes a print drum and shutter bar assemblies and a transport system for receiving seriately and assuming displacement control over envelopes from a feed means. The mailing machine drive control system is a microcomputer in control of a first stepper motor which is a driving communication with the transport system, a second motor in driving communication with the print drum assembly and a third motor in driving communication with the shutter bar assembly. A speed sensing means inform the microcomputer of the incoming velocity of an envelope and a trigger sensing means informs the microcomputer of the relative position of the envelope with respect to the transport system and printing station. The microcomputer is programmed to determine the peak drum speed relative to the speed of an incoming envelope and a preselected pitch distance between successive envelopes.

Abstract: A postage meter which imprints non-dollar amount indicia representative of postage value determining information. The meter receives postage value determining information, such as mail piece weight, associated with particular mail pieces; computes the corresponding postage; imprints the particular envelope with the postage value determining information; and accounts for the postage thus expended. Because the range of postage value determining information is small compared the possible range of postage setting information the meter to print is quicker and easier. In one embodiment the meter also prints a validating indicia which assures that the rates used to compute the postage value are valid. In another embodiment the postage value determining information includes information which characterizes a batch of mail, for example as being entitled to a pre-sort discount.

Abstract: A postage meter is mounted to a mailing machine at a location along the feed deck of the mailing machine such that a portion of the postage meter is in spaced relation to the feed deck to define a printing station. An inserter or other type of mailpiece inserter delivers a plurality of mailpieces to the feed deck of the mailing machine in a seriatim manner for the printing of an indicia on each of the mailpieces as it traverses the print station by the postage meter. The mailing machine is provided with a transport system comprising means for capturing each of the mailpieces as it is received from the inserter and controllably transporting the mailpiece along the feed deck and maintaining control during indicia printing by the postage meter and thereafter ejecting the mailpiece from the mailing machine. Also, a control means is provided for controlling the transport speed such that the initial velocity of the transport is generally equal to or greater than the velocity of the fed mailpiece.

Abstract: In a fluid supply and dispensing system including a fluid dispenser for carrying a working supply of fluid at working surface level, and a reservoir which is connected in fluid flow communication with the dispenser for carrying a replenishing supply of fluid at a surface level which establishes the working surface level of fluid in the dispenser, there is provided with an improvement for lowering the working surface level to prevent spillage of fluid from the dispenser when the system is not in use. The improvement includes providing the reservoir with a movable, fluid displacement member, which is normally lowered into the replenishing supply of fluid, and providing means for raising the displacement member at least partially out of the replenishing supply of fluid, when the system is not in use, for lowering the surface level of the replenishing fluid supply and thus the working surface level of the dispenser's working fluid supply.

Abstract: The instant invention provides sheet stacking apparatus capable of stacking bundles of aligned sheets of paper in alternate, offset relation or alternate, skewed relation. The apparatus includes a storage bin for receiving a multiplicity of aligned bundles of sheets. The storage bin includes a bottom wall, a pair of side walls, front stopping members adjacent each of the side walls, and an adjustable, central post situated between the front stopping members. The apparatus also includes means for feeding the aligned bundles of sheets along alternate side walls of the storage bin. The post may be positioned closer than the front stopping members to said feeding means to effect alternate offset stacking or further away than the front stopping members from said feeding means to effect alternate skewed stacking.

Abstract: In a collator which assembles sheets, the sheets are pushed upwardly by individual sheet pusher arms from each of a group of generally vertically oriented sheet storage bins to a generally horizontal conveyor system which then pulls up and conveys the sheets from the bins to a discharge station. The sheets from the respective bins are fed into the conveyor system at the same time by the sheet pusher arms which are reciprocally driven by a cam actuated bar. The sheet pusher arms are magnetically latched against a member at the top of their upward feeding stroke. This latching is accomplished by an extension of the rear wall of the bin which is angled so as to force the sheet pusher arm back against the magnetic latch member. The sheet pusher arms remain in this latched position out of engagement with the pack of sheets in the sheet storage bins during their downward stroke.

Abstract: A sheet handling machine having the dual capability of either collating or sorting sheet material into individual booklets or collations. The machine has a plurality of sheet receiving bins operatively associated with infeed and outfeed locations of the machine, and a conveyor system for moving sheets between the infeed and outfeed locations in a predetermined sequence. The machine includes movable deflectors for deflecting sheets from the conveyor means into the bins, and feeding means located in the bins for feeding sheets from the bins back into the conveyor system. Appropriate controls are provided to cause the deflecting means or the feeding means to be selectively operable in a predetermined sequence. In a sorting mode of operation, successive copies of the first page of a booklet are fed into successive bins until each bin contains one copy. Thereafter, successive copies of each successive page of the booklet are fed into each bin until each bin contains a completed booklet.

Abstract: A sheet handling machine having the dual capability of either collating or sorting sheet material into individual booklets or collations. The machine has a plurality of sheet receiving bins arranged within a rotary drum operatively associated with infeed and outfeed locations of the machine. The machine includes a conveyor for depositing sheets into the bins, and rotary extracting means located adjacent the bins for extracting sheets from the bins. Appropriate controls are provided to cause the rotary drum to be selectively operable in a predetermined sequence. In a sorting mode of operation, successive copies of the first page of a booklet are fed into successive bins until each bin contains one copy. Thereafter, successive copies of each successive page of the booklet are fed into each bin until each bin contains a completed booklet. Thus, as many booklets are simultaneously formed as there are bins.

Abstract: A sheet handling machine having the dual capability of either collating or sorting sheet material into individual booklets or collations. The machine has a plurality of sheet receiving bins operatively associated with infeed and outfeed locations of the machine, and a conveyor system for moving sheets between the infeed and outfeed locations in a predetermined sequence. The machine includes movable deflectors for deflecting sheets from the conveyor means into the bins, and feeding means located in the bins for feeding sheets from the bins back into the conveyor system. Appropriate controls are provided to cause the deflecting means or the feeding means to be selectively operable in a predetermined sequence. In a sorting mode of operation, successive copies of the first page of a booklet are fed into successive bins until each bin contains one copy. Thereafter, successive copies of each successive page of the booklet are fed into each bin until each bin contains a completed booklet.

Abstract: A collator system is disclosed, which allows a collator to operate in two distinct modes: (a) RUN/REJECT; or (b) CYCLE/STOP. Each of the above modes of operation has a unique way of handling sheet feeding malfunctions. The RUN/REJECT mode allows the collator to continue to run, despite a sheet feeding malfunction. The stacks, or portions thereof, having an error are distinctly off-set from properly collated stacks. In the CYCLE/STOP mode, the collator feed is disengaged, and the drum is rotated at slow speed through a partial revolution and then brought to a stop. A pocket of the collating drum is thusly positioned in an operator accessible area, so that the malfunction may be easily corrected. The RUN/REJECT operational mode allows for automatic and continuous operation despite malfunctions, with corrections to improperly collated stacks to be processed after the completed collator run. The CYCLE/STOP operational mode allows the operator to easily correct any feeding malfunctions as they occur.

Abstract: A reciprocating sheet pusher for ejecting a topmost sheet of a stack of sheets outward seriatim from a sheet receiving bin having sheet ejecting support structure attached to a pusher arm which carries a roller ejecting element. A piece of stiff firm hair material affixed to the support structure clutches with controlled predetermined friction the axially supported rubber roller to resist movement on a forward sheet ejecting stroke of the reciprocating sheet pusher. If a predetermined resistance against a jammed sheet or an empty bin is encountered, the roller ejecting element rotates with limited controlled friction. The roller ejecting element rotates unrestrained when the sheet pusher moves in an opposite direction to that of ejecting a sheet.

Abstract: A cam operated phasing mechanism for a rotary drum collator is described. The rotary drum collator comprises a rotatably mounted drum having pockets for holding sheet material, and an adjacently rotatably mounted withdrawing mechanism for withdrawing sheets from the pockets as the drum and the withdrawing mechanism rotate in a predetermined phase relationship. The predetermined phase relationship between the rotation of the drum and the rotation of the withdrawing mechanism is varied in order to change the phase relationship to accommodate for the depletion of the sheet material from the individual pockets. The change in phase relationship is accomplished by a dual surface cam and double cam follower combination which provides for a simultaneous unitized increase and decrease in corresponding effective working lengths of a drive chain interconnected between the drum and the withdrawing mechanism.

Abstract: An improved stacking system for a collar is disclosed. The stacking system comprises a unique three-position off-set stacking apparatus that provides a third off-set stack position for improperly collated sets. The improperly collated sets are delivered to a third off-set position when a miss or a double feed is detected. Two stop members are moved to an inactive position in response to the double or miss detection, thus allowing a third stop member to provide a third off-set position for the improperly collated stack.

Abstract: An electrical switch is provided with a switch wheel having indicia appearing around the periphery of the switch wheel adapted to be presented to view through an aperture in a switch case as the switch wheel is rotated by a lever that projects through the wall of the switch case. The switch wheel rotates in accordance with the rotation of a lever-actuated switch plate with which the switch wheel is interconnected. Gears are provided interconnecting the switch wheel and the switch plate thereby allowing the switch wheel to be rotated through about 360.degree. when the switch plate is rotated through a much smaller angle, such as about 90.degree..