Abstract: Apparatus for inserting one or more documents into a waiting envelope. The apparatus includes: a supporting frame; a device mounted in the frame for holding the envelope; a movable, endless belt rotatably mounted in the frame for transporting one or more documents into the waiting envelope; and a datum guide plate secured to the frame above the movable belt. The movable belt includes an upper reach which is biased toward the datum guide plate.

Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting the location of paper stops in folding machine buckle chutes is provided, employing a dual rack and pinion arrangement that is accessible from the side of the machine. The racks may be aligned during assembly to remove skew with respect to the paper path. The mechanism is reliable, low in cost, and allows simple and accurate adjustment of paper stops.

Abstract: In an inserter including a support member rigidly extending transversely over a paper path in the inserter, a self adjusting document scanning apparatus includes a scanner having a scan head and structure for mounting the scanner to the support member. The mounting structure is operatively coupled to the support member so as to allow position adjustments of the scanner in the transverse direction. The mounting structure also provides a fixed reference for the upward movement of the scanner. There is linkage for coupling the scanner to the mounting structure. The linkage holds the scanner stationary in longitudinal and transverse directions and allows downward-upward movement of the scanner. Paper guides are operatively coupled to the scanner for maintaining a fixed distance between the scan head and a sheet of paper being scanned.

Abstract: An improvement to a modular inserter system that provides customized inserter machines which are configured by combining a plurality of modules, including a variety of module types, for example, feeder, folder and insertion modules, each module containing a microprocessor for controlling the module as part of the control system for the customized inserter machine. The improvement comprises a first upstream module of the inserter machine and a submodule feeder including structure for coupling the submodule feeder to the upstream end of the first upstream module. The submodule feeder performs operations of a feeder module under the control of the microprocessor of the first upstream module.

Abstract: An accessing guide in combination with the paper path of a deck for transporting paper documents. The combination includes: a deck for supporting and transporting paper documents seriatim; and an adjustable side guide mounted on the deck for movement perpendicular to the direction of the paper path for guiding the flow of documents along the deck. The guide has a pivotable rail which can pivot away from the paper path in order to allow access to the paper path by an operator.

Abstract: Translatable registration apparatus in an envelope turning machine. The apparatus includes: a deck for transporting a plurality of envelopes from an upstream location to a downstream location; a translatable carriage mounted to the deck and adjustable for upstream and downstream movement to accommodate different size envelopes; a yoke pivotably mounted at its upstream end to the carriage, the yoke having a stopping finger projecting upwardly at its downstream end; a solenoid located beneath the finger and mounted to the carriage; and a device engaging the solenoid and the yoke for moving the finger up above the deck and down below the deck, wherein, when the solenoid raises the finger above the deck, the stopping finger is locked in a raised position with no pressure bearing on the solenoid.

Abstract: Apparatus for turning an envelope, including: a housing; a transport deck secured to the housing for transporting an envelope from an upstream location to a downstream location, the deck including a device for moving the envelope; a vertically extending spindle located beneath the deck, the spindle being rotatable and reciprocable and having an upper end capable of extending above the transport deck; a device for raising and rotating the spindle; and a clamping arm assembly rotatably mounted to the housing situated above the transport deck, the clamping arm assembly having a device for applying a light, downward bias on the envelope against the upper end of the spindle, and a device for applying additional pressure to the envelope after the spindle is raised.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in an inserting machine which feeds documents, inserts and envelopes. The sheet feeder comprises a frame, including a feed deck for holding a stack of sheets to be fed; and a separator wheel assembly, including at least one separator wheel, adjustably mounted to the frame above the feed deck. A motor is mounted adjacent to the wheel assembly for directly driving the separator wheel. Separator means for cooperating with the separator wheel assembly to restrict the feeding to single sheets is mounted to the frame opposite the separator wheel assembly and extends in-part above the feed deck. In another embodiment of the present invention, the direct drive motor is positionable on either side of the separator wheel assembly for achieving offset feeding adjustments of the separator wheel assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying moisture to a flexible document containing water-activated adhesive includes a buckle chute having a pair of opposing plates defining a document path therebetween, a stopping bar situated between the opposing plates, and an adjustable plate slidably mounted on one of the opposing plates. A moistening assembly is secured to the adjustable plate situated adjacent to one of the buckle chute plates on one side of the document path. The moistening assembly includes a reservoir and a wick secured to the reservoir and extending toward the document path. A hammer/gate unit is pivotably mounted to the adjustable plate on the other side of the document path for engaging the wick and urging the document against the wick. The hammer/gate unit is pivotable between a position adjacent to the moistening assembly for moistening operation and a non-moistening position remote from the moistening assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for folding and sealing seriatim a supply of documents into envelopes, each of the documents containing water-activated adhesive on at least one portion thereof. The apparatus comprises a hopper for storing a supply of the documents, means for applying moisture to a portion of the documents, and a pair of folding rollers for imparting a fold to the documents. The apparatus further includes a buckle chute for stopping the forward progress of the documents and causing the documents to enter the nip of the folding rollers, means mounted on the buckle chute for applying moisture to a interior portion of the documents, a pair of ironing rollers located downstream of the folding rollers for maximizing adhesive contact of the documents and forming the envelopes, and conveying/curing means located downstream of the ironing rollers for holding the envelope together during transport prior to their release for further processing.

Abstract: A wick cartridge assembly including a cage having openings at opposite ends thereof, a water permeable, mesh surface secured to the interior of the cage and defining an enclosure at one of the openings, and a length of moistening, wick material having one end thereof abutting the mesh enclosure. The assembly is especially useful in moistening apparatus employed with buckle chute folders.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying moisture to a flexible document containing a water-activated adhesive. The apparatus includes a reservoir for storing a source of water, a mounting bracket extending from the reservoir, a pivotable hammer pivotably mounted to the bracket and extending toward the reservoir, and a moistening wick extending from the reservoir toward the pivotable hammer. The area between the moistening wick and the pivotable hammer defines a document path. The apparatus further comprises a flexible, one-way gate secured to the lower portion of the hammer for movement therewith, the gate having an end portion extending into the document path. The apparatus also includes a gate deflector secured to the gate and lower hammer portion for movement therewith.

Abstract: A device for locking a slidable member, including a U-shaped bracket having a central section and a pair of legs extending upwardly from each end of the central section, each of the legs having upper and lower apertures, a lockable sliding member slidably mounted in the lower apertures, and a threaded spindle rotatably mounted in the upper apertures. The spindle includes a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion, the small diameter portion having a central threaded section for threaded engagement with one of the upper apertures and unthreaded end portions, the large diameter portion having a knob at its exterior end. The device further includes a yoke mounted on the spindle adjacent the large diameter portion, the yoke having a pair of camming posts extending outwardly therefrom perpendicular to the axis of the threaded spindle, and a U-shaped cam follower member situated between the legs of the U-shaped bracket.