Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning flexible printing plates and for accurately drilling pin register holes therein includes a three-way adjustable table top assembly which can be selectively adjusted in X and Y directions and rotated about an axis. A pneumatic clamp is positioned on the table top assembly for clamping a pre-marked flexible printing plate to be drilled in place thereon. A movable stereomicroscope viewer is slidable above the table top assembly to view the flexible plate for position adjustment via the adjustable table top assembly. A drill assembly is also positionable over each location at which a pin register hole is to be drilled. The drill assembly includes a movable hollow core drill bit surrounding a stationary rod. Once the flexible plate is aligned via the viewer, the drill assembly is sequentially positioned above the flexible plate at each point to be drilled with a pin register hole and operated to drill each hole therein.

Abstract: A method for accurately drilling pin register holes in flexible printing plates for flexographic printing plate cylinders includes placing aligning pin hole location marks as a part of original artwork used for creating the printing plates. The pin hole location marks are then carried through with each step of developing the flexible plates, including creation of photographic negatives and final type flex negatives from which raised patterns are produced in the finished plates. Pin register holes are then drilled through the finished plate at the marker locations which form a portion of the raised pattern. To align the finished plate on a press, a removable pin register bar is then attached to the plate cylinder, the flexible plate with the register holes drilled therein is placed over the register pins on the bar, the plate is adhered to the plate cylinder in proper printing position and the bar is then removed.

Abstract: An envelope processing system includes a multiple envelope gripping and transfer apparatus. The system uses a conventional envelope delivery spider which has been adapted to deliver envelopes to an accumulating surface, such as a belt conveyor, in a position with the folded envelope seal flaps facing upward. A rotary guide is positioned with radially extending guide members extending just above the conveyor belt to guide envelopes onto the conveyor in an upright orientation. The conveyor moves the envelopes toward a series of three separately movable, vertically oriented finger supports. The three supports are cooperatively driven to accumulate, batch and compress horizontal stacks of predetermined numbers of envelopes which are then positioned beneath a gripper assembly with a pair of opposed gripper arms.

Abstract: A hopper for an automatic envelope stuffer and the like includes first and second base rails each having a column extending upwardly therefrom. The columns are spaced further apart at their upper ends than at their lower ends. Endpieces are provided across the ends of the base rails and project upwardly to define a hopper space for receiving envelopes and the like. Support pins extend through the endpieces and project into the hopper space for supporting envelopes therein.