Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention comprises an apparatus for preparing a matched mailing, the apparatus comprising: an input means for feeding a document downstream to a scanner station; a scanner for scanning the document to obtain information, the scanner providing the information to a controller; an printer for printing information obtained from the controller onto the envelope, whereby the information obtained from the controller comprises information obtained by the scanner and corresponding to the document matched to the envelope.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention comprises an apparatus for preparing a matched mailing, the apparatus comprising: an input means for feeding a document downstream to a scanner station; a scanner for scanning the document to obtain information, the scanner providing the information to a controller; an printer for printing information obtained from the controller onto the envelope, whereby the information obtained from the controller comprises information obtained by the scanner and corresponding to the document matched to the envelope.

Abstract: A sheet accumulator has a circular paper path and a compact design. Individual sheets of paper moving along a main linear path are diverted into the accumulator one by one, and each sheet enters a gripper having jaws that grip the sheets of paper. The gripper jaws pull the sheets along the circular paper path until the gripper returns to a home location, at which point the gripper stops, opens, accepts another sheet, closes, and makes another rotation. When the accumulation is complete, the gripper jaws open to release an accumulated stack of sheets, and a roller is then engaged to exit the sheets out of the accumulator and into the main linear paper path.

Abstract: A sheet accumulator has a circular paper path and a compact design. Individual sheets of paper moving along a main linear path are diverted into the accumulator one by one, and each sheet enters a gripper having jaws that grip the sheets of paper. The gripper jaws pull the sheets along the circular paper path until the gripper returns to a home location, at which point the gripper stops, opens, accepts another sheet, closes, and makes another rotation. When the accumulation is complete, the gripper jaws open to release an accumulated stack of sheets, and a roller is then engaged to exit the sheets out of the accumulator and into the main linear paper path.

Abstract: This device reduces the size of the gap between the apex of the flap opener blade and the drive roller. The above increases the probability that the flap of the envelope would be opened. The foregoing was accomplished by removing segments of the apex of the flap opener blade to allow clearance for the envelope and/or drive roller. Thus, the nominal position of the apex of the flap opener blade was moved closer to the drive roller which reduced the gap between the apex of the flap opener blade and drive roller. Consequently, the chance that the envelope flap would be closed was reduced.

Abstract: A sheet separating and feeding device for use as a component of a sheet processing apparatus is disclosed in which a first feeding device acts on the top of a stack of sheets to feed the top sheet toward a take away feeder for removal from the stack, during which a retaining force is applied to the upper surface of the exposed trailing edge portion of the next to top sheet to apply a retaining force thereto and to the rest of the stack, and simultaneously lifts the first feeding device off of the top sheet to remove the normal force from the weight of this device from the stack. When the top sheet is entirely removed from the stack, the first feeding device is lowered to engage the new top sheet and the retaining force is removed therefrom so that it can be fed to the take away feeder.

Abstract: The drive system for a mailing flat bed postage printing apparatus includes a postage meter cartridge having an indicia plate mounted in the base of the printing apparatus. An inking system is included for inking the indicia plate. The inking system includes a drive motor mounted to the base in driving communication with a first shaft rotatively mounted in the base. A cam is mounted to the first shaft having a cam surfaces. An ink tray is positionable by a linkage system wherein the linkage system includes cam followers in communication with the cam surface to position the ink tray in response to the rotational position of the cam. A platen is reciprocally positionable between a first and print position in the base. The cam is rotated in a first range wherein the cam surface positions the linkage system and a second range of rotation wherein the linkage system is in a dwell mode.

Abstract: An automatically settable date printing apparatus adapted particularly for use in postage meters which print an indicia on envelopes as they are fed seriatim past a rotary printing drum in the postage meter in which a plurality of print wheels print the day, month and year successively for each day. The apparatus includes a date print wheel assembly having individual print wheels for printing the unit day, the decade day, the month and the year for any given date. A drive wheel assembly includes a plurality of independent drive wheels for driving the date print wheels an appropriate amount, the drive wheel which is connected to the unit day print wheel being the sole source of input drive for the other drive wheels which rotate the other date print wheels by an appropriate amount through transfer components on the drive wheels.

Abstract: In a copier, automatically providing tabbed sheets in the output of the copy sheets of the copier, with an integral, on-line, copy sheet tab cutting system. Selectably varying the tab cutting position and cut tab size provides sequentially varied tabs. A selected tab may be cut on any selected sheet being fed through the regular copy sheet (paper) path of a xerographic or other copier or printer. This may be done by temporarily stopping and registering the leading edge of the selected sheet, and then shear cutting off the untabbed areas of the trailing edge of the sheet by moving an shear cutting assembly transversely across the direction of movement of the copy sheet path of the copier upstream of the lead edge registration position at slightly less than the sheet width distance, and providing irregular width cutting of the sheet (non-cutting of the tab area).

Abstract: An apparatus which binds a set of sheets by applying a tape having an adhesive thereon to the spine of the set of sheets. A heated plate is resiliently urged into contact with the tape with a force selected to optimize adhesive melt and flow.

Abstract: The invention is a simple method for quickly defining page numbers for signature production, calculating a check value based on the total of page numbers, and displaying document identities and orientations on the platen for each signature to form a booklet. In particular, the operator enters the number of pages to appear in the booklet, the control calculates the number of pages in the finished book, the total number of signatures and a check value. The pagination of signatures is displayed for ease of operator orientation.

Abstract: In an automatic document handling system for recirculating a set of document sheets seriatim in a page order to and from the imaging station of a copier for making precollated copy sheet sets, wherein the document handling system has a control system and two document trays, the improvement for higher speed document recirculation for copying on a copier having a high copying rate comprising: an automatic document sheet separating system controlled by said control means for automatically, during the first circulation of the set of document sheets, separating the set of document sheets into two half-sets of alternate page document sheets, odd and even, and restacking the half-sets respectively in the two document trays, and an automatic alternate document sheet cooperative feeding system actuated automatically by the control means on the second and subsequent copying circulations of the document set to feed document sheets alternately and overlapping in time from the two document sheet half-sets in the two docum

Abstract: A recirculating document handler having a document restack transport. The transport includes a series of spaced vacuum assisted drive belts for transporting successive documents to a position above a document stacking tray. A sensor is used to note the passage of a document lead edge past an input to the restack transport. After a delay which allows the document to be driven to the position above the stacking tray the document is separated from the drive belts by a knockdown bail and a reduction in the vacuum attraction between the document and the drive belts. The bail comprises a series of rods supported in locations between the drive belts which pivot into contact with the document and drive it into the stacking tray. The rods contact the document near its trailing edge to force the trail edge to the stacking tray.