Abstract: A base for operative association with an operating mechanism sensitive to horizontal vibration, such as an ink jet printer, supports a horizontal document feeder plate and associated drive operative to advance documents in sequential fashion from a stack toward the operating mechanism. A drive linkage interconnects a rotatable drive shaft to the feeder plate to effect horizontal reciprocating movement thereof. A counterweight is associated with the drive so as to substantially offset or nullify horizontal inertia forces imparted to the base by the feeder plate whereby to minimize horizontal vibration of the base. In an embodiment utilized for intermittent feeding of documents to the operating mechanism, a balance arm and associated counterweight cooperate with the feeder plate to offset horizontal inertia forces imparted to the base, and also minimize start-up torque required to initiate reciprocating movement of the feeder plate after stoppage.

Abstract: A media feed roll apparatus is provided for the transfer of articles such as envelopes, magazines and newspapers, one by one, from a stack to a transport which conveys these articles to a work station for printing or labeling. The apparatus and methodology according to the invention allow for independent adjustment of the roller nip between upper drive rollers and lower facing rollers so that an article such as an envelope can be inserted into the nip with the roller pairs providing substantially equal nip pressure on the article. Roller nip pressure is achieved through a mechanism allowing raising and lowering of the upper drive rollers, preferably by a pivotal action, which are independently suspended. Upon being released from the mechanism, the rollers are biased toward the article thereby creating substantially equal nip pressure on the article even if the nip spacing is different as a result of the article having different thicknesses.

Abstract: A base for operative association with an operating mechanism sensitive to horizontal vibration, such as an ink jet printer, supports a horizontal document feeder plate and associated drive operative to advance documents in sequential fashion from a stack toward the operating mechanism. A drive linkage interconnects a rotatable drive shaft to the feeder plate to effect horizontal reciprocating movement thereof. A counterweight is associated with the drive so as to substantially offset or nullify horizontal inertia forces imparted to the base by the feeder plate whereby to minimize horizontal vibration of the base. In an embodiment utilized for intermittent feeding of documents to the operating mechanism, a balance arm and associated counterweight cooperate with the feeder plate to offset horizontal inertia forces imparted to the base, and also minimize start-up torque required to initiate reciprocating movement of the feeder plate after stoppage.

Abstract: A self-leveling tranpsort for addressing envelopes in cooperation with a printer having a first link on each side of the transport, with transport drive and idler roller shafts journaled at the opposite ends, an endless transport belt stretched across the drive and idler rollers, a second link pivotally attached to each first link through the idler roller shaft, the second links being pivotally attached to the printer frame at the second links other end, a third cross link pivotally attached to each second link between the link ends, the second links having a slide block with oversized aperture at the opposite end through which the drive roller shaft fits, the slide blocks being slidable vertically up and down with springs to bias the slide blocks and the transport upwardly so that when the thickness of the articles increase, the first, second, and third links respond to draw the transport down while retaining the transport level.

Abstract: A labelling machine with three pad head where during labelling of articles every other pad is skipped, each pad having vacuum holddown ports in the periphery to temporarily attach a label during the labelling process, a control valve for controlling admission of vacuum to each pad so that a label is attached to and carried by the pad into labelling relation with an article brought forward by a conveyor belt, and a vacuum distributing valve to limit the vacuum supply to the control valve so that no vacuum can be admitted by the control valve to a skipped pad thereby preventing undesirable loss of vacuum to the atmosphere through the absence of a label to close the pad holddown ports.

Abstract: A rotary inserter for inserting insert material into envelopes in a continuous unidirectional motion. The inserter has envelope and insert clamps supported on separate rotating arms such that envelopes and inserts carried by the envelope and insert clamps overlap at one point during rotation. Separate envelope and insert loading stations are provided whereat envelopes and inserts are supplied to the respective envelope and insert clamps.To facilitate inserting of the insert into the envelope, vacuum assist means are provided to spread the envelope preparatory to receipt of the insert. An output conveyor is provided to withdraw the envelope bearing insert following completion of the inserting operation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for binding a stack of sheets whereby a binding member including a substrate material having at least one strip of heat activated adhesive is employed to form the desired book-like assembly. The binding member includes a low tack adhesive material extending longitudinally along the central portion of the substrate material and a high tack material extending longitudinally adjacent the low tack material and on either side thereof on the substrate material. The stack of sheets is transported into engagement with the binding member, the member being thus deformed so the low tack adhesive material is in contact with one edge of the sheets of the stack and the high tack adhesive material is in contact with the outer sheets of the stack. Heat is applied to the adhesive to cause the high tack material and low tack material to adhere to the portions of the stack in contact therewith.