Abstract: A printing system has fixed print heads in positions that are subject to adjustment between print jobs. The system provides a print preview display that includes a representation of the item of printing stock on which the printing is to be performed. The print preview display also includes a first printing field that is at a location in the representation that corresponds to the position of a first one of the print heads. The print preview display further includes a second printing field that is at a location in the representation that corresponds to the position of a second one of the print heads.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for stacking mailpieces received from a mail-processing machine in consecutive order. There is a receiving conveying section positioned at a greater height than the following stacking conveying section. A stacking ramp extends from the downstream portion of the stacking conveying section. The receiving conveying section has a single continuous belt extending along the receiving conveying section in a first direction and positioned centrally along a second direction of the conveying section. The continuous belts of the stacking conveying section are positioned substantially at equal intervals extending along the first direction of the stacking conveying section and have top surfaces which extend above the stacking conveying section and which contact the mailpieces received from the mail processing machine.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling the traveling direction of a piece of folded material in the feed path of a folding machine. A first roller nip is used to ingest the folded material into the front end of a turn chute. If the traveling direction is to be maintained, the folded material is allowed to move out through the rear end of the turn chute. If the traveling direction is to be reversed, a stop is used to block the rear end in order to keep the leading edge of the ingested folded material from leaving the turn chute through the rear end. At the same time, the trailing edge of the ingested folded material is caused to engage in a second roller nip located in the front end of the turn chute, in order for the second roller nip to move the folded material out of the turn chute, thereby reversing the traveling direction of the folded material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for stacking mailpieces received from a mail-processing machine in consecutive order. There is a receiving conveying section positioned at a greater height than the following stacking conveying section. A stacking ramp extends from the downstream portion of the stacking conveying section. The receiving conveying section has a single continuous belt extending along the receiving conveying section in a first direction and positioned centrally along a second direction of the conveying section. The continuous belts of the stacking conveying section are positioned substantially at equal intervals extending along the first direction of the stacking conveying section and have top surfaces which extend above the stacking conveying section and which contact the mailpieces received from the mail processing machine.

Abstract: A media feed system with a self-contained propulsion system is provided. A singulator is used to feed a single media piece and a sensor determined when to disengage propulsion.

Abstract: A method and system for printing specific print zones of a substrate is described. A bundled shuttle print head assembly is utilized to print desired print zones of a substrate in a single pass while the substrate is stationary in a stopped position.

Abstract: A media feed system with a self-contained propulsion system is provided. A singulator is used to feed a single media piece and a sensor determined when to disengage propulsion.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling the traveling direction of a piece of folded material in the feed path of a folding machine. A first roller nip is used to ingest the folded material into the front end of a turn chute. If the traveling direction is to be maintained, the folded material is allowed to move out through the rear end of the turn chute. If the traveling direction is to be reversed, a stop is used to block the rear end in order to keep the leading edge of the ingested folded material from leaving the turn chute through the rear end. At the same time, the trailing edge of the ingested folded material is caused to engage in a second roller nip located in the front end of the turn chute, in order for the second roller nip to move the folded material out of the turn chute, thereby reversing the traveling direction of the folded material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tabbing a piece of folded material with one or more tape feeders mounted on the apparatus. The tape feeder includes a roll of tape, a transporting mechanism for advancing the tape in order to release a fixed length section of the tape, wherein the released section partially extends below the traveling path of the folded material with the adhesive side facing the leading edge of the folded material, a V-shaped knife positioned above the traveling path and downstream from the released tape section, wherein the apparatus further comprises a moving mechanism to move the folded material further downstream so as to cause the released section of tape to contact and fold over the leading edge of the folded material. As the folded material moves further downstream, the released section of tape is separated by the V-shaped knife to form a tab. A pair of sealer rollers located further downstream are used to firmly press the tab across the leading edge of the folded material.

Abstract: A method and device for reducing the maximum torque to rollers mounted on a drive shaft of a drive roller assembly. By using a plurality of slip clutches, each for engaging an individual roller to the drive shaft and setting a maximum torque for the individual rollers, each roller is coupled to the drive shaft when the tangential force exerted on the roller does not exceed the maximum torque, and each roller is mechanically decoupled from the drive shaft when the tangential force exerted on the roller exceeds the maximum torque. Because each roller has a separate slip clutch, each roller can be mechanically decoupled from the drive shaft without affecting the other rollers coupled to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling the traveling direction of a piece of folded material in the feed path of a folding machine. A first roller nip is used to ingest the folded material into the front end of a turn chute. If the traveling direction is to be maintained, the folded material is allowed to move out through the rear end of the turn chute. If the traveling direction is to be reversed, a stop is used to block the rear end in order to keep the leading edge of the ingested folded material from leaving the turn chute through the rear end. At the same time, the trailing edge of the ingested folded material is caused to engage in a second roller nip located in the front end of the turn chute, in order for the second roller nip to move the folded material out of the turn chute, thereby reversing the traveling direction of the folded material.

Abstract: A method and system for producing a self-mailer using a folding apparatus for folding sheets into folded materials and a tabbing apparatus for sealing the folded materials with tabs in a continuous flow. Typically a folded material exits the folded apparatus with the open end of the folded material leading and this traveling direction of the folded material is not suitable for tabbing. A path directing apparatus is placed between the folding apparatus and the tabbing apparatus so as to cause the folded material to enter the tabbing apparatus with the open end of the folded material leading. As such, the entire process can be carried out without manually reversing the traveling direction of the folded material. In addition, a printer and a labeling device can be added to the self-mailer producing system to put on an address label, a postage indicia and a return address while keeping the process steps in a continuous flow.

Abstract: A method and system for producing a self-mailer using a folding apparatus for folding sheets into folded materials and a tabbing apparatus for sealing the folded materials with tabs in a continuous flow. Typically a folded material exits the folded apparatus with the open end of the folded material leading and this traveling direction of the folded material is not suitable for tabbing. A path directing apparatus is placed between the folding apparatus and the tabbing apparatus so as to cause the folded material to enter the tabbing apparatus with the open end of the folded material leading. As such, the entire process can be carried out without manually reversing the traveling direction of the folded material. In addition, a printer and a labeling device can be added to the self-mailer producing system to put on an address label, a postage indicia and a return address while keeping the process steps in a continuous flow.

Abstract: A method and a printer for printing on a substrate with a plurality of print head assemblies, wherein each assembly includes at least one print head. The printer includes a roller assembly to move the substrate towards the print head assemblies along a feed path, which is substantially perpendicular to the width of the substrate. A movable fence is used to adjust the width of the feed path according to the width of the substrate. A linking arm is used to mechanically couple the print head assemblies with pivot action. A motor/belt assembly is used to move the print head assemblies relative to each other via the linking arm in order to place the printer assemblies over the width of the feed path. Moreover, the printer also comprises a photosensing device coupled to the linking mechanism such that the photosensing device provides a signal when the print head assemblies have been properly place in the feed path according to the width of the feed path.

Abstract: A method and a printer for printing on a substrate with a plurality of automatic positioning multiple microprocessor controlled print head assemblies, wherein each assembly includes at least one print head and arranged for movement along a rectilinear path transverse to the direction of movement of the substrate feed path. A microprocessor-based controller determines the print position and directs the print head assemblies to print positions by motor control to properly place the print head assemblies over the substrate feed path. An encoder senses the position of a movable fence used to adjust the width of the feed path according to the width of the substrate to determine a dimension which corresponds to a set of pre-determined criteria used to position and control the print heads for printing on the substrate surface.

Abstract: A method and a printer for printing on a substrate with a plurality of print head assemblies, wherein each assembly includes at least one print head. The printer includes a roller assembly to move the substrate towards the print head assemblies along a feed path, which is substantially perpendicular to the width of the substrate. A movable fence is used to adjust the width of the feed path according to the width of the substrate. A linking arm is used to mechanically couple the print head assemblies with pivot action. The moveable fence is used to manually move the print head assemblies relative to each other via the linking arm in order to properly place the print head assemblies over the width of the feed path.

Abstract: A method and system for folding a sheet having a certain length into a folded piece of a fold type having a first edge and a second edge, wherein the sheet length and the fold type are simultaneously selectable. The sheet can be folded once or twice into the folded piece. After the sheet is folded into the folded piece, the folded piece moves in a direction with a first edge leading the second edge. The method and system further include a step and a mechanism to control the moving direction of the folded piece such that the folded piece can be caused to move with the first edge trailing the second edge or allowed to continue to move with the first edge leading the second edge when the folded piece exits the system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer interface multiple input connecting device for connecting a plurality of peripheral devices to a computer having a plurality of standard elongate expansion slots provided in a rear wall of the chassis of the computer. The connecting device is composed of a housing having approximately the same thickness as the slots so that it can be mounted to the rear wall of the computer over the slots, and it includes means on a front wall for mounting a plurality of input connector sockets, thereby increasing the number of such sockets that could otherwise be mounted in the expansion slot without the connecting device of the present invention.

Abstract: In a printing system including an ink jet printhead, a supply of ink therefor, and structure for controlling the printhead for ejecting ink droplets therefrom, apparatus comprising, a disposable cartridge including the ink supply and printhead, the cartridge including a front wall and a base wall, the cartridge base wall including a foot portion extending to the cartridge front wall and defining therewith a lower frontal edge, structure for supporting the cartridge, the supporting structure including a front wall, the supporting structure including a portion of the printhead controlling structure, the portion including an electrical connector overlaying the supporting structure front wall, the connector including a plurality of exposed electrical terminals, the supporting structure including oppositely spaced shoe portions extending both toward one another and forwardly of the supporting structure front wall for positioning the cartridge relative to the supporting structure terminals when the cartridge is mou