Abstract: A high speed apparatus and method for reorienting and assembling individual ones of flat articles, such as envelopes, into horizontal rows of articles which are vertically oriented, on edge, and stacked in facing relation. Envelopes are delivered horizontally and seriatim, to an article rotation assembly. The rotation assembly reorients the envelopes into a vertical, on-edge orientation, and feeds them individually to a helical drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a pair of parallel, counter-rotating, helical screws, mounted on a pivotally suspended sub-frame. The screws transport the envelopes in spaced relation to an accumulating conveyor. The conveyor has movable brace plate, transversely positioned over a pair of conveyor belts. A roller on one end of the plate rests upon one of the belts. Successive envelopes are delivered to and stacked against the brace plate. As the pressure increases, the sub-frame pivots away from the plate until a predetermined limit is reached.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detecting indicia on articles. The indicia act to identify a group of articles, having a common characteristic. The articles may be address panels used in mass mailings. Particular address panels, representing the beginning or end of a zip code or a postal delivery route, are pre-marked with one or more special indicia. The apparatus includes a scanning station, a computerized system controller, and a marking station. The scanning station includes a video camera, a video analyzer, a camera controller, and a video monitor. The video camera is programmable by using the camera controller and the video monitor, to scan only a predetermined operative scanning area of each article. The video analyzer assess each pixel within the scanning area and adds up the total number of pixels having a desired characteristic. If the pixel count satisfies predetermined criteria correlating to the presence of an indicia, the article is electronically tagged by the system controller.

Abstract: In a mail inserter machine including at least one subassembly with a component driven in reciprocating fashion, an apparatus for inserting a sheet into an envelope. The apparatus comprises a movable gripper jaw assembly, an envelope vacuum cup assembly, an envelope opener assembly including a nozzle in communication with a gaseous fluid supply source, and an insertion assembly. An electrical control circuit is adapted to issue electrical control signals to the respective assemblies, in such manner that the occurrence and duration of the control signals determine relative periods of operation of the assemblies during a cycle of operation of the apparatus and over a range of speeds of the apparatus.

Abstract: In a mail inserter having a 360 degree operational cycle and a plurality of subassemblies, a computer issues a plurality of electrical control signals having predetermined rotational positions and durations within the operational cycle at a given inserter speed. Solenoids, actuators and other driving devices are responsive to the control signals to determine the operation of the subassemblies. A device measures the operation speed of the inserter, and the computer adjusts the rotational position of each control signal within the operational cycle according to the inserter speed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for computerized control of a "Phillipsburg-type" mail insertion machine. The mechanical timing and drive mechanisms of the prior art inserter are replaced with a programmable computer, solenoid valves, and pneumatic cylinders, or other suitable drivers. The computer's software includes a plurality of programmed look-up tables. An operational delay look-up table includes electro-mechanical lag times for the pneumatically driven stations/sub-assemblies of the inserter. Also provided are look-up speed tables, which include start and stop angles for actuation of each of the pneumatic cylinders. A first look-up speed table includes actuation data appropriate for operation of the machine within a relatively slow range of speeds. Four additional look-up speed tables provide correct actuation data for successively higher speed groups, up to 10,000 insertion cycles per hour.

Abstract: A method of producing at least one control signal data look-up table for a mail insertion machine having a 360 degree cycle of operation and capable of variable operating speeds within a given cycle. The mail insertion machine possesses predetermined electro-mechanical lag times for extending and retracting mechanical components. The method entails creating a baseline control signal data look-up table for a first operating speed based upon pre-determined electro-mechanical lag times. The look-up table comprises a start angle and a stop angle within the 360 degree cycle of operation. The start and stop angles are then compensated for a second operating speed based upon the pre-determined electro-mechanical lag times for extending and retracting mechanical components and the first operating speed. A second control signal data look-up table is then created by writing the compensated start and stop angles that correspond to the second operating speed into the second control signal data look-up table.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for computerized control of a "Phillipsburg-type" mail insertion machine. The mechanical timing and drive mechanisms of the prior art inserter are replaced with a programmable computer, solenoid valves, and pneumatic cylinders, or other suitable drivers. The computer's software includes a plurality of programmed look-up tables. An operational delay look-up table includes electro-mechanical lag times for the pneumatically driven stations/sub-assemblies of the inserter. Also provided are look-up speed tables, which include start and stop angles for actuation of each of the pneumatic cylinders. A first look-up speed table includes actuation data appropriate for operation of the machine within a relatively slow range of speeds. Four additional look-up speed tables provide correct actuation data for successively higher speed groups, up to 10,000 insertion cycles per hour.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for singulating sheets from a stack of sheets and transporting individual ones of them to a conveyor. A picker arm is mounted at its upper end to a rotatable shaft, for reciprocating movement between first and second positions. A lower end of the arm includes a foot and a movable gripper jaw. When the arm is rotated into the first position, it grasps a segregated sheet. As the arm reverses direction and rotates toward the second position, it draws the sheet away from the stack. A sensor, provided within the foot, produces an electrical signal corresponding to the thickness of the sheet. The digital output signal is compared to a reference, or calibration value stored in a computer. If the output signal falls unacceptably outside the reference value, a signal is stored to effect later outsorting. Just before the arm reaches the second position, the jaw is opened, dropping the sheet upon the conveyor.

Abstract: An interfacing device for collating from a printer and transferring to post-printer receiving equipment, as a document packet, a complete designated document having one or more printed document pages is disclosed. The device comprises a collating tray positioned to accept from the printer each document page, a solenoid initiated system for transferring the document packet from the collating tray to post-printer receiving equipment, and an electronic information control system for tracking documents and informing the solenoid initiated transferring system that the complete designated document is printed and within the collating tray ready for transferring to the post-printer receiving equipment.

Abstract: An improved windshield wiper blade is disclosed. At least the lip surface of a flexible windshield wiper blade is treated by heating at an elevated temperature. The treated blade exhibits substantially better wipe qualities than untreated blades.

Abstract: A process for microencapsulating water-immiscible chemicals is disclosed which comprises mixing a colloidal solution of gelatin Type A and gum acacia with an emulsion or slurry of the water-immiscible chemical, both of which are prepared and mixed at a temperature above about 50.degree. C., and allowing the mixture to cool so that the droplets or particles of water-immiscible chemical are encapsulated with a macromolecular membrane of a complex coacervate of gelatin and gum acacia. Anti-fouling marine paints capable of sustained release of anti-fouling agent are prepared by adding microcapsules of anti-fouling agents to a marine paint vehicle.

Abstract: A method of forming improved windshield wiper blades is disclosed. A windshield wiper blade is extruded, treated to reduce its coefficient of friction and then coated with a coating material selected from the group consisting of elastomeric and plastic materials having a Young's modulus of from about 10.sup.6 to about 10.sup.11.

Abstract: An improved windshield wiper is disclosed. The wiper comprises an upper portion and a lower portion connected by a flexible neck portion. The lower portion comprises a body, and a lip for contacting the windshield. The body supports the lip and is connected to the neck portion. Portions of the body in the areas below connection of the upper portion to supporting superstructure are laterally removed from the extremity of the body inwardly a predetermined distance. Material is not removed from the lip or neck portion. The removal of the material in these areas reduces support of the lip by the body in the removed areas to thereby reduce excess pressure concentrations in, and equalize pressure distributions along, the wiper lip in the vicinity of the connection of the upper portion to supporting superstructure when it is pressed into contact with the windshield by the supporting superstructure.

Abstract: An improved windshield wiper blade is disclosed. The lip surface of a flexible windshield wiper blade having a low coefficient of friction is coated with an effective thickness of a coating material selected from the group consisting of elastomeric and plastic materials having a Young's modulus of from about 10.sup.6 to about 10.sup.11. The treated blade exhibits substantially better wipe, wear and friction qualities than untreated blades.

Abstract: Windshield wiper blades which have been previously treated with a halogen are subjected to treatment with a solution selected from the group of those having a pH above about 12 and those having a pH between 7 and 12 and a cation concentration of at least -0.09 pH + 1.13 moles per liter where pH is the pH of the solution whereby improved wipe and wear properties are obtained.