Abstract: A document stacking and conveying apparatus has a plurality of document stacking and conveying units which are disposed at one end of a third elongate document stacking and conveying apparatus. The third unit has a conveyor for moving a stack of documents while a compressing device holds another stack which is stationary upon the conveyor deck of the third unit so that the moving stack of documents can be added to the downstream stack.

Abstract: Sheet processing apparatus including a bursting machine for feeding and bursting a continuous web along perforation lines, a folding machine for folding the sheets from the bursting machine and an inserting machine for inserting the folded sheets into an envelope, and [i] a device for removably connecting the bursting machine to the folding machine, [ii] a device for removably connecting the folding machine to the inserting machine and [iii] a device for removably connecting the bursting machine directly to the inserting machine in the absence of the folding machine; controls operatively interconnected between the inserting machine and the folding machine for controlling the sequential operation of the folding machine with the cyclical operation of the inserting machine so that the folding machine operates on demand from the inserting machine; controls operatively interconnected between the folding machine and the bursting machine for controlling the sequential operation of the bursting machine in timed relat

Abstract: A bursting apparatus for separating sheets in a continuous intermittently perforated form web is disclosed. The apparatus includes a feed roller, a burst roller and a bursting device, said bursting device disposed between said feed roller and said burst roller and comprising two horizontally positioned cone sections wherein their base portions are adjacent to each other and are encircled at least in part by a bursting ring, said bursting ring having a portion extending beyond said cone base portions in at least a portion of its outer periphery.

Abstract: A sheet feeding method is disclosed that provides two feed strokes for each feed cycle. Each sheet may be fed during the first stroke. In the event, however, that the sheet fails to feed during this first stroke, the second stroke of the cycle will enable the sheet to be fed. The sheet feeding device comprises an over-head feed roller that is biased into contact with the top sheet of a stack of sheets. The feed roller has forward courses and a backward course of travel during each feed cycle.

Abstract: Document weighing apparatus is provided which includes a scale having a channel-shaped document weighing platform. The platform defines a passageway for receiving vertically oriented documents serially fed to the platform. In addition, the apparatus includes document decelerating instrumentalities comprising a pair of flexure springs mounted for movement between a passageway restricting position and a non-passageway restricting position. The flexure springs are oriented with respect to each other, when disposed in the passageway restricting position, for cooperatively progressively restricting the passageway in the direction of downstream movement of documents; thereby to exert decelerating forces on the opposed major surfaces of documents in the passageway. In addition, the apparatus includes instrumentalities for moving the flexure springs.

Abstract: For use with a copier of the type which includes a document illuminating station, a platen at the illuminating station and instrumentalities for flash illuminating respective documents of different thickness at the illuminating station, there is provided a document feeder which includes a plurality of document feeding instrumentalities. A first feeding instrumentality, which is provided for feeding respective documents of different thickness to the platen, includes a first roller disposable in feeding engagement with the respective documents. In addition, a second feeding instrumentality is provided for feeding such documents from the platen, and a third feeding instrumentality is provided for feeding such documents both to and from the platen. Apparatus is provided for translating the first roller into document feeding engagement with the respective documents in response to inserting such documents into document feeding relationship with respect to the first roller.

Abstract: An automatic doubles and sheet thickness detector is disclosed that operates by comparing consecutive sheet materials that are delivered to a rotating drum.The consecutive sheet materials pass under two spaced apart rollers that are movably biased against the drum. If a sheet of greater thickness or a double sheet passes under one of the rollers, it will be displaced a greater distance from the drum surface than the other roller. This displacement is magnified by means of elongated pivot arms, which are attached to each roller. The magnified movement is detected by means of an optical arrangement comprising a light source, a photodetector, and a pair of mirrors. The mirrors are each secured to a distal end of a respective pivot arm. The light source casts a beam that reflects off each mirror towards the photodetector.

Abstract: For use with a copier of the type which includes a document illuminating station, a platen at the illuminating station and instrumentalities for flash illuminating respective documents at the illuminating station, there is provided a document feeder which includes a plurality of document feeding instrumentalities. A first feeding instrumentality is provided for feeding respective documents to the platen, a second feeding instrumentality is provided for feeding documents from the platen, and a third feeding instrumentality is provided for feeding documents both to and from the platen. Apparatus is provided for moving the third feeding instrumentality out of document feeding engagement with respective documents fed to the platen to permit such documents to settle on the platen prior to illumination.

Abstract: A high speed sheet-material separating and feeder system is disclosed which handles a wide range of mixed thicknesses and sizes of envelopes and sheets. The sheets are stacked at one end of the system, and are fed to a dual separator mechanism having two separator members. The dual separator mechanism has a first separator member which is adjusted for thicker sheets of the range, and a second separator member which is adjusted for thinner sheets of the range. Sheets leaving the dual separator are ejected one at a time, in seriatim, where they then can be fed to other sheet handling equipment for processing.

Abstract: A document feeding and stacking apparatus, which may be used in conjunction with a document delivery system, comprises a stacking station having a support platform and an edge aligning barrier projecting perpendicularly from one side of the platform. A document stack, having one side aligned with the barrier, is incrementally built on the platform by adding documents, one at a time, between the stack and platform. In order to do so, the stack is first pushed away from the platform surface and the next succeeding document to be added is then fed between the stack and platform by a planetary device which includes a rotatable spider member, at least one pusher roll mounted on the spider member for free rotation and at least one feed roll also mounted for rotation on the spider member. As the spider member is rotated, the pusher roll first projects through an opening in the support platform that is disposed adjacent to the stack.

Abstract: A high speed, vacuum-controlled sheet-material separating and feeder system is disclosed which handles a wide range of mixed thicknesses and sizes of envelopes and sheets. The vacuum feeding of this system reduces frictional wear on the feed and separating rollers. The sheets are stacked at one end of the system, and are fed to a first of two vacuum-controlled separator mechanisms. The first separator mechanism is adjusted for thicker sheets of the range. Sheets leaving the first separator are then fed to the second of the two separator mechanisms. The second separator is adjusted for thinner sheets of the range. Sheets leaving the second separator are ejected one at a time, in seriatim, where they then can be fed to other sheet handling equipment for processing.

Abstract: A high speed sheet-material separating and feeder system is disclosed which handles a wide range of mixed thicknesses and sizes of envelopes and sheets. In a free running mode, the system can conservatively handle 30,000 pieces of mail per hour. The sheets are stacked at one end of the system, and are fed to a first of two separator mechanisms. The first separator mechanism is adjusted for thicker sheets of the range. Sheets leaving the first separator are then fed to the second of the two separator mechanisms. The second separator is adjusted for thinner sheets of the range. Sheets leaving the second separator are ejected one at a time, in seriatim, where they then can be fed to other sheet handling equipment for processing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for inserting sheet material into a quantity of envelopes. The envelopes are conveyed in seriatim along a conveyor to an indexing drum. The envelopes are shingled and respectively overlap each other as they approach the drum. The indexing drum simultaneously receives one envelope from the conveyor, while discharging another envelope to an inserting deck. Each discharged envelope is restrained, and then sheet material is inserted therein. A sensor disposed upon the inserting deck, respectively senses each discharged envelope and provides a signal to actuate the inserting mechanism, and deactuate the indexing drive. When an inserted envelope leaves the deck, the sensor then actuates the indexing drive to cause the drum to discharge another envelope.

Abstract: A flap separating mechanism for distending a flap from a body portion of an envelope.An envelope moving through a mail handling system may require its flap to be moistened and sealed. As a prelude to the moistening procedure, the flap of the envelope must be separated from the body portion. The separating mechanism disclosed herein comprises a rotatably affixed belt conveyor and an adjacent ski-like stripper member. The stripper member is movably biased toward said conveyor to provide a normal force on envelopes disposed therebetween.The deflapping mechanism can accommodate envelopes of varying thickness, while providing a fixed plane for the printing of postage on the body portion of the envelopes.

Abstract: A flap separating mechanism and method for distending a flap from a body portion of an envelope.An envelope moving through a mail handling system may require its flap to be moistened and sealed. As a prelude to the moistening procedure, the flap of the envelope must be separated from the body portion. The separating mechanism disclosed herein comprises a pair of axially adjacent rotatable rollers. One of the rollers is positioned at a higher elevation with respect to the other roller, thus forming a body deforming bite for an incoming envelope. One of the rollers is movable with respect to the other roller in order to accommodate for varying envelope thicknesses.

Abstract: A sheet separating device for mechanically feeding single sheets from a magazine having a stack of intermixed sheets of different thicknesses. The apparatus includes a conveyor assembly having an endless belt provided with integral feed pads for successively contacting and transporting sheets from the stack. A feed limiting barrier directs movement of the sheets toward a pair of discharge rollers which rotate in a direction for advancing the movement of the sheets. A separator roller mounted in confronting, overlapping relationship with the discharge rollers rotates in a direction opposing forward movement of the sheets to prevent passage of more than one sheet between the separator and discharge rollers. The conveyor assembly is spring-biased and swingably displaceable with respect to the separator roller for variable clearance in order to accommodate sheets of different thicknesses. Additionally, the discharge rollers are urged into contact with idler rollers to automatically compensate for wear.