Abstract: A method and device for improving the throughput of a continuous web cutter, which is operated in move-and-pause cycles to allow the web to be cut into cut sheets. To avoid tear and web breakage, the web is fed at a low cycle rate at the starting stage. The cycle rate is progressively increased. When a feed rhythm is developed at the higher cycle rate, a constant cycle rate is maintained for the rest of the web operation.

Abstract: A method and device for improving the throughput of a continuous web cutter, which is operated in move-and-pause cycles to allow the web to be cut into cut sheets. To avoid tear and web breakage, the web is fed at a low cycle rate at the starting stage. The cycle rate is progressively increased. When a feed rhythm is developed at the higher cycle rate, a constant cycle rate is maintained for the rest of the web operation.

Abstract: A method for operating an input sheet feeder coupled to an inserter system including the steps of providing an inserter system having a control system coupled to a sheet input station, wherein the sheet input station is coupled to a supply of continuous formed web and receiving a start command in the sheet input station to start operation of the sheet input station. The sheet input station then starts at an initial speed that is a fraction of its full operational speed and gradually increases the operational speed of the sheet input station from said initial speed to said full speed over a predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an input system for feeding one-up sheets from a paper web to a high speed mass mailing inserter system. The input system includes a feeding module for supplying a paper web having two web portions in side-by-side relationship. A merging module is located downstream in the path of travel from the feeding module and is operational to feed the two web portions in an upper-lower relationship so as to reorient the paper web from the side-by-side relationship to an upper-lower relationship. A separating module is located downstream in the path of travel from the merging module and is operational to receive the paper web in the upper-lower relationship and separate the paper web into individual two-up sheets. In order to separate the two-up sheets into one-up sheets, a stacking module is located downstream in the path of travel from the separating module and is configured to receive the two-up sheets, stack the two-up sheets and individually feed one-up sheets from the stack.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for supplying document accumulation sets to an inserter system wherein sheets are first feed into a sheet stacking device to be stacked into a stacking pile. Individual sheets are then fed in seriatim from the stacking pile into a collating device, which collates a predetermined number of the individual sheets into a collation set. The collation set is then advanced into an accumulating device, which accumulates at least one collation set to form an accumulation set. The accumulation set is then advanced into the inserter system for further processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an input system for feeding one-up sheets from a paper web to a high speed mass mailing inserter system. The input system includes a feeding module for supplying a paper web having two web portions in side-by-side relationship. A merging module is located downstream in the path of travel from the feeding module and is operational to feed the two web portions in an upper-lower relationship so as to reorient the paper web from the side-by-side relationship to an upper-lower relationship. A separating module is located downstream in the path of travel from the merging module and is operational to receive the paper web in the upper-lower relationship and separate the paper web into individual two-up sheets. In order to separate the two-up sheets into one-up sheets, a stacking module is located downstream in the path of travel from the separating module and is configured to receive the two-up sheets, stack the two-up sheets and individually feed one-up sheets from the stack.

Abstract: A moistening apparatus includes a moistening fluid supply means. A moistening means is connected to the moistening fluid supply means for applying the moistening fluid onto the glue line of an envelope flap or onto the glue area of a postage meter or parcel register tape. Excess moistening fluid collection means are positioned with respect to the moistening means such that excess moistening fluid collects in the excess moistening fluid collection means. The collected excess moistening fluid from the excess moistening fluid collection means is moved to the moistening fluid supply means. This recirculates excess moistening fluid back to the moistening fluid supply means.

Abstract: A sealing device, for use in a mailing machine having a moistener for applying moistening fluid to flaps of envelopes being transported through the mailing machine, includes a first device, having a first surface, for applying pressure to a moistened envelope flap via the first surface; and a second device, having a second surface opposite the first surface, for applying pressure to the moistened envelope flap via the second surface. The first and second surfaces operatively cooperate together to apply pressure to and seal the moistened envelope flap. Furthermore, in the inventive device, moistening fluid is transferred on to the first surface from the moistened flap during sealing of the moistened flap by the first and second surfaces, and the first and second surfaces are aligned relative to each other such that at times when the moistened envelope is transported away from the sealing device moistening fluid is not transferred from the first surface to the second surface.

Abstract: A web guide particularly adapted for mail handling systems is positioned between the mail handling system form feeder and separating device. The web guide provides a surface to guide and control the web during its travel between the feeder and separating device so as to avoid or minimize premature tearing of the web, particularly during web acceleration caused by the separating device.

Abstract: A service station for use in an inkjet printer having a printhead with nozzles, the service station including a carriage moveably mounted to the inkjet printer, the printhead being mounted on the carriage to be moveable therewith; a device for moving the carriage between a printhead printing position and a printhead parked position; a cap; a cap garage connected to the inkjet printer; a device for moving the cap to cover the nozzles when the carriage is moved to the printhead parked position and for moving the cap into the cap garage to be covered thereby when the carriage is moved to the printhead printing position.

Abstract: A moistening apparatus for a mail handling machine including a container for storing liquid which is mounted within the mail handling machine and a cartridge assembly removably mounted to the container. The cartridge assembly has a housing and a belt movably mounted within the housing such that at times when liquid is in the container the belt is capable of movement through the liquid to a position where the belt is presented for contact with mailpieces being processed through the mail handling machine.

Abstract: A power stacker provides for receiving lengthwise orientated envelopes projected longitudinally onto the power stacker at a receiving end of the power stacker from an envelope feed device. The power stacker has a base supporting both an elongated deck and registration wall, an envelope transport system for transporting envelopes along the deck from the receiving end to a stack end of the deck. The transport system includes a plurality of friction belts extending partly along the deck and a power stack wheel pivotally mounted to the registration wall. An upper deflection flap at having one end pivotally mounted to the registration wall at the receiving end of the deck at a vertical elevation above that of the longitudinal feed level of the feed device, the upper deflection flap to contact the deck at it other end at a predetermined nominal angle forward of the power stack wheel.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding mixed mail in a mailing machine. The apparatus includes: a feed deck for stacking and feeding a plurality of envelopes; a device for urging the lowermost envelope along the feed deck; a feed roller located downstream of the urging device; a restraint belt system located above the feed roller, the downstream end of the belt system defining a feed nip with the feed roller; and an ingestion roller biased against the feed roller upstream of the feed nip.

Abstract: There is disclosed a connecting mechanism for securing together two modules of a mailing machine which are sufficiently heavy and bulky that one person could not manipulate the entire machine for installation or service if the machine were constructed as one unit. Each module is mounted on a separate base plate, one of which has outwardly projecting legs extending from a side face of the base plate and the other of which has inwardly extending recesses which open at the side face thereof adapted to abut the side face of the first mentioned base plate.

Abstract: A power stacker for collecting delivered articles such as envelopes from a mailing machine is comprised of a support housing having a deck fixably mounted along the housing. A registration wall is fixably mounted to the housing and extending generally perpendicular relative to the deck. A stack wall is slidably mounted to the housing at one end of the deck and has a reclined surface extended generally upwardly from the deck, the stack wall being slidably mounted to the housing such that the stack wall can be horizontally displaced relative to the deck. Support rods are provided for providing article support between the deck and displaced stack wall as well as between the registration and displaced stack wall. Threaded hubs are provided for causing the delivered articles to be collected against the stack wall and assume a generally parallel stacked orientation generally parallel to the reclined surface. A power stack wheel assembly is supported in a cantilevered fashion from the registration wall.

Abstract: A mail handling machine includes a mechanism for serially transporting along a main path sealed and unsealed close-flapped envelopes, some of which may be mis-sealed. The machine also inlcudes a mechanism for opening the flaps of the unsealed close-flapped envelopes. The flap opening mechanism includes a shaped blade pivotally mounted on the machine and located along the main path. There is also a shaped portion of a deck that includes a fixed guide edge located along the path and downstream of the blade. The blade strips open the flaps of the unsealed envelopes. A member is hingedly mounted to the trailing edge of the blade. The member is biased so as to obstruct the gap between the blade and the guide edge to prevent opened flaps from entering the gap.When a mis-sealed envelope engages the blade, causing the blade to move pivotally, the shaped portion cams up the member, which contacts the mis-sealed envelope and urges it out of engagement with the blade.

Abstract: A front-end feeder for a mixed mail handling machine employs a raised deck portion spaced from a registration wall for the mail pieces. The raised deck portion, preferably a plurality of fixed steps of increasing height, provides additional tilting and guidance of wide mail pieces to prevent mis-registration.

Abstract: A detachable belt cartridge for an envelope feeder includes a housing having spaced apart side walls, first and second end walls, and a top. The top has a plurality of lengthwise slots formed therein. A first and second shaft is rotatively mounted in spaced apart relationship in the housing. A plurality of wheels are drivenly mounted on the first and second shafts by a plurality of endless belts respectively extending around a respective one of the wheels of the first and second shafts such that a portion of said belt extends in a respective slot slightly above said top.

Abstract: A jam clearance device is incorporated in a sheetfeeding device. The sheetfeeding device includes a deck and registration wall set at a right angle to the deck. A plurality of drive rollers are rotatively mounted within the sheetfeeding device such that a portion of the drive rollers extend through respective slots in the deck slightly above the transport surface of the deck. The jam clearance device includes a support frame fixably mounted to the sheetfeeding device. A plurality of biasing wheels are rotatively mounted to the support frame such that the biasing wheels are biased in a home position against a respective one of the drive wheels and are positionable to a second position vertically displaced from the respective drive wheel. A handle is provided for positioning the biasing wheels in the home position or the second position.

Abstract: An envelope drive assembly for assuming displacement control over an envelope along a deck supported on a support assembly including a drive means for receiving the envelope traversing the deck and assuming displacement control over the envelope. The drive means has a shaft having a drive roller fixably mounted centrally around a portion of the shaft such that a radial portion of the drive roller extent into an opening in the deck. A motor drive is provided for rotating the shaft. A support member having at least one biasing roller rotatively mounted thereto is positioned radially opposite the drive roller. The support member is pivotally mounted and biased such that the biasing roller is biased against the drive roller. A processor controls the drive motor. A sensor is provided for sensing the presence of the leading and trailing edge of the envelope in the nip area of the biasing roller and drive roller and informing the processor thereof.