Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for providing diagnostic information relating to the performance of an inserter system having a roller arrangement for conveying a document in a linear direction and first and second sensors located in close proximity to the roller arrangement. Each of the sensors are operable to detect at least the presence of a leading edge of a document conveying in close proximity to each sensor. The control system of the inserter determines the time it takes for a leading edge of a document to convey from said first sensor to said second sensor and compares that time to a prescribed threshold time and provides diagnostic information based upon the measured times values.

Abstract: A rotatable pneumatic feeding head having a vacuum shoe with apertures for picking up an envelope from an envelope stack by negative air pressure. The feeding head has an outer cylinder with holes communicating with the apertures, and an inner cylinder with cutout regions operatively connected to a vacuum pump. The inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are rotated independently of each other such that when they are aligned, a negative pressure is created at the apertures through the cutout regions and the holes. When the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are out of alignment, the negative pressure is cut off from the apertures. The vacuum shoe is removable so that it can be repaired or replaced when it is damaged or worn.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for providing diagnostic information relating to the performance of an inserter system having a roller arrangement for conveying a document in a linear direction and first and second sensors located in close proximity to the roller arrangement. Each of the sensors are operable to detect at least the presence of a leading edge of a document conveying in close proximity to each sensor. The control system of the inserter determines the time it takes for a leading edge of a document to convey from said first sensor to said second sensor and compares that time to a prescribed threshold time and provides diagnostic information based upon the measured times values.

Abstract: A rotatable pneumatic feeding head having a vacuum shoe with apertures for picking up an envelope from an envelope stack by negative air pressure. The feeding head has an outer cylinder with holes communicating with the apertures, and an inner cylinder with cutout regions operatively connected to a vacuum pump. The inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are rotated independently of each other such that when they are aligned, a negative pressure is created at the apertures through the cutout regions and the holes. When the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are out of alignment, the negative pressure is cut off from the apertures. The vacuum shoe is removable so that it can be repaired or replaced when it is damaged or worn.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method for accumulating sheets as part of the operation of a mailing system and for conveying the sheets along a normal feed path, and including a mis-scan diverter for diverting sheets that have been mis-scanned from a normal feed path to a first alternate path, and a selective diverter for diverting selective document sets from the normal feed path to a second alternate path. In some applications, the selective diverter includes a pivot table by-pass guide positioned according to commands received from a selective controller so as to selectively divert a sheet. Such a selective diverter uses a nip formed at the distal end of the pivot table by-pass guide by a continuously running cooperating roller and a surface of the pivot table by-pass guide, so that a sheet entering the nip so formed is diverted to the second alternate path.

Abstract: An separating and staging machine is disclosed which is used in conjunction with high speed document processing apparatus in which a succession of collations of insert material moving along an insert material feed path to an insert location are inserted into envelopes fed to the insert location. The machine of the present invention feeds envelopes from a storage hopper to a feed path which is long enough to accommodate a plurality of staging locations at which individual envelopes are maintained until one is fed to the insert location, after which the envelopes at each staging location are advanced to the next staging location, and a new envelope is fed from the storage hopper to the first of the staging locations. With this arrangement the distance between successive envelopes moving through the staging locations is approximately equal to the distance between successive collations moving along the insert material feed path, thereby increasing the rate at which envelopes can be fed to the insert location.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting a web of paper having tractor holes along only one margin thereof.

Abstract: In an envelope stuffing apparatus which has an enclosure inserting station and includes a deck, side guides mounted on the deck at the inserting station, structure for delivering the envelope in a path of travel to the inserting station, structure for opening the envelope, and structure inserting an enclosure into the envelope and for removing the envelope from the inserting station, and wherein said opening structure includes structure for supporting the flap of the envelope above the deck, there is an improvement in the envelope opening structure. The improvement comprises two throat openers insertable into the envelope for stripping apart from each other the front and back panels of the envelope. Each throat opener includes a side guide member for guiding the enclosure into the envelope and further including a ramp member for guiding the enclosure from the deck into the envelope.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for changing the direction of motion of flat articles being conveyed along a first path to a second path. The apparatus comprises a deck mounted on a frame. The deck has a first side for receiving an article from a first direction and a second side for conveying the article in a second direction which forms an acute angle equal to or less than forty-five degrees (45.degree.) with the first direction. There is a structure for conveying the article over the deck in the second direction. The conveying structure engages a leading edge of the article only after the article has been disengaged by a conveying structure in the first direction. There is a registration wall positioned downstream from the second direction conveying structure adjacent a third side of the deck.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing the direction of travel of a flat article being conveyed in a first direction to one of two other directions without changing the orientation of the article. The apparatus comprises a circular deck mounted on a frame. The deck is pivotable along a center axis of the deck between a left position and a right position. There is structure operatively coupled to the deck for conveying the article over the deck, the deck conveying structure having a first end and a second end, wherein, when the deck is in the left position, the deck conveying structure receives the article being conveyed in the first direction at the first end and conveys the article in a second direction of forty-five degrees (45.degree.) to the left of the first direction, and wherein, when the deck is in the right position, the deck conveying structure receives the article being conveyed in the first direction at the second end and conveys the article in a third direction of forty-five degrees (45.degree.