Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for applying labels to mail, including mixed mail. A conveyor conveys individual mail pieces along a predetermined path of travel into a label applying position. The label feed mechanism feeds a web of labels into the label applying position. A label stripper is positioned adjacent the label feed mechanism at the label applying position and adjacent the path of travel to strip labels from the web when an individual mail piece has entered a label applying position. A label roller is positioned adjacent the label stripper. A roller drive mechanism is operatively connected to the label roller for vertically moving the label roller against the label. A connector is operatively connected to the roller drive mechanism for timing the roller drive mechanism to move the label roller against the label as the label is stripped from the web and against an individual mail piece fed under the label stripper.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for blocking a tabbing feature of a mail handling system are provided which preferably include a mail register positioned to register a plurality of pieces of mail being conveyed so that each selected edge of the plurality of pieces of mail aligns along a common path of travel, a mail presence detector positioned downstream from the mail register to detect the presence of each piece of mail as the piece of mail travels along the common path of travel, and a mail identifier positioned downstream from the mail detector and in communication with the mail detector to identify preselected pieces of mail which should not be tabbed. The apparatus also preferably includes a tab controller positioned in communication with the mail detector and the mail identifier to communicate to a tabber of a mail handling system to not tab the preselected pieces of mail.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for applying labels to mail, including mixed mail. A conveyor conveys individual mail pieces along a predetermined path of travel into a label applying position. The label feed mechanism feeds a web of labels into the label applying position. A label stripper is positioned adjacent the label feed mechanism at the label applying position and adjacent the path of travel to strip labels from the web when an individual mail piece has entered a label applying position. A label roller is positioned adjacent the label stripper. A roller drive mechanism is operatively connected to the label roller for vertically moving the label roller against the label. A connector is operatively connected to the roller drive mechanism for timing the roller drive mechanism to move the label roller against the label as the label is stripped from the web and against an individual mail piece fed under the label stripper.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for blocking a tabbing feature of a mail handling system are provided which preferably include a mail register positioned to register a plurality of pieces of mail being conveyed so that each selected edge of the plurality of pieces of mail aligns along a common path of travel, a mail presence detector positioned downstream from the mail register to detect the presence of each piece of mail as the piece of mail travels along the common path of travel, and a mail identifier positioned downstream from the mail detector and in communication with the mail detector to identify preselected pieces of mail which should not be tabbed. The apparatus also preferably includes a tab controller positioned in communication with the mail detector and the mail identifier to communicate to a tabber of a mail handling system to not tab the preselected pieces of mail.