Abstract: A mimeographic printing machine equipped with a sorter for moving a plurality of bins to sort printed sheets, comprises: speed set-up means for setting up a desired print speed; sorter mode set-up means for setting up the sorter for the sort mode; and control means for changing the print speed, which is set up by the speed set-up means, to a predetermined print speed so as to conform to the sorting of the sorter, when the sort mode is set up in the sorter mode set-up means.

Abstract: A mimeographic printing machine comprising: mimeographic printing means for printing an image of an original document on successive sheets one at a time and for discharging the printed sheets; a sorter having a plurality of bins for receiving the printed sheets discharged from the mimeographic printing means; mode setting means for setting up the sorter for a specified mode such that a number of the printed sheets, which are printed for the same original document and exceed the number of the bins of the sorter, will be received on the bins in a specified order; and control means for detecting that the specified mode is set up by the mode setting means and for controlling the mimeographic printing means and the sorter in such a manner that the printed sheets discharged from the mimeographic printing means will be received orderly one after another in the bins, from the first bin to the last bin, and then the following printed sheets discharged from the mimeographic printing means will be received orderly one a

Abstract: A sheet proofing mechanism for a printing, duplicating and like machine wherein sheets are delivered seriatim by a conveyor in a path over a receiving tray whereat the sheets drop onto a stack of sheets in the tray. Releasable gripping fingers are provided on the conveyor, and stripping fingers strip each released sheet from the conveyor and direct the sheet into the tray. A sheet proofing mechanism includes deflecting fingers spaced along the path from the stripping fingers for deflecting a released sheet from the conveyor to a proofing station. A tripping cam is provided along the path for selectively releasing the gripping fingers at a first point to allow the stripping fingers to strip the released sheet from the conveyor and at a second point to allow the deflecting fingers to deflect the released sheet to the proofing station. The machine also includes a numbering head for sequentially numbering the sheets, with an indexing lever for indexing the numbering head.

Abstract: An improved photofinishing packaging apparatus and related method is described in which a film bar code is read, and identification indicia which may be different from the film bar code is encoded onto the corresponding prints generated from the film. The film bar code is then paired with the identification indicia, which pairing is stored in a computer. Later, the packager uses the pairing to match up the film with the corresponding prints.

Abstract: An in-line array of product dispensers overlie a conveyor belt. An ink jet printer overlies the conveyor belt downstream of the product dispensers. Information identifying the product dispensers which hold the desired products for a particular set and the desired number of sets of that type are entered to a controller operatively associated with the product dispensers and the printer. The controller times the dispensing of products from the selected product dispensers so as to form imbricated sets of products on the conveyor belt. As the products in the imbricated set pass under the printer, the controller activates it to print desired information on the exposed portion of each product.

Abstract: A printer which receives data and commands which are transferred from a data processing apparatus serving as an external apparatus such as a host computer and prints the data. This printer includes a setting circuit to set information regarding the printing; this setting circuit having a first mode in which the information regarding the printing can be designated irrespective of the information from the external apparatus and a second mode in which the information regarding the printing is designated on the basis of the information from the external apparatus. A deciding circuit to decide whether the information regarding the printing has been set to predetermined information by the setting circuit or not and a control unit for controlling the printer in a manner such that the priority is given to the first mode when the information regarding the printing has been set to information other than the predetermined information on the basis of the decision of the deciding means.

Abstract: Advertisements are provided on precise areas of the outer surfaces of eggs. Dispensing apparatus such as an ink jet is spaced from the eggs and transfers advertisement material to the eggs. Egg handling structure is adapted to lift eggs and move them generally parallel with the long axes thereof and rotate the eggs about said axes to accurately position the eggs relative to the dispensing apparatus. The dispensing apparatus may be used at various locations on a conventional egg grading machine and structure is provided to support the eggs in uniform position relative to dispensing apparatus to precisely apply advertisements. Sorting apparatus sorts the eggs according to their vertical position on such a machine and employs adjustable guide structure having tiltable tips to prevent damage.

Abstract: A plate making and printing press apparatus having a press arrangement including a plate making unit, a printing unit and a sorting unit, a memory for storing printing sheet numbers inputted from a printing sheet number inputting unit, and a control circuit for receiving necessary information from a manuscript presence/absence detecting unit and a continuous mode commanding unit and supplying the information to the units of the press arrangement as necessary.

Abstract: A computer peripheral apparatus is provided which includes a printer which is connected to a computer which supplies data to be printed. The printer is fed with paper that is moved continuously by a sprocket drive and becomes printed sheets as it passes beneath a printer head of the printer. Each printed sheet moves alongside optical cells that read symbols that appear on lateral strips of paper connected by perforations about either side of the main printed sheet, which is then passed to a cropping device for cutting off the lateral strips, and then moves to a reading table which is followed by a succession of elements for routing of the printed sheets, either through a gate and into an appropriate bin, or onto a station for turning the printed sheet in a predetermined direction according to information read by the optical reading cells before its output from the apparatus.

Abstract: The print carriers which bear security-paper prints arranged in longitudinal and transverse rows and on which misprints are marked are numbered in such a way that all security-paper prints arranged in succession in a longitudinal row, but excluding misprints, receive a consecutive numerical sequence. Each longitudinal row contains security-paper prints of a specific numerical series. The print carriers are then cut into strips transversely relatively to the longitudinal rows. Approximately every 100 strips are stacked, in the order in which they occur, into a strip stack (T), in which all the security-paper prints arranged vertically on top of one another, if appropriate mixed with misprints, have a consecutive numerical sequence of a particular series. The strip stacks (T) are cut into security-paper bundles (U) which are sorted according to numerical series by means of a distributor station (10, 11a, 11b) and are fed to as many separate buffer stores (12A to 12F) as there are numerical series.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining correlation between the parts of a film processing order from its receipt in a lab to its assembly for return to the customer includes placing a machine-readable identifier on the film, envelope and prints. The identifiers are read at the point of final order assembly and if any identifiers are not readable an error counter is incremented. If the error counter reaches a predetermined maximum number, an alarm is given and the operation is halted for operator intervention. If the maximum error number is not reached, the identifiers read at the finishing station are compared for equality. If there is a mismatch between identifiers, an alarm is given and the operation halted for operator intervention. Each time an order is successfully processed with no misreads, the error counter is decremented by some predetermined number. In a predetermined embodiment, the error counter is reset after each operation intervention.

Abstract: A substantially flat paper article or product is marked by applying thereto a luminophore. In order for the thus produced markings to remain discernible even if the paper article constitutes a component or part in a collation or composite of such paper articles, the markings are applied to at least one location of a marginal region including the contiguous edge of the paper article. This marking method can be used to monitor the completeness of an end product manufactured by collating a plurality of different paper articles.

Abstract: A printed web marker is used in combination with a multiroll printing press. A web marker is positioned downstream of the last of the rolls for marking defective portions of the printed web. A central controller operates the marker and the controller has off, delay and on control modes. The marker does not operate when in the off mode and marking commences upon expiration of a predetermined period when the controller is shifted from the off to the delay mode and continues thereafter and for a predetermined period after the controller is shifted from the delay to the off mode. Marking commences instantaneously upon the controller being shifted from the off to the on mode. Switches and operators cause the controller to be shifted between the modes so that only defective portions of the web are marked.

Abstract: Inks containing at least one keto-ether, such as 4-meth-4-methyl-2-pentanone, are able to print on resinous block copolymers, such as butadiene/styrene block copolymer, having an anti-blocking agent incorporated therein, such as a micro crystalline wax.

Abstract: A method of sequentially advancing, cutting and sorting forms attached together serially in two single-path form-webs in which the forms carry a code to identify forms to be assembled together by sorting, comprises the following consecutive steps: introducing the two webs in a superposed state and with an at least partial lateral overlap to a cutting table such that a perforated margin on each web is situated along opposite external edges when viewing the two superposed webs together; engaging each web solely at the outer perforated margin by a tractor device on the cutting table and advancing each web on the cutting table by a perforated margin solely along one longitudinal web edge; transversely severing the forms from the web by a transverse cutter of the cutting table; and sorting and assembling the forms as a function of the code thereon.

Abstract: A ticket diverter for use in conjunction with a ticket processing apparatus. The diverter has an entry passage through which a ticket enters and an exit passage through which the ticket is expelled. A stationary diverter ramp deflects the ticket from the entry passage to the exit passage. The ticket is propelled in the exit passage by a reversible exit drive roller toward either a dispensing outlet or a capture outlet.

Abstract: In a photofinishing operation, the correlation of order envelopes, films and the paper prints produced therefrom is carried out automatically. The order envelopes, films and the strip of paper prints are provided with the same machine-readable control number per order. These control numbers are monitored during final processing by machine and, in case of a lack of agreement, the cutting of the film and the paper is prevented and an appropriate alarm is actuated.

Abstract: An electromechanical automated document encoding apparatus is releasably constructed of modular components for accepting and transporting batch documents from either the left or the right. The apparatus is further capable of printing on a first side of a document or an opposite facing second side. A print module includes two parallel document receiving tracks, and a rotatable print head which moves responsive to movement of a table mounting the two document receiving tracks. The print head has two positions, and is capable of printing either on the front or rear of the document. Neither reversing print modes nor feeding batches of documents of different or varying thicknesses require realigning or repositioning of the printing head. Document sensors are an integral part of an adaptive control system optimizing apparatus productivity.

Abstract: A ticket handling system for use in a ticket preparation system that includes a signal processor for providing print signals to indicate information to be printed on the tickets and write signals to indicate information to be encoded on the tickets; a printer for printing information on ticket stock in response to the print signals; and a transducer for encoding information on the ticket stock in response to the write signals. The ticket handling system includes a feeder module including a feed system for feeding a strip of ticket stock; a cutter module; a cutting device for cutting ticket blanks of a given length from the fed end of the strip; a printer module including the printer for printing ticket information on the ticket blanks in response to the print signals; and a transport module including the transducer for encoding ticket information on the ticket blanks in response to the write signals.

Abstract: A document inserter system having an improved control system is disclosed. The system includes a sheet inserter system and one or more web modules for, receiving a web of forms, scanning the forms for information, storing and retransmitting the information, separating the web into discrete forms and feeding the forms for further processing. The information includes control information scanned from a control document for controlling formation of a batch of forms associated with that control document. The control system includes a supervisory control processor which receives the control information and controls the sheet inserter system and the web modules in accordance therewith. The system also includes web control processor systems for direct control of each web module, which web control processor system are responsive to the supervisory control processor. The system is controlled in accordance with a prespecified configuration which defines the document type for each web module.

Abstract: Mail sorting apparatus feeds mail items past a printing postage meter into a hopper from which the items are dropped successively into sorting bins which revolve along a circular path. Collection bins, also disposed along the circular path below the sorting bins, for different categories of mail are open at the top to receive the mail from the sorting bins. When a sorting bin carrying a mail item revolves to a position where it is in alignment with the collection bin for that item, the sorting bin is opened and the item dropped into its collection bin. The size of the item is measured at an input station. The opening of the sorting bin is carried out under computer control in response to data entered at the input station. The postage meter is movable mounted and located in response to the size of the item so that the postal indicia are printed in the proper location on the item in the course of feeding thereof into the hopper.

Abstract: A rotary printing press assembly includes an inspection apparatus interposed between a sheet feeder for feeding printed sheets and a rotary printing press having a printing cylinder for printing additional indicia on the printed sheets. The inspection apparatus has a pair of inspection cylinders rotatable in opposite directions. A printed sheet is supplied from the sheet feeder and is held at its face and back against peripheral surfaces of the inspection. Detectors are disposed in confronting relationship to the peripheral surface of the inspection surface cylinders for inspecting the printed sheet on the inspection cylinders for any defect and for generating signals in response to detection of any defect on the printed sheet. The printing cylinder is movable away from an operational position adjacent an impression cylinder to an inoperational position away therefrom in response to a signal from the detectors indicating a defective sheet.

Abstract: A multi-function document processor, including proof inscribing and sorting functions. The document feed station keyboard, and stacker are connected in such a fashion so as to allow easy access to each of these machine elements by an operator without leaving a seated position. The advantageously accessible arrangement of functional elements is achieved by a novel use of rotary document processing stations, resulting in a folded transport path of significantly shorter length, and a transition station for moving the documents from a first plane into a second plane for more compact stacker pocket orientation. Document travel through the improved transport and into the stacker pockets is controlled by logic in the form of a plurality of microprocessors communicating via an okay to send wire.

Abstract: A document processor for transporting documents through a path, detecting flaws thereon by electronically scanning each side of the document, printing selectable indicia only on unflawed documents, and sorting and storing separately the flawed and unflawed documents. The electronically scanned information is compared with a master document stored in a computer memory. As a result of this comparison, outputs are provided from the computer which are indicative of a favorable or unfavorable comparison for controlling the printing and sorting functions.

Abstract: There are disclosed various embodiments of records having characters which represent data and incorporate a printability gauge. The characters can be of a type which are human readable or they can be of a type which can be optically scanned by optical scanning equipment. Also disclosed are printing members having one or more printing elements for printing the above-mentioned characters.

Abstract: A duplicator machine is operative for making copies of originals, printing forms, and the like, in whole-page, paragraphwise and sectionwise modes of operation. The copies made are intended for different uses and or destinations, for example for handling by different clerical departments and/or sections of a factory. The duplicator machine is provided with means for applying routing markings, the marking means being located in the path of travel of copies passing through the duplicator machine upstream of the delivery station to the end of such path. The marking means applies to the copies distinguishable routing markings respectively indicative of different purposes or destinations for the copies being made. Within the path of travel of the copies through the duplicator machine, the routing markings are applied either downstream or upstream of the location at which the information on the original or printing form to be copied is actually applied to the copying material.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the advancement of punch cards or like sheet material past a plurality of work stations such as may comprise a data recorder used in the preparation and processing of punch cards. Control means are provided to sense the nature of an operation being performed on a particular card as well as the presence of punch cards at other of the plural work stations comprising the system and in response thereto selectively energize the advancement mechanism such that each punch card processed through the system will be advanced at an optimum rate. In the event no punching or printing operation is to take place on the punch card the speed of the advancement mechanism is increased considerably in excess of that which would otherwise enable the advancement mechanism to be accurately stopped.

Abstract: Automatic processing of a stream of financial documents involving members of a series of positive item control numbers sequentially encoded one per document in the stream with account-amount data machine read from each document and stored in reproducible form in the same order as the series of control numbers. Reentry of documents into the stream from a reject stack because of failure to read one or more characters in the account-amount field involves displaying in response to a call to storage in response to the control number for a rejected document characters preceding and following a character present but not read from a rejected document. An entry into storage of each character not read at positions corresponding to the character position on the document is manually produced. Rejected documents are then passed through an encoder to impress a bar code representative of said account-amount thereon under control of the corrected storage in response to the control number.

Abstract: In an automatic mail processing apparatus, the mail is fed one by one by a feeding mechanism to a transport path having a stamp detecting station and a canceling station. At the former station, each piece of the mail is scanned by a pair of detectors which determine the presence or absence of a stamp at the lower end portion of both surfaces of the piece of mail. In the absence of a stamp at the particular portion, the piece of mail is switched to another transport path where it is reversed for subsequent rescanning. When the reversed piece of the mail is fed back to the transport path, the operation of the feeding mechanism is temporarily stopped to prevent the reversed piece of the mail from meeting with subsequent pieces of the mail to be fed by the mechanism.