Abstract: A bag filling plant includes a detection device for detecting a thickened section of a film web associated with an end of a first film and a start of a second film. The detection device includes a first film roll and a second film roll, which contact the film web on side areas aligned opposite each other and which form a conveyer gap for the film web, with the first film roll being movably supported relative to the second film roll in order to alter the conveyer gap. The detection device includes a sensor device that detects a motion of the first conveyer roll.

Abstract: A thickness detection device for sheet-type medium includes a fixing frame, a reference shaft and a detection assembly shaft. A reference roller is fixedly sleeved on the reference shaft. At least one detection roller is provided on the detection assembly shaft, and the detection roller is in an elastic contact with the reference roller. The detection roller is sleeved on the detection assembly shaft by a bracket, the bracket has an elongated hole through which the bracket is sleeved on the detection assembly shaft, an elastic element is provided between an end of the elongated hole and the detection assembly shaft, and the elastic element enables the detection assembly shaft to elastically maintain a certain distance from the end of the elongated hole. Thus, thickness signal obtained is not interfered by banknote displacements in other directions, and thickness detection of the full banknote can be achieved.

Abstract: A sortation assembly includes a plurality of chutes which are movable along a continuous loop and along and over a plurality of sort stations. The chutes are operable to deposit articles, such as mail or flats mail or the like, to appropriate bins or trays positioned at the sort stations. The sort stations are configured to support a tray thereon for filling of the tray by the chutes. At least some of the chutes include an electronic tray fill level sensor, which is operable to detect the level of articles deposited within the tray at which the chute is positioned, while being spaced from the tray and the articles. Also, at least some of the sort stations may include an electronic tray present sensor, which is operable to detect the presence of a tray at the respective sort station while being spaced from the tray at the sort station.

Abstract: A low cost, fully automatic, thickness detection system, readily integrated into an existing paper path sheet transport, in which a regular and known small displacement signal is generated, compared, combined and/or superimposed on the signals from the small displacement of a sheet transport element with differences in sheet thickness. Even sub-millimeter sheet thicknesses can be measured of sheets moving through a regular sheet feeding nip with nip idler roller displacement using a low-cost sensor, where that sensor is additionally repetitively actuated by known small movements to provide calibration signals, such as those provided by plural small radius differences of a rotating idler roller shaft area which will enable existing idler and idler shaft run-out movement error noise signals to be overcome.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sheet handling machine capable of surely verifying whether the number of bills is one or not based on the kind of a bill even when bills different in thickness are inserted, handling the bills of different thickness mixed in, dealing with new bills issued in recent years using various novel feature technologies for bill forgery prevention, and detecting the presence of a foreign object in the bill surface. The kind of each of bills successively fed in is specified by bill checking means for identifying the kind of a bill, and reference thickness information regarding the sheet of a specified kind is read from a reference thickness table recording a bill kind and the thickness information of a bill full surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method therefor of sorting and unloading various pieces cut from sheet blanks which have different dimensions in a sheet metal fabricating environment. To achieve this end, prior to the production run, the various program routines whose operations for effecting the cutting of the sheet blanks are retrieved and the data relevant to the to be cut pieces are grouped and analyzed so that pieces of different dimensions cut in accordance with the different program routines are respectively allocated to the corresponding sorting addresses for unloading. Accordingly, different pieces with the same dimension cut from different program routines during the same production run are unloaded to the same location of the unloader area. Optimization of the unloading process and optimal utilization of the available loading space are thereby achieved.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for sensing the feeding of individual sheets of paper in which the feeding of two or more overlapping sheets can be detected in a sheet feeding apparatus for continuously transferring sheets of paper one by one along a predetermined paper traveling path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method therefor of sorting and unloading various pieces cut from sheet blanks which have different dimensions in a sheet metal fabricating environment. To achieve this end, prior to the production run, the various program routines whose operations for effecting the cutting of the sheet blanks are retrieved and the data relevant to the to be cut pieces are grouped and analyzed so that pieces of different dimensions cut in accordance with the different program routines are respectively allocated to the corresponding sorting addresses for unloading. Accordingly, different pieces with the same dimension cut from different program routines during the same production run are unloaded to the same location of the unloader area. Optimization of the unloading process and optimal utilization of the available loading space are thereby achieved.

Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a method of sorting mailpieces which requires less stopping of the sorting process for bin emptying. The present invention is directed to a mailpiece sorting method which indicates when a bin is partially full to the level of a partially full sensor so that an operator can empty that bin. Additionally, a bin-full calculation is performed for determining if redirection of the mailpieces to an alternate bin is necessary should the operator not empty the bin as directed. If a bin is partially full to the level of the sensor, the process performs an addition of thicknesses of all of the mailpieces which are in the mailpiece delivery system, but not yet delivered to the bin to determine whether those mailpieces would fill the bin. If the bin would be full, it is determined whether an alternate bin is available and, if so, the mailpieces are routed to the alternate bin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for accurately measuring mail piece thickness for the purpose of determining postage discount qualification of a mail piece to be placed in a mail tray for receiving the maximum postage discount. The system includes a device for measuring the thickness of said mail piece and a user interface for entering data representing at least one postal address and the measured mail piece thickness. The system further includes a data processing system for processing the mail piece in accordance with the set of address data and the mail piece thickness, to produce a set of mail piece data. The data processing system is coupled to the thickness measuring device and the user interface and includes a memory for storing the sets of data. The system further sorts the sets of mail piece database upon postal guidelines such that qualification of a mail piece can be determined. Output is provided for displaying the resulting mail piece identifier.

Abstract: A gate for rejecting from a gathering conveyor folded printed products which are found to be defective. The gate includes several mating pairs of ejector rolls positioned to form a nip above the gathering conveyor, and an air ejection system for lifting a defective product into the nip so that the ejector rolls engage the lifted product and convey it to a reject receptacle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for checking an envelope for contents is provided to determine whether or not an envelope has been completely emptied. The thickness of the envelope is measured at a plurality of points along the envelope. From the measured thickness, the thickness, or an integer multiple of the thickness, of the material of the envelope is determined. The thickness of the envelope measured at the plurality of points is compared with the determined material thickness, or integer multiple of the thickness, of the envelope. On the basis of that comparison, a determination is made as to whether or not the envelope has contents therein. The apparatus and method do not rely on measuring the opacity of the envelope.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for checking whether documents have been separated from an opened envelope includes conveying an envelope past an input transducer which measures a characteristic, based on light shown through the envelope, of each individual envelope along a measuring path parallel to the direction of movement of the envelope. From the measured characteristic, a value profile is determined, from which a reference value for each envelope is determined. The value profile is used then to calculate an extreme limit value for each envelope. An envelope-suspect signal is generated if the value profile lies beyond the limit value over a specified minimum substantially continuous measuring distance. The system calculates the values for each envelope, and accordingly, envelopes of greatly diverse characteristics may be reliably checked in random order.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises a movable member (60) having an outer circumferential surface which engages a collated assemblage (20) on a collating conveyor (14) to compress the collated assemblage when the member is moved towards the collated assemblage. A light source (36) directs light (37) toward the outer circumferential surface of the member. The outer circumferential surface includes a light reflective surface (83) portion against which the light is directed and then reflected. The reflected light (38) has a characteristic which varies as a function of the thickness of the collated assemblage. The reflected light is sensed and a first electrical signal (42) is provided which varies as a function of the characteristic of the reflected light and thus as a function of the thickness of the collated assemblage.

Abstract: An apparatus for verifying any of a plurality of predetermined compositions of multilayered units composed of stacked sheetlike parts passed in spaced succession by a checkpoint, including the steps of determining a first value according to a thickness of a first unit of a first predetermined composition; storing said first value as a reference value for said first predetermined composition; determining a second value according to a thickness of a successive unit intended to have said first predetermined composition; comparing said reference value with said second value; and rejecting said successive unit when said second value is outside a tolerance range around said reference value; wherein said first and second values are calculated from a plurality of measurements taken during at least one predetermined measuring interval along each of said first unit and said successive unit, respectively, at least one limit of said at least one measuring interval being related to the passage of a transverse edge of the

Abstract: In a method for the automated processing of bulk mail, envelopes are transferred to a receiving apparatus in bulk fashion (from incoming mail trays or the like) for the extraction of documents contained by the envelopes, and the extracted documents are delivered to a remittance processing device, preferably both automatically and without the need for human intervention. Subsequent processing of the extracted documents within the remittance processing device then proceeds in usual fashion, completing the acquisition of information which is necessary to ready such documents for deposit into the banking system. Also disclosed are various presorting functions so that only envelopes containing documents of a specified type will be fully processed, other sorting functions such as the identification of specific types of documents (invoices or checks) for separate processing, and the use of a single extraction device to deliver extracted documents to either one, or a series of remittance processing devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automated processing of bulk mail which incorporates a number of operating stations that serve to accomplish the various aspects of mail extraction, as well as the subsequent processing of extracted documents, and which are operatively associated with one another to serially process envelopes and extracted documents in continuous fashion and substantially independent of their characteristic features. To this end, the operating stations of the apparatus are configured to be as independent as possible of the characteristics of the envelopes and their contents so that envelopes and contents of varied characteristics can be effectively handled by the apparatus without requiring any significant adjustments.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining whether a sheet is of a first type or a second type, the sheet including two marks printed on opposite halves of the sheet. The apparatus includes a thickness detector for detecting a thickness of the sheet to detect parts greater than a predetermined thickness, an image input unit for imaging the two marks of the sheet, a judging unit for determining a check condition when any part thicker than the predetermined thickness is located between the two marks and extend between lengthwise edges of the sheet, a comparison unit for comparing the images of the two marks of the sheet imaged by the image input unit when the judging unit determines the check condition and for providing a result signal representative of whether the two marks correspond to each other, and a determining unit for determining in response to the result signal that the sheet is of the first type when the two marks correspond to each other and of the second type when the two marks do not correspond to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automated processing of bulk mail, wherein envelopes are transferred to the apparatus in bulk fashion (from incoming mail trays or the like) for the extraction of documents contained by the envelopes, communicates with a remittance processing device, preferably both automatically and without the need for human intervention. Subsequent processing of the extracted documents within the remittance processing device then proceeds in usual fashion, completing the acquisition of information which is necessary to ready such documents for deposit into the banking system.

Abstract: A method for verifying any of a plurality of predetermined compositions of multilayered units composed of stacked sheetlike parts passed in spaced succession by a checkpoint, including the steps of determining a first value according to a thickness of a first unit of a first predetermined composition; storing the first value as a reference value for the first predetermined composition; determining a second value according to a thickness of a successive unit intended to have the first predetermined composition; comparing the reference value with the second value; and rejecting the successive unit when the second value is outside a tolerance range around the reference value; wherein the first and second values are calculated from a plurality of measurements taken during at least one predetermined measuring interval along each of the first unit and the successive unit, respectively, at least one limit of the at least one measuring interval being related to the passage of a transverse edge of the respective unit

Abstract: A device for detecting postal articles unsuited for mechanical handling is equipped with a bed of belts formed by a large number of side-by-side resilient belts (2) assembled with predetermined tension around two pulleys (3,4), which can turn freely around shafts fixedly mounted on a base plate. A conveyor belt passes over a guiding roller (6) opposite the bed of belts. The conveyor direction of motion is deflected around the roller and the bed of belts is taken along by the conveyor belt (1) by means of friction. An article on the conveyor approaching the guiding roller while moving between the conveyor and the bed of belts is subjected to a bending force when passing the guiding roller. The belts of the bed of belts here work as scanning elements. Deflection of one or more of them from the normal path, away from the guiding roller (6), can be detected by a combination (11) of an infrared radiator and a detector.

Abstract: Thickness indicator apparatus mounted adjacent to a bill path inside an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) includes a wishbone (45) having a pair of identical fingers (46) which contact bills moving in the bill path, and a metallic target (52). The wishbone is floatably mounted to the frame of the ATM such that target (52) is displaced an amount which is proportional to the thickness of the bills in contact with fingers (46). A sensor (66) senses the position of the target (52) and generates an electrical signal indicative of bill thickness.

Abstract: Apparatus to move rectangular blanks from a receiving station to a loading station position. The apparatus has a support framework and a driven track to move the blanks from the receiving station towards the loading station. A feed station receives the blanks. Alignment devices in the feeding station position a blank. A blank is prevented from moving along the feed station while a further blank is being aligned. A separator separates the stacked blanks and a scanner system detects blanks of a predetermined width. A magazine stores blanks detected by the scanner system. Blanks detected by the scanner system can be moved from the track to the magazine. An end stop is on the track and a transfer device, over the track, before the end stop, receives a course of blanks. A scanner system, remote from the end stop, determines how a partially formed course of blanks should be completed.

Abstract: A note checking apparatus for indicating whether normal single notes, double notes or notes having local attachments of folds are passing therethrough includes two rollers 10 and 12 between which the notes pass. The roller 10 has a fixed axis, and the roller 12 is supported by pivotably mounted arms 38 so that it is movable away from, and pivotable relative to, the roller 10 in response to notes passing between the rollers. Sensors 42 and 43 produce voltage output whose magnitude varies in dependence on the amount of movement of the ends of the roller 12 away from the roller 10. In order to enable the apparatus to distinguish between double notes and a single note having a central local attachment, there are provided biasing rolls 56 and 58 which, during the passage of single or multiple notes between the rollers 10 and 12, are arranged to apply to the roller 12 first a pivoting moment in one direction and then a pivoting moment in the opposite direction.

Abstract: The monitoring device serves to monitor the formation of bookblocks at depositing stations for collating machines and to release a control impulse at faulty formation of a bookblock. The object of the invention is to accomplish the formation of bookblocks on collating machines, provided with suction drums, and to reduce expenses of adjusting the machine for processing of varying paper thicknesses. The object is to construct a device, in such a manner that the precalculated position of a contact lever may be simply adjusted upon a base plate corresponding to any paper thickness and that the smallest deviations of position of the contact lever in one or another direction may be deleted while ensuring regularity of signal.According to the invention, this object is accomplished by fastening at least one spring mounted stop for setting the precalculated position of the contact lever upon a base plate which is movably disposed relative to the machine frame.

Abstract: Overlapped or folded bills in a paper money dispenser are detected by sensors that measure bill length and thickness. The sensors generate a first signal when bill thickness corresponds to the thickness of at least one standard bill and generate a second signal when bill thickness corresponds to at least twice standard bill thickness. A third signal is generated when bill thickness corresponds to at least three times standard bill thickness. The first and second signals, together with a fourth signal corresponding to the bill length, are supplied to a computer that identifies single or double bills as well as overlapped or folded bills and jammed bills. Bill count is incremented in response to identification of single or dispensable double bills. Overlapped bills, folded bills, double bills that cannot be dispensed, triple bills or suspicious bills are diverted to a storage canister.

Abstract: A double detect device includes first and second parallel and superposed rows of steel balls retained in a block, the first row being in contact with a steel roller whose axis is parallel to the rows of balls. An actuating rod is urged resiliently against an end ball of the second row. In operation, currency notes are fed between the roller and the first row of balls. The passage of a note through the device depresses the balls of the first row thereby urging apart the balls of the second row so as to move the rod. If two superposed notes pass through the device movement of the rod is sufficient to actuate a switch. The device can distinguish between multiple notes and a single note having a localized increase in thickness, since such single note does not move the rod sufficiently to actuate the switch.

Abstract: An overlapping feed detection device in a machine for processing paper, money, slips, checks, or like sheets has propelling rolls driven by a motive power source and operating to propel the sheets and driven rolls disposed movably and spaced by a gate gap from the propelling rolls. The gate gap is for passage therethrough normally of a single sheet at one time. A holding mechanism holds the driven rolls in a nonrotatable state when one sheet passes through the gap, and release it to permit it to rotate when two or more sheets in overlapping state pass therethrough and widen the gap. A rotation detecting device detects the rotation of a rotatable structure.

Abstract: A device for detecting the thickness of paper sheet such as bank note used for a paper sheet transfer system comprises a thickness detection roll rotatably supported at a free end of a pivotal lever and urged against a paper sheet transfer roll, via a paper sheet when the paper sheet is transferred therebetwen. The pivotal lever is pivotally supported by a lever mounting unit, which is detachably mounted on a frame of the transfer system. The lever mounting unit is positioned in a predetermined mounting position by positioning pins and locked at that position by a fixing means including a toggle mechanism. With a change of the thickness of paper sheet being transferred the gap between an electromagnetic sensor mounted in the frame and a corresponding sensing surface of the lever is changed, and thereby the paper sheet thickness is electromagnetically detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for automatically checking envelopes for objects which would interere with an automatic postal mail sorting operation. The envelopes are moved between inflated rollers and changes in the roller pressures caused by objectionable objects in the envelopes are detected to control an envelope diversion gate.

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.