Abstract: A materials handling system includes an insertion subsystem for inserting materials into envelopes to form mailpieces of a first type and mailpieces of a second type. The materials handling syatem also includes a first mailpiece transport path located downstream from the insertion subsystem and having a curved portion along which mailpieces of said first type are transported, and a second mailpiece transport path being substantially horizontal, located downstream from the insertion subsystem, and along which mailpieces of the second type are transported. Further, a diverter is included that diverts mailpieces of the first type to the first transport path and mailpieces of the second type to the second transport path.

Abstract: A sheet folding and trimming apparatus for a booklet maker or bookbinder includes a folding apparatus and a sheetwise trimming apparatus configured to trim the folded sheet from the folding apparatus on three unfolded sides of the sheet in a sheetwise manner. The location of the sheet folder prior to the sheet trimmer allows the use of a relatively imprecise and inexpensive folding apparatus, such as a buckle folder, and adjusts for the imprecision of the fold by trimming the folded sheet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a photo album leaf from a media having a front and back side. The apparatus includes a processing path along which the media moves through the apparatus; a digital printer disposed along the processing path for printing images on the front side of the media, the images being composed so as to define a segment having a fold line about which the segment is folded so as to form the leaf; a processing section disposed after the printer along the processing path for processing the media on which the images have been written; a removal mechanism for removing the protective release layer from the segment; a folding mechanism for folding the segment so as to form an album leaf.

Abstract: A system for preparing mail items, the system comprising a general-purpose computer for preparing a document to be sent, a secure metering device connected to the general-purpose computer via a secure link so as to send it postage metering or “franking” information, a printer connected to the general-purpose computer so as to print both the document to be sent, and at least a destination address for the document and a postage imprint on an envelope that is to receive the document, and a folder/inserter connected both to the printer and to the general-purpose computer so as to receive and fold the printed document and so as to insert it into the corresponding franked envelope.

Abstract: A sheet bundle folding apparatus causes a bundle of sheets to be rolled into a pair of fold rollers thereby folding the bundle of sheets. The apparatus is provided with a drive source for rotating the pair of fold rollers in a normal direction to roll in the bundle of sheets and in a reverse direction to return the rolled-in bundle of sheets.

Abstract: A method of collating unfolded sheets of paper into a collation and combining the collation with a folded sheet of paper. The method comprises: feeding a plurality of unfolded sheets of paper seriatim along a feed path from an upstream position to a downstream position; conveying the unfolded sheets seriatim around a drum to cause the unfolded sheets to be conveyed to an upstream position; stopping the unfolded sheets seriatim in a pocket having a back panel and a top panel, the back panel stopping the unfolded sheets from being conveyed further upstream and forming a collation of the unfolded sheets; feeding a folded document having a leading folded edge from an upstream to a downstream position across the top panel on top of the collation of unfolded sheets, thereby forming a single stack of documents; and conveying the single stack of documents to a downstream location.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting sheets of paper into an envelope. The apparatus includes: a first bursting module for separating a first web of paper into discrete sheets; a conveying device for conveying the discrete sheets from an upstream location to a downstream location along a feed path; a device for feeding a second web of paper having a plurality of longitudinally spaced lines of weakening oriented perpendicular to the feed path; a device for turning the second web of paper parallel to the feed path; a bursting device for bursting the second web into discrete sheets; a device for conveying the second web discrete sheets to the first web discrete sheets; a device for conveying the first web and the second web discrete sheets downstream along the feed path; and a device for inserting the first web and second web discrete sheets into an envelope.

Abstract: A folded medical outsert and method and apparatus for making same. The outsert consists of a printed sheet provided with a series of parallel fold lines. A first cross fold divides the sheet in half. Two off-center cross folds are then provided with an adhesive securing the last folded flap in place. The apparatus for folding the printed sheet includes a parallel folder and a cross folder to form the first and second cross folds. An adhesive applicator dispenses an adhesive before a knife folder performs the third cross fold. The method for forming the outsert includes the steps of forming a series of parallel fold lines. The first cross fold is then formed perpendicular to the parallel fold lines to divide the sheet into half. The second cross fold is then formed in the sheet following which an adhesive is dispensed onto the sheet. The third cross fold is then formed between the first cross fold and the second cross fold to provide a closed secured outsert.

Abstract: Apparatus for folding paper sheets of different length or into different folding patterns and for combining the folded sheets into a single collation. The apparatus includes: a first, right angle paper path for folding paper sheets s of a given size; and a second, straight paper path for folding paper sheets either of a different size than the paper sheets in the first path or in a different folding pattern than the paper sheets in the first path.

Abstract: Folder for cross folding printing products which have been cut from a web by a cutting device includes at least one cross folding device having a tucker blade cylinder and a folding jaw cylinder, the folding jaw cylinder having at least one folding jaw formed as a multiple jaw, the multiple jaw having a plurality of contiguous clamping jaws for holding a plurality of printing products brought together simultaneously while being cross folded; and method of cross folding.

Abstract: A method of folding and accumulating a plurality of paper sheets. The method comprises: feeding a plurality of paper sheets seriatim into a first accumulator to form a first sub-set of paper sheets; feeding a plurality of paper sheets sedatim into a second accumulator to form a second sub-set of paper sheets; feeding the second sub-set of sheets through a folding device to form a folded second sub-set of sheets; depositing the folded second sub-set of sheets onto an accumulating deck; feeding the first sub-set of sheets through the folding device to form a folded first sub-set of sheets; and depositing the folded first subset of sheets on top of the second sub-set of sheets on the accumulating deck, to thereby form a final, folded collation consisting of the two folded sub-sets.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for folding lengthwise and clamping a flexible binding, while leaving the edges of the clamped binding free to be separated such that the edge of a length of extensible netting may be inserted between the free edges. A progressive linear clamp is provided for progressively clamping the combined netting and binding material as the netting is inserted to thereby permit an operator to obtain a substantially uniform stretch of the edge of the netting material, and to apportion the netting evenly along the binding. With the netting material thus inserted and clamped between the edges of the binding, a feed mechanism is positioned to engage the combined binding and netting and feed it to a sewing machine to permanently secure the materials together.

Abstract: An setup folding machine with at least two folding stations (F1, F2), which are formed by a pair of folding rollers (W1/W2; W2/W3) each. An intake device is provided including two feed rollers (T1, T2), which determines the speed of feed of the material to be folded, the intake device is located in a feed web (4) moving past the first folding station (F1). A enclosure feed mechanism is positioned directed toward the first folding station (F1), arranged behind the intake device. In order for an enclosure to be able to be optionally inserted into the first or second fold, the first folding station (F1) is associated with a knife-like deflecting member (6), which can be moved to the first folding station (F1) while the material is being deflected at the same time to form a fold, and can be actuated individually for each folding process by an electronic control device (21).

Abstract: A folder for a printing machine includes a first conveyor for conveying signatures at a given speed, and a second conveyor for conveying signatures at a lower speed than the given speed, the second conveyor being located at a downstream end of the first conveyor in a conveying direction of the first conveyor for receiving the signatures directly from the first conveyor, and decelerating means including at least one gripper element engageable with the signatures received on the second conveyor for braking the given speed of the received signatures to the lower speed.

Abstract: A folder of a web-fed rotary printing machine includes a device for separating a stream of signatures into a plurality of secondary streams thereof having a device for applying an electrostatic charge to a signature, two diverter cylinders disposed alongside one another and carrying thereon electrostatically chargeable elements extending substantially parallel to respective axes of the diverter cylinders, a device for conducting the signature to the diverter cylinders, and a device for removing the signature from the diverter cylinders and for further guiding the signature to a delivery.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing items in selected configurations and a system and method for controlling the same. More particularly, an apparatus for producing mail pieces and a system and method for controlling it to produce mail pieces in a variety of configurations are disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser printer and folding sealing apparatus controlled by a data processor. The folder sealer apparatus combines sheets printed by the laser printer with pre-printed sheets and envelope forms, which also may be printed by the laser printer or may be windowed envelopes, folds the sheets as necessary and folds and seals the envelope form about the folded sheets to produce a mail piece. A user inputs a configuration for the mail piece which is translated by the data processor into a data structure and transmitted to the controller of the folder sealer apparatus.

Abstract: A method of uniting at least two streams of shingled products, particularly folded paper products, in which the individual products of the two product streams and/or the united product stream are drawn apart on at least one partial section inter alia by means of a clock generator which consists of an endless belt rotating at an elevated speed and an intermittently operating pressing-on device synchronized with the conveying device.

Abstract: A microprocessor-controlled machine and method for automatically removing adjacent pieces from a stack of fabric plies, properly orienting these pieces adjacent one another, and joining these pieces by sewing at least one stitch or seam, to form a partially sewn garment such as a T-shirt sewn at the shoulder seams. The machine includes fabric positioning and engaging mechanisms, and a transport means for engaging and conveying fabric pieces while maintaining engaged portions thereof in predetermined alignment.

Abstract: A continuous business form assembly provides for printing internal and external information on a single web in one, single-sided printing operation. Label portions cut in the forms are foldable for the printing. Attachment sheets and adhesive return the label portions to sealed, label positions where label information is external to the forms.

Abstract: A web unit handling method and apparatus wherein a plurality of web units are separately advanced along a plurality of delivery paths which are aligned along a lineal collection path, each web unit being transferred into the collection path and thereafter being advanced therein in synchronism with the other web units being transferred into the path.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the production of a book block, including sheet feeders disposed in series alongside a continuously running, transversely inclined conveyor belt, so that the sheets are successively fed from the feeders and successively disposed one upon the other on the conveyor belt to form a packet. Each sheet is first conveyed from its associated feeder at a downwardly inclined angle, and in a transverse direction with respect to the conveyor belt, and thereafter accelerated at another downwardly inclined angle and in the direction of the conveyor belt to obtain the conveyor belt speed for deposit thereon. From the conveyor belt, the packets are perforated, aligned, cut into strips and again aligned, all of which being performed at the same inclined angle as the conveyor belt. The strips are then folded and cut into quires. The quires are scaled off and then thrust together and thereupon gathered into the book block blank.