Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for collating a plurality of separate groups or bundles of similar flats mailpieces arranged in a predetermined delivery point sequence, each mailpiece imprinted with a distinct delivery point or address indicia, to produce a single stream of mailpieces in new groups, where each new group comprises a plurality of mailpieces all addressed to a distinct delivery point. The apparatus comprises a plurality of feed units, each unit configured to process a quantity of similar mailpieces, each with a distinct delivery point indicia on the face of the mailpiece, and to deposit each mailpiece in a distinct pocket on a collation conveyor which traverses all of the plurality of feed units. Each pocket will ultimately contain different mail pieces, all addressed to the same delivery point Multiple new groups of mailpieces are then automatically placed in containers in a sequence corresponding to a predetermined delivery route.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of sequentially delivering printed products to a binding or mailing line. Each printed product includes order indicia thereon and is delivered to a feeder adjacent the binding or mailing line. The order indicia is read by a reader and analyzed by a controller. The controller transmits a signal to the feeder to deliver the printed products to the binding line or mailing line based on a predetermined order.

Abstract: A method for the production and control of merging continuous webs with variable data therein is described. The method provides for the printing of control codes preceding and antedating live variable data on the web. These control codes are used to match related webs so as to facilitate the matching of related webs during collation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for collating a plurality of separate groups or bundles of similar flats mailpieces arranged in a predetermined delivery point sequence, each mailpiece imprinted with a distinct delivery point or address indicia, to produce a single stream of mailpieces in new groups, where each new group comprises a plurality of mailpieces all addressed to a distinct delivery point. The apparatus comprises a plurality of feed units, each unit configured to process a quantity of similar mailpieces, each with a distinct delivery point indicia on the face of the mailpiece, and to deposit each mailpiece in a distinct pocket on a collation conveyor which traverses all of the plurality of feed units. Each pocket will ultimately contain different mail pieces, all addressed to the same delivery point. Multiple new groups of mailpieces are then automatically placed in containers in a sequence corresponding to a predetermined delivery route.

Abstract: In order to relieve the load for an user and smooth an operation of the user in case of mixing each of sheets, on which images are formed by separating jobs, in predetermined page order of the job, color pages in the job outputted from a computer are printed by a color MFP and black/white pages are printed by a black/white MFP. Thereafter, on the computer, it is displayed that each sheaf of sheets has to be set in which bin of a collator, to the user. The user sets a sheaf of sheets printed by each of the MFP's in the collator. The collator mixes color pages with black/white pages. Further, each MFP prints bar codes representing page information or job information. The user sets a sheaf of sheets printed by each of the MFP's in the collator. The collator reads the bar codes to mix the color pages with the black/white pages.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing, stacking and thereafter collecting printed forms, includes: a dual registering stacking interface, that stacks and accumulates forms in a stack or in a continuing feeding as separate forms; and, a sequencer merger that receives the forms from the dual registering stacking interface and directs the forms in a selected order to an output end. The output end communicates with an accumulator that feeds the forms to a folder. The folder thereafter feeds the forms to a collector to be held until called for by a subsequent downstream device, such as a mail inserter device. The resister, accumulator and collector are belt and/or roller driven devices, wherein the invention provides clutching assemblies for the transport belts and rollers in order to eliminate the streaking of the printed forms when idled forms are held stationary against the transport belts.

Abstract: Sheet collation apparatus is disclosed in which an initial sheet (A1) from a sheet feeder (4) is advanced to a collation station (10), reversed into an accumulation station (8) and then returned to the collation station where it is collated with the next sheet (A2) from the sheet feeder. This process may be repeated any number of times to form a collation of sheets of any required number.

Abstract: An arrangement for separating an entire collation of individual sheets from a supply stack for downstream processing. The arrangement includes a supply stack tray for containing the supply stack while the collations in the supply stack are being separated; a separator device positioned adjacent to the supply stack tray for separating a corner of each sheet of the collation from the supply stack; a deflector positioned adjacent to an edge of the collation for deflecting the collation from the supply stack after the collation has been separated by the separator; and a gripper device positioned in a plane proximate to the first sheet in the collation for gripping the entire collation after the collation has been deflected from the supply stack and for moving the entire collation downstream for processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing, stacking and thereafter collecting printed forms, includes: a dual registering stacking interface, that stacks and accumulates forms in a stack or in a continuing feeding as separate forms; and, a sequencer merger that receives the forms from the dual registering stacking interface and directs the forms in a selected order to an output end. The output end communicates with an accumulator that feeds the forms to a folder. The folder thereafter feeds the forms to a collector to be held until called for by a subsequent downstream device, such as a mail inserter device. The register, accumulator and collector are belt and/or roller driven devices, wherein the invention provides clutching assemblies for the transport belts and rollers in order to eliminate the streaking of the printed forms when idled forms are held stationary against the transport belts.

Abstract: Arrangements and procedures are described to provide print media information to an imaging device independently of marking every sheet in a stack of print media and independently of repetitively marking portions on a roll of media after images have been formed on the roll. Specifically, an electronic tag is fixed to a medium. The electronic tag stores information that identifies a corresponding quantity and type of print media. After the medium has been loaded into an imaging device, the stored information is detected by the imaging device. The imaging device uses the detected information to automatically configure itself to print on each sheet or portion of a roll loaded print media.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a printer section for printing an image on a sheet and a finisher having a plurality of mail bins. The image forming apparatus discharges print, which is addressed to a specified user and outputted from the printer section, onto the mail bin assigned to the user among the plurality of mail bins, facilitating mail bin assignment to allow labor of network management to be saved. There is provided a card reading device for reading an ID card for identifying a user. There is also provided assigning means that identifies the user from information read by the card reading device when the ID card is inserted into the card reading device and that assigns a mail bin to the user when no mail bin has been assigned to the user.

Abstract: A system for collating cheques (or other sheets bearing an account number), feeds cheques in a batch of cheques. The system reads the account number of each cheque in the batch and counts the number in the batch. This is compared with corresponding information on an associated account statement. On a mis-match, action is taken (e.g., an alarm is raised).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for separating an entire collation of individual sheets from a supply stack for downstream processing. The apparatus generally includes a supply stack tray for containing the supply stack while the collations in the supply stack are being separated; a separator device positioned adjacent to the supply stack tray for separating a corner of each sheet of the collation from the supply stack; a deflector positioned adjacent to an edge of the collation for deflecting the collation from the supply stack after the collation has been separated by the separator; and a gripper device positioned in a plane proximate to the first sheet in the collation for gripping the entire collation after the collation has been deflected from the supply stack and for moving the entire collation downstream for processing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for separating an entire collation of individual sheets from a supply stack for downstream processing. The apparatus generally includes a supply stack tray for containing the supply stack while the collations in the supply stack are being separated; a separator device positioned adjacent to the supply stack tray for separating a corner of each sheet of the collation from the supply stack; a deflector positioned adjacent to an edge of the collation for deflecting the collation from the supply stack after the collation has been separated by the separator; and a gripper device positioned in a plane proximate to the first sheet in the collation for gripping the entire collation after the collation has been deflected from the supply stack and for moving the entire collation downstream for processing.

Abstract: In determining a setting condition of an apparatus for assembling mail items from mail components (20, 21, 23, 25) it is detected, in a setting phase, in which of a number of feeder stations (1, 2, 34, 35) of that apparatus mail components (20, 21, 23, 25) are present. Feeder stations (1, 2, 34, 35) in which mail components are present are automatically brought into an operating condition, and feeder stations (1, 2, 34, 35) in which no mail components are present are automatically brought into a non-operating condition. As a result, at the start-up of the apparatus, on the basis of the loading thereof, it is automatically determined which station is to be brought into an operating condition and which are to remain standby. An apparatus specifically arranged for practicing the proposed method is also described.

Abstract: Information stored in a corporate database is monitored and used to determine when certain business-related events have occurred. Event information is transmitted over the Internet to a print production facility, where it is used to fire one or more event rules, which in turn automatically generate print requisitions or print production orders. In one variation, print requisitions are routed through an existing and commercially available procurement system before a print production order is generated. The system can monitor and handle events from multiple corporations, each having its own business-related event rules, and each potentially having its own procurement approval system.

Abstract: A method and system for collating and binding signatures includes a plurality of signature feeders responsive to a signature feed control signal. Coded data is stored on a magnetic disk. The coded data is representative of like groups of signatures and unlike groups of signatures. Apparatus transfers the coded data to a printer which prints related mailing information on the groups of like signatures.

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 apparatus for assembling mailpieces and a method for controlling such apparatus. The apparatus includes a document feeder for feeding sets of documents to a chassis for assembly into mailpieces a constant rate. Because the number of documents varies the time to assemble a set varies and it is possible that a set may not be available when the chassis is ready to cycle; resulting in a cycle in which no mailpiece is processed. To correct for this the average number of documents for a number of mailpieces to be processed is determined and a nominal chassis speed and cycling rate are determined correspondingly. The actual chassis speed is then periodically updated to approach the nominal speed.

Abstract: The sheets which are outputted from a printing device are stacked in an exchangeable cassette mounted on an input unit in successive order as they are printed. An identifying label on the cassette is read by a reader and stored in a central controller. An address of each document, and preferably of each page of each document, is stored in the controller in successive order and associated with the label signal as the documents are stacked. An output unit for picking up the individual documents is associated with a finishing machine. A full cassette is introduced into the output unit. A second reader on the output unit reads the label on the cassette that has been placed into the output unit. The second sensor is connected to the controller. The finishing machine is controlled by the controller in response to the label signal and the address signals of the documents.

Abstract: A method for controlling an inserter system having a chassis for assembling mailpieces, the chassis operating cyclically with successive accumulations advancing at the end of each cycle. The inserter system further includes a document feeder for feeding accumulations of documents to the chassis, the accumulations containing varying numbers of documents whereby the document feeder is operated at a first speed such that accumulations are available for input to the chassis at varying intervals substantially depending upon the number of documents in corresponding accumulations. And the chassis is operated at a selected speed, which speed is periodically updated in dependence upon the number of documents in the corresponding accumulations in the document feeder.

Abstract: A printer (2; 52) prints documents which, after arriving in a finishing system (1; 51), are detected and finished in an order corresponding with the order in which the documents have been printed by the printer (2; 52). The printer (2; 52) generates verification markings following one of the documents and prior to a next one of the documents. The number of documents that arrive in an interval limited by at least one of the verification markings are counted and compared with a reference number. An error message is generated if the counted number of arrived documents does not agree with the reference number. This makes it possible to monitor whether, after the documents have been printed, any faults have occurred. Further, a system for finishing documents is described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for personalizing printed media such as (but not limited to) catalogs, magazines, and books are disclosed. Personalized components are created before binding of the media occurs, reducing use of ink-jet printers on-line. At least the personalized components contain machine-readable indicia to permit identification and coordination of use of the components during the binding processes.

Abstract: A hybrid mixed format document that contains document portions prepared by different format sources, such as both black and white and colored pages, prepared by separately printing the colored pages on a color printer, and the black and white pages on a black and white printer. The two document portions are then put in separate locations within a mixed format finishing device. One of the document portions, for example the black and white document portion, includes a cover sheet that provides encoded information, which tells the finishing device how to merge the two document portions into a complete publication. One advantage of the mixed format finishing device is that those pages that contain only text may be printed on a faster, and less costly black and white printer.

Abstract: Servers (4a, 4b) respectively define printing informations (2b, 3b) inclusive of identifying informations ID1, ID2 of a paper block (2) and a cover (3) whereas printing machines (1a, 1b) respectively perform a printing operation on the paper block (2) and the cover (3). Information readers (6a, 6b) respectively read the printing informations of the paper block (2) and the cover (3) so as to supply the information thus acquired to a book-binding controller (7). Based on either of the informations thus supplied, the book-binding controller (7) supplies a book binding apparatus (20) or (80) with a control signal (CS) of settings for the book binding process. Additionally, the control signal (CS) of the settings for the book binding process is outputted when the ID1 and ID2 are in correspondence. Based on the printing information of the paper block, respective quantities of movement of the laterally movable members (31, 32, 42, 43, 61, 62) are automatically regulated.

Abstract: The sheets which are outputted from a printing device are stacked in an exchangeable cassette mounted on an input unit in successive order as they are printed. An identifying label on the cassette is read by a reader and stored in a central controller. An address of each document, and preferably of each page of each document, is stored in the controller in successive order and associated with the label signal as the documents are stacked. An output unit for picking up the individual documents is associated with a finishing machine. A full cassette is introduced into the output unit. A second reader on the output unit reads the label on the cassette that has been placed into the output unit. The second sensor is connected to the controller. The finishing machine is controlled by the controller in response to the label signal and the address signals of the documents.