Abstract: A mail inserter has a first web driver to move a web from a web supply and a second web driver to feed the web to a cutter for cutting the web into sheets, wherein the first and second web drivers have different velocity profiles to allow a web loop to form between the web drivers. The loop is variable between a maximum size and a minimum size. When the loop reaches the minimum size, the first web driver is running at its maximum speed. At this point the first web driver is decelerated at a rate such that when the first web driver stops, the web loop is at its maximum size. The acceleration of the first web driver is at a constant rate which is inversely proportional to the difference between the maximum loop size and the minimum loop size.

Abstract: A sheet combining device includes at least one former, at least one longitudinal cutter, and at least two partial web guide routes. A respective partial sheet of partial cut webs can be conveyed on each of the at least two partial web guide routes. These sheets can be combined to form a principal sheet at an exit of the sheet combining device. A stapler is provided on one of the at least two partial web guide routes and is used to staple the partial sheet which is conveyed on that guide route.

Abstract: A process for introducing a plurality of segregated sheet-like administration forms into a dispenser under formation of a multilayered stack for individually dosable removal, with sheet-like tapes wound-up on rolls being present as starting material, utilizes the following steps. In a first step, a number of sheet-like layers of said tapes, which number corresponds to the stack, is simultaneously drawn from a plurality of rolls. In a further step, the individual tapes are united, using guide means, to form a multilayered strand, which in yet another step, is drawn forward to a cutting station where one length of stack is severed at a time, and wherein a length segment of the multilayered strand corresponding to the stack is substantially in the dispenser prior to being severed from a remainder of the multilayered strand by the cutting device.

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: A system for binding sheets into a bound text body includes a non-linear sheet cutter configured to cut sheets to form pairs of sheets each sheet in the pair having a non-linear edge. A sheet collector forms a text body from the pairs of sheets with the non-linear edges of the sheets adjacent one another and an adhesive applicator applies adhesive to the non-linear edges for binding the text body into a bound text body. The system for binding sheets increases the spinal area exposed for adhesive penetration on a text body to increase the binding strength of the bound text body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for stacking of sheets. A high-speed printer is provided for printing the sheets or at least one continuous web which is cut to sheets (2). The stacking device is provided to receive sheets in at least one flow (AS1 and/or AS2) thereof to said stacking device and to transfer said sheets (2) in the flow (AS1 and/or AS2) thereof to at least one first stacking table (11b) in order to form thereon at least one stack (2A and/or 2B) of sheets (2).

Abstract: A booklet has front and back protective covers between which is sandwiched a printed folded sheet. The folded sheet consists of a series of panels that are folded one over another in turn and are then folded together in half about at least one fold line orthogonal to the folding of the individual panels. With this booklet, its overall dimensions when folded can be kept small, for example, credit card size whereas the printable area of the inner folded sheet is much larger. Moreover, the structure of the booklet is one suitable for in-line production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for lateral movement of sheets (2) during transport thereof to a stacking device (11) such that the sheets (2) or stacks of sheets occupy laterally displaced positions relative to each other in the stacking device (11). A high-speed printer (6) is provided for printing the sheets (2) or a continuous web which is then cut to sheets (2). A vacuum generating device has vacuum means (12, 13) with vacuum openings located within vacuum holes (20) in conveyor belts (14), and is provided to generate a vacuum in said vacuum openings and vacuum holes (20) that said conveyor belts (14) can grip or engage and transport the sheets (2).

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: A laminate to be used in the manufacture of printed circuit boards is formed by contacting one surface of a layer of a conductive foil (e.g. copper foil) with protective-carrier sheeting (e.g., aluminum foil) and the other surface of the conductive foil with a dielectric layer (e.g., prepreg). The contacted layers are stacked and cut to desired dimensions. The process is performed without use of adhesive or mechanical attachment. Consequently, contamination and the occurrence of imperfections in the conductive foil of a laminate to be used in a printed wiring board can be substantially reduced.

Abstract: The process is based on printing, in an electronic printing machine, the various bodies of text of the pages with symmetrical distribution with respect to the center of symmetry of the sheet being printed and likewise symmetrically with respect to one or both axes of symmetry of the initial sheet which pass through the center of symmetry thereof and which are parallel with its outer edges, the extent of the body of text varying for each page in accordance with the dimensions provided therefor and the sheet receiving the print subsequently being reversed in order to print the bodies of text corresponding to the reverse faces of the printed sheets.

Abstract: Faulty useful units printed on a sheet of useful units are separated from the acceptable useful units. A first cutting device cuts the sheet into a plurality of longitudinal strips, each of which contains several of the useful units. A quality control device detects the faulty useful units prior to a second cutting device that cuts the strips into individual units. A filtering unit is placed between the two cutting units and filters out strips with one or more faulty units. Strips with no faulty units replace the filtered out faulty unit strips. This simplifies further processing of the strips.

Abstract: A printed product is produced on a web-fed rotary newspaper printing press. The dimensions of the resultant printed product can be varied. Paper webs of constant and preselected widths are combined with sub-paper webs of preselected and somewhat smaller widths. These webs are combined and are brought together.

Abstract: A method and device for combining folios between a first and a second web in a rotary printing press. A first folio is cut from a third web in the rotary press, the first folio is stored on a storage device and then transferred from the storage device to a position between the first and second webs. Also, a web product moveable in a rotary printing press that includes a first web, a second web, a first folio, and a second folio. The first and second folios are stacked relative to one another and sandwiched between the first and second continuous webs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide for automated converting of a web of a thin patterned catalyst-coated membrane to separate membrane sheets for fuel cell assembly. The membrane typically has a thickness of about one thousandth of an inch. Automated web converting involves transporting, with use of a movable vacuum, an end portion of the membrane web from a first location to a second location. With use of respective first and second vacuums at the first and second locations, and after removal of the movable vacuum, the end portion of the membrane web is releasably secured at the first and second locations. The membrane web is cut within a gap defined between a single catalyst pattern of the membrane web end portion and an adjacent catalyst pattern to produce a membrane sheet. The membrane sheet is precisely positioned to a desired orientation to facilitate subsequent processing of the membrane sheet.

Abstract: A collating system having a plurality of feeders to release enclosure materials onto a deck and a plurality of pusher finger pairs moving along the deck for collating the released materials. The pusher finger pairs are mounted on a pair of moving belts at pre-determined positions. A sensing device is used to monitor whether any pusher finger is missing, broken or out of alignment, thereby rendering a pusher finger pair non-functioning. If a pusher finger pair is not functioning, the cell or pocket associated with that pusher finger pair will be marked “damaged” so that the feeders release enclosure materials only to the cells associated with functional pusher finger pairs.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for accumulating sheet stacks from a continuous web having sheets printed both in side-by-side relationship and with the sheets behind each other. Slitting the continuous web lengthwise between said side-by-side sheet and cutting the web transversely between the sheets behind each other sheets to separate the printed sheets. Accumulating the printed sheets into separate stacks and stacking the separate stacks one on top of the other in offset relationship to each other and moving the offset stacks into a receptacle, such as a cassette.

Abstract: A sheet handling mechanism having a printer assembly and a set stacker assembly having an elevator. The printer assembly prints sheets which are accumulated into a stack. The stack of sheets are deposited onto the elevator in an offset relationship to each other to form a group of offset stacks. A conveyor is provided for moving the group of stacks from the said elevator into an input unit and a buffer station is interposed between said printer assembly and the set stacker assembly for moving said stacks to said set stacker assembly.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for accumulating sheet stacks from a continuous web having sheets printed both in side-by-side relationship and with the sheets behind each other. Slitting the continuous web lengthwise between said side-by-side sheet and cutting the web transversely between the sheets behind each other sheets to separate the printed sheets. Accumulating the printed sheets into separate stacks and stacking the separate stacks one on top of the other in offset relationship to each other and moving the offset stacks into a receptacle, such as a cassette.

Abstract: A folder includes a first cutting device for partially cutting a web of material, a former to fold the web of material, so as to form a folded web, a stationary signature opening device located between sides of the passing folded web, and a second cutting device located downstream from the former to cut the folded web into an at least one signature. A related collating device is also provided.

Abstract: A process for introducing a plurality of segregated sheet-like administration forms into a dispenser under formation of a multilayered stack for individually dosable removal, with sheet-like tapes wound-up on rolls being present as starting material, utilizes the following steps. In a first step, a number of sheet-like layers of said tapes, which number corresponds to the stack, is simultaneously drawn from a plurality of rolls. In a further step, the individual tapes are united, using guide means, to form a multilayered strand, which in yet another step, is drawn forward to a cutting station where one length of stack is severed at a time, and wherein a length segment of the multilayered strand corresponding to the stack is substantially in the dispenser prior to being severed from a remainder of the multilayered strand by the cutting device.

Abstract: A flexible buffer transport system for staging accumulated documents for transfer to a synchronous downstream transport. Control of movement of accumulations in the buffer being independent of the length of the documents. The system includes a plurality of roller nips in series. The roller nips are spaced a uniform distance apart. Each of the roller nips are driven by an independently controllable motor in communication with a controller. Position sensors also communicate with the controller. The sensors sense positions of lead and trail edges of accumulations of documents within the buffer transport system. For each sampling period in the operating cycle and for each roller nip, the controller determines motion control. First, the controller determines which nips should be slaved together based on which are needed to control a particular accumulation of documents under its control.

Abstract: A buffer transport system for staging accumulated documents produced by an input module of an inserter system. The system including a plurality of roller nips in series. Each of the roller nips are driven by an independently controllable motor in communication with a controller. The series of roller nips form stopping stations along the length of the buffer transport. Each of the stopping stations has a uniform length and is comprised of two or more of the roller nips. The roller nips in any given stopping station are electronically geared together under the control of the controller. The controller controls stopping stations to transfer accumulated documents within the stopping stations to a next downstream stopping station when it is sensed that the next downstream stopping station is open. If the next downstream station from a given station is not open, then the controller does not instructs the station to transfer documents downstream.

Abstract: A process for introducing a plurality of segregated sheet-like administration forms into a dispenser under formation of a multilayered stack for individually dosable removal, with sheet-like tapes wound-up on rolls being present as starting material, utilizes the following steps. In a first step, a number of sheet-like layers of said tapes, which number corresponds to the stack, is simultaneously drawn from a plurality of rolls. In a further step, the individual tapes are united, using guide means, to form a multilayered strand, which in yet another step, is drawn forward to a cutting station where one length of stack is severed at a time, and wherein a length segment of the multilayered strand corresponding to the stack is substantially in the dispenser prior to being severed from a remainder of the multilayered strand by the cutting device.

Abstract: A device for electrostatically charging a multilayer material web includes electrostatic charge elements assigned to outer sides of the multilayer material web, the charge elements being disposed upline of an inlet of the multilayer material web into a cylinder group of a folder, as viewed in a travel direction of the multilayer material web, the cylinder group including cylinders formed with respective outer cylindrical surfaces, the cylinders including a cutting cylinder pair having a cutting nip into which a leading end of the multilayer material web extends, the cutting cylinder pair being provided with an electrically insulated cutting tool; and a folder including the charging device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an input system for feeding sheets from a paper web to a high speed mass mailing inserter system. Sheets of paper are separated from the paper web and are fed to a stacking module configured to receive the separated sheets, to stack the sheets, and to individually feed sheets from the stack. The rate of feeding sheets into the stacking module is adjusted as a function of the rate at which individual sheets are fed out of the stack, and as a function of the deviation of the stack height from a pre-selected nominal stack height.

Abstract: A sheet-stacking apparatus capable of receiving two sheets at substantially the same time, which includes a disk unit including four substantially identical rotatable disks, each disk including a receiving slot for receiving a portion of a sheet therein. The disk unit is arranged so that two of the four disks receive portions of a first sheet and the remaining two disks receive portions of a second sheet. Embodiments also include a bin into which the first sheet and the second sheet are deposited and a selectively extendable separator that separates the first sheet and the second sheet into two separate stacks. The apparatus can also include a tamping mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an input system for feeding sheets from a paper web to a high speed mass mailing inserter system. Sheets of paper are separated from the paper web and are fed to a stacking module configured to receive the separated sheets, to stack the sheets, and to individually feed sheets from the stack. The rate of feeding sheets into the stacking module is adjusted as a function of the rate at which individual sheets are fed out of the stack, and as a function of the deviation of the stack height from a pre-selected nominal stack height.

Abstract: A product stacking apparatus and method employs one or more stations, each including a stationary stacking platform or a conveyor upon which spaced-apart pucks are coupled for travel thereon. A product delivery apparatus drives one or more movable webs to which segmented product sheets are removably affixed. The product delivery apparatus includes one or more rotatable lamination interfaces associated with each of the stations for transferring product sheets from the webs to the pucks on a repetitive basis to produce a stack of product sheets on the respective pucks. Each of the segmented product sheets may define all or a portion of an electrochemical cell, all or a portion of a pad including layers of film or sheet material, wherein a portion of each of the layers is provided with a bonding feature, or all or a portion of a pack comprising layers of medical dressing. A puck need not be in motion during the transfer of the product sheet from the lamination roll to the puck.

Abstract: A method of making a booklet having a plurality of removable portions is provided. The method comprises conveying a plurality of webs, bringing the webs into registry and attaching the webs to one another along a central portion of the webs. The method includes forming two lines of weakening adjacent to the central portion which define a boundary between the central portion and outer removable portions such as coupons, advertising materials and the like. The lines of weakening facilitate the removal of the outer removable portions from the central portion. The method includes cutting the attached plurality of webs to form booklets.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and products which use contact adhesives to secure separate sheets of multiple ply documents to form finished documents, such as integrated letters and envelopes, billing statements, invoices, etc. Sheet material for production of completed documents having plural plies is disclosed, the production of which includes the steps of providing a continuous web of material having sequential parts therealong, the sequential parts including a first part having a first and a second surface and a second part adjacent to the first part having a third and a fourth surface. Contact adhesive is applied to at least the first and second parts in patterns which preclude adhesive contact and bonding of adjacent facing surfaces of the first and second parts when the web is interfolded and the first and second parts are in registry but which permit adhesive contact and bonding of the first and second parts when separated and sequentially stacked.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for separating one or more endless streams of pages into corresponding staggered stacks of reports for further processing. Each page of a first report is taken from the endless stream and moved into a first position on a first stack of reports, and each page of the next subsequent report is moved onto a second stack staggered from the first. This process is continued indefinitely. Alternatively, more than two stacks can be provided for. Also, numerous endless streams of pages, in side-by-side relation, can be stacked into a plurality of stacks of reports in side-by-side relation so as to be conveniently assembled for further processing.

Abstract: A method and corresponding system for assembling collation sets from a split web consisting of two webstreams, each providing a series of collations of connected sheets. The method includes the steps of: alternately selecting the two webstreams and from the selected webstream drawing a sheet to a cutting or bursting station; cutting or bursting the sheet to separate it from the webstream; conveying the sheet to an accumulating station where sheets are accumulated; monitoring the sheet for determining whether the sheet is a beginning or an end of a collation; and ejecting the sheets accumulated from the selected webstream based on the determining of whether the sheet is the beginning or the end of a collation.

Abstract: A device for superposing sheets of paper comprising a lower vacuum conveyance unit for one row of sheets of paper (R1) and an upper vacuum conveyance unit for another row of sheets of paper (R2). The ends of the vacuum conveyance units can be adjusted independently from each other, crosswise to the direction in which the paper advances (P). One vacuum conveyance unit can be adjusted in a slanted position in relation to the direction in which the paper advances (P) so that it cuts across the vacuum conveyance unit on the opposite side.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively streaming and merging side-by-side sheets is provided. In general, sheets enter in a side-by-side orientation onto an input feed surface and are directed selectively upwardly or downwardly onto overlying upper and lower feed surfaces by a diverter assembly having two diverter sides. The diverter sides can be independently moved to direct sheets upwardly or downwardly. The upper feed surface and lower feed surface have opposing edge guides. The upper feed surface and lower feed surface can be moved with respect to each other so that the edge guides are placed one sheet width apart or more than two sheet widths apart. By orienting the two diverter halves, and setting the desired distance between the upper and lower edge guides, sheets can pass along each of the upper and lower surfaces in a side-by-side streamed or over-lapping merge orientation.

Abstract: A method and device for improving the stacking efficiency in a sheet accumulation system using a continuous web cutter for cutting a web of material into sheets and a plurality of right angle turn-over modules for changing the direction of the sheets and causing overlapping between adjacent sheets. Different movement mechanisms are used to move the sheets with different moving speeds from the web cutter toward the right angle turn-over modules for increasing the overlapped amount.

Abstract: A method and device for improving the stacking efficiency in a sheet accumulation system using a continuous web cutter for cutting a web of material into sheets and a plurality of right angle turn-over modules for changing the direction of the sheets and causing overlapping between adjacent sheets. Different movement mechanisms are used to move the sheets with different moving speeds from the web cutter toward the right angle turn-over modules for increasing the overlapped amount.

Abstract: A system for merging multiple streams of documents in side-by-side relation, such as cut from a paper web, into a single document stream is provided. Each document of a document stream passes over a turnbar driven that inverts and redirects the document, a primary conveyor carries the documents in side-by-side relation toward the turnbars, and a cross conveyor carries the documents away in a single merged document stream. The cross conveyor is angled with respect to the primary conveyor, and the turnbars are angled with respect to each conveyor. The turnbars may be staggered and adjusted to output the documents in any order, and the invention may handle two, three, or more simultaneous document streams. The turnbars may be driven by a single drive means which may be reversible, and may be repositioned to direct documents in either direction the cross conveyor may operate.

Abstract: A right-angle sheet stager apparatus for merging multiple-input sheet streams into a single output sheet stream includes one or more input channels and an output channel. Each input channel includes a transport surface and a staging surface. Each transport surface communicates with its corresponding staging surface at a transitional member interposed between the transport surface and the staging surface. Each transitional member includes an upper surface disposed at an elevation greater than an elevation of the corresponding staging surface. The output channel includes an output surface, and is oriented in a right-angle relation with respect to the input channels and communicates with the input channels at a merger location. The stager apparatus permits a sheet from the transport surface to enter the staging surface and overlap with a preceding sheet already present on that staging surface, prior to the preceding sheet's complete exit from the staging surface.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device for feeding sheets of paper to an inserter system having a control system. The sheet feeding device including a sheet supplying device that is coupled to the control system and is operative to supply sheets of paper at a first controlled rate. A sheet stacking device is coupled to the sheet supplying device and is operative to receive and stack the sheets fed from the sheet supplying device substantially atop one another. The sheet stacking device includes a sheet feeder operative to supply individual sheets at a second controlled rate to another device in the inserter system that is coupled to the sheet feeder. A sheet monitoring system is coupled to the control system and is operative to determine a stack height for the sheet stack in the sheet supplying device such that the height determination for the sheet stack effects the rate for the first controlled rate of the sheet supplying device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an input system for feeding one-up sheets from a paper web to a high speed mass mailing inserter system. The input system includes a feeding module for supplying a paper web having two web portions in side-by-side relationship. A merging module is located downstream in the path of travel from the feeding module and is operational to feed the two web portions in an upper-lower relationship so as to reorient the paper web from the side-by-side relationship to an upper-lower relationship. A separating module is located downstream in the path of travel from the merging module and is operational to receive the paper web in the upper-lower relationship and separate the paper web into individual two-up sheets. In order to separate the two-up sheets into one-up sheets, a stacking module is located downstream in the path of travel from the separating module and is configured to receive the two-up sheets, stack the two-up sheets and individually feed one-up sheets from the stack.

Abstract: A folded, bound printed product comprising a plurality of printed subproducts is produced in that an initial product is printed sequentially in such a manner as to produce a series of printed subproducts which are to be arranged one after the other, the initial product has a weakening line or the printed subproducts are provided with a weakening line, and the printed subproducts are collated, folded and bound.

Abstract: A dynamic sequencer (17) for sheets printed two-up and slalom on continuous forms comprising an input section (22) for two sheets (19-a and 19-b) in a plane flanking relationship with respect to a longitudinal axis (27) and a collecting station (24) for the superposed sheets. Overlapping device (23) moves the sheets from the input section (22) to the collecting station (24) along two respective trajectories (28, 29) maintaining a constant transversal trim. The trajectories (28, 29) include divergent portions (31, 32) divergent in height from the input section, approaching portions (33, 34) approaching the sheets toward the longitudinal axis (27) and concurrent portions (36, 37) concurrent in height toward the collecting station (24).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for supplying document accumulation sets to an inserter system wherein sheets are first feed into a sheet stacking device to be stacked into a stacking pile. Individual sheets are then fed in seriatim from the stacking pile into a collating device, which collates a predetermined number of the individual sheets into a collation set. The collation set is then advanced into an accumulating device, which accumulates at least one collation set to form an accumulation set. The accumulation set is then advanced into the inserter system for further processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an input system for feeding one-up sheets from a paper web to a high speed mass mailing inserter system. The input system includes a feeding module for supplying a paper web having two web portions in side-by-side relationship. A merging module is located downstream in the path of travel from the feeding module and is operational to feed the two web portions in an upper-lower relationship so as to reorient the paper web from the side-by-side relationship to an upper-lower relationship. A separating module is located downstream in the path of travel from the merging module and is operational to receive the paper web in the upper-lower relationship and separate the paper web into individual two-up sheets. In order to separate the two-up sheets into one-up sheets, a stacking module is located downstream in the path of travel from the separating module and is configured to receive the two-up sheets, stack the two-up sheets and individually feed one-up sheets from the stack.