Abstract: A transport and alignment system is provided for handling stacked sheet material on a support deck including first and second belts each having a portion thereof disposed parallel to the support deck. Each of the belts includes a plurality of spaced-apart fingers which engage the edges of the stacked sheet material and define a pocket therebetween. The transport and alignment system further includes a drive mechanism for independently driving the first and second belts to effect concurrent and relative motion of the fingers. Concurrent motion of the fingers transports the stacked sheet material along the support deck while relative motion of the fingers opposed edges of the stacked sheets of material. The transport and alignment system is described in the context of a stitcher and chassis module of a mailpiece inserter.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting sheets into sets, having a main supply station (16) and at least two insert supply stations (17-20). A first one of the insert supply stations (17-19) is arranged for supplying sheets to a first position on a conveyor track (5) and a second one of the insert supply stations (18-20) is arranged for supplying sheets to a second position on the conveyor track (5) downstream of the first position on the conveyor track (5). The insert supply stations (17-20) each comprise a stacking position (46) arranged for collecting sheets, received piece by piece, into a stacked set and for feeding the set. At least the sheet supply track (6, 53-57) of the second insert supply station is provided with a waiting position, which is arranged for receiving a set coming from the stacking position (46) and holding the received set in readiness while in the stacking position (46) a next set (2) is being collected.

Abstract: In order to produce final printed products (14) in the same compartment (12), a first product for insertion (22) is inserted into a first folded printed product (10), and a second product for insertion (28) is inserted into a second folded printed product (24). The printed products (10, 24) are displaced in the direction of the folds (16), and as a result each of the printed products (10, 24) has an edge section (26) projecting beyond the other printed product. This permits fault-free, simple access to each of the printed products (10, 24) in order to open and insert the products for insertion (22, 28).

Abstract: A collecting device for forming a printed product includes a conveyor and a plurality of printed material delivery devices, the plurality of printed material delivery devices including a first delivery device for first printed materials and a second delivery device for second printed materials. A first transfer device is assigned to the first delivery device and delivering the first printed materials to the conveyor and a second transfer device assigned to the second delivery device and delivering the second printed materials to be collected with the first printed materials on the conveyor. Each of the first and second transfer devices have printed material buffer positions between the respective first and second delivery devices and the conveyor, which permit advantageous reduction in the amount of waste.

Abstract: Two folded and printed products (11, 12) are introduced into a pocket-like holding compartment (1) with respective ones of their side surfaces resting against each other and are moved in such position jointly along a processing section in a direction running transversely with respect to the folded edge. In the course of this movement, the printed products (11, 12) are displaced in opposite directions (H, I) relative to each other in the direction of their folded edge and toward opening elements (7, 8). The opening elements (7, 8) move between the two halves (11a, 11b; 12a, 12b) of the two printed products (11, 12) and have the effect that the two product halves (11a, 11b; 12a, 12b) are lifted off each other. Inserts are then inserted into the printed products (11, 12) opened simultaneously in this way. In a second embodiment, first and second clamping fingers (107, 111) act in conjunction with a pivotable separating element (113) to open the two printed products.

Abstract: For supplying individual quantities of flat and in particular diverse part products to a serial further processing, the part products are arranged in a row of part product groups (7) in a preparatory step carried out before the supply step (e.g. supplementation), and the row (2) is fashioned into a “first-in-last-out” storage formation, such as a roll (5). Within the row (2) the part products or the part product groups (7) overlap or are spaced from each other. For stabilizing the part product groups (7), adhesion between the part products within the groups may be enhanced; for stabilizing the storage formation, the part product groups (7) may be reversibly connected to each other. For supplying the groups to the serial further processing, which may succeed the preparatory step at any time or place, the storage formation is dissolved and the part product groups are supplied to the further processing directly from the storage formation.

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: In order to produce final printed products (14) in the same compartment (12), a first product for insertion (22) is inserted into a first folded printed product (10), and a second product for insertion (28) is inserted into a second folded printed product (24). The printed products (10, 24) are displaced in the direction of the folds (16), and as a result each of the printed products (10, 24) has an edge section (26) projecting beyond the other printed product. This permits fault-free, simple access to each of the printed products (10, 24) by grippers (44, 46) respectively positioned adjacent the end regions of each of the compartments and which are configured to open the products for insertion (22, 28).

Abstract: A transporting mechanism includes a link chain and clamps which are attached to a chain link of the link chain and which are capable of gripping at least one printed product. At least two clamps are attached to each chain link of the link chain, wherein the clamps in the link chain are spaced apart from one another by equal spacings.

Abstract: A collating apparatus and method to merge different types of document sets into a single collated packet prior to a mail processing insertion operation. The collating device utilizes a synchronous conveyor pathway for conveying different types of document sets serially down the pathway and merging them into a single collated packet. The document sets are delivered downstream with a combination of pivotable and fixed position pusher members and are combined into a single collated packet in any desired order.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing selectively collated print products employ a production section, a control device, a transfer-out device for transferring out defective print products, a detection device that detects and records gaps resulting from the transfer out of defective print products, and a transfer-in device. Initially, a line of print products are processed in a production section; a predetermined number of print products are diverted from the production section and supplied to a product buffer. If the print products are not diverted, the line of print products continue in a conveying section and gaps between the print products are detected and recorded via the detection device. A number of print products are removed from the product buffer based on a control signal from the control device to fill detected gaps between print products in the conveying section; and the removed print products are inserted into the recorded gaps.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling inserts for printed materials has been developed. The apparatus includes a printed material conveyor that includes a support post and a gripper. The conveyor receives and supports the printed material from below. After an insert has been placed inside the printed material, it is delivered to a stacker and jackets with insert errors are automatically returned to the conveyor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling personalized CDs, DVDs and other types of optical disks, magnetic media, and data storage devices into magazines, catalogs, pamphlets, and other printed products in order to enhance the amount and quality of personalization associated with the printed product includes reading and/or writing personalized information to/from a data storage device and assembling the data storage device within a printed product that is to be delivered to a particular individual. The reading and/or writing of personalized information may be directed to either digital information stored on the data storage device or to more conventional optical indicia that is printed on and/or optically scanned from the data storage device.

Abstract: Flat objects (10) are packaged with a packaging material (1) that is supplied as a quasi-endless web. The packaging material (1) is gripped at one of its surfaces by gripping elements (6), which are spaced from on another. During conveyance of the packaging material (1) by the gripping elements (6), the distances between the gripping elements (6) are reduced and the packaging material (1) is made to buckle between the gripping elements to one side, forming a string of bags (1?). During further conveyance these bags (1?) are charged with the flat objects (10), are severed from the string of bags, and are sealed. The packaging material, which is supplied, with its width aligned essentially horizontally, is gripped from above by the gripping elements (6) and therefore buckles downwards by gravity, and the bags are charged from above.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in forming sheet material assemblages includes a pocket assembly having upper and lower grippers. The upper gripper is spaced a first distance from a sheet material support portion of the pocket assembly to engage an upper edge portion of a large cover section having a relatively large distance between a fold and an upper edge portion. The lower gripper is spaced a distance which is smaller than the first distance from the sheet material support portion of the pocket assembly to engage an upper edge portion of a small cover section having a relatively small distance between a fold and an upper edge portion of the cover section. Pressers are mounted on a movable side wall of the pocket assembly and are engagable with a side of a small cover section to press small the cover section toward the lower gripper.

Abstract: The present invention provides exemplary mail processing systems and methods, including systems and methods for retrieving paper sheets, statements, inserts and/or cards, and inserting same into an envelope. In one embodiment, an apparatus (200) includes a paper feeding mechanism (210) to feed sheets of paper into a collection bin (220) that is adapted to receive in a stack the sheets of paper. The apparatus includes a retrieval mechanism (230) to remove a bottom one of said sheets of paper from the stack, and a deionizer (240) that reduces static electricity in the vicinity of the stack. In this manner, the deionizer helps facilitate removal by the retrieval mechanism of only one of the sheets of paper at a time, by reducing static electricity on the sheets.

Abstract: An adjustable gripper system for releasably holding at least one sheet against a surface includes an adjustment body, a gripper connected thereto for holding the sheet against the surface, and a cam follower to be actuated by a cam. The cam follower is connected to the adjustment body and displaces the adjustment body dependent upon a cam position, which correspondingly displaces the gripper along the surface. The system can be part of a sheet-collating pocket having a top portion, forward and rearward walls pivotally connected to one another and defining a sheet-receiving opening, which pocket can be part of a sheet-collating machine having the cam, a conveyor, a sheet feeding device, and other pockets. A method for adjusting the grippers positions the cam in the pocket path to contact each and selectively displace the gripper holding portion with dependent upon the cam position while the cam and pocket contact.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for gathering flat articles (5) into stacks (9) by conveying stacks in production successively along a gathering route (1) past feed stations. The stacks (9) are conveyed on stack supports (2) with supporting surfaces (7). Leading edges (5.1) of the articles (5) to be added to the stacks are held by holding elements (4) that move in a supply route (3) that traverses the gathering route (1) at the feed stations. Each article (5) is inserted between successive stacks (9) or stack supports (2), with the leading edge (5.1) being inserted first. The inserted article is released from its associated holding element (4) and then positioned on the upstream or downstream stack (9) or stack support (2) by the force of gravity and/or by its own inertia, and the holding element (4) is conveyed onwards in a downward direction.

Abstract: A number of circulatory elements arranged one behind the other are driven in a direction of circulation and have a suction element and a supporting element in each case on the first side and on the second side. The circulatory elements receive a supplementary product at the pick-up location and transfer the same, in a first mode of operation, to the respectively preceding circulatory element. In a second mode of operation, no transfer takes place. This results in it being possible for the supplementary products received in the same manner to be brought into abutment optionally against the leading side or trailing side of the printed products and pressed on there.

Abstract: A lap separator system opens a sheet in a pocket traveling in a direction at a given speed, the pocket having forward and rearward walls pivotally connected to one another and, together, defining a sheet-receiving opening, and includes a moveable separator carrier, a separator connected to the carrier, the separator carrier conveying the separator in the transport direction along the pocket at a speed greater than the given speed, and the separator sequentially contacting the rearward wall, the sheet in the pocket, and then the forward wall and sequentially releasing the rearward wall, at least a portion of the sheet in the pocket, and then the forward wall. The system can be part of a sheet-collating machine having a conveyor, a sheet feeding device, and many pockets. A method for opening a sheet includes displacing the separator to sequentially contact and release the walls and sheet.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for conveying flexible sheet-like articles 26, wherein the articles are fed to a first curved section 14 by means of a delivery conveyor 10 which includes spaced apart transporting clamps 22 for retaining the articles in a hanging position. Arranged in a radially inward direction at the curved section 14, is a gripper wheel 36 with circumferentially distributed grippers 40 and respective supporting elements 52. The gripper wheel 36 is driven at the same angular velocity as the transporting clamps 22 in the curved section 14. However, a single gripper 40 is assigned in each case to two transporting clamps 22. The lower free edges 32 of the two articles 26 to be joined are guided by a supporting element 52 into a gripper 40, and as soon as this has taken place, the relevant gripper 40 is closed, and the relevant transporting clamps 22 then release the articles 26. The associated supporting element 52 is then drawn back inward in the radial direction.

Abstract: An adjustable gripper system for releasably holding at least one sheet against a surface includes an adjustment body, a gripper connected thereto for holding the sheet against the surface, and a cam follower to be actuated by a cam. The cam follower is connected to the adjustment body and displaces the adjustment body dependent upon a cam position, which correspondingly displaces the gripper along the surface. The system can be part of a sheet-collating pocket having a top portion, forward and rearward walls pivotally connected to one another and defining a sheet-receiving opening, which pocket can be part of a sheet-collating machine having the cam, a conveyor, a sheet feeding device, and other pockets. A method for adjusting the grippers positions the cam in the pocket path to contact each and selectively displace the gripper holding portion with dependent upon the cam position while the cam and pocket contact.

Abstract: An inserter (10) for synchronously feeding a preprinted portion (X1) of a pamphlet into a printing press (P) to be adhered to a complemental portion of the pamphlet in substantial registration to form the completed pamphlet is disclosed. The inserter (10) broadly includes a feeder assembly (12), an aligner assembly (14), and a drive assembly (16). The feeder assembly (12) moves a plurality (Xn) of sequential preprinted portions (X1, X2 . . . Xn,) of the pamphlets along a substantially horizontal support surface (42) and then feeds them, one at a time, into the aligner assembly (14). The aligner assembly (14) includes aligner pins (246,248), that are universally spaced independent of the dimension of the preprinted portions (Xn), that aligns each of the pamphlet portions into the desired alignment so that the aligner assembly (14) can introduce them one at a time into the printing press (P) in sufficient registration to allow the formation of the completed pamphlets.

Abstract: An adjustable gripper system for releasably holding at least one sheet against a surface includes a pivotable gripper shaft with a pivot axis and at least one gripper having a gripper body defining a plunger cavity, the gripper body connected to the shaft for pivoting the gripper about the axis, a gripper plunger slidably disposed in the cavity and holding the sheet against the surface, and a cam follower actuated by a cam. The cam follower is connected to the gripper plunger to displace the gripper plunger along the cavity dependent upon a position of the cam. The system can be part of a sheet-collating pocket having a forward wall and a rearward wall pivotally connected thereto and, together, defining an opening for receiving the sheet, which can be part of a sheet-collating machine having the cam, a conveyor, at least one sheet feeding device, and many of the pockets.

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: An insertion and gathering device for folded products is provided. The device has two deflection wheels arranged at a distance to one another and a conveying apparatus which circulates around the two deflection wheels. Receiving containers are coupled to the conveying apparatus and are moved along successively by the conveying apparatus in a conveying direction, the receiving containers each having a pocket with an open upper end constituting an insertion opening and extending crosswise to the conveying direction. A feed station is provided for feeding the folded products into the insertion openings of the receiving devices fold first, and a removal station is provided for removing folded products from the receiving devices. A stationary opening device for opening the folded products is arranged between the feed station and the removal station and downstream of the first deflection wheel as seen in the conveying direction.

Abstract: A newspaper inserting machine for inserting supplements or inserts into signatures or newspaper jackets improves upon conventional inserting machines by modifying the conventional inserting machines existing belt gripping mechanisms for gripping the inserts and for propelling the inserts into the newspaper jackets as the jackets are moved by a conveyor past insert-containing containers. The existing belt gripping mechanisms are modified to be adjustably positionable to accommodate inserts of different thicknesses and are also modified to be adjustably positionable in directions parallel with the conveyor to accommodate inserts of different sizes while reducing the machine set-up time required by operators for different sizes of inserts. The adjustability of the belt gripping mechanisms also increase the capacity of conventional machines for the number of different inserts which can be placed into the newspaper jackets along a conveyor of predetermined length.

Abstract: A process for combining a plurality of completed printed products such as completed newspapers and/or periodicals, into bundles. At least two storage arrangements are provided, which are occupied by completed printed products of different types. The products are retrieved individually from the storage arrangements in a sequence which is necessary for forming bundles which are composed of a particular distribution of the products. The retrieved products are fed to a receiving conveyor, with certain products being positioned upstream of, or between, products which have already been fed to the receiving conveyor, and the products which follow one after the other in the region of the receiving conveyor are combined into the bundles.

Abstract: An advertising or promotional brochure is disclosed that is to be mailed in conjunction with a magazine or periodical. The brochure may include high-quality, glossy photographs, and be personalized with text and/or images that relate specifically to the magazine subscriber. Different versions of the brochure may be targeted to and mailed to different groups of subscribers. In addition, the brochure may include coupons for sales discounts, bank promotional checks, and other promotions that may be redeemed by the magazine subscriber. The brochure may be embodied as a multi-page pamphlet and may have an appearance and cover similar to the magazine to which it is attached.

Abstract: A method and device for producing printed products wherein first primary products are supplied, respectively, fold first to successive, uniformly-spaced pockets disposed transversely to a conveying direction at a beginning of a first segment of a production path formed by feeders. Subsequently, the first primary product in each pocket is grasped at a protruding gripping edge and opened for insertion of a partial product or enclosure. A further primary product is supplied, respectively, to the successive pockets on a further segment adjoining the first segment of the production path for producing a further printed product, including partial products or enclosures, in the successive pockets.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing printed products by insetting at least one subproduct and/or inserts into a main product, wherein at least the main products are grasped at the delivery of a printing machine by revolving gripping members of a conveying unit provided with an intermediate storage arrangement for inserting and delivering products, wherein the products are conveyed on conveying paths to an insetting machine formed of revolving insetting pockets, and wherein the products are taken up at the delivery of the printing machine by a first conveyor of the conveying unit connected to the insertion side of the intermediate storage arrangement and are transferred to a second conveyor of the conveying unit connected to the delivery side of the intermediate storage arrangement.

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 method of combining a number of individually printed products into a finished product, for example a weekend newspaper containing numerous sections. The individually printed products are of the type that are folded at their mid portion so that they can be opened along the fold allowing them to receive other printed product or closed which facilitates their insertion into an opened printed product. The process starts by inserting a folded printed product into the main product. The first inserted product could have been open when inserted or opened after it was inserted. Then another printed product is inserted into the main product such that it lies adjacent to the first product that was inserted. The first product that was inserted into the main product can then be opened to permit additional printed products to be inserted into it.