Receptacle Comprising Envelope Patents (Class 53/284.3)
  • Patent number: 12151505
    Abstract: An envelope processing apparatus inserts an enclosure into an envelope and includes a first conveyor, a first ejector, a second conveyor, a second ejector, and circuitry. The first conveyor conveys the enclosure to an enclosing position. The envelope in which the enclosure is enclosed is ejected to the first ejector. The second conveyor conveys the envelope to the enclosing position via an envelope conveyance passage extended in a substantially vertical and up-and-down direction and conveys the envelope in which the enclosure is inserted to the first ejector. The second ejector is separate from the first ejector. The enclosure is ejected to the second ejector. The circuitry controls a conveyance operation of the first conveyor and the second conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Matsuda, Michitaka Suzuki, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Yuusuke Shibasaki, Atsushi Shinoda, Shingo Yoshizawa, Takahiro Watanabe, Takuya Morinaga
  • Patent number: 11970019
    Abstract: An envelope processing apparatus that inserts an enclosure into an envelope includes an envelope conveyor, a flap opener, an enclosure pusher, and circuitry. The envelope conveyor extends in a vertical direction and conveys the envelope to an enclosing position via an envelope conveyance passage as a passage in which the envelope is conveyed. The flap opener opens a flap of the envelope. The enclosure pusher pushes the enclosure toward an opening of a body of the envelope conveyed to the enclosing position with the flap open. The circuitry changes a pushing amount of the enclosure into the envelope and adjusts the pushing amount based on the opening of the body of the envelope within a specified range from an inside to an outside of the body of the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Michitaka Suzuki, Yuusuke Shibasaki, Takahiro Matsuda, Atsushi Shinoda, Shingo Yoshizawa, Takahiro Watanabe, Takuya Morinaga
  • Patent number: 11897279
    Abstract: An envelope processing apparatus for enclosing an enclosure into an envelope conveyed to an enclosing position includes a conveyance roller that conveys the envelope to the enclosing position. A first envelope length calculator calculates a first envelope length of the envelope in an envelope conveyance direction in which the envelope is conveyed in a close state in which a flap of the envelope closes. A flap opener opens the flap while the conveyance roller conveys the envelope. A second envelope length calculator calculates a second envelope length of the envelope in the envelope conveyance direction in an open state in which the flap opens. A controller calculates a flap length of the flap in the envelope conveyance direction based on the first envelope length and the second envelope length. The controller controls enclosing of the enclosure into the envelope based on the flap length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shingo Yoshizawa, Michitaka Suzuki, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Yuusuke Shibasaki, Shinji Asami, Takahiro Matsuda, Kazuyoshi Matsuo, Makoto Hidaka, Akira Kunieda, Takahiro Watanabe, Takuya Morinaga
  • Patent number: 11752783
    Abstract: In some examples, a non-transitory-machine readable medium can store instructions executable by a processing resource to select a special media mode from a plurality of special media modes based on a weight or a type of print media and cause a conditioning device to condition the print media in accordance with the special media mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Matthew Raisanen, Jody L. Clayburn, Stephen Thomas Rohman
  • Patent number: 11526308
    Abstract: An information control apparatus controls a printer device. The printer device outputs a sheet which is fed from a sheet feeder and which is printed and loads the printed sheet in a loader in accordance with a print instruction. The information control apparatus includes a controller. In a case in which the printer device outputs a check sheet while the print instruction is being executed, the controller performs control so that the sheet feeder will feed, as a sheet to be used as the check sheet, a sheet which will protrude from other sheets when being loaded in the loader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Hisao Komazawa, Hideo Kato, Shingo Ichijima
  • Patent number: 11485602
    Abstract: An embodiment of this disclosure provides a folding apparatus configured to stack and fold a designated number of sheets at a time. The folding apparatus includes a conveyor configured to sequentially convey the designated number of sheets, a stacker configured to temporarily store a sheet conveyed by the conveyor to stack the designated number of sheets, a sheet folding device configured to fold the designated number of sheets at a time, and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to cause the sheet folding device to fold the stored sheet in response to an occurrence of a sheet jam upstream from the stacker in a direction of sheet conveyance, in processing the designated number of sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Hidaka, Takahiro Watanabe, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Michitaka Suzuki, Fumiharu Yoneyama, Kazuyoshi Matsuo, Koki Sakano, Akira Kunieda, Takuya Morinaga, Yohsuke Haraguchi, Wataru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10870310
    Abstract: A packing pocket for a device for inserting material into envelopes for sliding the envelope contents into an envelope. The packing pocket includes a mid-line (M) in relation to a transport direction of the envelope, as well as a number of slats which are parallel to the mid-line (M), and which are arranged on a plane (K) together with a flap guide. The slats are mounted on the device for inserting material into envelopes, on a mounting rail or on an adjustment rail. One or more slats are associated with a sheet guide arranged at a distance from the flap guide. In addition, the sheet guide is arranged in a spring-like manner in relation to the flap guide in a region of the packing pocket that is upstream of the envelope supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: KERN AG
    Inventor: Urs Lehmann
  • Patent number: 10583684
    Abstract: A system for inserting contents in an envelope includes a holder for empty envelopes, a flap opener, conveying elements for conveying the envelope from the holder to a packing pocket where the envelopes are filled, a supply device for supplying the envelope contents to and into the packing pocket, and removal elements for forwarding the filled envelope. The conveying elements include a funnel for orientation of the envelope relative to the packing pocket. The funnel is mobile at a first angle (W1) with respect to a flap guide of the packing pocket. The conveying elements further include a pulling means for pulling the envelope over the packing pocket. The pulling means cooperates temporarily with the flap guide of the packing pocket and is mobile at a second angle (W2) with respect to the flap guide. The conveying elements include means for synchronizing the movement of the funnel and the pulling means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: KERN AG
    Inventor: Urs Lehmann
  • Patent number: 10532604
    Abstract: A method is provided for using a rotatable insertion horn to open an envelope prior to insertion of documents. A pair of insertion horns is positioned at the sides of an envelope inserting station. An envelope is fed into the envelope inserting station with its flap open. The collation of documents is pushed into the open end of the envelope. The insertion horns are positioned in an initial position that is fully outside the envelope, prior to arrival of the collation. The insertion horns are controlled to simultaneously rotate into the envelope as the collation passes between the insertion horns. Preferably, rotation of the insertion horns into the envelope does not begin until a lead edge of the collation is in a region between the insertion horns. This facilitates insertion of the collation without catching on an upstream edge of the insertion horns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: DMT Solutions Global Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur H Depoi, John R. Masotta, Anthony E. Yap
  • Patent number: 8947681
    Abstract: An insertion system includes an enclosure supply device, an envelope supply device, an insertion device to insert an enclosure supplied from the enclosure supply device into the envelope supplied from the envelope supply device, a first input unit to input identification data of the enclosure inserted into the envelope in each of multiple insertion setting records, a second input unit to input identification data of the enclosure set in the enclosure container of the enclosure supply device, and a controller to determine whether the identification data of the enclosure to be inserted, input by the first input unit, matches the identification data of the enclosure set in the enclosure container, input by the second input unit, and to control supply of the envelope by the envelope supply device as well as supply of the enclosure by the enclosure supply device based on a result of the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shingo Matsushita, Takeshi Sasaki, Satoshi Saito, Ikuhisa Okamoto, Junichi Tokita, Akira Kunieda, Takahiro Watanabe, Jun Yamada
  • Patent number: 8695313
    Abstract: A mail piece insertion mechanism is provided and, more particularly, mail piece insertion mechanisms and methods used for inserting mail pieces such as, for example, residual mail, into individual mail piece folders or containers is provided. The method of inserting mail pieces into folders includes opening the folders and aligning a mechanism with the opened folders and inserting the mail pieces therein. The insertion mechanism includes a mechanism configured open folders and a mechanism configured to insert mail pieces into the open folders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Gaug, Bryan Dalton, John Nasakaitis
  • Publication number: 20140096492
    Abstract: A device for opening a cover while using a fluid includes an opener for at least partly separating a cover front side and a cover rear side of the cover, the opener being configured to provide, for the fluid introduced into the cover, a deflection position between a cover opening and a cover bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventors: Ronald CELESTE, Robert BAYER
  • Patent number: 8621826
    Abstract: Prior to assembling mail pieces of which at least a number each comprise a main document and at least one insert of at least one type, one or more mini image files are stored, each defining a mini image of at least a part of a type of insert. The mini image of the respective insert defined by the mini image file is printed on each envelope for a mail piece including that type of insert for one or each of a number of the inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Neopost Technologies
    Inventor: Jelle Wiersma
  • Patent number: 8561380
    Abstract: A system for assembling a shipping package includes a feeder feeding an envelope from a supply of envelopes and a transport mechanism that transports a shipping container from a supply of shipping containers and places the shipping container in position for the feeder to insert the envelope into the shipping container. The envelope contains a replacement presentation instrument and a shipping indicator, and the shipping indicator includes a shipping address visible through a first substantially clear window in the envelope. Each shipping container has a second substantially clear window, and when the envelope has been inserted into the shipping container, the shipping address is visible through the second substantially clear window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Fred C Casto, Jon A Gates, Corey D Tunink
  • Patent number: 8495853
    Abstract: An inserting apparatus is equipped with a circulatable member arranged downstream of an envelope feeding path and rotatable about an axis transverse to the envelope feeding path. The circulatable member has envelope flap catcher members, each having a free edge arranged for entering between a flap and a body of an envelope fed along the envelope feeding path for engaging the flap and for holding the flap while the circulatable member is circulated so as to turn the flap to an opened position. An envelope support is provided for holding an envelope of which the opened flap is held by one of the catcher members of the circulatable member in an inserting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Neopost Technologies
    Inventor: Henkjan Ten Donkelaar
  • Publication number: 20130174515
    Abstract: A sealed letter preparing apparatus 1 includes a printing unit 2 that performs printing on an envelope and an enclosure alternately, and an enclosing-sealing unit 3. The enclosing-sealing unit is configured to carry the printed envelope by the first carrier passage 10, carry the printed sheet as the enclosure by the second carrier passage 20, enclose the enclosure in the envelope by the envelope opening-enclosing means 60 at an intersection position of the both passages, and seal the envelope by a sealing means 70 so as to discharge the envelope into a discharge stocker 44. The sealed letter preparing apparatus has a simple and compact structure with less incidence of enclosing error, which is suitable for preparation of one-to-one direct mail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventors: Tadayuki Wakatabi, Kouichiro Iida, Yoshihiro Noguchi, Taku Naitou
  • Patent number: 8453418
    Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a document into an envelope. The apparatus includes a mechanism for holding an envelope at an insert station; pivotally mounted fingers for opening the envelope; and a platform for guiding the document over the fingers and into the envelope. The platform is pivoted at an upstream end and upwardly spring biased so that the platform is depressed against the spring bias, by an amount dependent on the weight of the insert document moving over, so that a light insert document follows a path which subtends a steeper angle to the horizontal compared to a heavy insert document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Neopost Technologies
    Inventors: Damon Smith, David Dronsfield
  • Patent number: 8402725
    Abstract: In an apparatus for inserting postal items into an envelope, the envelope is brought in an inserting position where the flap of the envelope is held open. A postal item is transported along a postal item transport path towards the inserting position and inserted into the envelope in the inserting position. The envelope with the postal item inserted therein is transported away from the inserting position and closed. A gummed portion of the flap is moistened, wherein the moistening is at least started before the transportation of the envelope away from the inserting position. An apparatus for carrying out such a method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Neopost Technologies
    Inventor: Fransiscus Hermannus Feijen
  • Patent number: 8191338
    Abstract: An inserting apparatus for placing a product in an envelope is provided with a discharge path. The discharge path is provided with a skewed roller conveyer which comprises a plurality of rollers arranged at an angle relative to the discharge conveying direction, to align the envelopes along a stop extending in the conveying direction of the roller conveyer. The discharge path is provided with at least one pressing device extending above the roller conveyor to press envelopes towards the roller conveyor, the pressing device comprising at least one array of vertically moveable, rotatable balls. The roller conveyor is provided with at least one endless transport belt for the envelopes, extending opposite the at least one pressing device, the endless belt extending substantially transversally with respect to the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: W+D Direct Marketing Solutions GmbH
    Inventor: Eckhard Hägemann
  • Patent number: 8109067
    Abstract: In a mail production system comprising at least one user workstation on which a document is generated, printer means for printing the pages of said document, and folding and insertion means for folding the pages once they have been printed and for inserting them into an envelope, a method is provided in which, in order to control insertion into the envelope of each of the pages of the document, a unique marking code is generated, for each page of said document, on the basis of a predetermined combination of characters on each of said pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Neopost Technologies
    Inventor: Fabien Chatte
  • Patent number: 8028982
    Abstract: The present teachings relate to techniques and equipment to insert documents into either letter envelopes or flat mail envelopes on the same dual mode mailing inserter without the need to do machine setup between letter and flat mail envelope insertion. The dual mode mail inserting machine is configured to accept documents from a printer that are designed for insertion into flat mail envelope. If a document plus its inserts and envelope weighs less than a predetermined weight, the document will be diverted from the normal flat mail path to a second inserter and output section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Bell and Howell, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Van Gorp, Brian Richardson
  • Patent number: 8016281
    Abstract: In the case of a mail-processing machine having a conveying path (1) which contains a circulating conveying chain and conveys onto a handling station (5), easy changeover to a variety of processing tasks and good adaptability to constricted space conditions are achieved in that, by a switchable actuating arrangement, manipulator fingers (19) articulated on a manipulator hand (13), in the handling station (5), can be switched both into the operating position both for the forward stroke of the manipulator hand and for the return stroke of the manipulator hand and into the return position both for the return stroke of the manipulator hand and for the forward stroke of the manipulator hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Sting, Axel Brauneis
  • Patent number: 7971865
    Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a paper or film object or a stack of such objects into an envelope. A feeding apparatus moves the object toward an insertion station and a vacuum drum has a surface adapted to engage and move the envelope toward the insertion station. A ramp element is coupled to the vacuum drum and is adapted to support a leading portion of the envelope as the envelope moves with the vacuum drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventors: Peter Kern, Reinhard Buri
  • Publication number: 20110121064
    Abstract: The present teachings relate to methods and systems for preparing an integrated mailpiece using a document processing system such as a wrapping document processing system. The manufactured mailpiece is an integrated bidirectional mailpiece having outgoing and return envelope functionality. In the outgoing format, the integrated mailpiece may optionally contain advertisements, coupons, inserted documents, statements or payment coupons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Van Gorp, Elizabeth L. Manning
  • Patent number: 7934357
    Abstract: A sheet handling device having at least one sheet feed path therethrough from an inlet to an outlet, the sheet feed path defined by a guide for directing sheet material from the inlet to the outlet. The sheet handling device comprising a plurality of processing sections located along the sheet feed path for performing a plurality of operations on sheet material being handled by the device. The processing sections including a central accumulator section, a collation section, a sheet folding section and at least one inserter section which are collectively located within a main chamber of the sheet handling device. The accumulator section is centrally located relative to the other processing sections and employs a vertically-oriented feed path to facilitate accumulation of sheet material while minimizing the spacing/gaps between adjacent sections. Furthermore, an access doorway is disposed over the processing stations to facilitate jam clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter J. Watson
  • Publication number: 20100251673
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for stuffing envelopes is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of prime movers, a plurality of sensors disposed throughout the apparatus, and a central controller. The prime movers, the sensors and the central controller are operably interconnected such that the central controller directly receives signals from the sensors and from the plurality of prime movers for real-time control of at least one prime mover from the plurality of prime movers based upon determined movement of at least one of a discrete sheet of material, a stack of sheets of material or a stuffed envelope through at least a portion of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: KERN GLOBAL LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Herapath, George Forystek
  • Patent number: 7797914
    Abstract: An inserting system is provided for securing an envelope having a window. The system includes a deck slidably supporting the envelope, where the deck defines an insertion area, and a securing mechanism in the insertion area securing the envelope in an insertion location during insertion of a collation. The securing mechanism includes a first securing element selectively securing a first portion of the envelope between the window and an open edge of the envelope and a second securing element selectively securing a second portion of the envelope between the window and a closed edge of the envelope. The inserting system may also include a deflection element disposed on the deck between the first securing element and the second securing element, wherein the deflection element guides the collation away from an edge of the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Marcinik, Richard A. Suleski
  • Publication number: 20100229504
    Abstract: An inserting apparatus is equipped with a circulatable member arranged downstream of an envelope feeding path and rotatable about an axis transverse to the envelope feeding path. The circulatable member has envelope flap catcher members, each having a free edge arranged for entering between a flap and a body of an envelope fed along the envelope feeding path for engaging the flap and for holding the flap while the circulatable member is circulated so as to turn the flap to an opened position. An envelope support is provided for holding an envelope of which the opened flap is held by one of the catcher members of the circulatable member in an inserting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: NEOPOST TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventor: Henkjan Ten Donkelaar
  • Patent number: 7775015
    Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a system and method for inserting contents into envelopes that generally reduces the number of operative device components, locates all components in a readily and accessible location, reduces the number of adjustments needed to change envelope size and contents size, provides an efficient and aesthetically pleasing design, allows for a highly flexible arrangement of backup hoppers to primary hoppers for feeding envelope contents and otherwise affords a substantial number of improvements over currently available envelope inserters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventor: H. W. Crowley
  • Patent number: 7770368
    Abstract: An enveloping device (1), capable of repeatedly performing a process for producing an envelope and inserting a content into the envelope at high speed, comprises: a film feeder (2) for feeding a film (7) wound on a roll and supplied in the form of two overlapping folds that extend in a width direction (W); an envelope making device (3) for repeatedly forming an envelope by cutting and fusing, in a longitudinal direction of the film (7), the two overlapping folds while conveying the film; an envelope conveying conveyor (5) which conveys a plurality of envelopes (8) while arranging these envelopes in a line; and an inserting device (6) for inserting a content (9) into each envelope (8) conveyed by the envelope conveyor (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Gunze Limited
    Inventors: Kenichi Sugimoto, Toshiyuki Ohnishi, Takashi Kakimoto, Satoshi Hanaoka, Yoshinori Masaoka
  • Publication number: 20100170195
    Abstract: An improved mailpiece for efficient capture of postage cancellation indicia on the envelope and the document inside of the envelope, the envelope comprising an upper edge, a bottom edge, a left edge and a right edge, an open air window substantially near the upper edge of the envelope and away from the right edge of the envelope for receiving a first postage cancellation indicia on the envelope to the right of the window, the document comprising a document clear zone space on a face of the document for receiving a second postage cancellation indicia, the document clear zone space visible through the window when the document is inserted inside of the envelope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventor: David Levi Gwaltney
  • Patent number: 7669389
    Abstract: Postal mailing assembly capable of being processed by postal processing equipment without causing damage to the article held by the mailer. The mailing assembly includes a pocket holding the article inside the mailer is offset relative to one edge of the assembly by a distance sufficient to prevent damage when the mailer is oriented and processed by postal equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Butler Leasing Corporation
    Inventor: Todd N Butler
  • Publication number: 20090288373
    Abstract: In an apparatus for inserting a postal item into an envelope, the envelope is fed with its flap fold trailing its envelope body and its flap along a flap opener. A free flap opener edge enters between the flap and the envelope body until the flap fold abuts the free flap opener edge. While holding the flap against the flap opener, the flap is pivoted relative to the envelope body about the flap fold to an open position and subsequently the postal item is inserted into the envelope body. An apparatus for carrying such a method is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: NEOPOST TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventor: Fransiscus Hermannus FEIJEN
  • Publication number: 20090288374
    Abstract: In an apparatus for inserting postal items into an envelope, the envelope is brought in an inserting position where the flap of the envelope is held open. A postal item is transported along a postal item transport path towards the inserting position and inserted into the envelope in the inserting position. The envelope with the postal item inserted therein is transported away from the inserting position and closed. A gummed portion of the flap is moistened, wherein the moistening is at least started before the transportation of the envelope away from the inserting position. An apparatus for carrying out such a method is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: Neopost Technologies
    Inventor: Fransiscus Hermannus FEIJEN
  • Publication number: 20090235618
    Abstract: A system for assembling a shipping package includes a feeder feeding an envelope from a supply of envelopes and a transport mechanism that transports a shipping container from a supply of shipping containers and places the shipping container in position for the feeder to insert the envelope into the shipping container. The envelope contains a replacement presentation instrument and a shipping indicator, and the shipping indicator includes a shipping address visible through a first substantially clear window in the envelope. Each shipping container has a second substantially clear window, and when the envelope has been inserted into the shipping container, the shipping address is visible through the second substantially clear window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Fred C. Casto, Jon A. Gates, Corey D. Tunink
  • Publication number: 20090158696
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for making a gastro-retentive device (10). The method includes the steps of providing a pouch assembly having an ingredient section within a membrane; folding the membrane to form a folded pouch assembly; inserting the folded pouch assembly into a first capsule section (20a) to form a pouch/first capsule assembly, and inserting the pouch/first capsule assembly into a second capsule section (20b). Also provided is an apparatus (38) for carrying out the above method which includes a tooling block (44) having a passageway (62) configured for slidable movement of the pouch assembly (18) therein, and a tooling pocket (60) extending from a top surface of the tooling block to the passageway and which receives the pouch assembly. A ram (86) is provided for pushing the pouch assembly through the tooling pocket into the passageway, wherein the pouch assembly is folded and encapsulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventor: Jagathesan Moodley
  • Publication number: 20090145082
    Abstract: In a mail production system comprising at least one user workstation on which a document is generated, printer means for printing the pages of said document, and folding and insertion means for folding the pages once they have been printed and for inserting them into an envelope, a method is provided in which, in order to control insertion into the envelope of each of the pages of the document, a unique marking code is generated, for each page of said document, on the basis of a predetermined combination of characters on each of said pages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: NEOPOST TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventor: Fabien CHATTE
  • Patent number: 7475522
    Abstract: An envelope filling machine for introducing sheets into envelopes includes a sliding surface, for transferring the sheets to an envelope filling station by means of pushing lugs, operated along the sliding surface. An envelope supplying conveyor supplies individual envelopes to the station placing them between vertical shafts of a pair of screws. The turns of the screws hold the sides of the envelopes and move each envelope downwards keeping the envelope separated from a subsequent envelope. When the envelope has come to rest on a conveyor belt placed between and under the screws, the lugs push the sheets into the envelope kept steady by movable stop strips yieldingly maintained by elastic means. When the sheets are fully inserted, the lugs push the envelope and force the movable strips to swing and let the filled envelope leave the envelope filling station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: C.M.C. S.r.l.
    Inventor: Francesco Ponti
  • Publication number: 20090000254
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting an object into an envelope in which the envelopes are stacked in a stacker. An envelope flap of the envelope is grasped by a lip on a rotary cam to open the envelope. The envelope flap of the envelope is brought into and maintained in contact with a surface of the rotary cam. The envelope is then pulled, via the envelope flap, so as to place and maintain the envelope in contact with the surface of the rotary cam. The rotary cam reverses the envelope to move the envelope into an inserting area where the envelope is detached from the surface of the rotary cam. An object is then inserted into the envelope and the envelope is then removed from the inserting area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Gianfranco Passoni
  • Publication number: 20080302068
    Abstract: An envelope filling machine for introducing sheets into envelopes includes a sliding surface, for transferring the sheets to an envelope filling station by means of pushing lugs, operated along the sliding surface. An envelope supplying conveyor supplies individual envelopes to the station placing them between vertical shafts of a pair of screws. The turns of the screws hold the sides of the envelopes and move each envelope downwards keeping the envelope separated from a subsequent envelope. When the envelope has come to rest on a conveyor belt placed between and under the screws, the lugs push the sheets into the envelope kept steady by movable stop strips yieldingly maintained by elastic means. When the sheets are fully inserted, the lugs push the envelope and force the movable strips to swing and let the filled envelope leave the envelope filling station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: C.M.C. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Francesco Ponti
  • Patent number: 7448190
    Abstract: The invention concerns a machine for providing a sealed cover for documents comprising a document conveying table (18) with a general longitudinal shape, arranged upstream of a unit for inserting (20) said documents in an envelope (26), at least a contact member (40, 42) mobile longitudinally, under the action of driving means (76, 82, 84, 88) in the direction of the inserting unit and which is designed to drive the documents on the conveying table, the driving means being distant from the inserting unit. The invention is characterized in that said at least one contact member is arranged on a mobile support (44) linked to the driving means in a zone (44b) located upstream of said at least one contact member, the driving means imposing on said at least one contact member is reciprocating translational movement between two extreme positions, in one of said extreme positions said at least one contact member being placed proximate to the inserting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: SECAP (Groupe Pitney Bowes), S.A.S.
    Inventor: Angel Gomez
  • Patent number: 7437862
    Abstract: An inserting machine with an assembly (7) for unfolding a flap (8) of an envelope (9), including: a scraper (20) with a sharp scraping end (21) and an envelope carrier (23-26) as well as a drive (27, 29) for moving the holder portion (18) and the scraper (20) relative to each other, such that the holder portion (18) with the fold edge (17) in trailing position scrapes along the scraping end (21), the scraper (20) scrapes the flap (8) in the area of its free edge (19) off the holder portion (18), and pivots the flap (8) open about the fold edge (17). The scraping end (21) moves along a circulation path (30), of which a first portion (31) extends in a direction towards the fold edge (17) over the holder portion (18) of the envelope (9) and of which a second, contiguous portion (32) diverges from the holder portion (18) of the envelope (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: NEOPOST Technologies
    Inventor: Jeichienus Adriaan van der Werff
  • Patent number: 7427059
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Lyga, Carl R. Chapman
  • Patent number: 7424798
    Abstract: Inserter for inserting postal items into envelopes, wherein an envelope catcher separates the envelopes and transports the envelopes away from the stack of empty envelopes and the envelopes are subsequently transported further with the initially leading flap end trailing. The envelope catcher is suspended for movement and drivable along a catcher path, of which at least a section extends closely along the envelope to be separated. When the envelope is transported away from the envelope catcher with its flap end trailing the flap is folded open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: NEOPOST Technologies
    Inventor: Herman Sytema
  • Publication number: 20080209860
    Abstract: For determining a setting of an apparatus for folding documents to be inserted into windowed envelopes, a tentative folding setting is determined. Then, an overlay image representing the envelope and at least a portion of a side of the folded document that would be visible through the envelope window after folding of the specimen of the documents in accordance with the tentative folding setting and insertion of the folded specimen into the envelope is displayed. If the overlay image is not satisfactory, another tentative folding setting is inputted and an accordingly changed overlay image is generated. If the overlay image is satisfactory, the current tentative folding setting is selected as the folding setting to be applied for folding documents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: Neopost Technologies
    Inventors: Rene SCHELTES, Jan Jacobus Peter Remijnse
  • Patent number: 7412809
    Abstract: A medicine envelope feeder capable of feeding a sufficient quantity of medicine envelopes while preventing injection medicine containers from leaking out of the medicine envelopes even if the shape of a bucket is of a general type. One face of the medicine envelope (3) is supported by a support member (5), excluding a tolerance for bending starting from an upper end opening part. The other face of the medicine envelope (3) is guided by a guide part (26) of a vertically movable holding member (6), and the medicine envelope (3) is folded along the support member (5) and pressed by lowering a vertically movable pressing part (27) along the guide part (26). Since the coefficient of friction of the pressing part (27) is larger than that of the support member 5, only the medicine envelope (3) can be raised while being held between the guide part (26) and the pressing part (27) when the holding member (6) is raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Hirokazu Chihara, Takayuki Fujikawa
  • Patent number: 7401448
    Abstract: An apparatus for inserting documents (2) having at least one guide strip (13, 14) which is reciprocable between a retracted position and a projecting position in which it reaches further into the stuffing position than in the retracted position for guiding into an envelope (11) in the stuffing position at least one document (2) coming from the document transport path (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Neopost Technologies, French Limited Company
    Inventors: Herman Sytema, Fransiscus Hermannus Feijen
  • Patent number: 7398635
    Abstract: In a mail inserter having an envelope movement mechanism to move an envelope into an insertion station and a feeder to move a pack of insert material into an insertion position so that the insert material can be inserted into the envelope, a linear array of optical sensing elements is used to determine the position of one edge of the insert material and another linear array of optical sensing elements is used to determine the position of one edge of the receiving envelope in order to make sure that there is sufficient end clearance between the insert material and the receiving envelope. A stepper motor is used to adjust the envelope position, if the end clearance is outside a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Fairweather, George J. Doutney, Robert J. Allen, Thomas M. Lyga, Daniel P. Goslicki, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7395639
    Abstract: A drive apparatus for a mail-processing system is specified, which apparatus has an enclosure-collating path, which is intermittently driven at least in one end section, an adjoining inserting station for sets of enclosures and an envelope-filling table, which extends parallel to the enclosure-collating path and in front of the inserting station and over which envelopes pulled from a stack of envelopes are pulled by means of an envelope-gripper chain in front of the inserting station and held open there and, once filled with the sets of enclosures, are conveyed away by the gripper chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Axel Brauneis, Eddy Edel
  • Patent number: 7219482
    Abstract: A method and system for selecting fold lines on a sheet to be inserted into a windowed envelope includes scanning the windowed envelope with a scanner to determine the location of the window on the envelope. The location of a data block on an insert to be inserted into the windowed envelope is also determined. The position of one or more of the fold lines on the sheet to be inserted is determined such that a data block printed in the determined location on the sheet will appear behind the envelope window when the sheet is folded in accordance with the determined fold line pattern and inserted into the windowed envelope. The efficiency and flexibility of the system can be enhanced by providing an operator with possible standard and nonstandard fold patterns that will enable proper insertion of the folded sheet into the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Denis J. Stemmle