Abstract: A simplification of the drive for an inserting station for envelope-filling machines is achieved by a carrier on which inserting fingers for inserting material for envelopes into opened envelopes held ready next to a base plate are articulated having the form of a carriage which is horizontally displaceable, transversely in relation to the conveying direction of an enclosure-collating path charging the base plate with enclosures or sets of enclosures, on pushing-guiding paths freely spanning the base plate, the carriage being coupled by means of a link connected to it in an articulated manner to a rocking lever, which is fastened on a rocking shaft which is mounted on the machine frame at a specific distance above the base plate and the carriage, is parallel to the conveying direction of the enclosure-collating path and forms in particular part of a rocking drive shaft, on which the gripping arms of the enclosure and discharge stations lined up along the enclosure-collating path are fastened.

Abstract: In a mailing machine where an envelope feeder is used to feed envelopes one at a time into a mail inserter and an insert feeder is used to move insert material into the envelope in the mail inserter for mail insertion, a suction cup assembly having two suction cups is used to keep the throat of the envelope in the mail inserter open. Each suction cup is movably mounted on an air actuated holder so as to allow the suction cup to move up and down to open the envelope throat. The suction cup assembly is movably mounted on a mounting stand in the mail feeder at a pivot so that the suction assembly can be rotated at the pivot so as to deflect the suction cups further away from the insert feeder if a jam involving the insert material or the envelope occurs.

Abstract: An envelope insertion station having a plurality of actuating arms affixed to a rotatable shaft and a plurality of fingers pivotably mounted on the actuating arms for opening the throat of an envelope placed at an insertion area. The actuating arms are movable from a first position to a second position and then to a third position. When the actuating arms are in the first position, the fingers are freely pivotable so as to allow the envelope to be moved into the insertion area. When the actuating arms are in the second position, the fingers are caused to move along a defined path into the throat of the envelope placed at the insertion area. When the actuating arms are in the third position, the fingers are freely pivotable so as to allow enclosure material to move into the envelope through the throat.

Abstract: In an envelope-filling machine, a clear and simplified construction of the drive system is achieved for the enclosure-collating path, for the enclosure-feeding stations and for the parts of the envelope-filling station, in that a drive motor and a step-down gear mechanism, a bevel gear mechanism and a step-by-step motion linkage are arranged in a row along a main shaft which extends in the longitudinal direction of the machine and is arranged so as to be offset out of the region below the enclosure cassettes of the enclosure-feeding station, and the main shaft is guided through the step-down gear mechanism and the bevel gear mechanism as far as a coupling point for a crank mechanism in order to actuate a pivoting shaft which is common to the gripper arms of the enclosure-feeding stations.

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.

Abstract: A high-speed envelope transport and insertion machine includes a slip-drive system having a plurality of belts configured to move envelopes along an envelope path at a first speed, an envelope transmission device disposed to input envelopes into the slip-drive system, an envelope stuffing device comprising a registration member and a drive member having a plurality of spaced-apart gripping members disposed to move continously between the slip-drive system and the envelope stuffing device at a second speed less than the first speed. The path of the gripping members and the envelopes crosses within the slip-drive system to permit the gripping member to engage and grip the envelope. The gripping member is configured to release the envelope upon registration of the envelope against the registration member of the envelope stuffing device.

Abstract: Device (11) for the automatic inserting of printed products or sheets (12) in individual envelopes (13), where the individual printed products or sheets (12) are fed by one or more feeders and the envelopes (13) are arranged piled up in a storage container (16) equipped with at least one gripping element (17, 18, 19) for feeding an individual envelope (13) between a first upper conveyor belt (20) and a first lower conveyor belt (21) facing each other to define a feeding group of the envelope (13) towards an inserting of products into envelopes zone, also foreseeing a second upper conveyor belt (15) and a second lower conveyor belt (14) facing each other to advance the printed products or sheets (12) one after the other, a nozzle (22) being associated with the first conveyor belts (20, 21) for opening and flipping back a tab (24) of the envelope (13) taken out from the storage container (16), the second conveyor belt (14) foreseeing an end (37) that can move forwards and backwards with respect to a sucked conv

Abstract: An envelope-filling station for mail-processing systems. The station includes an enclosure feeder for transporting enclosures to an inserting arrangement pushing enclosures into envelopes in the same direction as the enclosure feeder. An envelope supply is positioned parallel to the enclosure feeding device. Envelopes are diagonally transported from the envelope supply to the inserting arrangement by an intermediate transport. A movable stop, in an active state, holds an envelope received in position for insertion of enclosures. When the movable stop is changed to an inactive state the filled envelope can be conveyed away from the envelope-filing station. The movable stop has a further intermediate stop position in which the stop is moved back, by a comparatively small distance in relation to the push-in movement, such that, under the driving frictional action of the intermediate envelope-conveying device, the filled envelope comes free of the push-in arrangement in the push-in direction.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus of detecting unique items as they are inserted into a product packaging system that is easily adaptable to current product packaging and prize insertion systems. A number of different types of sensors may be used in conjunction with the insertion device to detect the unique prize before it is inserted into a product packaging system. The sensor used will vary depending on the particular application. Sensors that may be used include a capacitive proximity sensor, a thickness sensor, a reflectivity sensor, a transmissivity sensor, a stiffness sensor, a color sensor, or even an odor or chemical sensor. Ideally, the type sensor used will detect a feature of the unique item that is easily distinguishable from other items being inserted. Once the sensor detects the prize and generates a signal, this signal can be used to perform a variety of useful functions.

Abstract: In an envelope-filling station for mail processing systems having an envelope-feeding arrangement for single, open envelopes, an intermediate envelope-conveying arrangement extending at an angle thereto in the direction of an angle stop arrangement provided for the purpose of aligning the envelope, and an envelope-advancing arrangement from which the envelopes are accepted from the angle stop arrangement, a simplification of the design, and effort needed to control the component parts is achieved when the angle stop arrangement, with the exception of a stopping straightedge that is to be provided to achieve extremely precise alignment of an envelope that is supplied at an angle, contains as a further part of the angle stop arrangement a conveying nip between the upper strand of an intermittently driven conveying belt of the envelope-advancing arrangement and a pressure-exerting roller that is pre-tensioned near the beginning of the upper strand of this conveying belt.

Abstract: This invention relates to a document accumulation device comprising an accumulation receptacle provided with a mobile accumulation guide for receiving a bundle of documents to be folded and drive means constituted by a motor roller driven in rotation by motor means and associated with a free counter-roller adapted to pivot about a pivot pin, in order, on the one hand, to drive and align these documents one after the other against the accumulation guide and, on the other hand, thereafter to eject in one go the bundle of documents thus formed by accumulation in said receptacle, this device further comprising displacement means, constituted by an electro-magnet of which the core having two positions of displacement is connected to a piece supporting said free counter-roller, in order to position these drive means, on the one hand, in a first position in which they are subjected to a rathermore weak drive effort to ensure drive and alignment of the documents and, on the other hand, in a second position in which t

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the position of an envelope stopper in an envelope inserting area of a mail insertion machine. By placing an envelope of a desirable size at a desired location in the envelope inserting area and using one or more fingers to sense the edge of the envelope. When the fingers are moved from the upstream end towards the downstream end, they are supported the envelope before they are moved past the edge of the envelope. As the fingers are moved past the edge of the envelope towards the downstream end, they are allowed to drop into a gap thereby changing the position of the fingers. A photosensing device is coupled to the fingers to sense the change of the position of the fingers.

Abstract: A mail inserter for inserting a mail into an envelope having a flap and a throat, including: an envelope entry; an envelope carrier, provided downstream of the envelope entry; an envelope retainer, provided at the downstream of the envelope carrier; a mail entry, for advancing the mail into the mail inserter; a mail carrier, provided downstream of the mail entry; a sealer, provided downstream of the envelope retainer; wherein the envelope entry, envelope carrier, envelope retainer and sealer jointly form an envelope path, and the mail entry and the mail carrier jointly form a mail path that merges into the envelope path after the mail carrier.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and methods for sealing an envelope. A sealing nip is formed by an upper roller and a lower roller. The upper roller is mounted on an upper shaft and the lower roller is mounted on a lower shaft. A mechanism associated with the lower shaft adjusts the orientation of the lower shaft to match the orientation of the upper shaft.

Abstract: An envelope filling station at which enclosures are pushed into envelopes. Envelopes are provide to the filling station via an envelope conveyor transverse to the push-in direction. A roller bar positioned above the conveyor is lowered while transporting envelopes and raised while documents are pushed into the stopped envelopes, A stop means, stops the envelopes on the conveyor at an appropriated filling location. Upstream of the conveyor an auxiliary conveying arrangement provides envelopes to the conveyor from a direction perpendicular to the conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and methods for sealing an envelope. A sealing nip is formed by an upper roller and a lower roller. The upper roller is mounted on an upper shaft and the lower roller is mounted on a lower shaft. A mechanism associated with the lower shaft adjusts the orientation of the lower shaft to match the orientation of the upper shaft.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating an inserter having hoppers from which inserts may be selected to include with a mail item. The mail item is moved sequentially, such as with a conveyor, to positions that correspond with the hoppers. At each position for the mail item, information is extracted from a job file related to how that mail item is to be processed and used to determine whether the insert from the corresponding hopper should be included with the mail item. If so, the hopper is caused to include the insert with the mail item; otherwise, the mail item is permitted to proceed to the next position without the insert being included.

Abstract: A drive and actuating system for an envelope-filling station in which enclosures or sets of enclosures are fed, by a driven conveyor, to a push-in station in which a push-in arrangement, which has a pivot drive, receives the enclosures or sets of enclosures and pushes them into envelopes, which are held ready in an open state. The envelopes are then delivered into a position opposite the push-in station, from oriented transversely to the push-in direction, by an envelope-conveying arrangement. Further, a multiplicity of functions of the individual parts of the envelope-filling station can be forcibly synchronized in an adjustable manner and a comparatively straightforward and clear construction of the overall drive and actuating system is produced.

Abstract: An envelope-filling bench for adding onto a push-in station of mail-processing machine, the bench containing an envelope-conveyor for transporting envelopes in front of the push-in station and for transporting them away once the envelopes have been filled with enclosures or sets of enclosures. The envelope-filling bench formed essentially from two vertical transverse partition walls, which are spaced apart parallel to one another, a sheet-metal C-profile support, which runs horizontally the direction perpendicular to the transverse partition walls, and a sheet-metal L-profile support, which is welded into said sheet-metal profile support. It being the case that openings and cutouts in the walls of box chamber enclosed by the sheet-metal supports are produced by punching sheet-metal blanks prior to the production of the sheet-metal supports by angling operations.

Abstract: Improvements in high-speed machines for inserting sheets into envelopes include a first apparatus for pre-opening envelopes after they are pulled from a hopper and before a blade-like envelope flap opener fully opens them. The first apparatus includes a roller and a roller housing having a top part that defines a small space between them through which a flap-including longitudinal edge of an envelope passes. The edge is constrained to form a curvature as it passes through the small space, causing the flap to open at least to some extent. A second improvement in pre-openers includes a cut out formed in an envelope support plate and a rigid deflector positioned in the path of the envelopes as they leave the hopper. The envelope flaps are partly opened as they are deflected below the plane of the support plate. A third improvement includes a plurality of vacuum dishes formed in an envelope-supporting plate.

Abstract: In an apparatus for handling sheet-like articles, in particular in an envelope-filling station, in which a carrier (9) provided with push-in fingers (11) is moved back and forth by means of an actuating arrangement (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32) in order for articles which are conveyed up by means of a conveying path (2) to be received from the conveying path and handled in the conveying direction, improved adaptation of the handling speed of the push-in fingers (11) to the conveying speed of the conveying path (2) is achieved in that a drive mechanism (21, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32) of the actuating arrangement contains a crank drive, on the crankshaft (28) of which there is fastened an elliptical two-belt pulley (29) which is coupled, via a toothed belt (31) to a continuously driven, round belt pulley (32).

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus of detecting unique items as they are inserted into a product packaging system that is easily adaptable to current product packaging and prize insertion systems. A number of different types of sensors may be used in conjunction with the insertion device to detect the unique prize before it is inserted into a product packaging system. The sensor used will vary depending on the particular application. Sensors that may be used include a capacitive proximity sensor, a thickness sensor, a reflectivity sensor, a transmissivity sensor, a stiffness sensor, a color sensor, or even an odor or chemical sensor. Ideally, the type sensor used will detect a feature of the unique item that is easily distinguishable from other items being inserted. Once the sensor detects the prize and generates a signal, this signal can be used to perform a variety of useful functions.

Abstract: Improvements in high-speed machines for inserting sheets into envelopes include a first apparatus for pre-opening envelopes after they are pulled from a hopper and before a blade-like envelope flap opener fully opens them. The first apparatus includes a roller and a roller housing having a top part that defines a small space between them through which a flap-including longitudinal edge of an envelope passes. The edge is constrained to form a curvature as it passes through the small space, causing the flap to open at least to some extent. A second improvement in pre-openers includes a cut out formed in an envelope support plate and a rigid deflector positioned in the path of the envelopes as they leave the hopper. The envelope flaps are partly opened as they are deflected below the plane of the support plate. A third improvement includes a plurality of vacuum dishes formed in an envelope-supporting plate.

Abstract: A card package production system (100) for producing card packages (115) composed of printed paper carriers (113) with matching cards (128) attached to the carriers (113) selectively outputs the card packages through a card package multi-directional distribution module (136) having a carrier transport with a primary carrier transport path extending between a package inlet (262) and a primary package outlet (144) for transporting the card packages along the primary carrier transport path. A movable stacker gate assembly (214, FIG. 7) mounted for movement between a stacking position (FIG. 26). In the stacker position, the card packages are inserted laterally through a laterally facing inlet (145) of a stacker (146) in two stages with successive pairs of card packages (115, 115′) being kept in an interleaved state.

Abstract: A system for conveying sheet-like objects, in particular banknotes, comprises a cash dispensing unit, a number of cash dispensing stations and a control unit. A conveying channel having an inlet side and an outlet side is disposed between the cash dispensing unit and each cash dispensing station, with elements for generating an air flow being present in each conveying channel. An enveloping device for enveloping the objects to be conveyed is disposed between the cash dispensing unit and the conveying channel(s). The cash dispensing unit delivers banknotes requested by a cash dispensing station to the enveloping device under the control of the control unit, which enveloping device envelopes the banknotes by a cash dispensing station and delivers the envelope to a unit for delivering the envelope containing banknotes to a conveying channel.

Abstract: A machine for inserting sheets into envelopes, the machine includes sheets feeder means for delivering the sheets on an underlying sliding surface; lugging means disposed along said sliding surface and operated by a related endless conveying line to engage trailing edges of said sheets to move said sheets toward a sheet inserting station disposed along the sliding surface downstream of said conveying line, an envelope feeder enclosing a stack of envelopes, said envelopes feeder being situated beside said sliding surface and capable, of removing continuously single envelopes from the bottom of said stack and feeding each single envelope to the inlet of an additional conveying line, placing said single envelope arranged in such a way that the back wall of the envelope, to which the closing flap of the envelope is hinged, faces downwards, so that the opening for inserting the sheets faces upwards and backwards, with respect to the inlet of said additional conveying line, said additional conveying line extending

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating an inserter having hoppers from which inserts may be selected to include with a mail item. The mail item is moved sequentially, such as with a conveyor, to positions that correspond with the hoppers. At each position for the mail item, information is extracted from a job file related to how that mail item is to be processed and used to determine whether the insert from the corresponding hopper should be included with the mail item. If so, the hopper is caused to include the insert with the mail item; otherwise, the mail item is permitted to proceed to the next position without the insert being included.

Abstract: In an envelope-filling apparatus for mail-processing machines, the adjustment of the push-in depth of enclosures into open envelopes in the operating stroke of a pivot-lever arrangement, which bears a push-in-finger arrangement, is simplified in that said pivot-lever arrangement is designed as a three-lever rectilinear-guidance mechanism, of which the third lever, which serves as the carrier hand for the push-in-finger arrangement, has, at its free end, a slide guide which can be secured and is intended for adjusting the distance between a push-in-finger shaft for the push-in-finger arrangement and the point of articulation of the longer lever of the three-lever rectilinear-guidance means on the carrier hand.

Abstract: In an apparatus for handling sheet-like articles, in particular in an envelope-filling station, the smoothness of running is increased, even in the case of high cycle speeds, in that a guide control means is provided so that push-in fingers, which are moved back and forth by an actuating arrangement, can be lowered and raised relative to a base plate both in the operating stroke and in the return stroke, it being the case that provided for the operating stroke is a framework-side guide part and for the return stroke is a diverter-like changeover guide part, which is actuated by the guide contact element itself and ensures in each case smooth transitions to the housing-side guide part.

Abstract: A high speed sheet feeder machine includes at least one pusher that follows a loop-shaped path of travel as the machine operates. The pusher pushes an insert into an envelope during a forward and downward part of its path of travel and then retreats rearwardly and upwardly along the loop-shaped path of travel before repeating an insertion. In this way, the pusher makes no abrupt changes in its path of travel. Very high rates of insertion are made possible by providing multiple pushers at longitudinally spaced apart intervals along the loop-shaped path of travel. A stop plate is integrally formed with each pusher assembly and a fixed position barrier is mounted on the machine adjacent the rearward end of the loop-shaped path of travel to prevent over-rotation of each pusher member at very high speeds.

Abstract: A system for the automated insertion of documents into envelopes. The system includes a plurality of individual document feeding devices that feed individual documents from an assembled stack onto a moving document conveyor. Each of the document feeding devices includes a suction device that pulls the lowermost document into contact with a discharge nip formed between a pair of opposed rotating belts. After being deposited onto the document conveyor, each of the documents enters into a pusher assembly in which each of the documents is accelerated and pushed into an open envelope positioned adjacent to the discharge end of the document conveyor. The stack of opened envelopes is fed by the combination of an envelope feeding device and an envelope conveyor section. The envelope feeding device receives a stack of closed envelopes and feeds and opens each envelope before it is stacked adjacent to the discharge of the document conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing photographic pictures and film strips, and in particular index prints, into a job pouch that has a picture pocket and a film-strip pocket; comprises a conveying device in each case for the pictures, the film strips, and the index print; and a support plate for the job pouch that is to be loaded wherein the conveying device for the index print is movable from a horizontal starting position in order to receive the index print, into a vertical position, holding the job pouch on the support plate, in order to deliver the index print into the picture pocket; and the upper side of the job pouch forming the picture pocket can be acted upon by a flow of compressed air.

Abstract: In a document delivery method and system, a sending computer is adapted to be operated by a sending party to send out an electronic document. A receiving unit, which is situated at a mail delivery service provider, is operable so as to establish a network connection with the sending computer so as to receive the electronic document therefrom. A printing unit is coupled to the receiving unit, receives the electronic document from the receiving unit, and makes a printed document that corresponds to the electronic document. An enveloping unit is operable so as to wrap the printed document in enveloping material. A conveying unit, which is disposed between the printing unit and the enveloping unit, is responsible for conveying the printed document from the printing unit to the enveloping unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing an information-based indicia program (IBIP) address and postage in a document inserter mailing system is disclosed wherein a third-party word processing software with mail merge capabilities generates text and a matching address is used as the input for a client application in high-volume document processing and mail systems without programmatically altering the word processing program to accommodate the printing subsystem. Addresses are validated and corrected in the printing subsystems prior to creation of the indicia image and address image to be printed on the mailpiece. One or more documents are inserted into the corresponding address matched envelope, which is sealed and has appropriate postage affixed prior to placement in the delivery stream.

Abstract: A drug filling machine having a plurality of feeders containing a plurality of different kinds of drugs. A plurality of the drugs are discharged from one or some of the feeders into a vial. A sealing unit is provided for sealing the mouth of the vial with a transparent sheet. The sealing unit includes a sheet presser for pushing the transparent sheet into the mouth of the vial to form a sealing sheet having a tray-shaped section, a cutter for cutting the transparent sheet into a predetermined shape, and a heater for fusing the transparent sheet to the top end of the vial to seal the mouth of the vial. A method of inspecting the drugs contained in the vial includes preparing the transparent sheet a sealing portion for covering the mouth of the vial, and a printed portion that protrudes outwardly of the mouth of the vial. After inspecting the drugs in the vial, the printed portion is separated from the sealing portion, and a cap is secured on the mouth of the vial.

Abstract: A document handling device (12) comprises a first endless conveyor (6), which is arranged to be intermittently driven in a first direction of feed (F) and has drivers to fetch documents (2) at document discharging stations (5) and put them together into sheaves (3). The documents are to be manipulated, downstream of the document discharging stations (5) seen in the direction of feed (F), in sheaves at a first sheaf discharging station (8), such as a document manipulating unit, in which the sheaves of documents (3) from the first conveyor (6) are inserted into envelopes (4) placed on a second endless conveyor (9), which is parallel to the first conveyor (6) and driven synchronously therewith. The first conveyor (6) is intermittently drivable also in a second direction opposite to said first direction of feed and a second sheaf discharging station (14), such as a stapling or plastics coating unit, is arranged upstream of the document discharging stations (5) seen in said first direction of feed (F).

Abstract: For assembling mail items, a type of envelope is selected from different types. Another station is accordingly set and a flat object is packaged in an envelope of the selected type. Prior to the assembly of a series of mail items, a set of basic finishing instructions applying to said series is activated. This set contains a first and a second set of instructions, each for selecting a first respectively second one of the different types of envelopes and with an instruction for an associated first respectively second setting of the other station, and a selection criterion for selecting, per individual mail item, one of the sets of instructions. Thus, within the framework of a preset set of basic finishing instructions, another one of the available types of envelope can simply be selected per mail item to be assembled individually.

Abstract: A mail inserter machine having a drive system including a drive motor, gear reducer unit and indexing unit. The drive motor and gear reducer communicate by a belt driven around pulleys residing in a plane and the gear reducer communicating through a direct shaft drive with the indexing unit. The indexing unit rotating a belt pulley which carries a belt connected to a timing pulley for driving a cross shaft. The belt pulley and timing pulley residing in a plane parallel to said drive motor and gear reducer unit pulleys. Said drive system arranged in a lower portion of the mail inserter machine chassis, whereby the said parallel planar pulleys thereby generate forces vectored in parallel directions enabling a greater size, greater precision, high durability, and greater dynamic stability for the mail inserter machine.

Abstract: The invention proposes a handling apparatus for moving sheet-like articles, in particular an inserter for pushing inserts into envelopes, in which apparatus a link hand, which forms part of a rectilinear-guidance mechanism formed from three links, has spring-loaded fingers which are articulated at the free end of the link hand and slide over a base plate during the operating stroke, while, during a return stroke, the fingers are raised off together from the base plate by means of a control guide arrangement. Said apparatus operates at high cycle speeds without disruption and requires the arrangement as a whole to be of just a small overall height.

Abstract: This invention relates to a supply module in a mail processing machine comprising one the one hand means for conveying the mailpieces and a moistening device ensuring wetting of a flap of an envelope after the latter has been slightly moved apart from the body of the envelope, and on the other hand, means for creating on said flap of the envelope a second line of fold above the natural crease line of the envelope existing at the level of the join of the body of the envelope with the flap.