Bell & Howell Mail and Messaging Technologies Company

Bowe Bell + Howell Company

Bell + Howell Company

Bell & Howell Mail Processing Systems

Edward M Otto

James R Moser

David M Skvoretz

James N Driscoll

John J Semanick

Michael R Drago

Richard W Finnochio

Phuong T Do

The present subject matter relates to the field of document material handling in high-speed in-line mailing systems. In particular, the present subject matter relates to a cross track divert device, system and method for diverting a suspect or invalid document from a paper pathway prior to the document entering a raceway conveyor. The cross track divert device is designed to divert and remove the suspect or invalid document without stoppage of the mailing system's operation cycle.

Over the raceway divert device, system and method for diverting suspect documents

A sheet accumulating apparatus accumulates inputted sheets into a stack registered on all sides, wherein the sheets are controlled with minimum contact by components of the apparatus to minimize or eliminate smudging or marking of the sheets. The apparatus can be selectively adjusted to effect over-accumulation or under-accumulation, and can be adjusted to accommodate different sheet sizes. The apparatus comprises an accumulation section defining a sheet feed plane therethrough. An upper ramp is disposed upstream from the accumulation section and is movable into and out of the sheet feed plane. An upper retaining member is linked to the upper ramp and is movable into and out of the sheet feed plane in alternating relation to the upper ramp. A lower ramp is disposed below the upper ramp and is movable into and out of the sheet feed plane in alternating relation to the upper ramp. A lower retaining member is linked to the lower ramp and movable into and out of the sheet feed plane in alternating relation to the upper ramp.

Non-marking accumulator and related methods

A document handling apparatus for processing sheets comprises a dynamic in-feed device, a sheet receiving section disposed downstream from the dynamic in-feed device, and an electronic controller. The dynamic in-feed device comprises a sheet-driving device and a variable-speed motor operatively engaging the sheet-driving device. The dynamic in-feed device inputs a sheet according to a repeatable dynamic speed profile. The dynamic speed profile is defined by an initial input speed, a subsequent decelerating or accelerating speed curve, and a final input speed that is less than the initial input speed. The electronic controller communicates with the variable-speed motor for executing the dynamic speed profile and controlling the input device according to the dynamic speed profile.

Document handling apparatus with dynamic infeed mechanism and related method

In a method of continuously feeding sheets, a top-sheet pick-up device and a feed table for feeding stacks of sheets to the pick-up device are provided. A stack of sheets are placed on the feed table and fed towards the pick-up device. When it is detected that the uppermost sheets are positioned under the pick-up device, the pick-up device separates the uppermost sheet from the stack. The feed table continues to feed the stack toward the pick-up device by moving additional sheets into position under the pick-up device when no sheet is detected under the pick-up device. Also provided are a feed table including an angle bracket for registering and shingling sheets, and a method of converting a non-continuous high-capacity top-sheet feeder having a top-sheet pick-up device into a continuous high-capacity top-sheet feeder.

Horizontal feed table and method

A smudge-free sheet material handling apparatus and method are disclosed. The device moves sheet material by only pushing on the edges of the sheet material. Since there is no toner or ink at these locations, the sheet material can be fed without risk of smudging the toner material on the sheet surfaces. Furthermore, since no high friction parts come into relative contact/movement with the surfaces of the sheet material, smudging is even further reduced.

Smudge-free sheet material handling apparatus and method

A stager interface apparatus and method for staging two-up printed material are disclosed. The stager interface apparatus and method, in the form of a cutter stager, by independently holding each piece of printed material, allow side-by-side printed material to be released downstream either simultaneously or sequentially dependent upon downstream requirements.

Stager interface apparatus and method for staging sheets

A high-capacity collector apparatus and method are provided for collecting sheet articles and advancing collected sheet articles. The collector apparatus includes a stage for collecting a stack of sheet articles advanced thereto wherein the stage is adjustable to accommodate sheet articles of various dimensions or sizes. Pusher/stop members are provided and are operable to stop sheet articles collected in a stack in the stage and to subsequently push the stack of sheet articles from the stage. The pusher/stop members are preferably lug members fixedly attached to a plurality of belts with each belt having one lug member fixedly attached thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the collector apparatus comprises two pairs of independently controlled movable belts each having one lug member attached thereto. The lug members of one pair of belts are adapted for providing a front stop for one stack of sheet articles collected in the stage, and for alternately moving to a rear ready position and then pushing another stack of collected sheet articles from the stage at a predetermined time. Each belt operatively extends around one drive pulley and one idle pulley, and the belts are aligned so that two opposing shafts rotated independently by separate drive motors can be used to controllably drive each pair of belt means independently.

Growing community of inventors

Bethlehem, PA, United States of America

Edward M Otto