Pitney Bowes Inc.

Francesco Porco

David E Kayser

Michael S Doery

Robert J Allen

Steven A Supron

Thomas M Lyga

Eric A Belec

Gary S Jacobson

Roman Czernik

Samuel W Martin

Christopher Julius Stefan

Jason P Paradis

Martin Mulroy

A sheet accumulator has a circular paper path and a compact design. Individual sheets of paper moving along a main linear path are diverted into the accumulator one by one, and each sheet enters a gripper having jaws that grip the sheets of paper. The gripper jaws pull the sheets along the circular paper path until the gripper returns to a home location, at which point the gripper stops, opens, accepts another sheet, closes, and makes another rotation. When the accumulation is complete, the gripper jaws open to release an accumulated stack of sheets, and a roller is then engaged to exit the sheets out of the accumulator and into the main linear paper path.

Recirculating gripper accumulator having a circular paper path

The present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a nudger for a mixed mail feeder and, in particular, to an apparatus and method of providing and detecting proper position in a stack of mixed mail. The apparatus, generally, comprises a nudger arm for detecting proper positioning of the mailpiece and a lean detection arm for detecting proper lean of the mailpiece with respect to the nudger. The method comprises generally, a determination that when the lean detection arm and the nudger arm are in a position indicating that the lead mailpiece is in the proper position, the stack of mixed mail is decelerated and fed to, for example, a separator, for further processing. The deceleration is performed at a slow rate and provides for a predetermined amount of over travel by the stack of mixed mail. This ensures proper contact of the lead mailpiece with the nudger rollers for feeding the mailpieces for further processing. The nudger rollers continue to feed the lead mailpieces until one or both of the lean detection arm and the nudger arm move out of the position(s) for proper mailpiece feeding.

Method and apparatus for detecting proper mailpiece position for feeding

A buckle accumulator including an input feed system and for feeding a sheet in a path of travel and an output feed system located downstream in the path of travel from the input feed system. The sheet having a leading edge and a stiffness. The lead edge of the sheet is substantially unrestrained between the input feed system and the output feed system. The input feed system imparts a furrow within the sheet to increase the stiffness of the sheet between the input feed system and the output feed system so that the lead edge of the sheet substantially follows a desired path of travel and enters the output feed system.

Corrugated input feed for a buckle accumulator

A folding machine is adapted to receive customized printed sheets and envelopes from a printer and to fold the sheets preparatory to the sheets being inserted into an envelope, but to feed the envelopes through the folding machine directly to an envelope inserting machine without the envelopes being folded. The folding machine has a main path of travel extending therethrough, and a bypass gate mounted in the main path of travel to divert sheets from the main path of travel and directs them into a folding mechanism. The bypass gate is movable from a diverting position to a non-diverting position in response to a sensing device that distinguishes between an envelope and a sheet, so that the bypass gate moves from the diverting position to a non-diverting position to permit the envelope to bypass the folding mechanism and travel directly to the inserting machine.

Envelope bypass device for folding machine

This device reduces the size of the gap between the apex of the flap opener blade and the drive roller. The above increases the probability that the flap of the envelope would be opened. The foregoing was accomplished by removing segments of the apex of the flap opener blade to allow clearance for the envelope and/or drive roller. Thus, the nominal position of the apex of the flap opener blade was moved closer to the drive roller which reduced the gap between the apex of the flap opener blade and drive roller. Consequently, the chance that the envelope flap would be closed was reduced.

Envelope flap opening device

An adjustable cassette for use in an envelope printing system. The cassette includes an elevator for maintaining the top envelope in a stack of envelopes in contact with a take-up roller in the printing system. The cassette also includes lateral guides positioned adjacent to the extreme forward portion of the envelope stack. The lateral guides are resiliently mounted to depress and pass beneath the take-up roller as the cassette is inserted into the printing system.

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Fairfield, CT, United States of America

Francesco Porco