Pitney Bowes Inc.

Dmt Solutions Global Corporation

Other

Hewlett-packard Company

Pitney Dowes Inc.

John R Masotta

John W Sussmeier

William J Wright

Boris Rozenfeld

Anthony E Yap

Arthur H DePoi

Robert E Manna

Charles C Fuller

Gregory P Skinger

Daniel J Williams

Daniel Wright

Kevin J O'Dea

Mark Macleod

Eddy Edel

Robert J Allen

Thomas M Lyga

Russell W Holbrook

Carlos L DeFigueiredo

Joseph L Gargiulo

Carl R Chapman

Craig Richard

John F Pezzuti

George Cruz

Carl L Chapman

Thomas E Ifkovits

Andre P Tremblay

Boris Rosenfeld

Art H DePoi

Aris Ballestrazzi

An envelope sealing and flipping system can be incorporated into a mail inserter system to seal an envelope with a complete unbroken glue line and simultaneously flip the envelope face-up for downstream processing. The system includes a flip cage that receives an envelope and a moveable wetting brush that contacts the flap. The flip cage rotates, causing the flap to drag underneath the wetting brush, and realigning the envelope with a sealer nip which seals the envelope. The flip cage rotates continuously to receive, flip, and seal many envelopes.

Integrated envelope sealer and flip module

The invention is a hybrid inserter/wrapper system comprising a hybrid inserter/wrapper system comprising a modular document inserter system and a unique wrapper-like envelope creation module operably connected thereto. The wrapper-like envelope creation module is configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the wrapper-like envelope creation module is configured to fabricate wrapper-like outer envelopes and feed such outer envelopes to the inserter system. In the second mode, the wrapper-like envelope creation module is configured to allow the inserter to be loaded with premade envelopes and feed such envelopes to the inserter system. In either mode, the document inserter system further carries out downstream operations to thereby produce a finished mailpiece.

Hybrid inserter/wrapper system

The invention is a modular card processing and attaching system configured to provide uninterrupted workflow in the feeding and subsequent attaching of cards to carriers for the formation of a mailpiece. The modular card processing and attaching system is further configured to be incorporated into a production mail inserter system, such that attached card and carrier mailpieces may be subsequently sorted and/or inserted into a mailable envelope or packages to be mailed.

Card processing and attaching system

According to some embodiments, a double detection apparatus for a mail-piece inserter includes a detectable flag affixed to a rotating mail-piece gripper of a mail-piece rotary feeder. A stationary proximity sensor may generate a voltage output based on a presence of the detectable flag in a direction along a first axis normal to the rotation of the mail-piece gripper. A decision unit may then generate a double detect alert signal when a phase shift above a pre-determined threshold value is detected in the voltage output generated by the stationary proximity sensor. According to some embodiments, the decision unit may also generate a thin detect alert signal when a phase shift past another pre-determined threshold value is detected in the voltage output generated by the stationary proximity sensor.

Mail-piece insertion system heavies rotary feeder double detect system and method

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.

Pivoting envelope insertion guide

A system and method for wrapping sheet material to produce finished mailpieces includes an upstream content module, a downstream mailpiece assembly module including a wrapper module adapted to encapsulate content material, and a buffer module interposing the upstream content and downstream assembly modules. The buffer module includes a plurality of buffer gates adapted to convey the content material from an upstream gate to a downstream gate to maintain a threshold pitch distance between successive pieces of content material. A controller is operatively coupled to the modules and controls the conveyance of content material through the buffer gates. More specifically, the controller coordinates the delivery and insertion of content material into the wrapper module to minimize dry-holes, maintain stresses below a threshold level to ensure continued operation, and optimize system throughput.

Inter-machine buffer for mailpiece fabrication system

An automated apparatus and method for collecting and dispensing rejected cards in a tray in a card attaching system. Sheets are transported on a moving belt. Cards are fed from a feeder above the moving belt. Cards are deposited onto the sheets. When a card rejection condition is detected, a rejected card is diverted and deposited in a tray having a sloped chute. The sloped chute extends down to a lower position beyond an outside edge of the moving belt. To facilitate movement down the chute, the tray is vibrated. This vibration is accomplished by supporting the tray on a roller assembly that rolls on a surface of the moving belt as it passes under the sloped chute. The roller is non-circular or of an eccentric configuration, such that the axis of the roller will experience a vertical displacement as the roller rotates, jogging the tray.

Vibrating tray for diverted card inserts

A tool drills holes into different sized wooden blocks so that the holes are precisely positioned while providing a means to position the tool to match an existing line or slot on the wooden block. The tool includes two identical pieces that, when assembled, adjusts to accommodate variable sized model car blocks, provides a view port to look through the tool for positioning, and contains perfectly aligned drill guide holes on either end and in the middle of the assembly to guide a drill bit that drills the required holes needed to accurately place axles and eyelets into the model car. The tool is adjustable to accommodate different sized blocks. The holes can be angled to create wheel camber when axles inserted.

Adjustable drill guide for wooden model cars

A registration device for a mail processing system having wide print nozzle arrays that reduces problems associated with printing on variable thickness media. A thin wire, held by guides, is strung across the print nozzle openings in the registration plate to support and guide the top (print) surface of a mail piece and to prevent the mail piece from protruding into the openings. The guides are positioned such that the wire passes between zones where there are no print nozzles located. A tensioning device is provided to adjust the tension of the wire to ensure the wire maintains its position within the openings. The wire acts as a guide to maintain the optimal gap between the mail piece top surface and the print nozzles.

Registration device for mail processing system having wide print nozzle arrays

An item handling system includes a transport system defining a transport plane, a printer assembly defining a printer plane, and a printer alignment system supporting the printer assembly. The printer alignment system includes a plurality of drive elements configured to move the printer assembly. A method of aligning a printer in the item handling system includes moving the printer assembly to a limit position of the printer alignment system distal from the transport system using the drive elements, moving the printer assembly to a limit position of the printer alignment system proximate to the transport system using the drive elements, and driving each of the drive elements at a respective predetermined level to place the printer plane in a substantially parallel orientation with respect to the transport plane.

Item handling system with printer alignment

A right angle turn module having a first transport that transports side-by-side sheets in a first direction. Downstream of the first sheet transport a barrier is positioned to stop the sheets. A sensor device detects an arrival of the side-by-side sheets at the stop arrangement. Then, an actuated second sheet transport, triggered by the sensor device, is activated to transport the sheets serially in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. In a preferred embodiment, a horizontal guide plate is positioned at a downstream end of the first sheet transport. With the guide plate thus positioned, a sheet traveling in the first direction and a sheet traveling in the second direction can temporarily be overlapped and a collision can be avoided. In a further preferred embodiment, the first transport further comprises overhead belts to urge the side-by-side pair of sheets in the first direction. The overhead belts may be tensioned so as to slip over a top surface of the side-by-side pair of sheets while urging the pair of sheets towards the stop arrangement.

High throughput right angle turn module

A printing assembly includes a transport system configured to transport items on a transport path and a printer rotatably disposed on a support. The printer includes a plurality of printing elements disposed sequentially along the transport path. A method of calibrating the printing assembly includes aligning a first reference associated with the printer with a second reference associated with the support, transporting an item on the transport path, printing a pattern on the item using a first printing element and a second printing element, determining a correction value from the pattern, and rotating the printer relative to the support in an amount corresponding to the correction value to substantially align the printing elements with the transport path.

Printing assembly calibration

An improved sheet accumulator for stacking serially fed sheets transported on a paper path includes a guide deck. Above the guide deck, a plurality of parallel belts are positioned to provide a driving force for sheets on the deck. Within the accumulator, a ramp apparatus is positioned across the paper path whereby sheets driven by the belts on an upstream portion of the accumulator deck are driven over the ramp apparatus and deposited in an accumulating region of the accumulator deck on a downstream side of the ramp apparatus. Sheets are stopped by an accumulator stop mechanism located at a downstream end of the accumulating region that prevents movement of sheets by the belts while sheets for an accumulation are being collected. When an accumulation is completed, the accumulator stop mechanism allows sheets to be transported from the accumulating region.

Growing community of inventors

Bethel, CT, United States of America

John R Masotta