Bell + Howell Company

Bell & Howell Phillipsburg Company

Other

Bell & Howell, LLC

Paul J Beatty

Gary L VanderSyde

Ren Roxas

Dave Haas

Kenneth G Viani

Kenneth L Guenther

K George Rabindran

Winston A Orsinger

Gerald D Warden

Gary L Vander Syde

Myron A Bowles

Gary VanderSvde

David A Haas

Renato O Roxas

Michael A Wisniewsi

VanderSyde: Gary

An insert track (30) of an insertion machine comprises a continuous elastomer belt (32) which travels a horizontal plate 9101) and proximate a plurality of insert station hoppers (52H-57H). The plate (101) has an upper surface (103) formed from an ultra high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene. The plate (101) is sandwiched in a friction fit between the insertion machine frame (100) and a track front edge guide (105). The plate carries a track rear edge guide (104). In its friction fit the plate (101) is slidable for selectively changing the width of the track from the track front edge guide (105) to the track rear edge guide (104). The track front edge guide (105) has a bridge member (112) connected thereto proximate each insert station (52-57). Each bridge member (112) extends above and across the width of the belt (32). Each bridge member (112) has a drag strip (113) suspendedly connected thereto proximate the midpoint of the belt (32). Each drag strip (113) has an axis of elongation which is parallel to the direction of travel of the belt (32). From its connection to its branch member (112), each drag strip (113) curves downwardly to gently ride on the belt (32). In addition to a feeder (60), each insert station has a pair of knock-down arms (126A, 126B) which direct an item relased by the feeder (60) onto the belt ( b 32). Each knock-down arm (126) has a pair of bristled brushes (132, 134) secured to a distal end thereof. The knock-down arms (126) are pivotable about an axis (121). The axis (121) about which the knock-down arms (126) oscillate is intermediate the hoppers (52H-57H) and the belt (32).

Insertion machine with improved insert track

An insertion machine includes an insertion station (44) whereat groups of items are stuffed into an envelope held open at an envelope opening station (49). The insertion station comprises an cam (212)-driven carriage (202) which linearly reciprocates in a direction (480) toward and away from the envelope opening station (49). The carriage (202) carries a plurality of selectively mounted, selectively rotatable pusher fingers (204). The pusher fingers (204) have a profile suitable for shoving items along a partially inclined insertion plate surface 403 and into an opened envelope. The pusher fingers (204) are selectively rotatable to an operative orientation (720) and to an inoperative orientation (722) under the supervision of a controller (205). Jam detectors (550, 552) are provided proximate reciprocating entry fingers (500, 502) which move when a jam occurs in the inserting process. Should a jam occur, the pusher fingers (204) are controlled to rotate to their inoperative orientation (722). Access to the jam location is obtained by rotating the carriage (202) about an axis (415) and by swinging an envelope opening gate (660) about another axis (662). After the inserting of a group of items into an envelope, a flap moistener (70) detects a change in electromagnetic flux as the result of the travel of an opened envelope flap and sprays an atomized fluid along spaced-apart paths (699A, 699B) onto gummed regions of the envelope flap.

Insertion machine

An insertion machine includes an insertion station (44) whereat groups of items are stuffed into an envelope held open at an envelope opening station (49). The insertion station comprises a cam (212)-driven carriage (202) which linearly reciprocates in a direction (480) toward and away from the envelope opening station (49). The carriage (202) carries a plurality of selectively mounted, selectively rotatable pusher fingers (204). The pusher fingers (204) have a profile suitable for shoving items along a partially inclined insertion plate surface 403 and into an opened envelope. The pusher fingers (204) are selectively rotatable to an operative orientation (720) and to an inoperative orientation (722) under the supervision of a controller (205). Jam detectors (550, 552) are provided proximate reciprocating entry flanges (500, 502) which move when a jam occurs in the inserting process. Should a jam occur, the pusher fingers (204) are controlled to rotate the their inoperative orientation (722). Access to the jam location is obtained by rotating the carriage (202) about an axis (415) and by swinging an envelope opening gate (660) about another axis (662). After the inserting of a group of items into an envelope, a flap moistener (70) detects a change in electromagnetic flux as the result of the travel of an opened envelope flap and sprays an atomized fluid along spaced-apart paths (699A, 699B) onto gummed regions of the envelope flap.

An insertion machine includes an insertion station (44) whereat groups of items are stuffed into an envelope held open at an envelope opening station (49). The insertion station comprises a cam (212)-driven carriage (202) which linearly reciprocates in a direction (480) toward and away from the envelope opening station (49). The carriage (202) carries a plurality of selectively mounted, selectively rotatable pusher fingers (204). The pusher fingers (204) have a profile suitable for shoving items along a partially inclined insertion plate surface 403 and into an opened envelope. The pusher fingers (204) are selectively rotatable to an operative orientation (720) and to an inoperative orientation (722) under the supervision of a controller (205). Jam detectors (550, 552) are provided proximate reciprocating entry fingers (500, 502) which move when a jam occurs in the inserting process. Should a jam occur, the pusher fingers (204) are controlled to rotate to their inoperative orientation (722). Access to the jam location is obtained by rotating the carriage (202) about an axis (415) and by swinging an envelope opening gate (660) about another axis (662). After the inserting of a group of items into an envelope, a flap moistener (70) detects a change in electromagnetic flux as the result of the travel of an opened envelope flap and sprays an atomized fluid along spaced-apart paths (699A, 699B) onto gummed regions of the envelope flap.

An insert track (30) of an insertion machine comprises a continuous elastomer belt (32) which travels over a horizontal plate (101) and proximate a plurality of insert station hoppers (52H-57H). The plate (101) has an upper surface (103) formed from an ultra high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene. The plate (101) is sandwiched in a friction fit between the insertion machine frame (100) and a track front edge guide (105). The plate carries a track rear edge guide (104). In its friction fit the plate (101) is slidable for selectively changing the width of the track from the track front edge guide (105) to the track rear edge guide (104). The track front edge guide (105) has a bridge member (112) connected thereto proximate each insert station (52-57). Each bridge member (112) extends above and across the width of the belt (32). Each bridge member (112) has a drag strip (113) suspendedly connected thereto proximate the midpoint of the belt (32). Each drag strip (113) has an axis of elongation which is parallel to the direction of travel of the belt (32). From its connection to its branch member (112), each drag strip (113) curves downwardly to gently ride on the belt (32). In addition to a feeder (60), each insert station has a pair of knockdown arms (126A), 126B) which direct an item released by the feeder (60) onto the belt (32). Each knock-down arm (126) has a pair of bristled brushes (132, 134) secured to a distal end thereof. The knock-down arms (126) are pivotable about an axis (121). The axis (121) about which the knock-down arms (126) oscillate is intermediate the hoppers (52H-57H) and the belt (32).

An insertion machine includes an insertion station (44) whereat groups of items are stuffed into an envelope held open at an envelope opening station (49). The insertion station comprises a cam (212)driven carriage (202) which linearly reciprocates in a direction (480) toward and away from the envelope opening station (49). The carriage (202) carries a plurality of selectively mounted, selectively rotatable pusher fingers (204). The pusher fingers (204) have a profile suitable for shoving items along a partially inclined insertion plate surface 403 and into an opened envelope. The pusher fingers (204) are selectively rotatable to an operative orientation (720) and to an inoperative orientation (722) under the supervision of a controller (205). Jam detectors (550, 552) are provided proximate reciprocating entry fingers (500, 502) which move when a jam occurs in the inserting process. Should a jam occur, the pusher fingers (204) are controlled to rotate to their inoperative orientation (722). Access to the jam location is obtained by rotating the carriage (202) about an axis (415) and by swinging an envelope opening gate (660) about another axis (662). After the inserting of a group of items into an envelope, a flap moistener (70) detects a change in electromagnetic flux as the result of the travel of an opened envelope flap and sprays an atomized fluid along spaced-apart paths (699A, 669B) onto gummed regions of the envelope flap.

Apparatus and method for automatically preparing large mailings in which one or more documents are nested within the fold of a letter sheet prior to insertion into an outer envelope. One or more unfolded letter sheets are transported to a folding operation involving a clamp assembly and a roller folding assembly which is movable into engagement with the clamp assembly. After folding and prior to stuffing into an envelope, one or more inserts can be inserted within the folded letter sheet.

Apparatus and method for automated mail

The size of the gap separating first and second jaw members (26, 28) comprising a gripper arm is made adjustable by the provision of a translatable bracket (80) upon which an actuator (30) is supported. As the bracket (80) translates, so do the actuator (30) and a linkage (32) which connects a pivotable jaw member (28) to the actuator (30). Translation of the actuator (30) and linkage (32) changes the size of the gap separating the pivotable jaw member (28) and the other jaw member (26), thereby permitting the gripper arm to accommodate and engage articles of differing thicknesses.

Adjustable gripper arm

Both positive pressure fluid and negative pressure fluid are used in a method and by an apparatus to at least partially separate a sheet prior to the feeding of the sheet. A carriage 22 having registration arms 160 resiliently coupled thereto is rotated toward a sheet lying in a storage position in a hopper 200. The carriage 22 bears both a positive pressure-communicating port 54 and negative pressure-communicating orifice, preferably in the form of two bellows-type sucker cups 56A, 56B. Positive pressure fluid is applied through port 54 in a manner whereby at least a portion of sheet 220 is attracted to a surface 52 in which ports 54 lie. While positive pressure fluid is being applied, the carriage 22 is rotated away from the storage position of the sheet 220, thereby deflecting at least a portion of the sheet about a first axis 208 of the sheet 220. Negative pressure fluid is then applied through sucker cups 56A, 56B to attract the deflected sheet 220 onto the sucker cups 56A, 56B, thereby deflecting the sheet about the surface 52 and thus about a second axis 230 of the sheet. The carriage 22 is rotated further away from the storage position of the sheet 220, thereby further deflecting the sheet 220 about its first axis 208.

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Chicago, IL, United States of America

Paul J Beatty