Claims
- 1. A system for processing envelopes comprising:
- conveyance means, adapted to receive and convey envelopes along a predetermined path, including a web moveable along said predetermined path having vacuum apertures therein, means for supplying vacuum to said apertures such that envelopes received by said web are held flat against the surface of said web at the location at which they are received during movement of said web at high speeds, and means for rapidly moving said web to convey said envelopes at high speeds;
- first feed means, adapted to support a plurality of primary envelopes in a generally upstanding stack, for sequentially feeding said primary envelopes in a continuous stream onto said conveyance means and for interrupting said continuous stream to leave selected spaces in said stream in response to first predetermined command signals;
- first printer means, cooperative with said conveyance means, for printing indicia on envelopes fed onto said conveyance means by said first feed means in response to first print command signals;
- at least one inserter means, adapted to support a plurality of insert envelopes in a generally upstanding stack and cooperative with said conveyance means, for feeding said insert envelopes onto said conveyance means in said selected spaces in response to predetermined inserter command signals;
- second printer means, cooperative with said conveyance means and operative in response to predetermined second print command signals, for printing individualized indicia on each successive primary and insert envelope passed along said predetermined path by said conveyance means; and
- control means operatively associated with said conveyance means, first feed means, inserter means and first and second printer means, said control means being adapted to provide said first predetermined command signals, said inserter command signals and said first and second print command signals in a predetermined sequence so as to automatically establish predetermined spacing between successive primary envelopes fed onto said conveyance means, cause successive primary envelopes to be printed by said first printer means, cause insert envelopes to be inserted into said selected spaces between said primary envelopes created for this purpose, and effect printing of individualized indicia on each successive envelope by said second printer means.
- 2. A system for processing envelopes as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control means further comprises:
- primary sensor means associated with said first feed means for generating a primary envelope interrupt indicative of the ability of said first feed means to feed a primary envelope or a selected space into said predetermined sequence.
- 3. A system for processing envelopes as set forth in claim 2 wherein said control means further comprises:
- means for storing a primary envelope table having a plurality of entries wherein each entry defines the absence or presence of a primary envelope or a selected space in said predetermined sequence.
- 4. A system for processing envelopes as set forth in claim 3 wherein said control means further comprises:
- means, in response to said primary envelope interrupt, for generating said first command signals based upon the values of said entries in said primary envelope table.
- 5. A system for processing envelopes as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control means further comprises:
- insert sensor means associated with said at least one inserter means for generating an insert envelope interrupt indicative of the ability of said at least one inserter means to feed an insert envelope into one of said selected spaces in said predetermined sequence.
- 6. A system for processing envelopes as set forth in claim 5 wherein said control means further comprises:
- means for storing an insert envelope table having a plurality of entries wherein each entry defines the absence or presence of a respective insert envelope in one of said selected spaces in said predetermined sequence.
- 7. A system for processing envelopes as set forth in claim 6 wherein said control means further comprises:
- means, in response to said insert envelope interrupt, for generating said inserter command signals based upon the values of said entries in said insert envelope table.
- 8. A system for processing envelopes as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control means further comprises:
- first print sensor means associated with said first printing means for generating a first print interrupt indicative of the ability of said first printing means to print a primary envelope in said predetermined sequence.
- 9. A system for processing envelopes as set forth in claim 8 wherein said control means further comprises:
- means, in response to said first print interrupt, for generating said first print command signals based upon the values of the entries in said primary envelope table.
- 10. A system for processing envelopes as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control system further comprises:
- envelope sensor means associated with said second printer means for generating a second print interrupt indicative of the ability of said second printing means to print a primary or insert envelope in said predetermined sequence.
- 11. A system for processing envelopes as set forth in claim 10 wherein said control system further comprises:
- means, in response to said second print interrupt, for generating said second print command signals based upon the values of the entries in said primary envelope table.
- 12. A system for processing envelopes as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control means further comprises:
- primary sensor means associated with said first feed means for generating a primary envelope interrupt indicative of the ability of said first feed means to feed a primary envelope or a selected space into said predetermined sequence;
- means for storing a primary envelope table having a plurality of entries wherein each entry defines the absence or presence of a primary envelope or a selected space in said predetermined sequence;
- means, in response to said primary envelope interrupt, for generating said first command signals based upon the values of said entries in said primary envelope table;
- insert sensor means associated with said at least one inserter means for generating an insert envelope interrupt indicative of the ability of said at least one inserter means to feed an insert envelope into one of said selected spaces in said predetermined sequence;
- means for storing an insert envelope table having a plurality of entries wherein each entry defines the absence or presence of a respective insert envelope in one of said selected spaces in said predetermined sequence;
- means, in response to said insert envelope interrupt, for generating said inserter command signals based upon the values of said entries in said insert envelope table;
- first print sensor means associated with said first printing means for generating a first print interrupt indicative of the ability of said first printing means to print a primary envelope in said predetermined sequence; interrupt, for generating said first print command signals based upon the values of the entries in said primary envelope table;
- envelope sensor means associated with said second printer means for generating a second print interrupt indicative of the ability of said second printing means to print a primary or insert envelope in said predetermined sequence; and
- means, in response to said second print interrupt, for generating said second print command signals based upon the values of the entries in said primary envelope table.
- 13. A system for processing envelopes as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first feed means further includes:
- a reciprocating primary suction block for sequentially feeding primary envelopes from said upstanding stack or sequentially feeding selected spaces to said conveyance means depending upon whether suction is applied to said block, said suction block reciprocating at the frequency of said primary envelopes and said selected spaces in said continuous stream; and
- control valve means responsive to said first command signals for applying a vacuum to said suction block to feed a primary envelope and for blocking a vacuum from said suction block to feed a selected space.
- 14. A system for processing envelopes as set forth in claim 13 wherein said control means includes:
- primary sensor means associated with said first feed means for generating a primary envelope interrupt indicative of a reference position in the reciprocation of said primary suction block;
- means for storing a primary envelope table having a plurality of entries wherein each entry defines the absence or presence of a primary envelope or a selected space in said predetermined sequence; and
- means, in response to said primary envelope interrupt, for generating said first command signals to said control valve means based upon the values of said entries in said primary envelope table.
- 15. A system for processing envelopes. as set forth in claim 14 wherein said at least one inserter means further includes:
- a reciprocating insert suction block for sequentially feeding insert envelopes from said upstanding stack to said conveyance means depending upon whether suction is applied to said block, said suction block reciprocating at the frequency of said primary envelopes and said selected spaces in said continuous stream; and
- control valve means responsive to said inserter command signals for applying a vacuum to said suction block to feed an input envelope and for blocking a vacuum from said suction block to feed a selected space.
- 16. A system for processing envelopes as set forth in claim 15 wherein said control means includes:
- insert sensor means associated with said at least one inserter means for generating an insert envelope interrupt indicative of a reference position in the reciprocation of said insert suction block;
- means for storing an insert envelope table having a plurality of entries wherein said entry defines the absence or presence of an insert envelope in one of said selected spaces in said predetermined sequence; and
- means, in response to said insert envelope interrupt, for generating said inserter command signals to said control valve means based upon the values of the entries in said insert envelope table.
- 17. A system for processing envelopes as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for supplying vacuum includes:
- a bar plate having a pair of upstanding rails defining a channel having a bottom in which said web can be slidably moved between said rails; and
- means for supplying a vacuum to the bottom of said channel, said vacuum apertures communicating with the bottom of said channel.
- 18. A system for processing envelopes and as defined in claim 17 wherein:
- said rails are substantially the same height as the thickness of said web so that envelopes received on said web will be held on said web and slide on said rails.
- 19. A system for processing envelopes as defined in claim 18 wherein said bar plate further includes:
- a shoulder extending away from each rail which is lower than the corresponding height of the rail such that an envelope sliding on said rail can overhang said shoulder.
- 20. A system for processing envelopes as defined in claim 19 wherein said bar plate further includes:
- upstanding guide means on each side of said channel spaced away from said rails which define the width of a conveyed envelope, said guide means extending above said web and rails to provide an envelope conveyance channel which permits high speed transfer of the envelopes on said web.
- 21. A system for processing envelopes and the ike as defined in claim 17 wherein means for supplying a vacuum to the bottom of said channel includes:
- a plurality of recessed vacuum slots spaced along the bottom of the channel which are fed by a vacuum and which are separated by a distance less than the length of one of the envelopes to be transported.
- 22. A system for processing envelopes as defined in claim 21 wherein:
- said slots are elongated along the path of travel of said envelopes and centered in the middle of said channel.
- 23. A system for processing envelopes as defined in claim 22 wherein:
- the vacuum apertures in said web extend from the center of said web only to the extent of the width of said slots.
- 24. A system for processing envelopes as defined in claim 22 wherein:
- each slot is fed with vacuum from a reservoir plenum through a plurality of feed openings in said bar
- 25. A system for processing envelopes as defined in claim 8 wherein:
- said feed opening and said reservoir plenum are communicated through corresponding vacuum feed tubes.
- 26. A system for processing envelopes as defined in claim 17 wherein:
- said bar plate is formed of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.
- 27. A system for processing envelopes as defined in claim 26 wherein:
- said web is formed of a laminated structure having a top layer of PVC, a center layer of flexible fabric, and a bottom layer of PVC such that the bottom layer slides in the polyethylene channel of said bar plate to form a substantially frictionless sliding fit which is substantially vacuum maintaining.
- 28. A system for processing envelopes as defined in claim 17 wherein:
- said means for moving including a first drive pulley at one end of said bar plate and a second drive pulley at the other end of said bar plate; and
- said web forms an endless belt which is looped over said pulleys and has at least a portion sliding in said channel.
- 29. A system for processing envelopes as defined in claim 28 wherein:
- at least one of said pulleys is connected to a drive means which causes rotation of said one pulley and motion of said web longitudinally in said channel.
- 30. A system for processing envelopes as defined in claim 29 wherein said means for moving further includes:
- at least one idler pulley for maintaining tension on said web so that at least one of said first and second drive pulleys can frictionally drive said web.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 387,106 filed on June 10, 1982 in the name of Jack W. Cantile and entitled "SYSTEM FOR IN-LINE PROCESSING OF ENVELOPES AND THE LIKE", now U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,222 which application is assigned commonly with the present application. The disclosure of Cantile, Ser. No. 387,106, is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
US Referenced Citations (38)
Foreign Referenced Citations (6)
Number |
Date |
Country |
542869 |
Jul 1957 |
CAX |
1076413 |
Apr 1980 |
CAX |
616619 |
Apr 1980 |
CHX |
620139 |
Nov 1980 |
CHX |
765980 |
Jan 1957 |
GBX |
1524178 |
Sep 1978 |
GBX |
Continuation in Parts (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
387106 |
Jun 1982 |
|