Manufacturing container or tube from paper; or other manufacturi – Bending – Folding
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-22
2001-03-27
Gerrity, Stephen F. (Department: 3721)
Manufacturing container or tube from paper; or other manufacturi
Bending
Folding
C493S069000, C493S079000, C493S151000, C493S419000, C493S478000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206816
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to document inserting systems, which assemble documents and inserts for insertion into envelopes. More particularly, the present invention is directed toward a method for inverting a half-folded document in an inserter system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Document inserting systems generally include a plurality of various stations that are each configured for a specific task. For instance, an inserter system typically includes at least one sheet feeding mechanism for supplying a sheet from a supply. Preferably an inserter system includes a collating mechanism located downstream of the sheet feeding mechanism that is functional to collate one or more sheets designated to be inserted into an envelope. A folding mechanism is usually located downstream of the collating mechanism and is operational to fold the sheet collation in a prescribed format. Examples of such folded formats include a z-fold, a c-fold, a half-fold, double-fold, etc. An insertion station is typically located downstream of the folding mechanism and is operational to insert the folded collation into a waiting open envelope.
Inserter systems are used by organizations such as banks, insurance companies and utility companies for producing a large volume of specific mailings where the contents of each mail item are directed to a particular addressee. Additionally, other organizations, such as direct mailers, use inserts for producing a large volume of generic mailings where the contents of each mail item are substantially identical for each addressee. Examples of such high volume inserter systems are the 8, 9 and 14 series inserter systems available from Pitney Bowes, Inc., Stamford, Conn.
However, inserter systems are not limited to such high volume applications as they also have considerably utility in lower volume applications, such as SOHO (small office/home office) applications. An example of such a SOHO inserter system is the tabletop 3 Series inserter system available from Pitney Bowes Limited, Harlow, England. This inserter system has been designed for implementation on an tabletop surface while providing many automated features and requiring little maintenance. In other words, it has been designed to be operated by an ordinary office worker with little or no training in operating inserter systems. Therefore, regarding the operation of such inserters, it is critical that they provide many automated and self adjusting features while having a high degree of reliability. One such area of an inserter where automation and reliability is extremely important is the folding station.
A known difficulty associated with folding stations is when it desired to invert the travel direction of a half-folded collation in the folding station of an inserter. It is desirable to invert the travel direction of a half-folded collation (also known as a single-folded document) when it is required reorient the addressing text printed on a sheet so as to be properly orient that text with respect to an envelope window when inserted therein. In the prior art, a spring loaded stop was implemented in one of the folding plates to effect the change of direction of a half-folded document. However, it has been found that such spring loaded stops are costly as they require added structure and often prove unreliably.
Therefore it is an object of the present invention to overcome the difficulties associated with folding stations for inverting the travel direction of a half-folded collation in the folding station of an inserter system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the instant invention provides a folding station in an inserter system that overcomes the known difficulties associated with inverting the travel direction of a collation in a folding station. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a method is set forth for inverting the travel direction of a half-folded collation in a folding station which includes the steps of providing a stop member in the second fold plate assembly that is movable between a distal position away from the folding roller assembly and a proximal in proximity to the folding roller assembly and a control system coupled to the stop member in the second fold plate assembly and operative to move the stop member between its distal and proximal positions.
A collation is initially conveyed to the first fold plate assembly such that a leading edge portion of the collation is disposed in the first fold plate assembly and a mid-point portion of the collation is in engagement with the folding roller assembly. Next, the collation is conveyed through the folding roller assembly to the second fold plate assembly such that the mid-point portion of the collation is caused to be folded in the folding roller assembly, which folded portion is conveyed to, and abuts against the stop member in the second fold plate assembly. The stop member in the second fold plate assembly is then moved from the distal position to proximal position with a signal from the control system so as to cause the collation to convey out of the second fold plate assembly and folding station.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5092832 (1992-03-01), Crowley
patent: 5352177 (1994-10-01), Walter
patent: 5683338 (1997-11-01), Krasuski et al.
patent: 5769774 (1998-06-01), Beck et al.
patent: 5871433 (1999-02-01), Lehmann et al.
patent: 5980439 (1999-11-01), Johnson et al.
Baker Richard A.
Cook Graham T.
Ricketts David J.
Capelli Christopher J.
Gerrity Stephen F.
Melton Michael E.
Pitney Bowes Inc.
Tawfik Sam
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