EP0102704A2 - Multi-station document inserter with automatic startup and shutdown document collation sequences - Google Patents
Multi-station document inserter with automatic startup and shutdown document collation sequences Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0102704A2 EP0102704A2 EP83303846A EP83303846A EP0102704A2 EP 0102704 A2 EP0102704 A2 EP 0102704A2 EP 83303846 A EP83303846 A EP 83303846A EP 83303846 A EP83303846 A EP 83303846A EP 0102704 A2 EP0102704 A2 EP 0102704A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- document
- feeder module
- inserter
- feeder
- routine
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
- B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
- B07C1/00—Measures preceding sorting according to destination
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
- B43M—BUREAU ACCESSORIES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B43M3/00—Devices for inserting documents into envelopes
- B43M3/04—Devices for inserting documents into envelopes automatic
Definitions
- the present invention relates to document inserters, and more particularly to multi-station document inserters.
- a multi-station document inserter having a plurality of document feeder modules and an envelope feeder module, the inserter comprising:
- a method and associated apparatus for automatically providing a complete document collation during start up and shut down of a multi-station document inserter comprising the steps of initiating a Sequence Start Routine during start up of the inserter in which each feeder is activated sequentially beginning with the document feeder module most remote from the envelope feeder module and ending with the feeder module closest to the envelope feeder module, and initiating a Clear Deck Routine during shut down of the document inserter in which each feeder module is deactivated sequentially beginning with the document feeder module most remote from the envelope feeder module and ending with the feeder module closest to the envelope feeder module.
- FIG. 1 one arrangement for a multi-station document inserter is illustrated as 10.
- the details of such a multi-station document inserter, including the programs and circuitry therefor, are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 394,388, European Patent Application No. (Ref: E59/13) of which the inventors are Peter N. Piotroski and John M. Gomes, entitled, UNIVERSAL MULTI-STATION DOCUMENT INSERTER the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
- the document inserter 10 includes a plurality of feeder modules 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24.
- Feeder module 12 is an envelope feeder and is positioned at one end of transport deck or path 26.
- the other document feeder modules, 14-24 may comprise any type feeder modules, such as those disclosed in the aforementioned patent application.
- the feeder module 24, which is the feeder module most remote from the envelope feeder module 12 is typically a control document feeder.
- the feeder modules 14-24 typically include scanners for communicating with the supervisory control circuit 28.
- the supervisory control circuit 28 includes a plurality of PROMS programmed to operate the inserter in accordance with a desired customer configuration.
- the operator actuates a switch (finger touch) on the central control display 30 to initiate the Sequence Start Routine.
- the supervisory control circuit 28 Upon activation of the switch for the Sequence Start Routine, the supervisory control circuit 28 initiates a Sequence Start Routine.
- signals are sequentially transmitted from the supervisory control circuit 28 to each uniquely addressed feeder module and the distributed processor associated therewith over signal bus 32 beginning with the feeder module 24 most remote from the envelope feeder module 12.
- the addressed distributed processor activates the appropriate module devices (motor, clutch, and brake) for one cycle to feed a document(s) onto the transport deck 26.
- the supervisory control circuit 28 then transmits a signal to the next uniquely addressed feeder module 22 and its associated distributed processor activates the appropriate module devices for one cycle to feed a document(s) onto the transport deck 26. This process is repeated sequentially for the remaining feeder modules 20-12 so that a completely collated stack of documents is transmitted to and inserted into the envelope at the envelope feeder module 12. Thereafter, all of the feeder modules feed documents onto the transport deck 26 every cycle.
- the operator also actuates a switch (finger touch) on the central control display 30 to initiate the Clear Deck (Sequence Stop) Routine.
- the supervisory control circuit 28 initiates the Clear Deck Routine.
- signals are sequentially transmitted from the supervisory control circuit 28 to each uniquely addressed feeder module and the distributed processor associated therewith, beginning with the feeder module 24 most remote from the envelope feeder module 12.
- the supervisory control circuit 28 sends a signal to the distributed processor to deactivate the feeder module 24.
- the supervisory control circuit 28 sends a signal to the adjacent module 22 to deactivate it. This process is repeated sequentially for the remaining modules 20-12 so that a final completely collated stack of documents is transmitted to and inserted into an envelope at the envelope feeder module 12. That is, no documents will remain on the transport deck 26.
- the inserter 10 is sequenced on for one cycle with the first feeder module 24, (the one most remote from the envelope feeder module 12) feeding a document(s) onto the transport deck 26.
- the adjacent feeder module 22 is then sequenced on for one cycle to feed a document(s) onto the transport deck 26.
- This process is continued sequentially with the remaining feeder modules 20-14, to provide a complete collation of documents for insertion into an envelope feeder module 12.
- the inserter 10 will undergo continuous operation by feeding the proper documents from each feeder module, 24-14, and the envelope from envelope feeder 12, during each cycle, as described in the aforementioned copending patent application.
- the inserter 10 is sequenced off with the first feeder module 24 (the one most remote from the envelope feeder module 12) being deactivated after it has fed a document(s) onto the transport deck 26.
- the adjacent feeder module 22 is then sequenced off after it has fed a document(s) onto the transport deck 26. This process is continued sequentially with the remaining feeder modules 20-14 to provide a final completely collated stack of documents for insertion into an envelope at the envelope feeder module 12 without any documents remaining on the transport deck 26.
Landscapes
- Collation Of Sheets And Webs (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to document inserters, and more particularly to multi-station document inserters.
- Known multi-station document inserters require substantial training of inserter operators to enable them to locate any documents present on the transport deck of the inserter prior to start up or after shut down and to manipulate the documents and feeder modules to provide a complete document collation when the inserter is activated. That is, prior to start up the operator would often have to remove the documents from the transport deck and reinsert them by hand into the proper feeders or discard them.
- According to the present invention there is provided a multi-station document inserter having a plurality of document feeder modules and an envelope feeder module, the inserter comprising:
- switch means for initiating Sequence Start and Clear Deck Routines;
- supervisory control means for transmitting control signals to each of the document feeder modules of the document inserter in sequence beginning with the document feeder station most remote from the envelope feeder module upon activation of said switch means; and
- distributed processing means associated with each of said document feeder modules, said distributing processing means receiving the control signals from said supervisory control means and activating its associated feeder module to feed a document during the Sequence Start Routine, said distributed processing means receiving control signals from said supervisory control means and deactivating its associated feeder module after feeding a document during the Clear Deck Routine; whereby, in use, the inserter can provide a complete document collation during start up and shut down.
- In this specification, there is disclosed a method and associated apparatus for automatically providing a complete document collation during start up and shut down of a multi-station document inserter, comprising the steps of initiating a Sequence Start Routine during start up of the inserter in which each feeder is activated sequentially beginning with the document feeder module most remote from the envelope feeder module and ending with the feeder module closest to the envelope feeder module, and initiating a Clear Deck Routine during shut down of the document inserter in which each feeder module is deactivated sequentially beginning with the document feeder module most remote from the envelope feeder module and ending with the feeder module closest to the envelope feeder module.
- The invention will be better understood from the following non-limiting description of an example thereof given with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-
- FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of the arrangement of the feeder modules for a six station document inserter, excluding the envelope feeder module; and
- FIGURE 2 is a flow chart of the supervisory program illustrating the Sequence Start and Clear Deck Routines used in a document inserter according to the present invention.
- Referring to Figure 1, one arrangement for a multi-station document inserter is illustrated as 10. The details of such a multi-station document inserter, including the programs and circuitry therefor, are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 394,388, European Patent Application No. (Ref: E59/13) of which the inventors are Peter N. Piotroski and John M. Gomes, entitled, UNIVERSAL MULTI-STATION DOCUMENT INSERTER the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
- As illustrated in Figure 1, the document inserter 10 includes a plurality of
feeder modules Feeder module 12 is an envelope feeder and is positioned at one end of transport deck orpath 26. The other document feeder modules, 14-24, may comprise any type feeder modules, such as those disclosed in the aforementioned patent application. Further, thefeeder module 24, which is the feeder module most remote from theenvelope feeder module 12, is typically a control document feeder. Moreover, it is the first document feeder along thedocument transport path 26 of theinserter 10 since the documents are fed from left to right in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1. Further, as disclosed in the aforementioned copending patent application, the feeder modules 14-24 typically include scanners for communicating with thesupervisory control circuit 28. Further, thesupervisory control circuit 28 includes a plurality of PROMS programmed to operate the inserter in accordance with a desired customer configuration. - The operator actuates a switch (finger touch) on the
central control display 30 to initiate the Sequence Start Routine. Upon activation of the switch for the Sequence Start Routine, thesupervisory control circuit 28 initiates a Sequence Start Routine. In carrying out this routine, signals are sequentially transmitted from thesupervisory control circuit 28 to each uniquely addressed feeder module and the distributed processor associated therewith over signal bus 32 beginning with thefeeder module 24 most remote from theenvelope feeder module 12. In response to a signal from thesupervisory control circuit 28, the addressed distributed processor activates the appropriate module devices (motor, clutch, and brake) for one cycle to feed a document(s) onto thetransport deck 26. Thesupervisory control circuit 28 then transmits a signal to the next uniquely addressedfeeder module 22 and its associated distributed processor activates the appropriate module devices for one cycle to feed a document(s) onto thetransport deck 26. This process is repeated sequentially for the remaining feeder modules 20-12 so that a completely collated stack of documents is transmitted to and inserted into the envelope at theenvelope feeder module 12. Thereafter, all of the feeder modules feed documents onto thetransport deck 26 every cycle. - The operator also actuates a switch (finger touch) on the
central control display 30 to initiate the Clear Deck (Sequence Stop) Routine. Thereupon, thesupervisory control circuit 28 initiates the Clear Deck Routine. In carrying out the routine, signals are sequentially transmitted from thesupervisory control circuit 28 to each uniquely addressed feeder module and the distributed processor associated therewith, beginning with thefeeder module 24 most remote from theenvelope feeder module 12. Thesupervisory control circuit 28 sends a signal to the distributed processor to deactivate thefeeder module 24. Afterfeeder module 24 is deactivated, thesupervisory control circuit 28 sends a signal to theadjacent module 22 to deactivate it. This process is repeated sequentially for the remaining modules 20-12 so that a final completely collated stack of documents is transmitted to and inserted into an envelope at theenvelope feeder module 12. That is, no documents will remain on thetransport deck 26. - As apparent from the flow chart 34 in Figure 2, once the
supervisory control circuit 28 initiates the Sequence Start Routine, theinserter 10 is sequenced on for one cycle with thefirst feeder module 24, (the one most remote from the envelope feeder module 12) feeding a document(s) onto thetransport deck 26. Theadjacent feeder module 22 is then sequenced on for one cycle to feed a document(s) onto thetransport deck 26. This process is continued sequentially with the remaining feeder modules 20-14, to provide a complete collation of documents for insertion into anenvelope feeder module 12. Thereafter, theinserter 10 will undergo continuous operation by feeding the proper documents from each feeder module, 24-14, and the envelope fromenvelope feeder 12, during each cycle, as described in the aforementioned copending patent application. - Once the
supervisory control circuit 28 initiates the Clear Deck Routine, theinserter 10 is sequenced off with the first feeder module 24 (the one most remote from the envelope feeder module 12) being deactivated after it has fed a document(s) onto thetransport deck 26. Theadjacent feeder module 22 is then sequenced off after it has fed a document(s) onto thetransport deck 26. This process is continued sequentially with the remaining feeder modules 20-14 to provide a final completely collated stack of documents for insertion into an envelope at theenvelope feeder module 12 without any documents remaining on thetransport deck 26. - It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the disclosed and illustrated embodiment without departing from the present invention.
Claims (9)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US39438982A | 1982-07-01 | 1982-07-01 | |
US394389 | 1982-07-01 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0102704A2 true EP0102704A2 (en) | 1984-03-14 |
EP0102704A3 EP0102704A3 (en) | 1985-07-31 |
EP0102704B1 EP0102704B1 (en) | 1990-01-24 |
Family
ID=23558762
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19830303846 Revoked EP0102704B1 (en) | 1982-07-01 | 1983-07-01 | Multi-station document inserter with automatic startup and shutdown document collation sequences |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0102704B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE3381138D1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0180386A2 (en) * | 1984-10-29 | 1986-05-07 | Pitney Bowes, Inc. | Inserter system with interactive system |
EP0661176A1 (en) * | 1993-12-30 | 1995-07-05 | Neopost Industrie | Office machine with programmable tasks for processing mail |
DE4407871A1 (en) * | 1994-03-04 | 1995-09-21 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Inserting machine with controllable optional feeding of filling material and insert sleeves via multiple take-off devices |
US5912979A (en) * | 1990-11-02 | 1999-06-15 | Bell & Howell Mail Processing Systems Co. | Method and apparatus for object surveillance along a transport path |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3606728A (en) * | 1969-09-08 | 1971-09-21 | Bell & Howell Co | Insertion machine |
US3870295A (en) * | 1972-12-04 | 1975-03-11 | Xerox Corp | Sorter supplement control |
US3905594A (en) * | 1973-04-16 | 1975-09-16 | Norfin | Memory and visual indicator system for sorting device |
US3934867A (en) * | 1974-06-03 | 1976-01-27 | Pitney-Bowes, Inc. | Collating, folding and inserting system |
US3935429A (en) * | 1975-02-18 | 1976-01-27 | Pitney-Bowes, Inc. | Process and apparatus for controlling document feeding machines from indicia contained on a document fed therefrom |
-
1983
- 1983-07-01 EP EP19830303846 patent/EP0102704B1/en not_active Revoked
- 1983-07-01 DE DE8383303846T patent/DE3381138D1/en not_active Revoked
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3606728A (en) * | 1969-09-08 | 1971-09-21 | Bell & Howell Co | Insertion machine |
US3870295A (en) * | 1972-12-04 | 1975-03-11 | Xerox Corp | Sorter supplement control |
US3905594A (en) * | 1973-04-16 | 1975-09-16 | Norfin | Memory and visual indicator system for sorting device |
US3934867A (en) * | 1974-06-03 | 1976-01-27 | Pitney-Bowes, Inc. | Collating, folding and inserting system |
US3935429A (en) * | 1975-02-18 | 1976-01-27 | Pitney-Bowes, Inc. | Process and apparatus for controlling document feeding machines from indicia contained on a document fed therefrom |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0180386A2 (en) * | 1984-10-29 | 1986-05-07 | Pitney Bowes, Inc. | Inserter system with interactive system |
EP0180386A3 (en) * | 1984-10-29 | 1988-03-02 | Pitney Bowes, Inc. | Inserter system with interactive system |
US5912979A (en) * | 1990-11-02 | 1999-06-15 | Bell & Howell Mail Processing Systems Co. | Method and apparatus for object surveillance along a transport path |
US6078678A (en) * | 1990-11-02 | 2000-06-20 | Bell & Howell Mail And Messaging Technologies Co. | Method and apparatus for object surveillance along a transport path |
EP0661176A1 (en) * | 1993-12-30 | 1995-07-05 | Neopost Industrie | Office machine with programmable tasks for processing mail |
FR2714744A1 (en) * | 1993-12-30 | 1995-07-07 | Neopost Ind | Office machine with programmable tasks for processing mail. |
US5649408A (en) * | 1993-12-30 | 1997-07-22 | Neopost Industrie | Programmable office machine for carrying out mail processing tasks |
DE4407871A1 (en) * | 1994-03-04 | 1995-09-21 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Inserting machine with controllable optional feeding of filling material and insert sleeves via multiple take-off devices |
US5772194A (en) * | 1994-03-04 | 1998-06-30 | Francotyp-Postalia Ag & Co. | Sheet material inserter having controllable optical feed of sheet material and envelopes via multiple station feeders |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0102704A3 (en) | 1985-07-31 |
DE3381138D1 (en) | 1990-03-01 |
EP0102704B1 (en) | 1990-01-24 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US4525788A (en) | Scanner interface circuit for universal multi-station document inserter | |
EP0102699B1 (en) | Universal multi-station document inserter | |
EP0180401A2 (en) | Document inserter systems | |
US4631822A (en) | Process for producing cables fitted with electrical connectors | |
EP0098742B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for customizing a multi-station document inserter | |
US4405225A (en) | Collator | |
EP0359479A2 (en) | Envelope opening apparatus | |
EP0376467B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for remotely controlling a document inserter | |
US4517650A (en) | Feeder interface circuit for universal multi-station document inserter | |
EP0389745A3 (en) | Method and apparatus for controlling a multiple delivery collator in response to a downstream fault condition | |
JPH0717303B2 (en) | Interaction device that defines the initial configuration for the inserter device | |
JPH02289398A (en) | Unsynchronous multi-module control device and communication protocol | |
EP0059069B1 (en) | Apparatus for attaching a terminal on a wire and an insulation pod on the terminal | |
EP0102704A2 (en) | Multi-station document inserter with automatic startup and shutdown document collation sequences | |
EP0303267A3 (en) | Printing station sheet transport control | |
JPH0332898A (en) | Automatic translation system for message generator | |
EP0102700A2 (en) | User friendly central control display for a multi-station document inserter | |
SE8406515L (en) | SET AND APPARATUS FOR FORMULATING A REALLY FLAT TOPIC FOR AN OPEN CLAMP | |
EP0219245A3 (en) | Automatic coaxial lead maker | |
EP0919295A1 (en) | Printing and finishing documents | |
US3459300A (en) | Conveying and stacking system | |
EP0379879A3 (en) | Apparatus and method for individually printing signatures during delivery to a bindery line | |
KR20210101415A (en) | Apparatus and method for processing mail pull-in | |
US3561584A (en) | Apparatus for feeding pulpwood to a conveyor of a device for charging defiber magazines | |
JPS5720759A (en) | Method for controlling collator for use in copying machine or the like |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Designated state(s): CH DE FR GB LI |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Designated state(s): CH DE FR GB LI |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19860117 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19870313 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): CH DE FR GB LI |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 3381138 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 19900301 |
|
ET | Fr: translation filed | ||
PLBI | Opposition filed |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009260 |
|
26 | Opposition filed |
Opponent name: BELL & HOWELL PHILLIPSBURG CO. Effective date: 19901024 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 19910930 Year of fee payment: 9 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 19920615 Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 19920624 Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CH Payment date: 19920915 Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
RDAG | Patent revoked |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009271 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: PATENT REVOKED |
|
27W | Patent revoked |
Effective date: 19920808 |
|
GBPR | Gb: patent revoked under art. 102 of the ep convention designating the uk as contracting state | ||
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |