Inserter apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus for inserting a content pack into an envelope, the apparatus comprising: a gripping mechanism; means for operating the gripping mechanism to hold an envelope; means for opening a throat of the envelope; means for moving the content pack in a direction toward and into the throat of the envelope; means for accelerating the envelope in the direction of movement of the content pack while the gripping mechanism is operational; and means for releasing the gripping mechanism at a predetermined time, to release the envelope, the predetermined time being while the content pack is at least partially inserted into the envelope, and being predetermined in dependence upon parameters comprising at least the content pack depth and the envelope depth.

1 . Apparatus for inserting a content pack into an envelope, the apparatus comprising:
 a gripping mechanism;   means for operating the gripping mechanism to hold an envelope;   means for opening a throat of the envelope;   means for moving the content pack in a direction toward and into the throat of the envelope;   means for accelerating the envelope in the direction of movement of the content pack while the gripping mechanism is operational; and   means for releasing the gripping mechanism at a predetermined time, to release the envelope, the predetermined time being while the content pack is at least partially inserted into the envelope, and being predetermined in dependence upon parameters comprising at least the content pack depth and the envelope depth.   
   
   
       2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the predetermined time at which the envelope gripping mechanism is released corresponds to the time at which the content pack is substantially fully inserted in the envelope. 
   
   
       3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the content pack moving means comprises a stepper motor driving a pawl to push the content pack into the envelope. 
   
   
       4 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the time is predetermined also in dependence upon the parameter of the thickness of the content pack. 
   
   
       5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the gripping mechanism and the envelope acceleration means are driven by a stepper motor. 
   
   
       6 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of the parameters is stored as job-specific data in apparatus control software. 
   
   
       7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of the parameters is entered by an operator during job set-up. 
   
   
       8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of the parameters is measured by a sensor upstream of the inserter. 
   
   
       9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the gripping mechanism is arranged to grip the envelope flap. 
   
   
       10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the parameters further comprise the envelope flap depth. 
   
   
       11 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the accelerating means is operable via the gripping mechanism. 
   
   
       12 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the accelerating means is driven by a first stepper motor. 
   
   
       13 . Apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the content pack is driven into the envelope by a pusher pawl driven by a second stepper motor. 
   
   
       14 . Apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein the first stepper motor and the second stepper motor are synchronised. 
   
   
       15 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the acceleration of the envelope continues until the gripping mechanism is released.