A plurality of interconnected envelope blanks are formed from an envelope web of paper. Die cut windows are also formed in each envelope blank of the interconnected web and transparent window patches are adhesively secured over the die cut window. A plurality of inserts from insert webs of paper are formed and may be variably imaged. The inserts are collected and disposed on the interconnected envelope blanks with address information registering through the window. The interconnected blanks and web form with inserts applied are severed to form discrete envelope blanks and later folded and glued to form complete mailers.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/040,034, filed Mar. 30, 1993, and now U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,717, for "Forming an Envelope Around Inserts."
A machine and a process for the automatic enveloping of messages with a variable number of sheets provide; the supply of message sheets on a first accumulating plane (9, 48); the supply of envelope sheets on a second accumulating plane (17, 28, 29), which forms an angle with the first accumulating plane, such as to obtain the overlaying of the front ends of the envelope sheets and message sheets; the simultaneous feeding of the envelope and message sheets such that complete overlaying therebetween is obtained; and the simultaneous folding of the envelope sheets and message sheets, obtaining an envelope.
A system for producing folded articles includes a cutting station (56) operable to segment a fabric web (42, 44) into a continuous stream of individual web segments (74, 76). The system also includes a first folding station (58) operable to fold each of the web segments (74, 76). The system further includes a spacing station (88) operable to receive the stream of web segments (74, 76) from the folding station (58) and deliver the stream of web segments (74, 76) at a predetermined spacing to correspond with a packaging registration.
A single web is printed in side-by-side relation with variable and non-variable information forming document and envelope web portions. The web is split longitudinally and the document web portion is cut to form discrete documents. Each document is folded about transverse foldlines to form a folded document and rotated 90.degree. for registration with matching envelope portions on the envelope web. Glue lines are applied to the envelope web. The envelope web is then plow-folded along both margins to form first and second flaps overlying and containing the document within the envelope portion of the envelope web. The glue lines are sealed to one another and excess envelope web material between adjacent envelopes is removed whereby envelopes containing documents sealed within the envelopes and forming mailers are provided.
A method and apparatus for automatically operating a swing-arm-style mail insertion machine to insert products, such as CDs, computer diskettes, credit cards, matchbooks, pens and pencils, keys, etc., into envelopes at high speeds is provided by fixedly attaching, to a swing arm shaft of the swing-arm insertion machine for angular movement therewith, an actuator arm apparatus having an element configured for gripping a product from the front of a raceway of the swing-arm machine when the swing arm shaft is in a front angular position, and for placing the product into the raceway as the swing arm shaft pivots from the front angular position to a rear angular position, and feeding a product from the front of the raceway into the raceway with the actuator arm means. The actuator arm apparatus may be installed at one or more stations of the swing-arm machine and used simultaneously with a swing-arm also installed at the same station for depositing both a first item and a product into the raceway at the station, as the swing arm shaft pivots from the rear to the front, and the front to the rear angular positions respectively of the swing arm shaft. Automatic controls are provided for monitoring proper insertion of the products, and shutting down the swing-arm machine, if necessary, so that corrective action can be taken.
A form that incorporates either a label or card such that the form can be reliably printed on by the end user and manufactured less expensively. The integrated label form includes a top printable substrate and a liner substrate mated together by an adhesive. The top printable substrate serves at least partially as removable portions capable of being reapplied. Weakened lines of substrate may be provided to define removable portions on the top printable substrate. The form also may include a similar printable substrate mated to the other side of the liner by adhesive. Weakened lines of substrate also may formed in the second substrate to define removable portions. The integrated card form includes a printable substrate and a first and second laminate mated to the substrate and together by an adhesive. Weakened lines of substrate and first laminate define an integrated removable portion capable of being held in the form by the second laminate and easily removed manually when desired. In the integrated card form and the integrated label form, a recess may be provided adjacent the removable portion to facilitate removal of the removable portion. The integrated forms are easily manufactured by a single piece of equipment.
