Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~048972
This patent application is a division of
copending patent application Serial No. 232,239 filed July
25, 1975.
The present inVentiOn relates generally to the
automatic processing of commercial instruments, more particularly
to the automatic processing of transfer of fund type instruments
such as checks, credit card receipts, and the like havin~ machine
readable indicia thereon, and even more particularly to a method
and apparatus for attaching a discrete strip of encodable material
to such instrumentS to enable their automatic processing.
It is well known that the last several years
have witnessed a vast proliferation of transfer and fund in-
struments, such as checks, drafts, credit card receipts, and
other commercial documents and the like, employed by banks
and other large commercial institutions. In order to keep pace
with this increase, encoded indicia has been disposed upon a
face of these documents; and sophisticated equipment implemented
to decode the indicia and automatically handle, sort, and
process these documents, in accordance with the decoded informa-
tion.
Although this approach has gene~ally served
the purpose of increasing the efficiency of handling and pro-
cessing these documents, it has not been entirely without dif-
ficulty. For example, despite the best efforts of those handling
the instruments, many of the documents are often defaced,
mutilated, improperly encoded, or otherwise rendered unsuitablefor processing, and will consequently be rejected by the auto-
matic equipment. To overcome these difficulties various
solutions have been devised for repairing or modifying the
instruments to enable their automatic processing, one such solu-
tion being the attachment of a strip of-encoda~le material to
the unprocessable document, the new encodable strip then pro-
viding an additional area for receiving new encoded
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1t)48972
indicia identical to the mutilated or otherwise undecodable
indicia on the document. The so modified document can be then
processed by the automatic equipment. Additionally, the attach-
ed strip provides an area for receiving encoded indicia i-n
addition to, or dissimilar from, the encoded indicia on the
document. Prior to the present invention, however, the encod-
able strip had to be manually applied to the document or by
means of apparatus which is cumbersome or does not afford the
requisite alignment of the encodable strip with the document.
It is therefore a primary object of the present in-
vention to provide a new and improved method and apparatus for
attaching encodable material to a document.
It is another object of the present invention to pro-
vide apparatus which automatically aliyns and attaches a strip
lS Of encodable material with a transfer of fund type instrument
in a manner that enables the subsequent automatic processing of
the instrument in accordance with machine decodable indicia
upon the strip.-
It is even still a further object of the invention to
provide new and improved encodable strip attachment apparatusincluding uniquely designed assemblies for aligning and attach-
ing a heat activatable thermoplastic adhesive bearing strip to
defaced, mutilated, improperly encoded, or otherwise unprocess-
able checks, as well as for transporting the encodable material,
checks, and strip modified checks through the overall apparatus.
Broadly stated, the invention is an encodable stripattachment apparatus for attaching discrete strips of encod-
able material along the longitudinal edge of a generally
rectangular shaped document, said apparatus comprising: (a)
a roll of said encodable material of the type having an
encodable band portion and a heat activatable adhesive bearing
~48972
portion ad~acent to said encodable band portion, (b) means
disposed at a supply station for retaining said roll, (c)
alignment guide means at an alignment station for aligning said
document with said encodable material so that the heat activat-
able adhesive bearing portion overlaps said document at saidlongitudinal edge and the encodable band portion extends below
the longitudinal edge, (d) heat sealing means for heating
said heat activatable adhesive bearing portion solely at the
location of overlap of said adhesive bearing portion with said
document, and (e) means for severing said encodable material
from said roll, thereby to provide said discrete strips.
In accordance with these and other objects, the
following is a detailed description of a preferred embodiment
of the invention, including specific features thereof, the
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
in which like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts,
and in which:
Figures 1 and 2 are illustrations of a check type
document with a discrete strip of encodable material having been
attached thereto in accordance with the process and apparatus
of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a pictorial illustration of the front
view of the encodable strip attachment apparatus of the pre-
sent invention;
Figure 4 is a pictorial illustration of the rear
view of the encodable strip attachment apparatus of the pre-
sent invention;
Figure 5 is an orthographic view of the front com-
partment of the apparatus depicted in Figures 3 and 4, illus-
trating the principal functions of the apparatus;
Figure 6A and 6B illustrate the specific details of
the subassembly disposed at the encodable material supply station;
1()48972
Figure 7 illustrates, in detail, the unique features
of the document alignment assembly of the apparatus of the
present invention;
Figure 8 illustrates, in detail, the unique features
of the final sealing assembly of the apparatus of the present
invention;
Figures 9 and 9A illustrate, in detail, the unique
features of the cutter assembly of the apparatus of the pre-
sent invention;
Figures 10 and lOA illustrate, in detail, the unique
features of the output assembly of the apparatus of the present
invention;
Figure 11 illustrates the advancement of the encodable
material and the documents through the overall encodable strip
attachment apparatus of the present invention by the respective
encodable material and document transport assemblies;
Figure 12 is an isometric view of a uniquely designed
cam shaft assembly, and related parts, for effecting the de-
sired operation of the apparatus;
Figure 13 is a representation of the summary of the
operation of the cam shaft assembly; and
Figure 14 is a preerred embodiment of an automatic
document feeder to be employed in conjunction with the
encodable strip attachment apparatus of the present invention.
1~4897Z
Referring now to the drawings, and initially to Figures
1 and 2 thereof, a document 25 is depicted with a discrete
strip 5 of encodable material having been attached thereto by
the apparatus of the present invention. For convenience of
illustration, the document 25 is depicted as a conventional
bank check, but it is to be understood that the document may
also be any type of commercial instrument used in the transfer
of funds, for example deposit slips, credit card receipts, bil-
ling slips, etc. As used throughout the following description,
the term "document" means and refers to an instrument generallyrectangular shaped, normally having a set of encoded indicia
disposed on the face of the instrument along an edge thereof,
which encoded indicia is employed in the automatic handling
and processing of the instrument for such operations as
reading, sorting, data processing, etc.
The check 25 includes a front face 1 upon which is
normally disposed characteristic information such as the bank
name, account style, check number, etc. Disposed adjacent a
longitudinal edge 4 of the document is a set of encoded indicia
2 normally representing the routing symbol, transit number,
account number, check amount, or the like. This encoded
indicia, ordinarily in the form of magnetic ink characters
referred to as MICR, is adapted to be scanned or "read" by
apparatus presently on the market and designed for this purpose.
Frequently, the encoded indicia 2 is defectively printed, or
the check itself so mutilated or damaged at this area, that the
check cannot be automatically processed~ Thus, in this instance,
the strip 5 of encodable material provides an additional area
for receiving a second set of encoded indicia 3 identical to
that of the defective or unprocessable indicia 2 but in a form
suitable to enable the automatic processing of the check.
16)48972
Alternatively, irrespective of the condition of the check
indicia 2, the strip 5 may provide an area for receiving
encoded indicia in addition to, or dissimilar from, the check
indicia.
Various types of encodable strips 5 may be utilized
for attachment to the document 25 by the strip attachment ap-
paratus of the present invention. In accordance with a pre-
ferred form of construction, however, the strip is formed as
an essentially rectangular band portion 6 for receiving the
encoded indicia 3, and a laminated layer 7 for attaching
the band 6 to the document. The layer 7 has a thickness
(desirably l/lOOOth of an inch or less) substantially less than
the thickness of the portion 6 (normally 3/lOOOths of an inch1
and includes a segment 7a which extends beyond the longitudinal
edge 6a of the band 6. The surface 7a contains a heat acti-
vatable thermoplastic adhesive 8 which, when heated, enables
the adhesion of this surface to the back 9 of the check. The
use of this heat activatable adhesive, therefore, provides a
completely tack-free surface until subjected to the requisite
heat which thus not only avoids the premature adhesion of the
strip, but provides an encodable attachment which is essential-
ly impervious to humidity.
Furthermore, the "stepped configuration" of the
strip 5 enables its attachment to the document 25 so that the
longitudinal edge 6a of the encodable band portion 6 is
essentially in edge abutting relationship with the longitudinal
edge 4 of the check, the extension 7a being in face-to~face
sealing contact with the back 9 of the document. Thus, it
can be observed that the add-on thickness to the document is
essentially limited to the thickness of the adhesive bearing
portion 7, the encodable band 6 being substantially coplanar
with the face l of the document.
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Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, the encodable
strip attachment apparatus incorporating the features of the
present invention is disposed within a housing 10 comprising
front panel 11, end panels 12, upper rear panel 13, and lower
rear panel 14.
Situated within the confines of this housing, and
mounted generally parallel to the inclined edges 12a and
panels 12, is a mounting plate 15 which divides the interior
of the housing into front and rear compartments 16 and 17,
respectively.
As indicated broadly in Figures 3 and 5, the front
compartment 16 is functionally divided into areas respectively
defining a supply station 18 in which a supply of encodable
material in a continuous or ribbon form is disposed; an align-
ment station 19 in which the documents 25 are uniquely alignedwith, and partially attached to, the encodable material; a
final sealing station 20 in which the encodable material in
its discrete strip form is adhesively sealed to each document;
and an output station 21 at which the strip modified documents
are stacked.
Referring back to Figure 3, a door 22 having handle
22a is hingedly mounted at the front of the housing 10 for
alternatively closing off, or allowing access to, the supply
station 18, a transparent cover or window 23 enabling the
viewing of this region when the door 22 is closed. Recessively
mounted in the door 22 is a tray 24 for temporarily holding the
documents 25 which are to be processed and modified by the
encodable strip attachment apparatus.
The alignment region or station 19 is closed off by
a panel 26 having an elongated slot 27 through which the docu-
ments 25 are inserted. This insertion may be effected manually
~Q~89'72
or, in accordance with a subsequently described embodiment,
automatically. Adjacent the panel 26 and hingedly mounted in
anv suitable manner (not shown) at the top of the housing 10
is a door 28 having handle 28a to enable operator access to the
area or station 20. A document storage bin 29, the unique de-
tails of which are subsequently described, is disposed at the
output station 21 and below a heating and transport assembly
housing 30, a passageway 31 providing document transport com-
munication between the slot 27 and the bin 29.
The rear compartment 17 (Figure 4) houses the elec-
tronic controls and various mechanical drive assemblies for
operating the strip attachment apparatus, the details of which
will be subsequently described. Hingedly mounted adjacent the
lower rear panel 14 is a door 33 (having locking means 34) to
enable operator access to this rear compartment. The locking
mechanism 34 is adapted to engage a portion of a frame as-
sembly 35 to secure the door 33 adjacent the top rear panel 13,
the panel 13 extending forward the mounting plate 15 adjacent
panel 26 and door 28.
A conventional power cord 36 electrically connects
with the apparatus through the panel 14. Control buttons 32 for
the operation of the apparatus may be located on the front panel
11 for convenient operator access thereto.
Referring now to Figure 5, a continuous spool or roll
44 of the encodable strip material (which is wound about a
cylindrical core 43 of plastic or the like) is disposed at the
supply station 18 on a pay-out reel 40. The reel 40 has an
integrally coupled axle 41 extending through the mounting plate
15 and journaled for rotation in a bearing 46 (Figure 6A),
a hub 42 secured to the forwardly extending portion of the axle
41 adapted to receive and grip the roll core 43 in a manner
~0~8972
which prevents the latter's rotation thereon. As subsequently
described, the reel 40 (and consequently spool 44), when freed
for rotation, revolves in the direction illustrated by arrows
39 as the encodable material (designated in its continuous
ribbon form by the reference numeral 45) is pulled off the
spool.
Guide rollers 50 and 51 are mounted to the plate 15
by way of, and are adapted to freely turn about, shafts 50a and
51a, respectively. Additionally, an intermediate guide roller
53 is mounted by way of, and adapted to freely rotate about, a
shaft 53a rigidly coupled through a slot 55 in plate 15 to the
end portion of a pivotally mounted spring biased feed arm 54
(Figure 6A), the pivotal movement of arm 54, as subsequently
described, translating the roller 53 along an arcuate path
defined by the slot 55. As illustrated in Figure 5, the
continuous ribbon 45 passes from the roll 44 over the guide
roller 50, under the guide roller 53, and thereafter over the
guide roller 51 to a document alignment assembly 60 located
at the alignment station 19.
Th.e document alignment assembly 60 comprises a slot
insertion assembly 61.(including friction wheels 65) for fully
inserting into the slot 27 documents 25 which are initi~lly
placed (manually or automatically) therein, each document being
uniquely aligned with the ribbon 45; a first heater assembly
63 (including heater 68) for mateably securing a portion of the
document 25 with the ribbon 45 for subsequent transport
through the remainder of the strip attachment apparatus; and
a document translation assembly 62 (including cooperating
wheels 66 and 67) for translating the documents 25 into that
portion of the transport passageway 31 adjacent the heater
assembly 63.
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~4~72
Disposed between the alignment station 19 and final
sealing station 20 is a cutter assembly 70 which not only
severs the ribbon 45 into discrete strips (the strips 5
depicted in Figures 1 and 2), but also provides selective
blockage of the passageway 31 during the operating cycle of
the apparatus.
Situated at the station 20 is a final sealing assembly
37 comprising a second heater assembly 75 (including heater 76)
for securing each strip 5 to the document; and respective
document guide and encodable strip guide assemblies 12Q and
125 (Figure 8), the document transport passageway 31 extending
through the document guide assembly 120 over and in alignment
with a strip transport passageway 128 (Figure 8) extending
through the strip guide assembly 125.
Translation of the encodable material (and consequently
the attached documents 25) from the document alignment assembly
to and through the strip attachment assembly is effected by a
transport assembly 80 comprising cooperating sets of rollers
(81 and 81a), (82 and 82a), and (83 and 83a), the details and
operation of which are subsequently described.
Situated at the output station 21 (Figure 5) is the
storage bin 29 for receiving and stacking the encodable strip
modified documents, an output transport assembly 95, including
cooperating feed rollers 96 and 97, and a deflector assembly 98
cooperating to direct the encodable strip modified documents
from the final sealing assembly 37 into the stacking bin 29.
There is now described, in greater detail, the uni~ue
features of the various subassemblies of the overall encodable
strip attachment apparatus. Accordingly, and with attention
initially directed to the supply station 18, regulation of the
feeding of the ribbon 45 of the encodable material to the docu-
~48972
ment alignment assembly 60 is effected, in large part, by thefeed arm 54 which not only maintains the required tension on
the loop 45, but additionally releases the reel 40 for rotation
when additional encodable material is to be supplied or fed to
the document alignment station.
The feed arm 54 (Figures 6A and 6B) is pivotally
mounted at an end portion 54a to the plate 15, the intermediate
guide roller 53 thus being constrained for movement along slot
55 between an upper position (depicted in Figure 6B and by the
dashed line representation in Figure 5) and a lower position
(depicted in Figure 6A and the solid line representation in
Figure 5). The arm 54, having an extension 56, is biased
toward the lower position by a spring 49, which thus maintains
the required tension on the loop of material 45 passing about
roller 53.
The reel 40 (and consequently spool 44) is normally
restrained from rotation by a braking mechanism 47 (Figures 6A
and 6B). This brake mechanism includes disc 47a rigidly
coupled to the end of the shaft 41; a bar 47c pivotally mounted
at 48; a friction band 47b surrounding disc 47a and having its
ends coupled to the bar 47c, the band 47b being frictionally
engaged with, or disengaged from, the disc 47a in response to
the pivotal movement of bar 47c; and a solenoid 47d having a
plunger 47e selectively actuated to effect the pivotal move-
ment of the bar 47c. Actuation of the solenoid is in response
to the extension 56 being pivoted into engagement with a sensor
57 electrically coupled (by means not shown) to solenoid coil
47d.
Thus, it can be observed that when the solenoid
plunger 47e is in its extended position (shown in Figure 6A),
the bar 47c is pivoted by a spring 47f to tighten the band 47b
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1~897Z
around the disc 47a, thereby restraining the reel 40 against
rotation. When the reel 40 is in this so restrained condition,
the arm 54 is disposed at the lower portion of the slot 55,
as shown in Figure 6A. When the encodable material is advanced
(by the transport assembly 80 in accordance with the operation
subsequently described), the arm 54 is consequently pivoted by
the pull of the material 45 toward the station 19 to the position
illustrated in Figure 6B, the loop of material 45 assuming the
shape and path shown by the dashed line configuration in Figure
5. As a consequence of this pivotal rotation of the arm 54,
the extension 56 is caused to pivot into engagement with the
sensor 57, energizing the solenoid to retract plunger 47e and
pivot the bar 47c into the position shown in Figure 6B. The
friction band 47b is thus released from the disc 47a, and the
reel 40 (consequently roll 44) is free to rotate in the direction
of arrows 39. A new supply of encodable material is consequent-
ly pulled from the roll 44, the resulting slack allowing the arm
54 (and roller 53) to return to the position depicted in
Figure 6A (and by the solid line depiction in Figure 5).
Throughout this operation, the tension is maintained in the
material 45 as a consequence of the bïas on the arm 54
established by the spring 49.
The alignment of the encodable strip material with
each document 25, and specifically the encodable band portion 6
(Figures 1 and 2) at, and in abutting relationship with, the
document edge 4, is initially effected in the document align-
ment assembly 60. Referring now to Figure 7, the document
alignment assembly includes an alignment guide provided by
upper and lower respective guide portions 101 and 102 for
maintaining the documents and ribbon 45 in the required aligned
relationship. Upper guide 101 is mounted flush with the plate
1(~48972
15 adjacent the alignment panel 26; and lower guide portion 102
is secured to the plate 15 by way of brackets 103, the upper
and lower guides spaced from one another in a manner to define
therebetween the insertion slot 27 and the up-stream portion
31a of the transport passageway 31 which is in communication
with slot 27.
The upper guide portion 101 has a first ledge 104
defining the base of the slot 27; a second ledge 105 having
a cut-out 106 in which the guide roller 51 is disposed; and a
guide surface 107 coextensive with, and perpendicular to, the
ledges 104 and 105. The ledges 104 and 105, and the transverse
surface 107 extend the entire length of the upper guide 101,
and thus provide the means for establishing the necessary align-
ment of the document with the encodable material ribbon 45
as each document is translated from its location at the slot
insertion assembly 61 to its location adjacent the heater
assembly 63. The ledge 105 has a lip extension 109 adjacent
the heater assembly 63 which defines a channel or passageway
112 through which the material 45 passes. The lower guide
20 portion 102 has an extension 119 providing a flat guide surface
upon which the back surface 9 of document 25 is supported as the
document is translated from the slot 27 into the portion 31a
of passageway 31 adjacent the heater 68. The forward edge
of this extension 119 rests upon the ledge 104.
As indicated in Figure 7, the ribbon 45 of encodable
material is disposed within the alignment assembly 60 in such
a manner that the main encodable band portion thereof (cor-
responding to the portion 6 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2)
is positioned along the surface 107 and supported at its
edge by the ledge 105, the adhesive bearing extension portion
(corresponding to the portion 7a of Figures 1 and 2) facing
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lQ4897Z
the slot 27. In accordance with a unique feature thereof, the
width of the surface 107 is essentially equal to the width of
the encodable band portion 6, only the segment 7a thereby
being positioned in face-to-face relationship with the surface
9 of the document 25 adjacent the lower edge 4 (Figure 11 there-
of when the document is fully within the slot 27, its edge 4
being supported by ledge 104.
Openings 108 are provided within the upper guide 101
to enable the slot insertion assembly friction wheels 65 to
10 extend into slot 27, the rotation of these wheels effective
to fully insert the documents 25 into slot 27 (in the direction
of the arrows 64) against the ledge 104.
Respectively extending through aligned apertures 110
and 111 in the guide portions 101 and 102 at the slot 27 are
rotating drive wheels 66 and cooperating idler roller 67 for
translating the document 25 from its position at, and when it
reaches, the base 104 of the slot 27 into the portion 31a of
the passageway 31 adjacent the first heater assembly 63.
An axle or shaft 67' extending through an opening in the plate
20 15 pivots the idler roller 67 against the document 25 and drive
wheel 66 to effect this translation. An extension 72 of the
cutter assembly 70, when rotated into the blocking position
shown in Figure 7, then halts the document's translation
through the passageway 31 adjacent the heater assembly 63.
The heater assembly 63 includes an electrical heater
body 68 having a heat conductive extension 68a extending for-
ward of a holder 68b and a pair of shafts 68c extending through
openings in the plate 15 and coupled to the holder 68b. The
shafts 68c are effective, when actuated, to pivot the heater
(specifically extension 68a) against the aligned document and
heat activatable adhesive portion 7a and a platen 69 disposed
- 15 -
104~97Z
behind these aligned members. As a consequence thereof, a
portion (corresponding to the length of the extension 68a)
of the document 25 is heat sealed or tacked at the edge 4 to
the ribbon 45. Thus, further advancement of the document
through the strip attachment apparatus may now be achieved by
advancing the encodable material (specifically the band
portion 6) itself. This advancement is effected at the
alignment station 19 by the cooperating drive and idler
rollers 83 and 83a of the overall transport assembly 80
(Figure 5). It is again significant to note that due to the
previously described alignment operation, only the adhesive
extension portion 7a of the ribbon 45 is so secured or tacked
to the back of the document, the main encodable band portion
6 being disposed in edge abutting relationship with the
document. The cutter 71 is then rotated so that it severs
the ribbon 45 at, and flush with, the leading edge of the docu-
ment 25j a more detailed description of the structural features
and operation of the cutter 71 (and entire cutter assembly 70)
to follow.
Referring now to Figure 8, the final sealing as-
sembly 37 is depicted in greater detail. Disposed immediately
adjacent the cutter assembly 70 are aligned document guide
and encodable strip guide assemblies 120 and 125, respectively.
The document guide 120 comprises an upper guide portion 121
and lower guide portion 122 (Figure 5) defining therebetween
an elongated channel 31b through which each document 25 can
pass. Similarly, the strip guide assembly 125 includes an
upper guide portion 126 and a lower guide portion 127 de-
fining therebetween an elongated passageway 128 having a
base 128a through which the encodable strip 5 attached to
the document may pass. The document passageway 31b and strip
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1~48972
passageway 128 are thus mutually aligned with one another as
well as with the corresponding document and strip passageways
31a and 112 of the document alignment assembly 60, the channel
31b thus providing, in effect, the down-stream portion of the
overall document transport passageway 31.
The guide portions 126 and 127 have a pair of aligned
cut-outs longitudinally spaced from one another to enable the
two sets of rotating drive and idler rollers (81, 81a and 82, 82a)
to engage the strip portion 5 for advancing the document 25
attached thereto through the assembly 37. For this purpose,
each of the idler rollers 81a and 82a have their respective
axles or shafts 81a' and 82a' (which extend through openings
in the plate 15) adapted to pivot the wheels 81a and 82a against
their respective cooperating drive wheels 81 and 82, thereby
gripping and advancing the encodable strip and attached
document.
Extending the entire length of the assembly 37 is a
second heater assembly 75. This heater assembly includes an
electrical heater body 76 having a heat conductive extension
76a extending forward of holder 76b and a pair of shafts 76c
extending through openings in the p'ate 15 and coupled to the
holder 76b. The shafts 76c are effective, when actuated, to
pivot the heater, specifically extension 76a, against the
aligned document and heat activatable adhesive portion 7a and
a platen 77 extending the entire length of the alignment
guides. As a consequence thereof, the encodable material which
was previously tacked to the document 25 is now sealed along
the entire length of the edge 4 thereof. Simultaneously with
this final heat sealing operation, the cutter blade 71 of the
cutter assembly 70 is rotated to sever the encodable material
at the trailing edge of the document 25, thereby producing the
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the final strip modified document depicted in Figure 1.
Referring now to Figure 9 and 9A, the cutter assembly
70 is illustrated, the assembly including a rotatably driven
shear cutter 71 mounted adjacent a rigidly held cutting support
plate 74. Desirably, the cutter 71 and plate 74 are maintained
(by means not shown) at an elevated temperature, for example
120F, to facilitate the cutting operation subsequently des-
cribed. The cutter 71 has an integrally coupled axle 71b ex-
tending through and journaled for rotation in a centrally
defined opening in the plate 74, the cutter 71 being biased
against the plate 74 during such rotation.
The cutter 71 has a circular shaped body portion with
a cutting surface 71a defined at the interior portion of a gap
73 thereof. The body of the cutter 71 also includes an ex-
tension 72 which, as previously described, can be rotatedinto blocking engagement with the channel 31a during the initial
tacking of the document to the ribbon 45. The ledge 74a of the
cutter support plate 74 supports the encodable material 45
extending thereacross, the cutter 71a being effective to
sever or shear-cut the material at the edge 74c as the body
71 is rotated by pulley in the direction illustrated by the
arrow.
Referring now to Figures 10 and lOA, the assemblies
at the output station 21 are more specifically described.
Accordingly, the bin 29 for storing the strip modified docu-
ments comprises end walls 84a and 84b and a rear wall 85
having a slot 86 defined therein. A platform 87 having a
shelf-like extension 87a extending out from, and transverse
to, the rear wall 85 is slidably mounted in, for translation
along, the slot 86, a spring 88 biasing the platform 87 to-
ward the top of the bin 29. As the strip modified documents
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1~897Z
fall upon, and are thus stacked by, the shelf 87a, the weight
of the documents counteracts the tension of the spring 88,
the platform 87 thereby moving downward to receive additional
strip modified documents. The shelf 87a therefore defines,
in effect, the base of the storage bin 29, the height (or
storage capacity) of the ~in thus being continuously adjusta~le
in response to the number of documents being inserted therein.
The insertion of the strip modified documents is
effected by cooperating rollers 96 and 97 which are con-
tinuously rotated in the direction shown by the arrows thereon
(Figures 10 and 11) and thus- translate the strip modified
documents from the final sealing assembly 37 against the de~-
flector assembly 98 into the bin 29. In accordance with a
unique feature hereof, the deflector assembly 98 comprises a
main body portion 89 having a guide extension 89a thereof, a
deflector 90 pivota11y mounted to a bar 91 and biased in the
forward direction depicted in Figure 10 by a spring 92. The
purpose of the spring biased pivotal extension 90 is to impel
the strip modified document exiting the assembly 95 in a
direction toward the side wall 84b. Accordingly, as each
document 25 begins to exit the rollers 96 and 97 , the
leading edge of the document is guided by the guide extension
89a against the deflector 90, thereby urging the deflector 90
to the position shown in Figure lOA. As the trailing edge
of the document 25 then clears the rollers 96 and 97, the
resulting bias of the spring 92 drives the deflector 9Q (and
consequently document 25~ back toward the side 84b of the bin,
the document impinging thereagainst and falling upon the
shelf 87a.
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DESCRIPTION OF OVERALL OPERATION
Referring again to the drawings, and initially to
Figure 11, there is now described the overall sequence of opera-
tion of the encodable strip attachment apparatus. Throughout
the entire operation cycle, shaft 100 is continuously driven
by means (not shown) coupled thereto to rotate slot insertion
wheels 65 in the direction of the arrows thereon. Similarly,
document translation wheels 66 and 67; the drives 81 and 81a,
82 and 82a, 83 and 83a of the encodable material transport
assembly 80; and output transport drive rollers 96 and 97
are continuously rotatably driven (in the direction of arrows
thereon) by means (not shown) coupled to their shafts (66',
67', 81', 81a', etc.).
Prior to the insertion of a document within the slot
27, a sufficient length of encodable material 45 has been pulled
from the reel 44 by the transport assembly 80 and disposed
within assembly 60 at the alignment station 19, a portion of
the material 45 extending through the cutter assembly 70 to
the final sealing station 20. The cutter body 71 has been
rotated to a stationary position with the extension 72 dis-
posed in front of, and blocking, the passageway 31a (Figure 7),
the material 45 extending through gap 73 thereof (against
ledge 74a) from channel 112 into passageway 128 (Figure 8),
the surface 128a supporting the material 45.
Additionally, the idler rollers 81a, 82a, and 83a of
the encodable material transport assembly have been pivoted out
of engagement with the encodable material (to the position
depicted by solid lines in Figure 11); a brake 59 has been
pivoted by means connected to its shaft 58 against the ribbon
45 (to the position depicted in phantom in Figure 11) toretain the material at the station 19; and document transport
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1~489~2
idler 67 has been pivoted out of engagement with its cooperat-
ing roller 66 (solid line representation in Figure 11).
The insertion of a document 25 into slot 27 initiates
the operating cycle of the apparatus. Specifically, the
insertion of the document (position A of Figure 11) is detected
by a sensor 180 which initiates a control signal to pivot the
idler roller 67 into its document engaging position (illustrated
in phantom) and the document 25 is translated to a position B
adjacent the heater assembly 63, the document being stopped
by the extension 72 of assembly 70.
Advancement of the document to this position is
detected by a sensor 181 which initiates the following sequence
of events: the heater 68 (and particularly extension 68a) is
pivoted to tack the document to the ribbon 45; thereafter, the
cutter body 71 (particularly cutting surface 71a) is rotated
to sever the material 45 flush with the leading edge of the
document, the cutter body 71 continuing its rotation until
its gap 73 is halted in alignment with the document and material
transport passageways 31a and 112. As the gap 73 reaches its
so aligned position, the brake 59 is pivoted out of engagement
with the material 45, and simultaneously therewith, the trans-
port assembly 80 is actuated (idler rollers 81a, 82a, and 83a
pivoted to their engaging position depicted in phantom in
Figure 11) to grip the encodable band 6 to transport the material
45 (and consequently the attached document 25) through the gap
73. During this sequence, the document transport assembly 62
(rollers 66 and 67) is again disengaged.
A sensor 182 disposed at the location shown in Figure
11 senses the trailing edge of the document as it advances
30 through the cutter assembly and initiates a control signal
to again disengage the material transport assembly 80 and brake
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~48972
59 from the ribbon 45, thereby positioning the document 25
at the second heater assembly 75 (position C in Figure 11).
Thereafter, and in response to the translation of a subsequently
inserted document 25 to the position B, the second heater 76
is pivoted (which occurs simultaneously with the pivotal
advancement of the first heater 68) to seal the heat acti-
vatable thermoplastic adhesive extension 7a of the encodable
strip 5 alone the entire edge of the document; the rotation
of the cutter 71 severing the material 45 at the trailing edge
10 of the document. The subsequent actuation of the transport
assembly 80 (as previously described) then transports the
resulting strip modified document to the output transport
assembly 95 (position D) where it exits the apparatus into the
storage bin 29.
The overall operation of the encodable strip attach-
ment apparatus for processing two documents can thus be sum-
marized as follows:
FIRST DOCUMENT SECOND DOCUMENT
Document advanced to first
heating assembly 63
Encodable material tacked
along portion of docu-
ment edge
Encodable material cut at
document leading edge
Document advanced to second Document advanced to first
heating assembly 75 heating assembly 63
Encodable material sealed Encodable material tacked along
along entire document edge portion of document edge
30 Encodable material cut at Encodable material cut at
document trailing edge document leading edge
Strip modified document Document advanced to second
advanced to output trans- heating assembly 75
port assembly 95
The actuation and deactuation (pivotal advancement
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~4897Z
and retraction) of the first and second heater assemblies 63
and 75; document translation assembly 62, encodable material
transport assembly 80; and brake mechanism 59 r- as well as the
rotation of the cutter assembly 70, in accordance with the
previously described sequence of operation, may be effected
by any conventional means. In accordance with a unique
feature of the present invention , however, this function is
provided by a cam shaft assembly 150 as depicted in Figure 12.
Accordingly, the assembly comprises a cam shaft 151 adapted to
be rotatably driven in the direction of the arrows 152 by a
belt-driven assembly 153. Conventional clutch and brake
assemblies 154 and 155 respectively provide for the shaft 151
to be so rotated or restrained from such rotation. The clutch
and brake assemblies, in turn, are operated in response to
15 sensors 181, 182 (Figure 11), and a sensor 190 disposed at
the cam shaft assembly.
The document translation idler wheel shaft 67';
first heater assembly shafts 68c; brake shaft 58; second heater
assembly shafts 76c; and encodable material transport assembly
idler wheel shafts 81a', 82a', and 83a' extend through the
plate 15 and are respectively journaled for pivotal rotation
by a plurality of journal members 160 around an elongated shaft
165 spaced from the cam shaft 151. Each of the shafts are
respectively biased by spring means (not shown) in their
retracted or "disengaged" position (shown in solid in Figure
121 .
Coupled to a journal member extension 161 is solenoid
assembly 163 which, when energized in response to a signal
received from sensor 180, as previously described, is effective
to pivot the shaft 67' to its document engaging position. The
de-energizing of the solenoid 163, in response to a signal
received from sensor 181, then allows the shaft 67' (and idler
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1~489'72
wheel 67) to return to its retracted position.
A plurality of cam plates 170 are rigidly coupled to
the cam shaft 151 and have cam surfaces 171 adapted to engage
the journal member extensions 162 to pivot the shafts 68c,
58, 83a', 76c, 82a', and 81' to their respective encodable
strip engaged positions as the cam shaft 152 is rotated
through its 360 revolution. The cam surfaces 171 are so
shaped, and spaced around their cam plates with respect to one
another, to effect this pivotal movement in the sequence
corresponding to the previously described desired sequence of
operation of the assemblies coupled to the shafts (heater
assembly advance, strip translation, etc.). Additionally,
pulley 78 coupled to the shaft 71b engages a cog 185 rigidly
coupled to the cam shaft 151, the rotation of the cam shaft
consequently resulting in the rotation of the cutter 71 in the
manner previously described.
Thus, as the cam shaft 151 is driven through its 360
rotational cycle, and the solenoid 163 is energized and de-
energized in response to the signals received from the sensors
20 180 and 181, the sequence of operation previously described is
effected. Specifically, assume that the shaft 151 is in its
initial (0) position. At this point in time, the cam surfaces
171 have engaged the journal extensions 162 coupled to shafts
81a', 82a', and 83a', and the cutter plate 71 has been rotated
to its non-blocking position disposing the gap 73 in alignment
with the document and encodable material passageways 31, 128,
and 112. The remainder of the cam surfaces 171 are disengaged
from the journal extensions coupled to the other shafts; and
the solenoid 163 is de-energized.
As each document is thus transported through the gap
73, the sensor 182, upon sensing the trailing edge of the docu-
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16)48972
ment, generates a signal and the cam shaft is rotated to a
stationary position (say 20) past the point where the surfaces
are disengaged from the extensions 162 coupled to the material
transport assembly shafts, and are engaged with the extension
162 coupled to the material brake shaft 58. Thus, the transport
assembly 80 is deactivated, and the brake 5~ is pivoted into
its engaging position. The insertion of a new document is then
sensed by sensor 180 (Figure 11) which energizes solenoid
163, pivoting shaft 67' (and idler wheel 67), and the document
is advanced to the position where it is detected by sensor
181. The resulting signal from sensor 181 then engages clutch
154, disengages brake 155, and the shaft 151 rotates through
the remainder of its cycle (from 20 to 360), the cam sur-
faces 171 pivoting the heater assembly shafts 68c and 76c, brake
shaft 58, and material transport assembly shafts 81a', 82a',
83a' into and out of their respective engaged and retracted
positions. A summary of this operation is depicted in Figure
13, which also shows the cutting operating (between the 45 and
75 positions, for example), as the shaft 151 rotates (in
direction of arrows 152) through its cycle. The sensor 190
(Figure 12) detects the completion of this cycle (at 360)
and generates a signal to disengage clutch 154, engage brake
155, to halt the rotation of cam shaft 151 at this point.
As previously described, each document 25 may be
manually inserted into the slot 27. Alternatively, when a
large volume of checks or other type documents are to be
processed through the strip attachment apparatus, it is often
desirable to have means for automatically feeding the docu-
ments into the slot. Accordingly, and in accordance with a
preferred embodiment thereof, reference is now to Figure 14,
depicting an automatic document feeder generally referred to
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1~4897Z
by reference designation 200. The automatic feeder 200 includes
a supply bin 201 including side walls 202, rear wall 203,
platform 204, and inclined front surface 205. The bin is
mounted by any suitable means (not shown) upon the alignment
panel 26 so that the inclined surface 205 is substantially
aligned with a rear surface 27a of the slot 27.
A feed plate 206 is disposed within a compartment
207 defined by the rear wall 203, side walls 202, and platform
204, and has a guide block 20~ coupled thereto which is slide-
ably mounted within a slot 209 in the platform 204. The plate206 is thus guidably translated along the platform 204, a
spring 206 is guidably translated along the platform 204, a
spring 210 biasing the plate toward the inclined front surface
205.
Disposed immediately adjacent, but slightly spaced
from and parallel to, the front surface 205 is a guide 215
having cross members 21~a rigidly secured to the end panels 202.
The spacing between the guide 215 and surface 205 is such as to
enable documents 25 to be translated through a passageway
225 defined therebetween.
Disposed upon rotatably mounted shafts 220 and 221
(journaled for rotation through end panels 202) are first and
second respective sets of feed rollers 222 and 223. Both
of these sets of rollers are adapted to rotate in the direction
of the arrows for translating each document 25 from a stack
230 disposed in front of the feed plate 206 through the
passageway 225 and into the slot 27. Additionally, another
shaft 240 having a third set of feed wheels 241 is journaled
for rotation through end panels 202, the set of wheels 241
extending into the passageway 225 through openings 245 in the
front surface 205 and adapted for rotation in the direction
of the arrows thereof.
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~4f39~2
Rotation of the shafts 220, 221, and 240 (:and con-
sequently the drive wheel sets 222, 223, and 245) is effected
by a planetary gear arrangement comprising a main drive gear
260, and driven gears 261, 262, and 263 respectively coupled to
the shafts 221, 220, and 240. In accordance with a unique
feature thereof, the respective gear ratios between the drive
gear 260 and driven gear 261 and that of the drive gear 260
and driven gear 263 is such that the speed of rotation of shaft
221 exceeds that of shaft 240. This fact, in combination
with the respective directions of rotation of these shafts,
prevents the simultaneous feed of more than one document 25
into the slot 27. Specifically, and as may be apparent,
as a document 25' from the front of the stack 230 is fed by
rollers 222 and 223 through the passageway, any documents 25"
directly behind this front document are urged by the wheels
245 in a direction toward the stack, the resulting separation
enabling the single feeding of one document at a time into
the slot 27.
The main drive gear 260 is driven by a belt 265
which extends through an opening 266 in the panel 26 to a clutch
drive (not shown) coupled to the drive shaft 100 (Figure 11).
Engagement of the said clutch drive with the shaft 100 for
driving the belt 265 is in response to a signal received
from the sensor 180; a signal received from a sensor 270 which
senses the end of each check as it passes through the passage-
way 225 into the slot 27 disengaging the clutch. Thus, the
insertion of each document into the slot 27 is coordinated
with the overall operation of the strip attachment operation.
Various other modifications of the disclosed embodi-
30 ments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, may be-
come apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing
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~04~72
from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims.
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