An image forming apparatus includes a print portion that prints an image on a sheet passing by a print position, and an inserter that inserts an insert sheet between sheets conveyed one after another. In a print job involving an insert process, the print portion conveys, while securing an insert interval between a preceding sheet, which is a sheet immediately preceding the insert sheet, and a succeeding sheet, which is a sheet immediately following the insert sheet, the preceding sheet and the succeeding sheet one after another. The print portion automatically changes the insert interval according to the length of the insert sheet in the conveyance direction.

An image forming apparatus includes a print portion that prints an image on a sheet passing by a print position, and an inserter that inserts an insert sheet between sheets conveyed one after another. In a print job involving an insert process, the print portion conveys, while securing an insert interval between a preceding sheet, which is a sheet immediately preceding the insert sheet, and a succeeding sheet, which is a sheet immediately following the insert sheet, the preceding sheet and the succeeding sheet one after another. The print portion automatically changes the insert interval according to the length of the insert sheet in the conveyance direction.

There is described a sheet numbering process involving feeding of individual sheets (S) in succession, which individual sheets (S) each carry a plurality of imprints (P) that are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, and providing unique serial numbers to multiple ones of the plurality of imprints (P) carried by the individual sheets (S). The sheet numbering process comprises numbering of at least some of the individual sheets (S), wherein numbering of the individual sheets (S) is selectively commutable between a first numbering scheme (N1) and at least a second numbering scheme (N2; N2′; N*), different from the first numbering scheme (N1), without interruption of the numbering process. The first numbering scheme (N1) involves providing all imprints (P) of a first subset (S.sup.0) of individual sheets (S) with a unique serial number (SN1) of the first numbering scheme (N1). The second numbering scheme (N2; N2′; N*) involves providing all or part of the imprints (P) of a second subset (S′; S*) of individual sheets (S) with a unique serial number (SN2; SN2′; SN*) of the second numbering scheme (N2; N2′; N*). The first subset (S.sup.0) of individual sheets (S) and the second subset (S′; S*) of individual sheets are sorted after numbering in dependence of the numbering scheme (N1; N2; N2′; N*). Also described is a sheet-processing machine for carrying out the aforementioned sheet numbering process.

There is described a sheet numbering process involving feeding of individual sheets (S) in succession, which individual sheets (S) each carry a plurality of imprints (P) that are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, and providing unique serial numbers to multiple ones of the plurality of imprints (P) carried by the individual sheets (S). The sheet numbering process comprises numbering of at least some of the individual sheets (S), wherein numbering of the individual sheets (S) is selectively commutable between a first numbering scheme (N1) and at least a second numbering scheme (N2; N2′; N*), different from the first numbering scheme (N1), without interruption of the numbering process. The first numbering scheme (N1) involves providing all imprints (P) of a first subset (S.sup.0) of individual sheets (S) with a unique serial number (SN1) of the first numbering scheme (N1). The second numbering scheme (N2; N2′; N*) involves providing all or part of the imprints (P) of a second subset (S′; S*) of individual sheets (S) with a unique serial number (SN2; SN2′; SN*) of the second numbering scheme (N2; N2′; N*). The first subset (S.sup.0) of individual sheets (S) and the second subset (S′; S*) of individual sheets are sorted after numbering in dependence of the numbering scheme (N1; N2; N2′; N*). Also described is a sheet-processing machine for carrying out the aforementioned sheet numbering process.

A method for handling (flat) objects (10), in particular sanitary articles such as diapers, sanitary napkins or the like, wherein the objects (10) are conveyed along a transport section (12) in a product flow and are then put together in a grouping station to form groups of objects (10). The objects (10) are introduced into the product flow in the region of an inlet station (23) before the objects (10) are put together to form groups.

A method for handling (flat) objects (10), in particular sanitary articles such as diapers, sanitary napkins or the like, wherein the objects (10) are conveyed along a transport section (12) in a product flow and are then put together in a grouping station to form groups of objects (10). The objects (10) are introduced into the product flow in the region of an inlet station (23) before the objects (10) are put together to form groups.

A method and apparatus for controlling a post-print processing system for producing printed products. The system comprises a plurality of replaceable individual devices which are arranged one after another in a row and/or parallel and are connected to a joint control unit for adapting the system to successively following different production orders. The method includes supplying the joint control unit with information relating to the type and position of the individual devices in the post-print processing system and activating the individual devices based on the information. The information relating to the position of the individual devices is determined in the post-print processing system based on the position of the individual devices in a first data processing network comprising a ring circuit. The individual devices send out a data telegram corresponding to the position of the respective individual devices via a second data processing network to the joint control unit.

The invention relates to producing personalized printed end products which have in each case a printed product collection and at least one personalized printed product by creating (S1) end product specifications which define in each case at least one personalized printed end product, creating (S2) sales orders on the basis of end product specifications, wherein a sales order defines at least one sequence of printed product collections, initiating (S3) the process of creating and creating (S4) digital print orders on the basis of end product specifications and sales orders, wherein a digital print order defines at least one personalized printed product, producing (S5) printed product collections in accordance with the sales orders, producing (S6) personalized printed products in accordance with the digital print orders, and producing (S7) personalized printed end products from the produced printed product collections and personalized printed products.

The invention relates to producing personalized printed end products which have in each case a printed product collection and at least one personalized printed product by creating (S1) end product specifications which define in each case at least one personalized printed end product, creating (S2) sales orders on the basis of end product specifications, wherein a sales order defines at least one sequence of printed product collections, initiating (S3) the process of creating and creating (S4) digital print orders on the basis of end product specifications and sales orders, wherein a digital print order defines at least one personalized printed product, producing (S5) printed product collections in accordance with the sales orders, producing (S6) personalized printed products in accordance with the digital print orders, and producing (S7) personalized printed end products from the produced printed product collections and personalized printed products.

Systems and methods are provided for configuring media transport flow paths for directing input image receiving media, including of different types, in sheet or roll form from multiple axes to provide wider latitude in selecting particular input image receiving media and combinations of input image receiving media to support execution of a print job. The disclosed schemes are directed at using one or more stationary turn bars disposed generally at 45° in an input media transport path approaching a marking module in an image forming system to allow for sheets or sheeted materials to be positioned at 90° to the in-line input image receiving media transport path directed toward the marking module thus allowing for flexibility in selection among various sources of stacked, pallet and rolled media.