Patent US3590548A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3590548A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Envelope opening mechanism
Assignee: Kenco Corp
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Filing: 1969-04-16
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Granted: 1971-07-06
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Expires: 1989-04-16
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for opening envelopes by weakening three edges thereof by the passage of heated air or gas sequentially across each of the three edges to carbonize and weaken the edges. A parallelogram vacuum pickup is employed which operates in conjunction with a vacuum distribution valve for controlling the pickup and delivery of the envelope. Opposed belts convey the envelope sequentially through three burner sections interposed between which are flipover mechanism which rotate the envelope 90* to present the next adjacent edge for carbonizing. At the end of the burner sections, a third flipover rotates the envelope into position in a flip-down mechanism which delivers the envelope to a differential roller with its unopened edge in a trailing position. A differential roller conveyor assembly is provided which includes a conveyor belt and a roller with a brake which is selectively actuated in response to the appearance of the envelope in the opening mechanism to exert a shearing force on the envelope and lay back an edge thereof exposing the contents.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin F Pierce
- 👤 Robert J Russell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:51
CPC Classifications
B; B43; B43M; B43M7/00; B43M7/004; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S83/00; Y10S83/912; Y10T; Y10T225/00; Y10T225/10; Y10T225/12; Y10T225/30; Y10T225/307; Y10T225/321; Y10T225/35; Y10T225/393
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
The method of opening envelopes comprising the steps of: convecting a gas over a heat source to heat the air to a temperature sufficient to carbonize paper; confining the heated gas within a predetermined zone; conveying the edge portion only of at least one side of the envelope through the zone of heated gas to surround the edge with the heated gas to carbonize and weaken the edge, and separating the envelope at the weakened edge to expose the contents thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
81 words
The method of opening envelopes comprising the steps of: convecting a gas over a heat source to heat the air to a temperature sufficient to carbonize paper; confining the heated gas within a predetermined zone; conveying the edge portion only of at least one side of the envelope through the zone of heated gas to surround the edge with the heated gas to carbonize and weaken the edge, and separating the envelope at the weakened edge to expose the contents thereof.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
84 words
The method of weakening the edges of envelopes to aid in opening thereof comprising the steps of: conveying the edge portion only of at least one side of the envelope through a treating passageway; passing a gas over a heat source to heat the gas; delivering the heated gas to the passageway; focusing the heated gas into a narrow band within the passageway; and directing the narrow band of hot gas against the edge of the envelope to carbonize and weaken the edge thereof.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
84 words
The method of weakening the edges of envelopes to aid in opening thereof comprising the steps of: conveying the edge portion only of at least one side of the envelope through a treating passageway; passing a gas over a heat source to heat the gas; delivering the heated gas to the passageway; focusing the heated gas into a narrow band within the passageway; and directing the narrow band of hot gas against the edge of the envelope to carbonize and weaken the edge thereof.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
75 words
The method of weakening the edges of envelopes to aid to opening thereof comprising the steps of: passing a gas over a heat source to heat the gas to a temperature sufficient to carbonize paper; and delivering the heated gas to a passageway and directing a narrow band of the hot gas against the edge portion of the envelope to carbonize and weaken the same while maintaining the remainder of the envelope below carbonizing temperature.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
75 words
The method of weakening the edges of envelopes to aid to opening thereof comprising the steps of: passing a gas over a heat source to heat the gas to a temperature sufficient to carbonize paper; and delivering the heated gas to a passageway and directing a narrow band of the hot gas against the edge portion of the envelope to carbonize and weaken the same while maintaining the remainder of the envelope below carbonizing temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus for destroying the edges of envelopes compRising: an air conduit; a heat source; means interconnecting the conduit and the heat source; means for delivering air across the heat source to heat the air sufficiently to carbonize paper and force convect the air through the conduit; a passageway through said conduit; and a conveyor disposed adjacent said passageway and adapted to convey at least one edge of the envelope through said passageway with the edge portion only thereof in contact with the heated air within said passageway whereby the edge of the envelope will be carbonized and destroyed preparatory to opening thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus for destroying the edges of envelopes compRising: an air conduit; a heat source; means interconnecting the conduit and the heat source; means for delivering air across the heat source to heat the air sufficiently to carbonize paper and force convect the air through the conduit; a passageway through said conduit; and a conveyor disposed adjacent said passageway and adapted to convey at least one edge of the envelope through said passageway with the edge portion only thereof in contact with the heated air within said passageway whereby the edge of the envelope will be carbonized and destroyed preparatory to opening thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for preparing the edges of an envelope for opening of the envelope comprising: a conveyor for gripping an envelope and moving the envelope through a predetermined fixed path, said conveyor leaving exposed at least one edge of said envelope for treatment; a heat source; a conduit in communication with said heat source; fan means for force convecting air across said heat source and through said conduit, and an air focusing nozzle connected to the opposite end of said conduit and disposed adjacent said conveyor and in alignment with the edge of the envelope to direct heated air against the edge thereof in its passage through said fixed path to carbonize and weaken the edge thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for preparing the edges of an envelope for opening of the envelope comprising: a conveyor for gripping an envelope and moving the envelope through a predetermined fixed path, said conveyor leaving exposed at least one edge of said envelope for treatment; a heat source; a conduit in communication with said heat source; fan means for force convecting air across said heat source and through said conduit, and an air focusing nozzle connected to the opposite end of said conduit and disposed adjacent said conveyor and in alignment with the edge of the envelope to direct heated air against the edge thereof in its passage through said fixed path to carbonize and weaken the edge thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for preparing the edges of an envelope for opening comprising: a passageway; a heat source in communication with said passageway for heating the gas within the passageway to carbonizing temperatures, and conveyor means for gripping the envelopes to be opened with at least one edge thereof exposed for treatment and moving said edge of said envelope through said passageway out of contact with any portion of the passageway and with said edge in contact with said gas while maintaining the remainder of the envelope below carbonizing temperatures whereby the edge of the envelope will be carbonized and destroyed in their passage of said passageway.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for preparing the edges of an envelope for opening comprising: a passageway; a heat source in communication with said passageway for heating the gas within the passageway to carbonizing temperatures, and conveyor means for gripping the envelopes to be opened with at least one edge thereof exposed for treatment and moving said edge of said envelope through said passageway out of contact with any portion of the passageway and with said edge in contact with said gas while maintaining the remainder of the envelope below carbonizing temperatures whereby the edge of the envelope will be carbonized and destroyed in their passage of said passageway.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |