US3764049A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Envelope opening method and apparatus
Assignee: Kenco Corp
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Filing: 1971-09-22
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Granted: 1973-10-09
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Expires: 1991-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for opening and exposing the contents of an envelope wherein one or more of the side or edge connections of the envelope have been preweakened. The method and apparatus applies a shearing force to the respective panels of the envelope to sever the preweakened edge connections to open and expose the contents. The frictional forces are created by elements which engage the opposite sides of the envelope. The engaging elements may both be moving elements or one of them may be static.
Inventors
- 👤 R Russell
- 👤 E Pierce
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:50
CPC Classifications
B; B43; B43M; B43M7/00; B43M7/004; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S83/00; Y10S83/912; Y10T; Y10T225/00; Y10T225/10; Y10T225/14; Y10T225/16; Y10T225/30; Y10T225/35; Y10T225/393
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
44 words
The method of opening an envelope having a pair of flexible facing panels secured together along adjacent pairs of edges by weakened connections, which method comprises, applying generally opposite forces to respective panels generally co-planar with the respective panels to sever the weakened connections.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
44 words
The method of opening an envelope having a pair of flexible facing panels secured together along adjacent pairs of edges by weakened connections, which method comprises, applying generally opposite forces to respective panels generally co-planar with the respective panels to sever the weakened connections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of opening envelopes according to claim 1, further characterized by applying said forces by frictionally engaging said panels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of opening an envelope according to claim 1, further characterized in effecting said frictional engagement by engaging said panels with relatively rotating members having different surface speeds.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus for opening an envelope by applying generally opposite forces to opposite faces of an envelope, said apparatus comprising frictional backing means for frictionally engaging one face of an envelope disposed thereagainst and frictionally rotating means adjacent to and spaced from said backing means for frictionally engaging the other face of an envelope of said backing means and mounting means for mounting said frictional rotating means relative to said backing means for applying generally opposite forces in respective faces of an envelope substantially co-planner with the envelope facing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus for opening an envelope by applying generally opposite forces to opposite faces of an envelope, said apparatus comprising frictional backing means for frictionally engaging one face of an envelope disposed thereagainst and frictionally rotating means adjacent to and spaced from said backing means for frictionally engaging the other face of an envelope of said backing means and mounting means for mounting said frictional rotating means relative to said backing means for applying generally opposite forces in respective faces of an envelope substantially co-planner with the envelope facing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus for opening an envelope according to claim 4, said backing means comprising a conveyor belt for moving the envelope through and beyond friCtional engagement with said rotating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus for opening an envelope according to claim 5, said rotating means comprising a roll having its axis or rotation parallel to that of said conveyor belt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
106 words
A differential roller assembly for opening envelopes having three edges thereof preweakened comprising: a first conveyor belt for carrying the envelope through the assembly; a roller disposed above and in engagement with the conveyor means and between which the envelope passes during opening thereof; brake means connected to the roller for selectively applying the braking action to the roller, and; means responsive to the appearance of an envelope within the opening mechanism to apply the brake to the roller for a predetermined period of time to create a shearing force on the opposed sides of the envelope to roll back one end thereof exposing the contents.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
106 words
A differential roller assembly for opening envelopes having three edges thereof preweakened comprising: a first conveyor belt for carrying the envelope through the assembly; a roller disposed above and in engagement with the conveyor means and between which the envelope passes during opening thereof; brake means connected to the roller for selectively applying the braking action to the roller, and; means responsive to the appearance of an envelope within the opening mechanism to apply the brake to the roller for a predetermined period of time to create a shearing force on the opposed sides of the envelope to roll back one end thereof exposing the contents.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
A mail opening apparatus comprising; a first rotating member; a second rotating member rotating at a speed different than the first member, and; means for passing envelopes between said rotating members whereby shearing forces will be exerted on the opposite panels thereof to sever the preweakened edges of the envelope to expose the contents thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
A mail opening apparatus comprising; a first rotating member; a second rotating member rotating at a speed different than the first member, and; means for passing envelopes between said rotating members whereby shearing forces will be exerted on the opposite panels thereof to sever the preweakened edges of the envelope to expose the contents thereof.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
84 words
The method of opening an envelope having opposed side panels and edges connecting the side panels where one or more of the edges have been preweakened comprising: operating a first member at a given surface speed; operating a second member at a surface speed different than the first member and in close proximity to said first member, and; passing the envelope to be opened between said first and second members to generate shearing forces along the preweakened edges thereof to burst the envelope open.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
84 words
The method of opening an envelope having opposed side panels and edges connecting the side panels where one or more of the edges have been preweakened comprising: operating a first member at a given surface speed; operating a second member at a surface speed different than the first member and in close proximity to said first member, and; passing the envelope to be opened between said first and second members to generate shearing forces along the preweakened edges thereof to burst the envelope open.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
62 words
The method of opening envelopes comprising; preweakening one or more edges of the envelopes; engaging one panel of the envelope with a first frictional engaging element; engaging the opposite panel of the envelope with a second frictionally engaging element, and; applying a differential force to said preweakened edges to shear the edges resulting in opening and exposing the contents of the envelope.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
62 words
The method of opening envelopes comprising; preweakening one or more edges of the envelopes; engaging one panel of the envelope with a first frictional engaging element; engaging the opposite panel of the envelope with a second frictionally engaging element, and; applying a differential force to said preweakened edges to shear the edges resulting in opening and exposing the contents of the envelope.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus for opening respective faces of an envelope by applying a differential shearing force to the respective edges thereof comprising: a first engaging member for contacting at least a portion of one panel of the envelope; a second engaging member supported for engagement with at least a portion of the opposite panel of the envelope, and; means innerconnecting said first and second engaging elements to apply said elements to the respective faces of the envelope to generate co-planar shearing forces on the respective panels of the envelope to sever the edges thereof to expose the contents.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus for opening respective faces of an envelope by applying a differential shearing force to the respective edges thereof comprising: a first engaging member for contacting at least a portion of one panel of the envelope; a second engaging member supported for engagement with at least a portion of the opposite panel of the envelope, and; means innerconnecting said first and second engaging elements to apply said elements to the respective faces of the envelope to generate co-planar shearing forces on the respective panels of the envelope to sever the edges thereof to expose the contents.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first and second engaging members are members driven in the same direction but at different surfaces speeds.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first and second engaging members are driven in generally opposite directions from one another at the point of engagement with the respective faces of the envelope.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein one of the engaging members is stopped and the other moves at a surface speed relative to the other at the point of engagement with the respective faces of the envelope.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first and second engaging members move relative to one another at the point of engagement with the respective faces of the envelope and intermittently change relative speeds to effect the shearing action between the respective faces of the envelope.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first and second engaging members are both rollers operating in close proximity to one another.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first and second engaging members are both belts running in close proximity to one another.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first and second engaging members are a belt and a roller operating in a close proximity to one another.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein one of said engaging members engages only the opposite outside edges of the envelope.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein one of said engaging members is supported with respect to the other to vary the spacing therebetween in accordance with the thickness of the envelope passing between the engaging members.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein one of said engaging members is supported above the other engaging member until appearance of an envelope between the engaging members and further including means responsive to the appearance of the envelope to bring the engaging members into contact with the faces of the envelope to effect the shearing forces.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first engaging member operates at a given surface speed and engages one face of the envelope to carry the envelope along therewith and wherein the second engaging member is a relatively rotating member having a drag force exerted thereon and which engages the opposite face of the envelope to exert a shearing force to open the envelope.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-08 | 1977-04-09 | 1977-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-08 | 1981-04-09 | 1981-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-08 | 1985-04-09 | 1985-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |