Patent US3858381A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3858381A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Envelope stuffing apparatus
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1973-07-18
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Granted: 1975-01-07
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Expires: 1993-07-18
Abstract
Abstract A method of, and apparatus for, inserting material into an enveloping container therefore are disclosed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Successive enveloping containers are continuously transported at a determined rate of speed along a first rectilinear transport path. Insert material is continuously transported along a second rectilinear transport path in fixed synchronism with the determined rate of speed of the transported enveloping containers, the first and second transport paths defining an angle therebetween and establishing an inserting zone. The continuously transported enveloping containers are predisposed to receive the insert material. The insert material is guided along said rectilinear path into said inserting zone by fixed guide means; said fixed guide means urging each insert into a corresponding enveloping container as said enveloping containers and insert material are transported into and through the inserting zone.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles L Huber
- 👤 Thomas L Stickney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:21
CPC Classifications
B; B43; B43M; B43M3/00; B43M3/04; B43M3/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
Apparatus for automatically inserting inserts into envelopes, comprising: an envelope supply, each envelope including an opening and a closure flap therefor; an insert supply; first conveying means for continuously transporting envelopes supplied thereto from said envelope supply along a first conveying path, including an envelope conveyer belt means having a plurality of gripping members mounted thereon in spaced relation; second conveying means for continuously transporting inserts supplied thereto from said insert supply along a second conveying path; said first and second conveying means defining an angle therebetween and establishing an inserting zone, and said envelopes and inserts being respectively transported in a common plane and in synchronous relation; means for adapting said transported envelopes to receive said inserts; and guide means adjacent said second conveying means and extending into said inserting zone for guiding said inserts to said inserting zone along said second conveying path and for urging said inserts into sAid envelopes as said envelopes are transported into and through said inserting zone by said first conveying means said envelope supply comprising: means for storing a stack of envelopes; means for withdrawing successive envelopes from said stack in timed relation with the movement of said envelope conveyer belt means; and transfer means for transferring each successively withdrawn envelope to said envelope conveyer belt means at a rate that exceeds the rate at which said envelope conveyer belt means transports said envelopes to thereby drive said transferred envelope into registration with selected ones of said gripping members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
Apparatus for automatically inserting inserts into envelopes, comprising: an envelope supply, each envelope including an opening and a closure flap therefor; an insert supply; first conveying means for continuously transporting envelopes supplied thereto from said envelope supply along a first conveying path, including an envelope conveyer belt means having a plurality of gripping members mounted thereon in spaced relation; second conveying means for continuously transporting inserts supplied thereto from said insert supply along a second conveying path; said first and second conveying means defining an angle therebetween and establishing an inserting zone, and said envelopes and inserts being respectively transported in a common plane and in synchronous relation; means for adapting said transported envelopes to receive said inserts; and guide means adjacent said second conveying means and extending into said inserting zone for guiding said inserts to said inserting zone along said second conveying path and for urging said inserts into sAid envelopes as said envelopes are transported into and through said inserting zone by said first conveying means said envelope supply comprising: means for storing a stack of envelopes; means for withdrawing successive envelopes from said stack in timed relation with the movement of said envelope conveyer belt means; and transfer means for transferring each successively withdrawn envelope to said envelope conveyer belt means at a rate that exceeds the rate at which said envelope conveyer belt means transports said envelopes to thereby drive said transferred envelope into registration with selected ones of said gripping members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus for automatically inserting inserts into envelopes in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for adapting said transported envelopes to receive said inserts comprises pneumatic discharge means positioned adjacent said first conveying means and in the vicinity of said inserting zone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus for automatically inserting inserts into envelopes in accordance with claim 1 wherein said gripping members are adapted to receive and maintain said envelopes in predetermined alignment as said envelopes are transported by said envelope conveyer belt means such that said opening of each transported envelope admits of a receiving relation with a corresponding transported insert at said inserting zone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus for automatically inserting inserts into envelopes in accordance with claim 1 further including: deflecting means for deflecting the closure flap of a transferred envelope from a closed position to an opened position to thereby provide access to the interior of said envelope through the opening thereof; and means for maintaining said closure flap in said opened position as said envelope is transported by said envelope conveyer belt means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus for automatically inserting inserts into envelopes in accordance with claim 4 wherein said means for maintaining said flap in said opened position comprises a rail parallel to said first conveying path and adjacent said envelope conveyer belt means for overriding the closure flap of each transported envelope.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus for automatically inserting inserts into envelopes in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second conveying means comprises insert conveyer belt means for frictionally engaging said inserts and for maintaining said inserts in alignment with corresponding envelopes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus for automatically inserting inserts into envelopes in accordance with claim 6 wherein said insert supply comprises means for storing a stack of inserts; and means for withdrawing successive inserts from said stack in timed relation with the movement of said insert conveyer belt means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus for automatically inserting inserts into envelopes in accordance with claim 7 wherein said guide means comprises a guide rail for guiding a longitudinal edge of an insert as said insert is transported into said inserting zone by said insert conveyer belt means and until said insert is completely inserted into a corresponding envelope.
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) | 1978-01-06 | 1978-07-08 | 1979-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-06 | 1982-07-08 | 1983-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-06 | 1986-07-08 | 1987-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |