US3875722A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Envelope opening mechanism and method
Assignee: Kenco Corp
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Filing: 1970-09-21
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Granted: 1975-04-08
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Expires: 1990-09-21
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for opening envelopes by carbonizing the edges thereof by the application of heat to the respective edges. In one embodiment of the invention, the three respective edges of the envelope are carbonized by passing the edges through a passageway within which radiant heat is generated and directed against or focused upon the edge of the envelope being treated. In the overall system, a pick-up arrangement is employed which removes the envelope from a feeding magazine and directs the envelopes to a settledown station. At the settledown station, the envelopes are orientated for passage into opposed belts which convey the envelopes sequentially through three burner sections interposed between which are flip-over mechanisms which rotate the envelope 90.degree. to present the next adjacent edge for carbonizing. At the end of the burner sections, a third flip-over rotates the envelopes into position in a flip-down mechanism which delivers the envelope to a differential roller with its uncarbonized edge in a trailing position. The differential roller assembly 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
- 👤 Robert J Russell
- 👤 Edwin F Pierce
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:26
CPC Classifications
B; B43; B43M; B43M7/00; B43M7/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
Apparatus adapted to weaken an edge of an envelope for the subsequent opening thereof comprising: a passageway means for heating air within the passageway to a temperature suitable for carbonizing an envelope edge, means for generating radiant heat, and a conveyor supported to move an edge of the envelope to be carbonized through the passageway without contacting the passageway in contact with both the heated air and radiant energy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus adapted to weaken an edge of an envelope for the subsequent opening thereof comprising: a passageway means for heating air within the passageway to a temperature suitable for carbonizing an envelope edge, means for generating radiant heat, and a conveyor supported to move an edge of the envelope to be carbonized through the passageway without contacting the passageway in contact with both the heated air and radiant energy.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
60 words
The method of weakening edges of an envelope to facilitate easy opening thereof including the steps of: moving the envelope through static air within a passageway, heating the static air within the passageway to a temperature suitable to carbonize and weaken the edge, and directing radiant heat against the edge of the envelope to further aid in carbonizing the edge.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
60 words
The method of weakening edges of an envelope to facilitate easy opening thereof including the steps of: moving the envelope through static air within a passageway, heating the static air within the passageway to a temperature suitable to carbonize and weaken the edge, and directing radiant heat against the edge of the envelope to further aid in carbonizing the edge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus adapted to weaken the edge of an envelope for subsequent opening thereof comprising: a passageway, conveyor means for supporting and moving an edge of an envelope to be opened through the passageway, and radiant heat generating means within said passageway for directing radiant heat energy against the edge of the envelope to carbonize and weaken the edge of the envelope.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus adapted to weaken the edge of an envelope for subsequent opening thereof comprising: a passageway, conveyor means for supporting and moving an edge of an envelope to be opened through the passageway, and radiant heat generating means within said passageway for directing radiant heat energy against the edge of the envelope to carbonize and weaken the edge of the envelope.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
63 words
The method of weakening the edges of an envelope to facilitate opening thereof including the steps of: moving the envelope through a fixed path with an edge thereof exposed unprotected, and generating radiant energy at a position spaced from the edge of the envelope and directing the radiant heat energy against the edge of the envelope to carbonize the edge of the envelope.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
63 words
The method of weakening the edges of an envelope to facilitate opening thereof including the steps of: moving the envelope through a fixed path with an edge thereof exposed unprotected, and generating radiant energy at a position spaced from the edge of the envelope and directing the radiant heat energy against the edge of the envelope to carbonize the edge of the envelope.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
64 words
The method of opening envelopes comprising the steps of: generating radiant heat within a predetermined zone, conveying an exposed and unprotected edge portion of at least one side of the envelope through the zone of radiant heat at a point spaced from the radiant heat to carbonize and weaken the edge, and separating the envelope at the weakened edge to expose the contents thereof.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
64 words
The method of opening envelopes comprising the steps of: generating radiant heat within a predetermined zone, conveying an exposed and unprotected edge portion of at least one side of the envelope through the zone of radiant heat at a point spaced from the radiant heat to carbonize and weaken the edge, and separating the envelope at the weakened edge to expose the contents thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for destroying the edges of envelopes comprising: a conduit, a source of radiant energy, means for delivering the radiant energy to the conduit, a passageway through said conduit, a conveyor disposed adjacent said passageway and adapted to convey at least one edge of the envelope through said passageway with the edge portion thereof in contact with the radiant energy within said passageway whereby the edge of the envelope will be carbonized and destroyed preparatory to opening thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for destroying the edges of envelopes comprising: a conduit, a source of radiant energy, means for delivering the radiant energy to the conduit, a passageway through said conduit, a conveyor disposed adjacent said passageway and adapted to convey at least one edge of the envelope through said passageway with the edge portion thereof in contact with the radiant energy within said passageway whereby the edge of the envelope will be carbonized and destroyed preparatory to opening thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
91 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 source of radiant energy spaced from the edge of the envelope, and means disposed adjacent said conveyor and in alignment with the edge of the envelope for directing the radiant energy against the edge thereof in its passage through said fixed path to carbonize and weaken the edge.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
91 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 source of radiant energy spaced from the edge of the envelope, and means disposed adjacent said conveyor and in alignment with the edge of the envelope for directing the radiant energy against the edge thereof in its passage through said fixed path to carbonize and weaken the edge.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
118 words
Apparatus for preparing the edges of an envelope for opening comprising: a passageway, a source of radiant energy in communication with said passageway of heat value sufficient to carbonize paper, and a conveyor for gripping the envelopes to be opened with at least one edge thereof exposed for treatment and adapted to move said edge of said envelope through said passageway spaced from and out of contact with any portion of the passageway and with said edge spaced from said source of radiant energy but in contact with said radiant energy while maintaining the remainder of the envelope below carbonizing temperatures whereby the edges of the envelope will be carbonized and destroyed in their passage of said passageway.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
118 words
Apparatus for preparing the edges of an envelope for opening comprising: a passageway, a source of radiant energy in communication with said passageway of heat value sufficient to carbonize paper, and a conveyor for gripping the envelopes to be opened with at least one edge thereof exposed for treatment and adapted to move said edge of said envelope through said passageway spaced from and out of contact with any portion of the passageway and with said edge spaced from said source of radiant energy but in contact with said radiant energy while maintaining the remainder of the envelope below carbonizing temperatures whereby the edges 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) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |