US4069011A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Envelope opening machine
Assignee: Thor Dahl Inc
•
Filing: 1976-04-27
•
Granted: 1978-01-17
•
Expires: 1996-04-27
Abstract
Abstract A machine for opening envelopes by heat process which have been previously treated with chemicals.
Inventors
- 👤 William H. Gunther, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:27
CPC Classifications
B; B43; B43M; B43M7/00; B43M7/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A machine for applying heat to the edges of envelopes having sensitizing and developing agents thereon which comprises a frame, a conveyor means, first, second and third heaters mounted on said frame in proximity to the conveyor, envelope moving means mounted on the conveyor means to move envelopes relative to said heaters, said moving means adapted to move one edge of the envelope over said first heater to apply heat thereto, means on said frame for rotating the envelope 90° to rest a second edge of said envelope on said second heater, said moving means adapted to move said second edge over the second heater to apply heat thereto, means on said frame for rotating the envelopes 90° to rest a third edge of said envelope on said third heater, said moving means adapted to move the third edge over said third heater to apply heat to said third edge, whereby the heat applied will deteriorate the said edges.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A machine for applying heat to the edges of envelopes having sensitizing and developing agents thereon which comprises a frame, a conveyor means, first, second and third heaters mounted on said frame in proximity to the conveyor, envelope moving means mounted on the conveyor means to move envelopes relative to said heaters, said moving means adapted to move one edge of the envelope over said first heater to apply heat thereto, means on said frame for rotating the envelope 90° to rest a second edge of said envelope on said second heater, said moving means adapted to move said second edge over the second heater to apply heat thereto, means on said frame for rotating the envelopes 90° to rest a third edge of said envelope on said third heater, said moving means adapted to move the third edge over said third heater to apply heat to said third edge, whereby the heat applied will deteriorate the said edges.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein a first envelope rotating member is provided to strike the envelopes after passing the first heater to rotate them downwardly 90°.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein a second envelope rotating member is provided to strike the envelopes after passing the second heater to rotate them upwardly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A machine as claimed in claim 3 wherein said first and second rotating members are movable synchronously with each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein said envelope moving means comprises an open envelope holding pocket assembly into which the envelopes are deposited.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A machine as claimed in claim 5 wherein said open pocket assembly depends from the conveyor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A machine as claimed in claim 6 wherein said conveyor is a chain movable by a drive means and wherein the pocket assembly depends from said chain.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A machine as claimed in claim 7 wherein said pocket assembly comprises a pair of U-shape brackets mounted above each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A machine as claimed in claim 8 wherein said first envelope rotating member is a pivoted finger mounted above said conveyor and adapted to pivot downwardly to strike the envelope and move to a lowered position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A machine as claimed in claim 9 wherein the second envelope rotating member is a pivot finger mounted below said conveyor and movable upwardly to strike the envelope and move it to a raised position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A machine as claimed in claim 10 wherein the two pivot fingers are movable by a common timing wheel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A machine as claimed in claim 11 wherein said two pivot fingers are movable from crank levers mounted on the timing wheel through linkage means extending from the crank levers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A machine as claimed in claim 12 wherein means are provided after the third heater to pivot the envelopes 90° to a downward position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A machine as claimed in claim 13 wherein said means comprises a third pivot finger mounted above said conveyor and pivotable downwardly to strike the envelopes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A machine as claimed in claim 14 wherein said third pivot finger is movable in synchronism with the first and second pivot fingers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A machine as claimed in claim 15 wherein the third finger is movable by the same crank lever and linkage as the first pivot finger.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
A machine as claimed in claim 16 wherein unloading means are provided to move the envelopes out of the pockets after they are moved downwardly by the third pivot finger.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
A machine as claimed in claim 17 wherein said unloading means comprise pusher means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A machine as claimed in claim 18 wherein loading means are provided for moving envelopes into the pockets.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
A machine as claimed in claim 19 wherein said loading means comprise pusher means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
A machine as claimed in claim 20 wherein a rail is provided along the outside of the machine to guide envelopes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
A machine as claimed in claim 21 wherein there is a slot in the rail through which said second finger moves to strike the envelopes.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
A machine as claimed in claim 22 wherein said batches are loosely held in the pockets so that the edges will drop on to the heaters.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 23 wherein the movement of the envelopes is continuous in an oval path.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 24 wherein the heaters are solid plates against which the edges are moved.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 25 wherein said sensitizing agent comprises alkyl sodium sulfate.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 26 in which said sensitizing agent comprises a lower molecular weight alkyl sodium sulfate.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 27 in which said sensitizing agent comprises n-propyl sodium sulfate.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 28 in which said sensitizing agent comprises about a 10 percent solution of n-propyl sodium sulfate.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 29 in which said solution comprises a major amount of isopropyl alcohol.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 30 wherein said developing agent is an organic acid.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 31 wherein said organic acid is selected from the class consisting of oxalic acid and acetic acid.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 32 in which said developing compound comprises oxalic acid.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 33 in which said developing compound comprises a 10 percent solution of oxalic acid.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 34 wherein said sensitizing agent comprises a higher molecular weight alkyl sodium sulfate.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 35 wherein said sensitizing agent is sodium lauryl sulfate.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 36 in which said developing agent is acetic acid.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 37 wherein said developing agent comprises tartaric acid.
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) | 1981-01-16 | 1981-07-18 | 1982-01-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-16 | 1985-07-18 | 1986-01-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-16 | 1989-07-18 | 1990-01-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |