Patent US4353197A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4353197A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Content activated envelope extraction
Assignee: Opex Corp
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Filing: 1980-03-03
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Granted: 1982-10-12
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Expires: 2000-03-03
Abstract
Abstract At the content extraction location radiant energy is transmitted through the spread-open envelope. Change in this transmitted energy due to content extraction is sensed and activates removal of the envelope from the extraction location.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert F. Stevens
- 👤 Paul E. Haley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:46
CPC Classifications
B; B43; B43M; B43M7/00; B43M7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
In the method of extracting contents from envelopes by a human operator's hand, utilizing a machine which transports the envelopes substantially unspread in succession to an extraction location at which each envelope is presented with one edge exposed to the operator's hand and spread open along the exposed edge to permit insertion of the hand and withdrawal accompanied by content extraction and from which the envelopes are substantially unspread, the improvement comprising: sensing a change in said envelope contents form being inside to no longer being inside the spread open envelope at the extraction location as a result of said operator's hand withdrawal accompanied by content extraction, and initiating the discontinuing of the spreading and the further transporting away of each envelope in response to said sensing, both said sensing and said initiating being performed automatically and without any action by the operator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
In the method of extracting contents from envelopes by a human operator's hand, utilizing a machine which transports the envelopes substantially unspread in succession to an extraction location at which each envelope is presented with one edge exposed to the operator's hand and spread open along the exposed edge to permit insertion of the hand and withdrawal accompanied by content extraction and from which the envelopes are substantially unspread, the improvement comprising: sensing a change in said envelope contents form being inside to no longer being inside the spread open envelope at the extraction location as a result of said operator's hand withdrawal accompanied by content extraction, and initiating the discontinuing of the spreading and the further transporting away of each envelope in response to said sensing, both said sensing and said initiating being performed automatically and without any action by the operator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
188 words
In a machine for facilitating the extraction of contents from envelopes by a human machine operator's hand, said machine having means for transporting the envelopes substantially unspread in succession to an extraction location at which each envelope is presented with one edge exposed to the operator's hand, means at the extraction location for spreading each envelope open along the exposed edge to permit insertion of the operator's hand and withdrawal accompanied by content extraction and for discontinuing the spreading to permit the envelope to again become substantially unspread, and means for further transporting the substantially unspread envelopes away from the extraction location, the improvement comprising: automatic means, which means does not involve any action by the operator, for sensing a change in said envelope contents form being inside to no longer being inside the spread open envelope at the extraction location as a result of said operator's hand withdrawal accompanied by content extraction, and automatic means, which last-named means also does not involve any action by the operator, for initiating the discontinuing of the spreading and the further transporting away of each envelope in response to said sensing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
188 words
In a machine for facilitating the extraction of contents from envelopes by a human machine operator's hand, said machine having means for transporting the envelopes substantially unspread in succession to an extraction location at which each envelope is presented with one edge exposed to the operator's hand, means at the extraction location for spreading each envelope open along the exposed edge to permit insertion of the operator's hand and withdrawal accompanied by content extraction and for discontinuing the spreading to permit the envelope to again become substantially unspread, and means for further transporting the substantially unspread envelopes away from the extraction location, the improvement comprising: automatic means, which means does not involve any action by the operator, for sensing a change in said envelope contents form being inside to no longer being inside the spread open envelope at the extraction location as a result of said operator's hand withdrawal accompanied by content extraction, and automatic means, which last-named means also does not involve any action by the operator, for initiating the discontinuing of the spreading and the further transporting away of each envelope in response to said sensing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The machine of claim 2 wherein the automatic sensing means includes photoelectric sensing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The machine of claim 1 further comprising automatic means, which last-named means does not involve any action by the operator, for also stopping each envelope and initiating the spreading apart at the extraction location in response to arrival of the envelope at that location.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The machine of claim 4 wherein the automatic stopping and initiating means includes photoelectric sensing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The machine of claim 2 further comprising automatic means, which last-named means does not involve any action by the operator, for stopping each envelope during the further transporting at a second location in response to the sensing of contents in the envelope.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The machine of claim 6 wherein the means for automatic stopping at the second location includes photoelectric means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-10-11 | 1986-04-12 | 1986-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-10-11 | 1990-04-12 | 1990-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-10-11 | 1994-04-12 | 1994-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |