US4360108A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for checking letter thickness
Assignee: KAHLE ENGINEERING Corp
•
Filing: 1981-01-05
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Granted: 1982-11-23
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Expires: 2001-01-05
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus are described for automatically checking envelopes for objects which would interere with an automatic postal mail sorting operation. The envelopes are moved between inflated rollers and changes in the roller pressures caused by objectionable objects in the envelopes are detected to control an envelope diversion gate.
Inventors
- 👤 Emanuel N. Logothetis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:34
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C1/00; B07C1/10; B07C1/16; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S209/00; Y10S209/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
42 words
Envelope inspection means comprising the comination of inflated roller means, means for passing the envelopes past the roller means whereby the roller pressure varies with the envelope shape, and means for generating a control signal in accordance with the roller pressure change.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
42 words
Envelope inspection means comprising the comination of inflated roller means, means for passing the envelopes past the roller means whereby the roller pressure varies with the envelope shape, and means for generating a control signal in accordance with the roller pressure change.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The inspection means as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for generating a control signal includes means making the control signal responsive to the rate of change of the roller means pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The inspection means as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for generating a control signal includes means making the control signal responsive to the change of pressure in the roller means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The envelope inspection means as claimed in claim 1 in which said roller means comprises a pair of rollers having parallel axes and contacting flexible surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The envelope inspection means as claimed in claim 1 in which said means to generate a control signal includes a differential amplifier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The envelope inspection means as claimed in claim 1 in which said means to generate a control signal includes a summing amplifier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The envelope inspection means as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises an envelope diverting gate operatively coupled to said means for generating a control signal.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of inspecting moving envelopes comprising the steps of passing the envelopes through an inflated envelope contacting means for varying the pressure of the contacting means in accordance with the envelope shape, detecting the change in the pressure of the contacting means caused by the passing envelopes, and generating a control signal responsive to the detected pressure changes.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of inspecting moving envelopes comprising the steps of passing the envelopes through an inflated envelope contacting means for varying the pressure of the contacting means in accordance with the envelope shape, detecting the change in the pressure of the contacting means caused by the passing envelopes, and generating a control signal responsive to the detected pressure changes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The inspecting method as claimed in claim 8 which comprises the further step of changing the direction of the moving envelopes responsive to the generation of the control signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The inspecting method as claimed in claim 8 in which the pressure change detection includes detecting the rate of change of pressure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The inspecting method as claimed in claim 8 in which the passing of the envelopes through a contacting means comprises passing the envelopes between a pair of inflated rollers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as claimed in claim 11 in which the generating of a control signal includes forming a control signal based on the difference of the roller pressure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as claimed in claim 11 in which the generating of a control signal includes forming a signal based on the difference of the rate of change of the roller pressures.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2712870A
Cited
US3319784A
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US3589714A
Cited
US4075739A
Cited
US4031741A
Cited
US4117718A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-11-22 | 1986-05-24 | 1986-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-22 | 1990-05-24 | 1990-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-22 | 1994-05-24 | 1994-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |