US4846455A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High speed envelope feeding apparatus
Assignee: Gradco Japan Ltd
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Filing: 1988-04-08
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Granted: 1989-07-11
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Expires: 2008-04-08
Abstract
Abstract A high speed envelope feeder is provided with a pair of pinch rolls for extracting an envelope from a stack of closed envelopes in a magazine. The flap of a closed envelope is opened by raising a cam surface under the flap to position the flap between a fixed pinch roll and a movable pinch roll. The movable pinch roll is articulated to grasp the flap between the pinch rolls. The flap is pulled to extract the envelope from the magazine and is subsequently pushed by the pinch rolls into the transport device.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard F. Hurst
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:31
CPC Classifications
B; B43; B43M; B43M3/00; B43M3/04; B43M3/045; B65; B65H; B65H3/00; B65H3/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
Apparatus for extracting a single envelope from a stack of closed envelopes and for feeding the extracted envelope into a transport device comprising: magazine means for supporting a stack of envelopes having the closed flap exposed in the feed position at an open end of the magazine means, first restraining means fixed to said open end of said magazine for restraining the lower portion of said envelope below said exposed flap, second restraining means fixed relative to said magazine means for restraining said envelopes in said magazine from vertical upward movement, movable pinch roll means positioned opposite said exposed flap in a normal open position, flap opening means engagable under said closed flap of an envelope for pivoting said closed flap to an open position above said movable pinch roll means in said normal position, fixed pinch roll means positioned above said open envelope flap and opposite said movable pinch roll means when moved to close position to pinch said flap of said envelope between said pinch rolls, means for moving said movable pinch roll into engagement with said fixed pinch roll and for pinching said open envelope flap, and drive means for driving said fixed pinch roll and for extracting said envelope from said stack of envelopes and for feeding said envelope into said transport means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
Apparatus for extracting a single envelope from a stack of closed envelopes and for feeding the extracted envelope into a transport device comprising: magazine means for supporting a stack of envelopes having the closed flap exposed in the feed position at an open end of the magazine means, first restraining means fixed to said open end of said magazine for restraining the lower portion of said envelope below said exposed flap, second restraining means fixed relative to said magazine means for restraining said envelopes in said magazine from vertical upward movement, movable pinch roll means positioned opposite said exposed flap in a normal open position, flap opening means engagable under said closed flap of an envelope for pivoting said closed flap to an open position above said movable pinch roll means in said normal position, fixed pinch roll means positioned above said open envelope flap and opposite said movable pinch roll means when moved to close position to pinch said flap of said envelope between said pinch rolls, means for moving said movable pinch roll into engagement with said fixed pinch roll and for pinching said open envelope flap, and drive means for driving said fixed pinch roll and for extracting said envelope from said stack of envelopes and for feeding said envelope into said transport means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus for extracting an envelope as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flap opening means comprises an inclined cam surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus for extracting an envelope as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flap opening means comprises a pair of vertically movable cams on top of movable slides adapted to engage the outer edge of said envelope flap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus for extracting an envelope as set forth in claim 2 wherein said flap opening means is adapted to bend said flap over a portion of said movable pinch roll.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus for extracting an envelope as set forth in claim 4 wherein said movable pinch roll is adapted to lift said flap to a horizontal position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus for extracting an envelope as set forth in claim 5 wherein said movable pinch roll is adapted to engage said flap against said fixed pinch roll and to pull said envelope from said stack by bending said envelope over said movable pinch roll.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus for extracting an envelope as set forth in claim 6 wherein said envelope is collapsed over a sector portion of said movable pinch roll and pushed into said transport means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus for extracting an envelope as set forth in claim 1 which further includes pivot support means for supporting and moving said movable pinch roll and said flap opening means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus for extracting an envelope as set forth in claim 8 wherein said pivot support means comprises solenoid means for pivoting said movable pinch roll.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus for extracting an envelope as set forth in claim 8 wherein said pivot support means comprises a rotatable cam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus for extracting an envelope as set forth in claim 2 which further includes solenoid means for moving said inclined cam into engagement with said envelope flap.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus for extracting an envelope as set forth in claim 1 wherein said transport means comprises a transport platform and a movable driven belt adapted to feed an envelope through said transport means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus for extracting an envelope as set forth in claim 12 which further includes flap closing means mounted on said transport means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus for extracting an envelope as set forth in claim 13 wherein said flap closing means comprises a flap diverter mounted on said transport platform.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus for extracting an envelope as set forth in claim 12 wherein said transport means comprises an inclined side chute for feeding a utilization device at ninety degrees to the direction of said movable belt of said transport means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus for extracting an envelope as set forth in claim 12 wherein said drive means comprises a motor and belt means for driving said fixed pinch roll means and said transport means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus for extracting an envelope as set forth in claim 1 which further includes a sheet feeder adapted and sheet release means for selectively feeding a sheet of paper into said transport means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus for extracting an envelope as set forth in claim 17 which further includes programmable control means for selectively synchronizing and sequencing said sheet feeder with the operation of the extraction of an envelope from said stack of envelopes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus for extracting an envelope as set forth in claim 18 wherein said control means includes means for selecting one or more sheets with the selection of one or more envelopes.
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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) | 1992-07-10 | 1993-01-09 | 1993-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-10 | 1997-01-09 | 1997-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-10 | 2001-01-09 | 2001-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |