US5156515A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Machine for extracting contents from envelopes
Assignee: Opex Corp
•
Filing: 1991-05-03
•
Granted: 1992-10-20
•
Expires: 2011-05-03
Abstract
Abstract Machine for extracting the contents from envelopes for presentation to an operator. The envelopes are stacked at an input station and fed one at a time from the input station to a cutting station. At the cutting station, the envelopes are severed along their edge portions to provide access to the contents. From the cutting station, the envelopes are transported to a separating station, where the contents are separated from the envelopes. The contents from one envelope at a time are conveyed to a pick-up station for presentation to an operator at a work station. When the operator removes the contents of one envelope from the pick-up station, the contents of another envelope are conveyed to that station and presented to the operator. As each envelope leaves the separating station, it is checked to verify that the contents have been removed.
Inventors
- 👤 William F. Charron
- 👤 Edward A. Krupotich
- 👤 George H. Bingham
- 👤 James R. Sencenbaugh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:27
CPC Classifications
B; B43; B43M; B43M7/00; B43M7/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S83/00; Y10S83/912
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A machine for extracting contents from envelopes and presenting the contents to an operator at a work station positioned to one side of the machine, comprising an input station for holding a stack of envelopes, a cutting station, means for feeding the envelopes one at a time from the input station to the cutting station, means at the cutting station for severing the envelopes along edge portions thereof to provide access to the contents, a separating station, means for transporting the envelopes from the cutting station to the separating station, means at the separating station for separating the contents from the envelopes, output conveyor means extending laterally from the machine for receiving the contents from the separating station, carrying the contents along a horizontally extending path to the work station, and presenting the contents to the operator at the work station, and drive means for driving said output conveyor means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A machine for extracting contents from envelopes and presenting the contents to an operator at a work station positioned to one side of the machine, comprising an input station for holding a stack of envelopes, a cutting station, means for feeding the envelopes one at a time from the input station to the cutting station, means at the cutting station for severing the envelopes along edge portions thereof to provide access to the contents, a separating station, means for transporting the envelopes from the cutting station to the separating station, means at the separating station for separating the contents from the envelopes, output conveyor means extending laterally from the machine for receiving the contents from the separating station, carrying the contents along a horizontally extending path to the work station, and presenting the contents to the operator at the work station, and drive means for driving said output conveyor means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
The machine of claim 1 including sensor means for detecting the removal of contents from the conveyor means at the work station, and means responsive to the sensor means for actuating the conveyor means to carry the contents from a second envelope to the work station and present the contents from said second envelope to the operator when the contents from a first envelope are removed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
84 words
The machine of claim 1 wherein the conveyor means includes a first belt positioned to receive the contents from the separating station, a pick-up station where the contents are presented to the operator at the work station, a second belt which extends between the first belt and the pick-up station, and means responsive to removal of contents from the pick-up station for actuating the first belt to deliver additional contents from the separating station to the second belt for delivery to the pick-up station.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
The machine of claim 1 wherein the envelopes have front and rear panels, the contents are positioned between the front and rear panels as the envelopes enter the separating station, and the means for separating the contents from the envelopes includes corrugating rollers engagable with the panels for imparting a stiffness to the panels and to the contents, and means for drawing one of the panels away from the other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The machine of claim 4 wherein the corrugating rollers include a first shaft, a plurality of segmented rollers mounted on the first shaft, a second shaft which is spaced from and generally parallel to the first shaft, and a plurality of rollers mounted on the second shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The machine of claim 4 wherein the means for separating the contents from the envelope further includes a pair of belts for receiving the one of the panels which is drawn away from the other and carrying the envelope away from the contents.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The machine of claim 1 including means for checking the envelopes leaving the separating station to verify that the contents have been removed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
The machine of claim 7 wherein the means for checking the envelopes includes a gauging element positioned to be displaced by an amount corresponding to the thickness of an envelope leaving the separating station, and means responsive to the position of the gauging element for determining whether the gauging element is displaced by a predetermined amount for a predetermined time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
199 words
A machine for extracting contents from envelopes and presenting the extracted contents to an operator, comprising an input station for holding a stack of envelopes, a cutting station, means for feeding the envelopes one at a time from the input station to the cutting station, means at the cutting station for severing the envelopes along edge portions thereof to provided access to the contents, a separating station, an output chute, means for transporting the envelopes from the cutting station to the separating station, means at the separating station for separating the contents from the envelopes and delivering the contents to the output chute, a normally stationary first conveyor which is positioned beneath the chute for receiving the contents from the separating station, a pick-up station, a second conveyor which operates continuously between the first conveyor and the pick-up station for delivering the contents from the first conveyor to the pick-up station, a sensor for detecting the presence/absence of contents at the pick-up station, and means responsive to the sensor for actuating the first conveyor to deliver contents from successive envelopes to the second conveyor for delivery to the pick-up station upon removal of the contents from the pick-up station.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
199 words
A machine for extracting contents from envelopes and presenting the extracted contents to an operator, comprising an input station for holding a stack of envelopes, a cutting station, means for feeding the envelopes one at a time from the input station to the cutting station, means at the cutting station for severing the envelopes along edge portions thereof to provided access to the contents, a separating station, an output chute, means for transporting the envelopes from the cutting station to the separating station, means at the separating station for separating the contents from the envelopes and delivering the contents to the output chute, a normally stationary first conveyor which is positioned beneath the chute for receiving the contents from the separating station, a pick-up station, a second conveyor which operates continuously between the first conveyor and the pick-up station for delivering the contents from the first conveyor to the pick-up station, a sensor for detecting the presence/absence of contents at the pick-up station, and means responsive to the sensor for actuating the first conveyor to deliver contents from successive envelopes to the second conveyor for delivery to the pick-up station upon removal of the contents from the pick-up station.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
The machine of claim 9 wherein the envelopes have front and rear panels, the contents are positioned between the front and rear panels as the envelopes enter the separating station, and the means for separating the contents from the envelopes includes corrugating rollers engagable with the panels for imparting a stiffness to the panels and to the contents, and means engagable for drawing one of the panels and away from the other.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The machine of claim 10 wherein the corrugating rollers include a first shaft, a plurality of segmented rollers mounted on the first shaft, a second shaft which is spaced from and generally parallel to the first shaft, and a plurality of rollers mounted on the second shaft.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The machine of claim 10 wherein the means for separating the contents from the envelope further includes a pair of belts for receiving the one of the panels which is drawn away from the other and carrying the envelope away from the contents.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The machine of claim 9 including means for checking the envelopes leaving the separating station to verify that the contents have been removed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
60 words
The machine of claim 13 wherein the means for checking the envelopes includes a gauging element positioned to be displaced by an amount corresponding to the thickness of an envelope leaving the separating station, and means responsive to the position of the gauging element for determining whether the gauging element is displaced by a predetermined amount for a predetermined time.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The machine of claim 9 wherein the first conveyor and the second conveyor each include a conveyor belt.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The machine of claim 9 wherein the means responsive to the sensor also includes means for actuating the means for feeding the envelopes from the input station to the cutting station.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The machine of claim 9 wherein the means responsive to the sensor also includes means for actuating the means for transporting envelopes with contents to the separating station.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
118 words
A machine for extracting contents from envelopes which have been severed along edge portions thereof and presenting the extracted contents to an operator at a work station positioned to one side of the machine, comprising a separating station, means for supplying the severed envelopes to the separating station, means for supplying the severed envelopes to the separating station, means at the separating station for separating the contents from the envelopes, output conveyor means extending laterally from the machine for receiving the contents from the separating station, carrying the contents along a horizontally extending path to the work station, and presenting the contents to the operator at the work station, and drive means for driving said output conveyor means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
118 words
A machine for extracting contents from envelopes which have been severed along edge portions thereof and presenting the extracted contents to an operator at a work station positioned to one side of the machine, comprising a separating station, means for supplying the severed envelopes to the separating station, means for supplying the severed envelopes to the separating station, means at the separating station for separating the contents from the envelopes, output conveyor means extending laterally from the machine for receiving the contents from the separating station, carrying the contents along a horizontally extending path to the work station, and presenting the contents to the operator at the work station, and drive means for driving said output conveyor means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
70 words
The machine of claim 18 including sensor means for detecting the removal of contents from the conveyor means at the work station, and means responsive to the sensor means for actuating the conveyor means to carry the contents from a second envelope to the work station and present the contents from said second envelope to the operator when the contents from a first envelope are removed from the conveyor means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
84 words
The machine of claim 18 wherein the conveyor means includes a first belt positioned to receive the contents from the separating station, a pick-up station where the contents are presented to the operator at the work station, a second belt which travels between the first belt and the pick-up station, and means responsive to removal of contents from the pick-up station for actuating the first belt to deliver additional contents from the separating station to the second belt for delivery to the pick-up station.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
131 words
A machine for extracting contents from envelopes and presenting the extracted contents to an operator, comprising a separating station, means for supplying envelopes with contents to the separating station, means at the separating station for separating the contents from the envelopes, a normally stationary first conveyor for receiving the contents from the separating station, a pick-up station, a continuously moving second conveyor extending between the first conveyor and the pick-up station for delivering the contents from the first conveyor to the pick-up station, a sensor for detecting the presence/absence of contents at the pick-up station, and means responsive to the sensor for actuating the first conveyor to deliver contents from successive envelopes to the second conveyor for delivery to the pick-up station upon removal of the contents from the pick-up station.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
131 words
A machine for extracting contents from envelopes and presenting the extracted contents to an operator, comprising a separating station, means for supplying envelopes with contents to the separating station, means at the separating station for separating the contents from the envelopes, a normally stationary first conveyor for receiving the contents from the separating station, a pick-up station, a continuously moving second conveyor extending between the first conveyor and the pick-up station for delivering the contents from the first conveyor to the pick-up station, a sensor for detecting the presence/absence of contents at the pick-up station, and means responsive to the sensor for actuating the first conveyor to deliver contents from successive envelopes to the second conveyor for delivery to the pick-up station upon removal of the contents from the pick-up station.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The machine of claim 21 wherein the first conveyor and the second conveyor each include a conveyor belt.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The machine of claim 21 wherein the means responsive to the sensor includes means for actuating the means for supplying envelopes with contents to the separating station upon removal of the contents from the pick-up station.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
109 words
The machine of claim 21 including a gauging element adapted to be displaced by an amount corresponding to the thickness of an envelope in contact therewith, means for feeding the envelopes from the separating station one at a time past the gauging element at a predetermined speed so that each envelope contacts the gauging element and deflects it in accordance with the thickness of the envelope and any contents therein as it moves past the gauging element, and means responsive to the position of the gauging element for providing an output signal in the event that the gauging element is displaced by a predetermined amount for a predetermined time.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
54 words
The machine of claim 24 wherein the means for providing an output signal includes a sensor which provides a signal when the gauging element is displaced by the predetermined amount and means responsive to the sensor signal for providing the output signal when the sensor signal is present for more than the predetermined time.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
188 words
A machine positioned to one side of a work station for extracting contents from envelopes and presenting the contents to an operator at the work station, comprising an input station for holding a stack of envelopes, a cutting station, means for feeding the envelopes one at a time from the input station to the cutting station, means at the cutting station for severing the envelopes along edge portions thereof to provide access to the contents, a separating station, means for transporting the envelopes from the cutting station to the separating station, means at the separating station for separating the contents from the envelopes, an output conveyor mounted in cantilevered fashion on the machine and extending in a horizontal direction toward the work station with no supporting structure beneath the conveyor at the work station, said conveyor having an input end positioned to receive the contents from the separating station and an output end positioned at the work station, and being adapted for carrying the contents to the work station and presenting the contents to the operator at the work station, and drive means for driving said output conveyor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
188 words
A machine positioned to one side of a work station for extracting contents from envelopes and presenting the contents to an operator at the work station, comprising an input station for holding a stack of envelopes, a cutting station, means for feeding the envelopes one at a time from the input station to the cutting station, means at the cutting station for severing the envelopes along edge portions thereof to provide access to the contents, a separating station, means for transporting the envelopes from the cutting station to the separating station, means at the separating station for separating the contents from the envelopes, an output conveyor mounted in cantilevered fashion on the machine and extending in a horizontal direction toward the work station with no supporting structure beneath the conveyor at the work station, said conveyor having an input end positioned to receive the contents from the separating station and an output end positioned at the work station, and being adapted for carrying the contents to the work station and presenting the contents to the operator at the work station, and drive means for driving said output conveyor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
156 words
A machine positioned to one side of a work station for extracting contents from envelopes which have been severed along edge portions thereof and presenting the extracted contents to an operator at the work station, comprising a separating station, means for supplying the severed envelopes to the separating station, means for supplying the severed envelopes to the separating station, means at the separating station for separating the contents from the envelopes, an output conveyor mounted in cantilevered fashion on the machine and extending in a horizontal direction toward the work station with no supporting structure beneath the conveyor at the work station, said conveyor having an input end positioned to receive the contents from the separating station and an output end positioned at the work station, and being adapted for carrying the contents to the work station and presenting the contents to the operator at the work station, and drive means for driving said output conveyor.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
156 words
A machine positioned to one side of a work station for extracting contents from envelopes which have been severed along edge portions thereof and presenting the extracted contents to an operator at the work station, comprising a separating station, means for supplying the severed envelopes to the separating station, means for supplying the severed envelopes to the separating station, means at the separating station for separating the contents from the envelopes, an output conveyor mounted in cantilevered fashion on the machine and extending in a horizontal direction toward the work station with no supporting structure beneath the conveyor at the work station, said conveyor having an input end positioned to receive the contents from the separating station and an output end positioned at the work station, and being adapted for carrying the contents to the work station and presenting the contents to the operator at the work station, and drive means for driving said output conveyor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US771852A
Cited
US3238926A
Cited
US3143100A
Cited
US3384252A
Cited
US3726454A
Cited
US4016708A
Cited
US4353197A
Cited
US4139977A
Cited
US4295321A
Cited
US4576287A
Cited
US4747817A
Cited
US4921388A
Cited
WO1988010226A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-10-20 | 1996-04-20 | 1996-10-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-20 | 2000-04-20 | 2000-10-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-20 | 2004-04-20 | 2004-10-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |