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Patent US5429349A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5429349A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for buffering transport of document using conical screw conveyers
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1994-05-02
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Granted: 1995-07-04
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Expires: 2014-05-02
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus is provided for buffering transport of freshly inked documents. The apparatus has a plurality of opposite, parallel, threaded conical screw conveyers. Each pitch of the screw conveyer creates a drying station for an inked document. As inked documents travel upon the threads of the screw conveyers, the conical shape of the conveyers maintain the document in a substantially central position. A lower deck is provided for receiving inked documents. The buffer apparatus has a pusher mechanism to control document movement from the buffer to a downstream document handler, such as an envelope flapper.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven A. Supron
- 👤 Ming Xiao
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:23
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H29/00; B65H29/38; B65H29/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
An improved apparatus for buffering transport of a document of the type in which an upper deck is orthogonal to a plurality of opposite, parallel, threaded screw conveyers, the document is transported down the screw conveyers, and a lower deck is positioned beneath the plurality of screw conveyers for receiving the document, wherein the improvement comprises: (a) gear means for rotating the plurality of screw conveyers, and (b) means for moving the document horizontally from the apparatus along the lower deck, the moving means including a pusher block, a pin mounted onto a gear, and a pivotable lever having an opening with contoured surfaces operatively connected to the pusher block.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
An improved apparatus for buffering transport of a document of the type in which an upper deck is orthogonal to a plurality of opposite, parallel, threaded screw conveyers, the document is transported down the screw conveyers, and a lower deck is positioned beneath the plurality of screw conveyers for receiving the document, wherein the improvement comprises: (a) gear means for rotating the plurality of screw conveyers, and (b) means for moving the document horizontally from the apparatus along the lower deck, the moving means including a pusher block, a pin mounted onto a gear, and a pivotable lever having an opening with contoured surfaces operatively connected to the pusher block.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the lower deck includes a first tail end extending frown the lower deck thereby forming a lower guiding surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a rear guide for lead edge registering the document, the rear guide fixably mounted to the apparatus, extending generally perpendicular to and along one side of the upper deck.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the rear guide includes a second tail end extending from the rear guide thereby forming an upper guiding surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
CA541896A
Cited
FR740838A
Cited
US3280679A
Cited
JPS552503A
Cited
US4270747A
Cited
US4547114A
Cited
JPS6434851A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-07-03 | 1999-01-02 | 1999-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-03 | 2003-01-02 | 2003-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-03 | 2007-01-02 | 2007-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |