Flap separating mechanism
US3935800A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 8, 1974 |
| Grant date | Feb 3, 1976 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 8, 1994 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB43M3/045
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A flap separating mechanism and method for distending a flap from a body portion of an envelope. An envelope moving through a mail handling system may require its flap to be moistened and sealed. As a prelude to the moistening procedure, the flap of the envelope must be separated from the body portion. The separating mechanism disclosed herein comprises a pivotable elongated bar. An incoming vertically oriented envelope engages a dog-leg bend in the bar causing it to pivot to a deflected position. A weighted lever arm urges the elongated bar to pivot back to its original position, which provides a force to be applied to the back of the envelope. This force "breaks-the-back" of the envelope, which in turn results in distending the flap from the body portion thereof.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.