Patent · US Expired

Envelope flap separating and distending method and mechanism

US3974749A · kind A · utility

14Cited by
6References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 21, 1975
Grant dateAug 17, 1976
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 21, 1995

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB43M3/00
  • 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 pair of axially adjacent rotatable rollers. One of the rollers is positioned at a higher elevation with respect to the other roller, thus forming a body deforming bite for an incoming envelope. One of the rollers is movable with respect to the other roller in order to accommodate for varying envelope thicknesses.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.