Patent · US Expired

Envelope flap separating mechanism

US3996727A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
4References
1Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 13, 1976
Grant dateDec 14, 1976
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 13, 1996

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB43M3/00
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A flap separating mechanism 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 rotatably affixed belt conveyor and an adjacent ski-like stripper member. The stripper member is movably biased toward said conveyor to provide a normal force on envelopes disposed therebetween. The deflapping mechanism can accommodate envelopes of varying thickness, while providing a fixed plane for the printing of postage on the body portion of the envelopes.

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