In-line rotary inserter

US5042232A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Bell & Howell Phillipsburg Company · US

Inventors

• Winston A. Orsinger · Nazareth, US
• Richard B. Hawkes · Bethlehem, US
• Eric A. Belec · Southbury, US
• James Lee · Castro Valley, US
• Harry C. Noll, Jr. · Whitehall, US
• David P. Nyffenegger · Bethlehem, US
• George Fallos · Easton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 9, 1990
• Grant date: Aug 27, 1991
• Expiry date: Apr 9, 2010

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65H2513/40
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An in-line rotary inserter device comprises an envelope feed station (30) and insert feeding modules (20,22,24,26), an inserting station (32), a sealing and stacking assembly (38,40,42), and various diverters (33,36,56). The envelope feed station (30) withdraws envelopes from a hopper-held envelope stack )66,94) and conveys them to the inserting station (32). Each insert feeding module comprises a hopper-held insert stack disposed above, along, and in line with an insert conveyor (34). The conveyor, along its track, carries inserts dispensed from the hopper-held insert stacks to the inserting station (32). Diverter stations for diversion of envelopes and inserts in various locations along their feed paths are provided for normal operational purposes and for rectification of sensed fault conditions. Subsequently to inserting, insert-filled envelopes are conveyed from the inserting station (32), are sealed, turned, stacked, and processed through operations that are customary in preparation of mailable items. Supervision and coordination of operation of the various assemblies and stations in concert is provided by computer control (50).