Patent · US Expired

Inserter station for envelope inserting

US5125214A · kind A · utility

39Cited by
21References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 29, 1991
Grant dateJun 30, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 29, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65H2513/40
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An inserter station for inserting inserts into envelopes comprises an insert conveyor for conveying inserts to an inserting location, a gripper drum for delivering envelopes to the inserting location, vacuum means for holding bottom surfaces of envelopes, suction cups for lifting top sides and opening envelopes, and an insert pusher for pushing inserts into opened envelopes. The insert pusher moves along a noose-shaped path in a vertical plane. The path has a horizontal, forwardly-directed portion along which the pusher moves to engage and push inserts into evelopes. The path has a retracting portion that curves downwardly and backwardly out of the way of envelopes and inserts being provided to the inserting location. In operation, an envelope is delivered to the inserting location and has its bottom surface held by vacuum applied thereto. The top side of the envelope is lifted by suction cups so that the envelope is opened to receive inserts. Inserts that are conveyed toward the inserting location are engaged at their trailing edges by the insert pusher and are pushed into the opened envelope.

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