Document mailbox device
US5425457A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 8, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jun 20, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 8, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S209/909
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention relates to a document storage device which allows for temporary and secure storage of a number of documents upon their exit from a document processor. The device (10) is comprised of a document stack system (12), a retrieval system (14), and a control unit (16) for tracking the position of each document in the stack. As documents are deposited into the document stack, an identifier is attached to each document's position in the memory of the control unit (16). After deposit of a first document, a first pair of separator sheets (6a, 6b) are deposited above the document. A second document can then be deposited above the first pair of separator sheets. Thereafter, a second pair of separator sheets are deposited above the second document. One sheet from each pair acts as the top or bottom cover for the document (5) against which it is in contact. This deposit process can be continue for additional documents. When a target document is to be retrieved, its identifier is entered into the control unit (16) by the document' s intended recipient. The retrieval system (14) is positioned adjacent to the target document in the stack. Grippers (40, 42) extend into the stack…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.