Patent · US Expired

Envelope bypass device for folding machine

US5980443A · kind A · utility

4Cited by
9References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 23, 1997
Grant dateNov 9, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 23, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65H29/58
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A folding machine is adapted to receive customized printed sheets and envelopes from a printer and to fold the sheets preparatory to the sheets being inserted into an envelope, but to feed the envelopes through the folding machine directly to an envelope inserting machine without the envelopes being folded. The folding machine has a main path of travel extending therethrough, and a bypass gate mounted in the main path of travel to divert sheets from the main path of travel and directs them into a folding mechanism. The bypass gate is movable from a diverting position to a non-diverting position in response to a sensing device that distinguishes between an envelope and a sheet, so that the bypass gate moves from the diverting position to a non-diverting position to permit the envelope to bypass the folding mechanism and travel directly to the inserting machine.

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