System for unstacking and opening envelopes
US6036185A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 7, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 14, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 7, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S271/902
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A device for unstacking and opening envelopes from a stack of envelopes is provided. The device includes a frame having a receptacle area for receiving the stack. At least one, but preferably two, endless belts are located at the bottom of the receptacle area for extracting an envelope from the bottom of the stack, the flap of the envelope folded and oriented upwardly and in a forward direction. At least one set, but preferably two sets, of cooperating drive rollers rotating in opposite directions are arranged such that the extracted envelope can pass therebetween. The drive rollers move the extracted envelope in a feed direction dependent on the direction of drive roller rotation. A fixed wedge-shaped deflector is located downstream from the drive rollers and is arranged at an angle relative to the forward feed direction. A position detector is also provided for detecting the position of the extracted envelope with respect to the fixed deflector, as is a controller for controlling the endless belts and the drive rollers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.