Method and apparatus for detecting proper mailpiece position for feeding

US6217020A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Pitney Bowes Inc. · US

Inventors

• Steven A. Supron · Ithaca, US
• Gary S. Jacobson · Norwalk, US
• Eric A. Belec · Southbury, US
• Francesco Porco · Fairfield, US
• David E. Kayser · Middlebury, US
• Christopher Julius Stefan · Derby, US
• Martin Mulroy · Bridgeport, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 21, 1999
• Grant date: Apr 17, 2001
• Expiry date: Dec 21, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65H2701/1916
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a nudger for a mixed mail feeder and, in particular, to an apparatus and method of providing and detecting proper position in a stack of mixed mail. The apparatus, generally, comprises a nudger arm for detecting proper positioning of the mailpiece and a lean detection arm for detecting proper lean of the mailpiece with respect to the nudger. The method comprises generally, a determination that when the lean detection arm and the nudger arm are in a position indicating that the lead mailpiece is in the proper position, the stack of mixed mail is decelerated and fed to, for example, a separator, for further processing. The deceleration is performed at a slow rate and provides for a predetermined amount of over travel by the stack of mixed mail. This ensures proper contact of the lead mailpiece with the nudger rollers for feeding the mailpieces for further processing. The nudger rollers continue to feed the lead mailpieces until one or both of the lean detection arm and the nudger arm move out of the position(s) for proper mailpiece feeding.