Patent · US Expired

Pivoting transfer apparatus for transferring mail between trays and cartridges

US6238164A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
9References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 10, 1999
Grant dateMay 29, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 10, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65H2301/42254
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

An apparatus for handling and transferring letter mail from and to different sized mail receptacles or containers such as cartridges and mail trays includes a support frame rotatably supporting a platform and intermediate transfer pan. The platform is adapted to receive a letter mail receptacle, and a clamp apparatus is provided to secure the container to the platform. A motor and coaxial shafts, coupled with a clutch, are drivingly engaged with the platform and the intermediate transfer pan. An elevator is provided to move the platform along a longitudinal axis and the platform is rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis through the operation of the motor, coaxial shafts and clutch, the clutch selectively coupling the coaxial shafts. The platform and the intermediate transfer pan are rotated such that the letter mail originally located in a receptacle clamped on the platform is transferred to the intermediate transfer pan. After the receptacle is emptied of letter mail, it may be replaced with a different receptacle or container having different dimensions into which the letter mail is transferred from the intermediate transfer pan.

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