Patent · US Expired

Card mailer system and method of preparing card packages for mailing

US7137554B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
22References
29Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 11, 2003
Grant dateNov 21, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 28, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65H2701/1914
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An automate card package mailer for preparing card packages (60) composed of one or more cards(50) attached to matching carrier forms (33) for mailing has a carrier folding apparatus that is programmable to fold the carriers into different configurations including Z-fold, C-fold, bi-fold and no-fold, has a controller (42) that controls the movement of carriers by different amounts relative to a first folding arm to achieve different first folds, folds the carriers by pushing the fold location on the surface of the carriers into the nib of a first pair of folding pinch rollers with a first pivotally mounted folding arm after guiding the carrier with a slanted guide and an arcuate guide to the desired position beneath the folding arm, makes a second fold with a second pivotally mounted arm that pushes another fold location on a carrier into the nib of a second pair of rotating pinch rollers while a holding member holds a folded section upright in a well. When only one fold is desired the second guide member is moved to and kept at bridging location to guide the folded edge of a carrier to the second pair of folding pinch rollers. When a no-fold configuration is desired, the first fol…

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