Flexible vacuum conveyance/manifold system
US7857122B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 2, 2009 |
| Grant date | Dec 28, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2701/1916
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vacuum conveyance/manifold system is provided for processing mailpieces. The vacuum conveyance/manifold system includes at least one conveyor belt and a compliant deck disposed beneath and supporting an underside surface of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt has rows of aligned apertures disposed therein and a drive surface for engaging a face surface of each of the mailpieces. The compliant deck defines a neutral axis in bending and has a high elongation, low modulus material in a portion of the deck which is distal from the bending neutral axis, and a high yield strength, high modulus material in a portion of the deck which lies coincident with the bending neutral axis. Furthermore, the compliant deck has a plurality of elongate slots formed in the high elongation, low modulus material, which elongate slots are aligned, and in fluid communication, with the rows of apertures in the conveyor belt. A flexible manifold system, having a plurality of flexible tubes, is in fluid communication with the elongate slots of the compliant deck and the vacuum source for developing a pressure differential across each of the mailpieces when in contact with the drive surface of the conveyor b…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.