Reconfigurable mailing machine for printing and opening mailpieces
US7871215B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 2, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jan 18, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB26D1/125
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A mailing machine for processing mailpiece envelopes, wherein a print station thereof is reconfigurable to process envelopes in two operating modes. The reconfigurable print station includes a displacement device having an integrated cutting mechanism to perform both printing and cutting operations. The displacement device includes a displacement surface for urging the mailpiece envelopes against a registration surface to facilitate print operations and a cutting mechanism coupled to the displacement device for cutting the sheet material in a direction substantially parallel to the processing path of the mailpiece envelope. The cutting device is adapted to be repositioned relative to the displacement surface such that, (i) in a first operating mode, the cutting device is retracted beneath or below the plane of the displacement surface, and (ii) in a second operating mode, the cutting device is extended above the plane of the displacement surface to cut the sheet material as it traverses the processing path. In the first operating mode, the print station is adapted to print delivery information/images, such as postage indicia, on a face surface of the mailpiece and, in the second op…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.