Transporting apparatus for discrete sheets into envelopes and related methods
AssigneeKern International, Inc.
InventorsPeter Kern, Reinhard Buri
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus transports a discrete paper or film object in a machine direction for insertion into an envelope. A guide assembly of the apparatus includes opposed first and second channels facing one another for guiding the object in the machine direction, with the channels extending upwardly to thereby define an uphill path of travel for the object. A drive apparatus includes engaging elements for moving the object along the first and second channels. At least one support element holds the object against the guide assembly.
Claims24
An apparatus for transporting a discrete paper or film object in a machine direction for insertion into an envelope, comprising:
- a guide assembly including opposed first and second channels for guiding the object in the machine direction, said channels being oriented upwardly thereby defining an uphill path of travel for the object;
- a drive apparatus including engaging elements extending transversely to the machine direction for moving the object along said first and second channels;
- and
- at least one support element for holding the object against said guide assembly.
An apparatus for transporting a discrete paper or film object or a stack of such objects in a machine direction for insertion into an envelope, comprising:
- a guide assembly including opposed first and second leg members each having at least a portion thereof including a generally C-shaped channel for guiding the objects in the machine direction;
- a drive apparatus including engaging elements for moving the objects along said first and second channels;
- and
- a pair of support elements for holding the objects against said guide assembly and including a plurality of deflectable elements for engaging the object.
An automatic converting apparatus having a first end associated with feeding of a roll of paper in a machine direction, a portion configured to process the roll of paper into discrete paper objects, and a second end associated with feeding of envelopes toward the discrete objects, the converting apparatus further comprising:
- a transporting apparatus for transporting the discrete objects toward the envelopes and including:
- a guide assembly including opposed first and second channels for guiding the objects in the machine direction, said channels being oriented upwardly thereby defining an uphill path of travel for the objects;
- a drive apparatus including engaging elements extending transversely to the machine direction for moving the objects along said first and second channels;
- and
- at least one support element for holding the objects against said guide assembly.
A method of transporting a discrete paper or film object or a stack of such objects in a machine direction for insertion into an envelope, comprising:
- guiding the objects in an upward direction;
- and
- applying a force against a common trailing edge of the objects to move the objects in the machine direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.