Envelope inserter with variably activated suction cups
AssigneePitney Bowes Inc.
InventorsArthur H. DePoi, Anthony E. Yap, Xavier Padros
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for opening an envelope for insertion of a collation. The apparatus includes a plurality of actuated suction cups that are positioned above an envelope in an insertion station. The actuated suction cups move downward to engage a top surface of the envelope and to lift the top surface away from the bottom surface in order to facilitate insertion of the collation. The suction cups include a first group that is actuated for opening all envelopes, and a second group, independently actuatable from the first group, and that is actuated only for opening envelopes having characteristics that require the additional suction cups.
Claims17
An apparatus for opening an envelope for insertion of a collation in an envelope inserting machine, the apparatus including:
- a plurality of actuated suction cups that are positioned above an envelope in an insertion station, and wherein the actuated suction cups move downward to engage a top surface of the envelope and to lift the top surface away from the bottom surface in order to facilitate insertion of the collation, and wherein the plurality of actuated suction cups further comprises:
- a first group of one or more actuated suction cups that is actuated for opening all envelopes;
- and
- a second group of one or more actuated suction cups that is independently actuatable from the first group, and that is actuated only for opening envelops having characteristics that require the additional suction cups.
A method of operating an envelope for insertion machine for opening an envelope for insertion of a collation, the method including:
- positioning a plurality of actuated suction cups that above an envelope in an insertion station, and wherein the actuated suction cups are moved downward to engage a top surface of the envelope and to lift the top surface away from the bottom surface in order to facilitate insertion of the collation:
- actuating a first group of the one or more actuated suction cups for opening all envelopes;
- and
- actuating a second group of the one or more actuated suction cups, independently actuatable from the first group, and only for opening envelopes having characteristics that require the additional suction cups.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.