US 6,663,100 B2 · System and method for supplying stacked material to a utilization device

Abstract

A system and method for storing and dispensing a stack of materials to a feed station of the utilization device that is adapted to feed stacks of the materials is provided. The materials, typically sheets or envelopes, are provided in a predetermined orientation in a stack in a container having a dispensing end or other opening. To dispense, the container is positioned with respect to the feed station and a release on the container is operated using a predetermined motion. The release enables the contents of the container, in stack form, to be transferred to the feed station free of any operator intervention with the contents of the stack. The dispensing end/opening can be shoulders on a container that are moved out of interfering contact with the stack when the stack is placed over upright guides on the feed station.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A system for storing and dispensing a supply of envelopes to a feeding device feeding envelopes from the bottom of a stack to a utilization device comprising:

A first container that is set onto the feeding device;
Wherein the first container is maintained in place for supplying the envelopes by gravity to the feeding device during a feeding operation;
Wherein the first container is replaced by a second container as the supply of envelopes in the first container is depleted;
Wherein the second container is maintained in place for supplying the envelopes by gravity to the feeding device during the feeding operation.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

09/957,585Filed 20 Sep 2001 · us provisional application

Priority

21 Sep 2000

Published

US 2002/0033570 A121 Mar 2002

Granted

16 Dec 2003

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

B65H 1/30
Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated: with means for replenishing the pile during continuous separation of…
B65H 1/26
Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated: with auxiliary supports to facilitate introduction or renewal of the pile
B65H 2301/4221
Handling piles, sets or stacks of articles: removing package around stack
B65H 2301/422542
Boxes; Cassettes; Containers: emptying or unloading processes

System and method for supplying stacked material to a utilization device

Life of this patent

System and method for supplying stacked material to a utilization device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19