Apparatus for opening envelopes
AssigneeOpex Corporation
InventorJohn R. Forbes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for processing mail by severing an edge of each envelope in a stack of mail. The apparatus includes an input bin for receiving a stack of mail. A feeder feeds the bottom envelope from the input bin to a transport that conveys the envelope along an envelope path. A cutter positioned along the envelope path severs one edge of the envelopes. A displaceable outfeed guide is provided for supporting the cut edge of the envelope as the envelop is being cut. Preferably, the outfeed guide is connected with the cutter so that the outfeed guide automatically adjusts position as the depth of cut is adjusted. The transport discharges the opened envelopes onto a return conveyor that conveys the opened envelopes to a stacking area where the opened envelopes are stacked.
Claims24
An apparatus for opening envelopes, comprising:
- an input bin for receiving a stack of envelopes;
- a cutter operable to open an edge of each of the envelopes;
- a displaceable outfeed guide positioned adjacent the cutter to guide the envelopes as the envelopes are conveyed away from the cutter;
- a controller operable to vary the depth of cut of the cutter, wherein the controller is operatively linked with the outfeed guide such that operating the controller to vary the depth of cut automatically displaces the outfeed guide.
An apparatus for opening envelopes, comprising:
- an input bin for receiving a stack of envelopes;
- a cutter operable to open an edge of each of the envelopes;
- a displaceable outfeed guide positioned adjacent the cutter to guide the envelopes as the envelopes are conveyed away from the cutter;
- a controller operable to vary the depth of cut of the cutter;
- a connector operatively linking the cutter and the outfeed guide such that operating the controller to vary the depth of cut also displaces the outfeed guide.
An apparatus for opening envelopes, comprising:
- an input bin for receiving a stack of envelopes;
- a transport for conveying the envelopes along an envelope path;
- a feeder for serially feeding the envelopes from the input bin to the transport;
- a cutter positioned along the envelope path operable to sever one edge of each of the envelopes;
- an infeed guide positioned adjacent the cutter to guide the envelopes as they are conveyed to the cutter;
- an outfeed guide positioned adjacent the cutter to guide the envelopes as they are conveyed away from the cutter;
- a controller operable to vary the depth of cut of the cutter;
- wherein the cutter and the outfeed guide are operatively linked such that operating the controller to vary the depth of cut also displaces the outfeed guide.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.