Mail opener apparatus
AssigneeNeopost Limited
InventorAnthony Lawrence
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mail opener comprises a cuffily device which is movable between an operating position and a retracted position where it is inoperative. The position of the cutting device is controllable by a drive device controlled by the postage meter. The arrangement is such that a single post station can be provided for both applying postage and opening mail. The post station incorporates a safety measure to prevent newly franked outgoing mail from being inadvertently opened or damaged by the mail opener.
Claims10
A mail opener for use with a postage meter including a print head movable between an operative, printing position and an inoperative-position in which printing of mail pieces cannot be effected, the mail opener comprising:
- a cutting device movable between an operative position to open mail pieces and a retracted, inoperative position in which the cutting device is maintained out of engagement with mail pieces;
- and
- drive means operable to displace the cutting device between the operative and inoperative positions, the drive means being operated by movement of the print head into the printing position to move the cutting device into the inoperative position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.