Apparatus for automatic belt pressure adjustment for coupon separation
AssigneeCarol Joyce Witt
InventorAnthony J. Nowakowski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A coupon insertion apparatus configured for sequentially inserting coupons into receiving containers, including a machine frame, at least one pair of opposed rollers mounted to the frame and adjustable between a closed position and an open position. A moving carriage system including a main carriage housing having one roller of each of the at least one pair of rollers that are automatically slidably adjustable between open and closed positions. A control system is constructed and arranged for automating the movement of the main carriage relative to the machine frame.
Claims18
A method for inserting coupons from a coupon source to a receiving container, the method comprising the steps of:
- feeding an entering coupon from the coupon source into at least one pair of opposed rollers and being adjustable between a closed position and an open position;
- wherein the at least one pair of opposed rollers includes an upper roller mounted to a main carriage housing and a lower roller mounted to a frame;
- automatically slidably adjusting the position of a main carriage system including the main carriage housing a motor to move the main carriage housing relative to the lower roller mounted to the frame so as to apply an adjustable pressure to the entering coupon to effectuate separation of the entering coupon from the coupon source by positioning the at least one pair of rollers in the closed position, said adjustment of the main carriage housing being made as a function of sensed torque of the motor;
- and
- driving said opposed rollers in both the closed and open positions such that the entering coupon is separated from the coupon source and directed across a second pair of opposed rollers and into a receiving container.
A coupon insertion apparatus for inserting coupons from a coupon source into receiving containers, comprising:
- a machine frame;
- at least one pair of opposed rollers including at least one upper roller and at least one lower roller mounted to said machine frame and being adjustable between a closed position and an open position;
- a moving carriage system including a main carriage housing having said at least one upper roller automatically slidably adjustable between said closed and open positions;
- when in said closed position said main carriage pressures a surface of an entering coupon for effectuating separation of the entering coupon from the coupon source;
- a control system constructed and arranged for automating movement of said main carriage relative to said machine frame;
- said moving carriage system includes a motor controlled by said control system and connected to a lead screw shaft for adjusting the position of said main carriage along said lead screw shaft;
- and
- said moving carriage system includes an orientation sensor constructed and arranged for determining the orientation of said coupon insertion apparatus and communicating said orientation to said control system.
A coupon insertion system for inserting coupons from a coupon source into receiving containers, the system including:
- a portable frame;
- at least one pair of opposed rollers mounted to said frame and being adjustable between a closed position and an open position;
- a moving carriage system including a main carriage automatically slidably adjustable between said open and closed positions, when in said closed position said main carriage pressures a surface of an entering coupon for effectuating separation of the entering coupon from the coupon source;
- a control system for automating movement of the main carriage;
- and
- said moving carriage system includes an orientation sensor constructed and arranged for determining the orientation of said main carriage and communicating said orientation to said control system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.