Method and apparatus for redirecting on-edge envelopes
AssigneePitney Bowes Inc.
InventorsJoseph J. Keane, Donato C. Farole, Glenn A. Nester
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention can be used with an automated mail tray filling apparatus for taking envelopes from a vertical stacker output of an inserter machine and placing them in mail trays. A take-away feeder is positioned over the vertical stacker table and is arranged to withdraw individual envelopes from the vertical stack in a sideways direction. The envelope is then redirected in a downward direction by ejecting the envelope into an open space. A downward tamping mechanism positioned above the open space moves downward to push on a top edge of the free-floating envelope. A downward transport positioned beneath the open space receives and transports envelopes pushed downward by the downward tamping mechanism.
Claims14
An apparatus for redirecting vertically transported envelopes from a sideways direction, perpendicular to a side of an envelope, to a downward direction, perpendicular to a bottom edge of the envelope, the apparatus comprising:
- a vertical transport arranged to transport the envelope in the sideways direction, the vertical transport positioned upstream of an open space, and whereby the envelope is ejected into the open space in an unsecured manner;
- a downward tamping mechanism positioned above the open space and arranged to move downward to impart a downward push on a top edge of an envelope that has been ejected into the open space;
- and
- a downward transport positioned beneath the open space positioned to receive and transport envelopes pushed downward by the downward tamping mechanism.
A method for redirecting vertically transported envelopes from a sideways direction, perpendicular to a side of an envelope, to a downward direction, perpendicular to a bottom of the envelope, the method comprising:
- transporting the envelope in the sideways direction and ejecting the envelope sideways into an open space in an unsecured manner;
- tamping downward on a top edge of the envelope that was ejected into the open space;
- and
- receiving the envelope into a downward transport positioned beneath the open space and transporting downward in the downward transport.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.