US3583124A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Envelope flap opening apparatus and method
Assignee: Bell and Howell Co
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Filing: 1969-10-10
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Granted: 1971-06-08
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Expires: 1989-10-10
Abstract
Abstract An envelope flap opening apparatus for opening the closed flap of an envelope prior to insertion of a media is provided for use in an automatic mailing machine. The apparatus provides a suction member having a suction cup mounted on a hollow horizontal rotatable shaft for engaging and lifting the envelope flap into a partially open position, and a blade member secured to the end of a vertical rotatable shaft which is positioned adjacent to the suction member and serves to further open the envelope flap as it is released by the suction member. In addition, a detection assembly is provided to detect either the absence of an envelope or the failure of the suction cup to open the envelope flap and to automatically shut down the mailing machine when either condition exists.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilbur J Morrison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:03
CPC Classifications
B; B43; B43M; B43M3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
An envelope flap opening apparatus in a machine having conveying means for intermittently moving a plurality of envelopes having closed flaps through the apparatus comprising: a suction member having a suction cup mounted on a hollow horizontally disposed rotatable shaft and adapted to rotate about the axis of said shaft; a blade member secured to the end of a vertically disposed rotatable shaft and positioned adjacent to said suction member; means for rotating said horizontally disposed shaft into position for said suction cup mounted on said shaft to engage the envelope flap and lift said flap to a partially open position; means for applying a vacuum to said suction member as it engages said flap; and, means for rotating said vertically disposed shaft to permit said blade member to extend over the crease of the envelope flap and to fully open and hold said flap in an open position after said suction member releases said flap.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
An envelope flap opening apparatus in a machine having conveying means for intermittently moving a plurality of envelopes having closed flaps through the apparatus comprising: a suction member having a suction cup mounted on a hollow horizontally disposed rotatable shaft and adapted to rotate about the axis of said shaft; a blade member secured to the end of a vertically disposed rotatable shaft and positioned adjacent to said suction member; means for rotating said horizontally disposed shaft into position for said suction cup mounted on said shaft to engage the envelope flap and lift said flap to a partially open position; means for applying a vacuum to said suction member as it engages said flap; and, means for rotating said vertically disposed shaft to permit said blade member to extend over the crease of the envelope flap and to fully open and hold said flap in an open position after said suction member releases said flap.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
An envelope flap opening apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said blade member has a flat horizontal body and a head which rises vertically above the horizontal plane of said body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
An envelope flap opening appaRatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the head of said blade member fully opens said flap after said suction member releases said flap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
An envelope flap opening apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for applying a vacuum to the suction member applies said vacuum as the suction member engages the envelope flap and releases said vacuum as the blade member contacts said flap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An envelope flap opening apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said conveying means intermittently moves said envelopes along a horizontal deck.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
An envelope flap opening apparatus as defined in claim 1 having means for detecting the absence of an envelope in position for opening.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for opening envelope flaps comprising: transmitting a plurality of envelopes having closed flaps along a horizontal deck until a lead envelope is stopped in position for flap opening; contacting a suction member having a suction cup mounted on a hollow horizontally disposed rotatable shaft with the closed flap of said envelope by rotating said shaft until said suction cup contacts said flap; applying a vacuum through said hollow shaft and suction cup sufficient to cause the engagement of said flap and said suction cup; rotating said hollow shaft to partially open said flap; rotating a blade member mounted on a vertically rotatable shaft until said blade member moves said flap into a fully open position; and releasing the vacuum on said suction cup as said blade member contacts said flap.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for opening envelope flaps comprising: transmitting a plurality of envelopes having closed flaps along a horizontal deck until a lead envelope is stopped in position for flap opening; contacting a suction member having a suction cup mounted on a hollow horizontally disposed rotatable shaft with the closed flap of said envelope by rotating said shaft until said suction cup contacts said flap; applying a vacuum through said hollow shaft and suction cup sufficient to cause the engagement of said flap and said suction cup; rotating said hollow shaft to partially open said flap; rotating a blade member mounted on a vertically rotatable shaft until said blade member moves said flap into a fully open position; and releasing the vacuum on said suction cup as said blade member contacts said flap.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2949714A
Cited
US3368321A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-07 | 1974-12-07 | 1975-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-07 | 1978-12-07 | 1979-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-07 | 1982-12-07 | 1983-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |