US3885664A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transport-direction reversing apparatus for an automatic mail handling system and the like
Assignee: NEC Corp
•
Filing: 1973-10-05
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1993-10-05
Abstract
Abstract A transport-direction reversing apparatus for flat articles such as articles of mail is disclosed. Flat articles transported along feed belts are guided to enter into a space between a pair of endless belts moving in the reverse direction to the flat-article transport. Responsive to the detection of the passage of the trailing edge of the flat article in the flat-article transport, the space between the pair of endless belts is narrowed by pressing one of the endless belts sideways with respect to the motion of the belt by means of a movable roller.
Inventors
- 👤 Akira Fujimura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:46
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C1/00; B07C1/18; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S271/00; Y10S271/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A transport-direction reversing apparatus for such flat articles as postal matter, comprising: means for transporting a flat article in a first transport direction; means for detecting said flat article; a pair of endless belts moving in a second direction substantially opposite to said first direction, the distance between said belts being greater than a thickness of the thickest flat article to be processed; and moving roller means installed in a space surrounded by one of said endless belts for reducing said distance between said endless belts in response to said detecting means so that said flat article fed from said transporting means is transported by said endless belts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A transport-direction reversing apparatus for such flat articles as postal matter, comprising: means for transporting a flat article in a first transport direction; means for detecting said flat article; a pair of endless belts moving in a second direction substantially opposite to said first direction, the distance between said belts being greater than a thickness of the thickest flat article to be processed; and moving roller means installed in a space surrounded by one of said endless belts for reducing said distance between said endless belts in response to said detecting means so that said flat article fed from said transporting means is transported by said endless belts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A transport-direction reversing apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for detecting said flat article comprises a lamp and a photodetector on either side of said means for transporting a flat article in a first transport direction, said means for detecting being sensitive to the passage of said flat article.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
128 words
A transport-direction reversing apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said means for transporting a flat article in a first transport direction comprises a second pair of endless belts, the belts of said second pair being in contact with one another and one of the belts of said second pair also contacting one of the belts of the first pair, wherEby said flat article is transported in said first direction by said second pair of endless belts, the transport direction of said flat article is reversed by the coaction of said first pair of endless belts and said means for reducing the distance therebetween, and said flat article is thereafter transported in said second direction by the contacting belts of said first and second pairs of endless belts.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |