Patent US5813327A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5813327A
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Article transport apparatus
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1996-12-26
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Granted: 1998-09-29
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Expires: 2016-12-26
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for transporting a mailpiece. The apparatus comprises an assembly for feeding the mailpieces in a path of travel; a sensor assembly for determining the length of the mailpieces; and a controller in operative communication with the sensor assembly and the feeding assembly, the controller for adjusting the gap between a first mailpiece having a measured length and a second mailpiece to: (i) establish a fixed pitch between the first mailpiece and the second mailpiece if the measure length is equal to or less than a predetermined value, or (ii) establish a fixed gap between the first mailpiece and the second mailpiece if the measure length is greater than the predetermined value. The method comprises the steps of feeding the mailpieces in a path of travel; determining the length of the mailpieces; and adjusting the gap between a first mailpiece having a determined length and a second mailpiece to establish a fixed pitch between the first mailpiece and the second mailpiece if the determined length is equal to or less than a predetermined value.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald C. Freeman
- 👤 Douglas M. Mattingly
- 👤 Edilberto I. Salazar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:06
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H3/00; B65H3/02; B65H3/04; B65H3/042; B65H3/46; B65H3/52; B65H3/5246; B65H3/5276; B65H3/5292; B65H5/00; B65H5/34; G; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00467; G07B17/00661; B65H2301/00; B65H2301/30; B65H2301/35; B65H2511/00; B65H2511/10; B65H2511/11; B65H2511/20; B65H2511/22; B65H2513/00; B65H2513/10; B65H2701/00; B65H2701/10; B65H2701/19; B65H2701/1916; G07B2017/00669; G07B2017/00685
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
In a mailing machine, an apparatus for transporting mailpieces comprising: means for feeding the mailpieces in a path of travel; means for determining the length of the mailpieces; and control means in operative communication with the determining means and the feeding means, the control means for adjusting the gap between a first mailpiece having a determined length and a second mailpiece to establish a fixed pitch between the first mailpiece and the second mailpiece if the determined length is equal to or less than a predetermined value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
In a mailing machine, an apparatus for transporting mailpieces comprising: means for feeding the mailpieces in a path of travel; means for determining the length of the mailpieces; and control means in operative communication with the determining means and the feeding means, the control means for adjusting the gap between a first mailpiece having a determined length and a second mailpiece to establish a fixed pitch between the first mailpiece and the second mailpiece if the determined length is equal to or less than a predetermined value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the control means is for adjusting the gap between the first mailpiece and the second mailpiece to establish a fixed gap between the first mailpiece and the second mailpiece if the determined length is greater than the predetermined value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: means for determining the length of the gap between the first mailpiece and the second mailpiece prior to the control means adjusting the gap; and wherein the control means does not adjust the gap if the determined gap is greater than or equal to a desired gap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein: the desired gap is dependent upon the determined length of the first mailpiece.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
In a mailing machine, a method for transporting mailpieces comprising the step(s) of: feeding the mailpieces in a path of travel; determining the length of the mailpieces; and adjusting the gap between a first mailpiece having a determined length and a second mailpiece to establish a fixed pitch between the first mailpiece and the second mailpiece if the determined length is equal to or less than a predetermined value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
In a mailing machine, a method for transporting mailpieces comprising the step(s) of: feeding the mailpieces in a path of travel; determining the length of the mailpieces; and adjusting the gap between a first mailpiece having a determined length and a second mailpiece to establish a fixed pitch between the first mailpiece and the second mailpiece if the determined length is equal to or less than a predetermined value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 5, further comprising the step(s) of: adjusting the gap between the first mailpiece and the second mailpiece to establish a fixed gap between the first mailpiece and the second mailpiece if the measure length is greater than the predetermined value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 6, further comprising the step(s) of: determining the length of the gap between the first mailpiece and the second mailpiece prior to the control means adjusting the gap; and eliminating the adjusting step if the determined gap is greater than or equal to a desired gap.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 7, wherein: the desired gap is dependent upon the determined length of the first mailpiece.
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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) | 2001-09-28 | 2002-03-30 | 2002-09-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-09-28 | 2006-03-30 | 2006-09-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-09-28 | 2010-03-30 | 2010-09-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |