Apparatuses and methods for variably opening envelopes
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A variable envelope opener apparatus for adjusting an opening of a mouth of an envelope for insertion of insert material into the envelope, the envelope opener apparatus comprising:
- (a) a deck having a top side, a first end and a second end, the top side of the deck being configured to provide a conveying path for insert material and the deck being pivotally movable between a first location and a second location;
(b) a holding system positioned downstream from the deck, the holding system configured to hold an envelope in an insertion position for receiving insert material; and
(c) a feeding guide positioned proximal to the second side of the deck, the feeding guide configured to be movable between a retracted position and an engaged position, where, in the engaged position, the feeding guide can hold open a mouth of an envelope when the envelope is in the insertion position.
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Abstract
Apparatuses and methods are provided for variably opening envelopes, such as for an inserting system. A deck is provided that creates a conveying path on which insert material can travel. A feeding guide that holds open a mouth of each envelope can be attached to the deck. Based on the physical characteristics of the material to be inserted into the envelope, the deck and feeding guide are movable to control the amount that the mouth of each envelope is held open.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A variable envelope opener apparatus for adjusting an opening of a mouth of an envelope for insertion of insert material into the envelope, the envelope opener apparatus comprising:
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(a) a deck having a top side, a first end and a second end, the top side of the deck being configured to provide a conveying path for insert material and the deck being pivotally movable between a first location and a second location; (b) a holding system positioned downstream from the deck, the holding system configured to hold an envelope in an insertion position for receiving insert material; and (c) a feeding guide positioned proximal to the second side of the deck, the feeding guide configured to be movable between a retracted position and an engaged position, where, in the engaged position, the feeding guide can hold open a mouth of an envelope when the envelope is in the insertion position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A variable envelope opener apparatus for adjusting an opening of a mouth of an envelope for insertion of material into the envelope, the envelope opener apparatus comprising:
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(a) a deck having a top side, a first end and a second end, the top side of the deck being configured to provide a conveying path and the deck configured to be pivotal on the first end proximal to an upstream portion of an inserting system; (b) a holding system positioned downstream of the deck, the holding system configured to hold an envelope in an insertion position for receiving insert material; (c) a rotary actuator attached to the deck; (d) a plurality of fingers disposed on the rotary actuator, the rotary actuator configured to allow rotation of the plurality of fingers between a retracted position and an engaged position and the fingers configured to be spaced apart to hold open a mouth of an envelope in the insertion position; and (e) an adjustment mechanism secured to the deck, the adjustment mechanism configured to move the deck between at least two locations by pivoting the deck about the first end.
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23. A method for adjusting an opening of an envelope within an inserting system, the method comprising:
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(a) advancing insert material toward an envelope for insertion of the insert material into the envelope; and (b) opening a mouth of the envelope to an open position dependent upon of the physical characteristics of the insert material to be inserted into the envelope. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method for adjusting an opening of an envelope to accommodate insert material within an inserting system, the method comprising:
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(a) advancing insert material along a deck toward an envelope for insertion of the insert material into the envelope; (b) adjusting a position of the deck and a feeding guide attached to the deck to move the deck and the feeding guide to desired locations; (c) adjusting the feeding guide from a retracted position to an engaged position to hold the mouth of the envelope in an open position; and (d) wherein the mouth of the envelope is held open an amount dependent on the physical characteristics of the insert material.
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38. A method for adjusting the opening of one or more envelopes to accommodate different amounts of insert material within an inserting system, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) determining the amount of insert material to be inserted into each envelope of the one or more envelopes; and (b) adjusting the position of a deck that provides a conveying pathway on which the insert material travels and a finger guide relative to an insertion position for the one or more envelopes to control the amount that the mouth of each envelope is held open based on the determined amount of insert material; (c) receiving an envelope in the insertion position; (d) opening and holding the mouth of the envelope for insertion of the finger guide therein; (e) rotating the finger guide into the mouth of the envelope in the insertion position; (f) releasing a portion of the envelope below the finger guide; and (g) conveying the insert material along the conveying pathway on the deck, over the fingers guides and into the envelope.
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39. An envelope opener apparatus for adjusting an opening of a mouth of an envelope for insertion of material into the envelope, the envelope opener apparatus comprising:
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(a) a deck having a top side, a first end and a second end, the top side of the deck being configured to provide a conveying path and the deck configured to be pivotal on the first end proximal to an upstream portion of an inserting system; and (b) a first holding device positioned proximal to and above the second end of the deck, the first holding device having an angled geometry to retain the flap of the envelope in a curved position to hold the envelope in an insertion position for receiving insert material.
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40. A method for opening an envelope within an inserting system, the method comprising:
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(a) advancing insert material toward an envelope for insertion of the insert material into an envelope; (b) opening a mouth of the envelope to an open position to receive insert material into the envelope; and (c) retaining a flap of the envelope in a curved position when the mouth of the envelope is held in the open position.
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Specification