Apparatus for buffering transport of document using conical screw conveyers

• US 5,429,349 A
• Filed: 05/02/1994
• Issued: 07/04/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: Supron, Steven A., Xiao, Ming
• Primary Examiner(s): Bollinger, David H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Druzbick, Carol L.
• Application Number:
  US08/236,813
• Time in Patent Office: 428 Days
• Field of Search: 271/177, 271/178, 271/179, 271/184, 271/185, 271/225, 414/795.1, 414/793.9, 414/794.2, 198/663, 198/671
• US Class Current: 271/179
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 29/42 Members rotated about an axis parallel to direction of article movement, e.g. helices

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for buffering transport of freshly inked documents. The apparatus has a plurality of opposite, parallel, threaded conical screw conveyers. Each pitch of the screw conveyer creates a drying station for an inked document. As inked documents travel upon the threads of the screw conveyers, the conical shape of the conveyers maintain the document in a substantially central position. A lower deck is provided for receiving inked documents. The buffer apparatus has a pusher mechanism to control document movement from the buffer to a downstream document handler, such as an envelope flapper.

Claims

1. An improved apparatus for buffering transport of a document of the type in which an upper deck is orthogonal to a plurality of opposite, parallel, threaded screw conveyers, the document is transported down the screw conveyers, and a lower deck is positioned beneath the plurality of screw conveyers for receiving the document, wherein the improvement comprises:

(a) gear means for rotating the plurality of screw conveyers, and

(b) means for moving the document horizontally from the apparatus along the lower deck, the moving means including a pusher block, a pin mounted onto a gear, and a pivotable lever having an opening with contoured surfaces operatively connected to the pusher block.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the lower deck includes a first tail end extending frown the lower deck thereby forming a lower guiding surface.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a rear guide for lead edge registering the document, the rear guide fixably mounted to the apparatus, extending generally perpendicular to and along one side of the upper deck.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the rear guide includes a second tail end extending from the rear guide thereby forming an upper guiding surface.