Envelope flap opener apparatus

• US 5,729,954 A
• Filed: 09/04/1996
• Issued: 03/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: DST Output West LLC
• Original Assignee: International Billing Services
• Inventors: Hart, James W., Lines, George G., Emigh, Jonathan D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coan, James F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KIM, EUGENE LEE
• Application Number:
  US08/706,273
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 53/381.1, 53/381.5, 53/381.7, 53/55, 53/385.1, 53/382.1, 53/569, 53/69, 53/468, 53/67, 53/75, 53/492, 493/212, 493/309, 493/255, 493/258, 493/259, 493/450, 493/256, 493/12, 493/453
• US Class Current: 53/381.7
• CPC Class Codes: B43M 3/045 for envelopes with only one flap

Abstract

A flap opening apparatus wherein envelopes are sequentially conveyed past a jet nozzle, which delivers timed blasts of air to open the flaps of each envelope. A computer controller tracks the position of the envelopes by a shaft encoder, and activates the jet nozzle when each envelope is correctly positioned. The opened flaps of the envelopes are held in an open position by a plate so that mail materials may be inserted into the envelopes.

Claims

1. A high volume envelope flap opener apparatus, comprising:

(a) jet means for directing an oriented burst of pressurized gas to open said envelope flap;

(b) conveyor means for sequentially moving a plurality of envelopes perpendicularly past said oriented burst of pressurized gas for said jet means

(c) input means for sequentially supplying said plurality of envelopes to said conveyor means;

(d) control means for activating said jet means according to the position of said plurality of envelopes in said conveyor means;

(e) encoder means, interfaced with said control means, for monitoring the position of said envelopes in said conveyor means; and

(f) error detection means for establishing if said envelope flap is open after said jet means operates on said envelope flap.

2. An envelope flap opener apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising retention means for holding said envelope flaps open after being opened by said jet means, said retention means positioned adjacent said conveyor means.

3. An envelope flap opener apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising sensor means, interfaced with said control means, for detecting said opened envelope flaps.

4. An envelope flap opener apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said jet means includes valve means for controlling gas supply, said control means interfaced with said valve means, said control means directing actuation of said valve means, wherein said valve means comprises:

(a) a solenoid valve, said solenoid valve interfaced with said control means; and

(b) a hand actuated needle valve for accommodating different types of envelopes requiring greater or lesser amounts of gas to open said flap.

5. A high volume envelope flap opener apparatus, comprising:

(a) a position adjustable gas nozzle, said gas nozzle coupled to a gas supply line, said gas supply line including valve means for controlling gas supply;

(b) a conveyor track, said conveyor track positioned adjacent said gas nozzle, said conveyor track including a plurality of means for holding a plurality of envelopes, wherein said conveyor track transports said plurality of envelopes past said position adjustable gas nozzle in a direction perpendicular to gas exiting said position adjustable gas nozzle;

(c) input means for sequentially providing said plurality of envelopes to said holding means on said conveyor track;

(d) computer control means, interfaced with said valve means, for actuating said valve means according to the position of said plurality of envelopes on said conveyor track;

(e) error detection means for establishing, in cooperation with said computer control means, if said envelope flap is open after said jet means operates on said envelope flap; and

(f) encoder means, interfaced with said control means, for tracking the position of said plurality of envelopes in said conveyor track, said encoder means mechanically interfaced with said conveyor track.

6. An envelope flap opener apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising plate means for holding said envelope flaps open, said plate means positioned adjacent said conveyor track.

7. An envelope flap opener apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said valve means comprises:

(a) a solenoid valve, said solenoid valve interfaced with said control means; and

(b) a hand actuated needle valve for accommodating different types of envelopes requiring greater or lesser amounts of gas to open said flap.

8. A high volume envelope flap opener apparatus, comprising:

(a) a position adjustable gas nozzle, said gas nozzle coupled to a gas supply line, said gas supply line including valve means for controlling gas supply;

(b) a conveyor track, said conveyor track positioned adjacent said gas nozzle, said conveyor track including a plurality of means for holding a plurality of envelopes, wherein said conveyor track transports said plurality of envelopes past said position adjustable gas nozzle in a direction perpendicular to gas exiting said position adjustable gas nozzle;

(c) input means for sequentially providing said plurality of envelopes to said holding means on said conveyor track;

(d) plate means for holding said envelope flaps open, said plate means positioned adjacent said conveyor track said plate means including an opening blade;

(e) computer control means, interfaced with said valve means, for actuating said valve means according to the position of said plurality of envelopes on said conveyor track;

(f) error detection means for establishing, in cooperation with said computer control means, if said envelope flap is open after said jet means operates on said envelope flap, wherein said error detection means comprises a sensor associated with said plate means; and

(g) encoder means, interfaced with said control means, for tracking the position of said envelopes in said conveyor track, said encoder means mechanically interfaced with said conveyor track.

9. An envelope flap opener apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said valve means comprises:

(a) a solenoid valve, said solenoid valve interfaced with said control means; and

(b) a hand actuated needle valve for accommodating different types of envelopes requiring greater or lesser amounts of gas to open said flap.