Pitney Bowes Inc.

John J Bogdanski

Gerald C Freeman

Harold Silverman

Frank R Chiappetta

A document handling device that is adapted to turn a document such as a letter or other flat mail piece through an angle of substantially 90 degrees in its own plane by means of a plurality of pairs of feed rollers, the latter being respectively driven at different effective speeds which are proportional to the respective distances of said feed roller pairs from a predetermined axis located adjacent the lower leading corner of said document. The geometry of the system is such that the lower edge of the document before and after being turned is adapted to move along one substantially horizontal planar surface. Provision is made for enabling at least some of said feed roller pairs to feed a document without turning the latter through said 90 degree angle.

Document turning station

Apparatus for sorting flat mail bearing postage indicia adjacent one corner thereof. Pieces bearing postage indicia adjacent their leading edges are selectively sent to first or second transfer stations according to whether the indicia is adjacent the top or bottom edge. The pieces are caused to fall from the first or second transfer stations onto a common conveyor in such a fashion that all pieces on the conveyor are similarly positioned. Those pieces wherein the postage indicia are disposed adjacent their trailing edges are directed to third and fourth stations. The third and fourth stations operate similarly to the first and second stations to position the pieces uniformly on a second conveyor. Each of the first and second conveyors supplies a first and second loading station. At these stations postal trays are automatically filled with mail from the respective conveyors and thereafter the filled trays are deposited in uniform relationship upon a common conveyor.

Flat mail sorter and loader

An arrangement for dampening vibrations in and lubricating the operative edges of a pair of cooperating sheet cutting discs. A block member having a surface comprised of a solid lubricant is yieldably biased so that said surface engages the face of one of the discs that is in operative engagement with a face of the other disc.

Cutting device

An apparatus for applying tape, having adhesive on both of its faces, to a surface comprises an applicator drum having a cylindrical periphery that receives the tape and a series of slots extending transversely to the periphery. The applicator drum is mounted on a shaft which can be driven by a motor. The shaft is, in turn, mounted on a lever which can be pivoted by a solenoid to translate the drum toward and away from the surface. The tape is cut into discreet lengths on the drum by a knife which registers in interfitting engagement with each of the slots in the drum periphery when translated away from the surface. The solenoid and motor are synchronously operated to rotate the drum to put a length of tape in position for transfer to the surface, to translate the drum toward the surface to complete the transfer, and to translate the drum away from the surface to register the knife in interfitting engagement with a drum slot and thereby cut a next length of tape for subsequent transfer.

Double adhesive tape applying apparatus

A moistening system for moistening the gummed flaps of envelopes being processed in a postage meter mailing machine includes a rotating endless belt extending into a liquid supply and transferring moisture to flaps pressed against it by a contoured finger positioned adjacent to the belt. The finger is curvedly bowed and twisted relative to the belt moistening surface so as to urge essentially only the gummed portion of the flap against the belt for moistening although a wide variety of envelope flap designs and sizes are processed. The endless belt may be pivotably supported to permit convenient removal of the liquid supply container. The container is part of a liquid reservoir assembly which includes a tray support for the container which requires that several motions, vertical and horizontal, be sequentially followed before the container may be removed from the machine. This minimizes inadvertent spillage. The container may have cam surfaces cooperating with complementary parts of the endless belt device to pivot it. Interlocks to prevent operation of the belt when the container is not in place are provided. The entire system is conveniently positioned below the deck of and within the postage meter mailing machine.

Growing community of inventors

Stamford, CT, United States of America

John J Bogdanski