Kansa Corporation

Lonnie Worthington

Greg A Rawlings

A mechanism for opening a publication and for sensing the open or closed condition of the publication includes an opening mechanism for opening the publication into two sections, a first detector assembly for sensing the presence of one of the sections at a first location, and a second detector assembly for sensing the presence of the remaining section at a second location spaced from the first. An indicator responds to the first and second detector assemblies for indicating that the opening mechanism properly opened the publication when the sections are sensed at both the first and second locations, and for indicating that the opening mechanism missed opening the publication when the sections are sensed at only one of the first and second predetermined locations. Preferably, a piece of reflective tape is positioned at the first and second locations, and each detector assembly emits light that is directed onto the corresponding tape along a predetermined line that is angled 15.degree.-45.degree. relative to the tape. The light reflected back along the predetermined lines by the tape is directed back to the detector assemblies. The opening mechanism preferably includes a spear for piercing the publication, and an air outlet orifice for directing air under pressure across the spear toward the publication in a direction angled relative to the travel path of the publication to separate the sheets from one another immediately upstream of the spear, facilitating opening of the publication by the spear.

Growing community of inventors

Topeka, KS, United States of America

Lonnie Worthington