The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 30, 1992
Filed:
May. 29, 1991
Winston A Orsinger, Nazareth, PA (US);
Richard B Hawkes, Bethlehem, PA (US);
Eric A Belec, Kempton, PA (US);
James S Lee, Jr, Phillipsburg, NJ (US);
Harry C Noll, Jr, Whitehall, PA (US);
David P Nyffenegger, Bethlehem, PA (US);
George Fallos, Easton, PA (US);
Bell & Howell Phillipsburg Co., Skokie, IL (US);
Abstract
An envelope flap opener comprises a revolving gripper drum for conveying envelopes thereupon in flap-up orientation with flap edge trailing and a revolving rotor disposed vicinally to the gripper drum, the rotor having at least one sucker cup extending from its periphery. Vacuum is valved to the sucker cup at a time when an envelope is conveyed upon the gripper drum past the rotor, the sucker cup grabs and opens the envelope flap, and subsequently the flap is released. Prior to release of the flap, a plow device intercepts the flap and further unfolds it. The plow device includes a photo-sensor for checking of proper flap opening and for detecting missing envelopes.