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. 22, 1999
Filed:
Nov. 20, 1996
Bell & Howell Mail Processing Systems, Durham, NC (US);
Abstract
A collector apparatus and method are provided for collecting sheet articles and advancing collected sheet articles therefrom. The collector apparatus includes a collector plate having a surface for receiving one or more sheet articles thereon to collect the sheet articles. At least one stop bracket is movable through an opening defined through the collector plate to provide a stop for collected sheet articles and to allow collected sheet articles to be further advanced from their collection position. At least one upper idler drop roller is spacedly positioned above and movable toward the collector plate surface. At least one transport mechanism is positioned below the collector plate surface and includes at least a portion thereof which is adapted for movement through the opening of the collector plate toward the upper idler drop roller such that the upper idler drop roller and the portion of the transport belt can pinch together collected sheet articles for the transport belt to advance the sheet articles from their collected position. A lower roller assembly is preferably utilized to force the transport belt through the opening of the collector plate. In the method provided, movement of the upper idler drop roller toward the collector plate surface, the stop bracket away from its stop position and the lower roller assembly through the opening of the collector plate occur simultaneously.