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:
Sep. 25, 2001
Filed:
Sep. 29, 1999
John Miller, Shelton, CT (US);
William B. Riley, Alexandria, VA (US);
Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for automatically positioning a plurality of suction devices over the throat of envelope to lift the throat. The apparatus includes: a base section pivotably mounted on a pivot shaft; a carriage movably mounted on the base section; a pair of pivot arms, wherein one end of each pivot arm is pivotably mounted on the carriage, and the other end extends out of the carriage for mounting an inner suction device; two outer arms movably mounted on the pivot shaft on opposite sides of the base section for mounting two outer suction devices; and means for rotating the pivot arms in order to adjust the distance between the two inner suction devices, moving the carriage in order to adjust the distance between the inner suction devices and the pivot shaft, and transporting the outer arms in opposite directions relative to the base station to adjust the distance between the outer suction devices so as to position the suction devices over the throat of the envelope according to width and the throat profile of the envelope. The apparatus further includes means for entering information regarding the width and throat profile; means for computing the locations of the suction devices; means for conveying the computed locations to the suction device placing mechanisms and means for pitching the outer arms and the base section about the pivot shaft to cause the suction devices to contact the throat of the envelope.