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:
Dec. 27, 2005
Filed:
Dec. 28, 2001
Neal J. Middelberg, Apex, NC (US);
Gerard A. Derome, Jr., Cary, NC (US);
Edward J. Kapturowski, Apex, NC (US);
Ronald J. Mich, Zebulon, NC (US);
Robert B. Bennett, Raleigh, NC (US);
Dale R. Curry, Apex, NC (US);
Neal J. Middelberg, Apex, NC (US);
Gerard A. DeRome, Jr., Cary, NC (US);
Edward J. Kapturowski, Apex, NC (US);
Ronald J. Mich, Zebulon, NC (US);
Robert B. Bennett, Raleigh, NC (US);
Dale R. Curry, Apex, NC (US);
Bowe Bell +Howell Company, Durham, NC (US);
Abstract
A collector apparatus and method capable of collecting material in two modes of operation, flats and letters. With a minor adjustment, the apparatus can be transformed from a two-stage device optimal for the letter mode of operation, to a one-stage device optimal for the flats mode of operation. The apparatus includes a first staging area, a second staging area generally disposed downstream from the first staging area, and a conveying device. The first staging area includes a first staging surface and a first stage transport assembly, and the second staging area includes a second staging surface and a second stage transport assembly. The conveying device is adjustable between the flats and letters modes. In the letters mode position, the conveying device provides a first material flow path running through the first and second staging areas. In the flats mode position, the conveying device provides a second material flow path into a third staging area, which is defined by one or more components of the first and/or second staging areas.