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:
Aug. 23, 2011
Filed:
Aug. 05, 2008
Simon Jan Krause, Constance, DE;
Bryan Stone, Dallas, TX (US);
Edwin Bland, Mansfield, TX (US);
John Day, Arlington, TX (US);
Uwe Maertin, Euless, TX (US);
Rajeev Dwivedi, Plano, TX (US);
Simon Jan Krause, Constance, DE;
Bryan Stone, Dallas, TX (US);
Edwin Bland, Mansfield, TX (US);
John Day, Arlington, TX (US);
Uwe Maertin, Euless, TX (US);
Rajeev Dwivedi, Plano, TX (US);
Siemens Industry, Inc., Alpharetta, GA (US);
Abstract
A pickoff system for removal of mail pieces one at a time from the end of a stack includes a pickoff belt mechanism, a sensor positioned to determine mail piece movement speed, and a measurement device determines belt movement speed during operation of the pickoff belt mechanism. A vacuum system includes a vacuum pump and a vacuum manifold positioned to apply suction to the mail piece in a direction that tends to hold the mail piece against the belt of the pickoff belt mechanism. A controller is configured to compare the belt movement speed and the mail piece movement speed during operation, and when mail piece movement speed is slower than belt movement speed, indicating slipping of the mail piece relative to the belt of the pickoff belt mechanism, the controller temporarily increases suction force applied to a mail piece being transported by the pickoff belt mechanism.