EP0958148B1 - System for unstacking and opening envelopes - Google Patents

System for unstacking and opening envelopes Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0958148B1
EP0958148B1 EP96937389A EP96937389A EP0958148B1 EP 0958148 B1 EP0958148 B1 EP 0958148B1 EP 96937389 A EP96937389 A EP 96937389A EP 96937389 A EP96937389 A EP 96937389A EP 0958148 B1 EP0958148 B1 EP 0958148B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
envelope
deflector
envelopes
flap
downstream
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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EP96937389A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0958148A1 (en
Inventor
Hervé Baumann
Gérard Coudray
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Secap SA
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Secap SA
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
    • B43M—BUREAU ACCESSORIES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B43M3/00—Devices for inserting documents into envelopes
    • B43M3/04—Devices for inserting documents into envelopes automatic
    • B43M3/045—Devices for inserting documents into envelopes automatic for envelopes with only one flap
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S271/00—Sheet feeding or delivering
    • Y10S271/902—Reverse direction of sheet movement

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a destacker for removing a envelope in a stack and deliver it open.
  • Document US-A-2 267 574 discloses a destacker comprising a frame; means for storing a stack of envelopes, folded flaps; means for extracting an envelope from the bottom of the stack; and means for driving the envelope extracted on an upstream path downstream, in a direction of advance.
  • the object of the invention is to improve the known destackers with in particular greater compactness and simplification of the organs mechanical in play.
  • the object of the invention is achieved by a unstacking device and opening envelopes from a stack of envelopes with folded flaps, having the features of appended claim 1.
  • wedge-shaped deflector is meant that the wedge shape, of preferably rounded, allows the deflector to deflect the flap when the the envelope, and authorizes its unfolding.
  • said extraction means comprise a endless band disposed at the bottom of the storage means and cooperating with a extraction space left at the bottom of a wall of said storage means.
  • the extraction means can cooperate with separating means envelopes, arranged downstream, and for example made of nested rollers arranged on either side of the envelope path and rotating in the same meaning.
  • the first and second means drive consist of antagonistic rollers in mutual support.
  • the first and second means are preferably combined in the same said rollers, driven by a bidirectional motor.
  • This mobile component also preferably participates following the treatment of the envelope, in particular its fitting on fingers inserting machine itself, arranged downstream of the envelope path.
  • This movable flap and the insertion fingers are particularly described in document WO-A-95/16578 to which we report to.
  • the destacker of the invention advantageously includes a device envelope stacker, which can be monitored for commissioning by detection means so as to activate the operation of the destacker.
  • the envelope destacker has a frame or structure main formed by plates 1 and 1 'and a number of spacers 2.
  • the storage area for envelopes includes the vertical sheet 3 and the horizontal support sheet 4.
  • the envelopes 5 are placed in a stack on the two extraction belts without end 6 and 6 'whose upper strand slightly exceeds the plane of the sheet 4.
  • a cylindrical presser 7 is applied to the top of the pile envelopes; two cables 9 and 9 'passing around the return rod 11 and winding on the shaft 10.
  • the presence of the cylindrical presser 7 on the top of the envelope stack 5 is detected by a contactor 12.
  • a the pierced tab of the contactor 12 is crossed by the cable 9.
  • the envelope separation device comprises rollers 13 mounted on a shaft 14 and pairs of rollers 15 mounted on the shaft 16. Each roller 13 penetrates slightly into the pair of rollers 5 associated with so that an envelope can pass between said rollers by undulating slightly.
  • the drive device comprises rollers 17 mounted on the shaft 18 and rollers 19 mounted on the shaft 20.
  • the rollers 17 are in contact with the rollers 19.
  • the belts 6 and 6 'and the rollers 13, 15 and 19 are set in motion by the bidirectional motor 21 via of the pulley-belt assembly 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30.
  • the means for opening the flap include the fixed deflector wedge-shaped 31 and the movable flap 32.
  • the movable flap 32 is controlled by the electromagnet 33 by means of the rod 34.
  • the flap 32 In the position of rest, shown by arrow 35, the flap 32 is, under the action of return spring 37, in contact with the stop 36.
  • the electromagnet 33 moves the movable flap 32 to the lower position shown by arrow 38.
  • An optical barrier composed of the emitting cell 39 and the receiving cell 40, informs the control unit of the passage of the envelope in front of the cells.
  • the control unit therefore takes reference the passage of the hinge of the envelope at the level of this barrier and knows at all times the position of the envelope in the mechanism since the motor 21 is a so-called servo actuator (stepper motor, direct current motor with encoder ...)
  • the device is in the starting position.
  • the casing presser 7 is brought to the high position by the motor 8 by the cables 9 and 9 '.
  • the cables are therefore stretched and the contactor 12 is found closed.
  • the latter informs the control unit that the presser is is in the high position and the device can receive a packet envelopes to be unstacked.
  • the package of envelopes 5 is then put in place manually by the operator or automatically by a mechanical system not part of the invention. Envelopes are stacked in contact with the vertical sheet 3 with their flaps positioned at the front in position high. With the envelopes in place, the cylindrical presser 7 is lowered in contact with the top of the stack of envelopes via the motor 8 and cables 9 and 9 '.
  • the contactor 12 changes state and indicates to the control unit that the presser 7 is in pressure on the stack of envelopes 5.
  • the motor 21 is then rotated this which has the effect of setting in motion the mechanical organs which are its linked, in particular the 6 and 6 'extraction and transport belts and the separation assembly 13 and 15.
  • the envelope being in contact with the belts 6 and 6 'is driven towards the separator 13, 15.
  • a few envelopes accompany it.
  • the accompanying envelopes the lower envelope remains blocked at the height of the separator by the action of the roller 13 opposing by their rotation to their advance.
  • the lower envelope can cross the separator because it is directly in contact with the belts 6 and 6 'transport and thus has a great power of drive.
  • FIG 4 shows the next step. Transporting the envelope 5 continues. The latter is taken into account by the rollers 17 and 19 then passes in front of the optical barrier formed by the cells 39 and 40.
  • the hinge stop of the casing 5 slides along the fixed deflector 31 then meets the movable deflector 32.
  • the casing 5 is strongly curving, the envelope flap peels off of the latter when it is no longer in contact with the fixed deflector 31. Because the length of envelope flap is known, control unit knows which displacement must carry out the envelope 5 since its passage in front of the optical barrier 39 and 40 so that the envelope flap peels off completely from the body of the envelope.
  • FIG. 5 shows the next step.
  • the rotation of the motor 21 is reversed.
  • the body of the envelope is partially stored under the stack envelope.
  • the detached flap slides along the vertical part of the deflector 31.
  • FIG. 6 shows the next step.
  • the mobile deflector 32 is then brought into the high position shown by arrow 35 by stopping the control of the electromagnet 33.
  • the casing 5 continuing to retreat, the flap opens under the action of the rounded corner end of the fixed deflector 31.
  • the control unit stops the reverse of the motor 21.
  • Figure 7 shows the next step.
  • the mobile deflector 32 is returned to the low position.
  • the motor 21 is then started before: the envelope moves to the left.
  • the flap which is at the head of this displacement, is deflected downwards by the movable deflector 32 then passes under the fingers 41 for receiving the dynamic insertion system not not part of the invention.
  • This system can in particular be that described by the US-A-5 410 860 whose fingers 1-1 'correspond to fingers 41 of Figure 7 of the present invention.
  • Figure 8 shows the final step.
  • the mobile deflector 32 is brought back to the high position shown by arrow 35 by the action of the electromagnet 33.
  • the deflection of the envelope 5 ceases; which allows the latter to half-open and to put on the fingers 41 for receiving the system dynamic insertion.
  • the cycle is then finished.

Landscapes

  • Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Special Articles (AREA)
  • Feeding Of Articles By Means Other Than Belts Or Rollers (AREA)
  • Separation, Sorting, Adjustment, Or Bending Of Sheets To Be Conveyed (AREA)
  • Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/FR96/01729 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 7, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 7, 1998 PCT Filed Nov. 4, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO97/18957 PCT Pub. Date May 29, 1997A device for unstacking and opening envelopes from a stack of envelopes is provided. The device includes a frame having a receptacle area for receiving the stack. At least one, but preferably two, endless belts are located at the bottom of the receptacle area for extracting an envelope from the bottom of the stack, the flap of the envelope folded and oriented upwardly and in a forward direction. At least one set, but preferably two sets, of cooperating drive rollers rotating in opposite directions are arranged such that the extracted envelope can pass therebetween. The drive rollers move the extracted envelope in a feed direction dependent on the direction of drive roller rotation. A fixed wedge-shaped deflector is located downstream from the drive rollers and is arranged at an angle relative to the forward feed direction. A position detector is also provided for detecting the position of the extracted envelope with respect to the fixed deflector, as is a controller for controlling the endless belts and the drive rollers.

Description

La présente invention concerne un dépileur destiné à prélever une enveloppe dans une pile et à la délivrer ouverte.The present invention relates to a destacker for removing a envelope in a stack and deliver it open.

Elle est particulièrement destinée aux inséreuses-plieuses dites de bureau.It is particularly intended for so-called folder inserters office.

Le document US-A-2 267 574 fait connaítre un dépileur comportant un châssis ; des moyens de stockage d'une pile d'enveloppes, rabats repliés ; des moyens d'extraction d'une enveloppe du bas de la pile ; et des moyens d'entraínement de l'enveloppe extraite sur un trajet d'amont en aval, dans une direction d'avance.Document US-A-2 267 574 discloses a destacker comprising a frame; means for storing a stack of envelopes, folded flaps; means for extracting an envelope from the bottom of the stack; and means for driving the envelope extracted on an upstream path downstream, in a direction of advance.

Dans ce document, ainsi que dans bien des systèmes développés postérieurement (et illustrés par exemple par les documents EP-A-0 336 674, US-A-2 915 863, EP-A-0 504 114, WO-A-95/16578), on utilise pour ouvrir le rabat de l'enveloppe extraite de la pile un organe mobile tel qu'une griffe, qui entraíne quelques complications de cinématique et une utilisation non optimale de l'espace.In this document, as well as in many developed systems later (and illustrated for example by documents EP-A-0 336 674, US-A-2,915,863, EP-A-0 504 114, WO-A-95/16578), used to open the flap of the envelope extracted from the stack a movable member such as a claw, which causes some kinematics complications and non-use optimal space.

Le document US-A-2 766 569 fait connaítre un dispositif présentant les caractéristiques du préambule de la revendication 1 annexée.Document US-A-2,766,569 discloses a device having the features of the preamble of claim 1 appended.

Le but de l'invention est de perfectionner les dépileurs connus avec notamment une plus grande compacité et une simplification des organes mécaniques en jeu.The object of the invention is to improve the known destackers with in particular greater compactness and simplification of the organs mechanical in play.

Le but de l'invention est atteint grâce à un dispositif de dépilage et d'ouverture d'enveloppes à partir d'une pile d'enveloppes à rabat replié, présentant les caractéristiques de la revendication 1 annexée.The object of the invention is achieved by a unstacking device and opening envelopes from a stack of envelopes with folded flaps, having the features of appended claim 1.

Par déflecteur cunéiforme, on entend que la forme de coin, de préférence arrondi, permet au déflecteur de dévier le rabat lors du recul de l'enveloppe, et autorise son dépliement.By wedge-shaped deflector is meant that the wedge shape, of preferably rounded, allows the deflector to deflect the flap when the the envelope, and authorizes its unfolding.

Avantageusement, lesdits moyens d'extraction comprennent une bande sans fin disposée au fond des moyens de stockage et coopérant avec un espace d'extraction laissé au bas d'une paroi desdits moyens de stockage. Les moyens d'extraction peuvent coopérer avec des moyens séparateurs d'enveloppes, disposés en aval, et par exemple constitués de galets imbriqués disposés de part et d'autre du trajet de l'enveloppe et tournant dans le même sens.Advantageously, said extraction means comprise a endless band disposed at the bottom of the storage means and cooperating with a extraction space left at the bottom of a wall of said storage means. The extraction means can cooperate with separating means envelopes, arranged downstream, and for example made of nested rollers arranged on either side of the envelope path and rotating in the same meaning.

Avantageusement, les premiers et les seconds moyens d'entraínement consistent en galets antagonistes en appui mutuel.Advantageously, the first and second means drive consist of antagonistic rollers in mutual support.

Les premiers et seconds moyens sont de préférence confondus dans les mêmes dits galets, entraínés par un moteur bidirectionnel.The first and second means are preferably combined in the same said rollers, driven by a bidirectional motor.

Il peut être particulièrement avantageux d'aider au dépliement du rabat par un volet mobile disposé en aval du déflecteur.It can be particularly advantageous to help unfold the flap by a movable flap disposed downstream of the deflector.

Ce volet mobile participe aussi de préférence à la suite du traitement de l'enveloppe, en particulier à son chaussage sur des doigts d'insertion de la machine inséreuse proprement dite, disposés en aval du trajet de l'enveloppe. Ce volet mobile et les doigts d'insertion sont notamment décrits dans le document WO-A-95/16578 auquel on se reportera.This mobile component also preferably participates following the treatment of the envelope, in particular its fitting on fingers inserting machine itself, arranged downstream of the envelope path. This movable flap and the insertion fingers are particularly described in document WO-A-95/16578 to which we report to.

Le dépileur de l'invention comporte avantageusement un dispositif presseur de la pile d'enveloppe, dont la mise en service peut être surveillée par des moyens de détection de manière à activer le fonctionnement du dépileur.The destacker of the invention advantageously includes a device envelope stacker, which can be monitored for commissioning by detection means so as to activate the operation of the destacker.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention ressortiront de la description ci-après d'un exemple de réalisation illustré dans les dessins ci-annexés. Dans ces dessins :

  • la planche 1 est une vue en coupe développée d'un dépileur selon la présente invention,
  • la planche 2 montre la vue en coupe de profil de la planche 1,
  • les planches 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 et 8 montrent des vues de profil internes de la planche 1 décrivant chaque étape de fonctionnement dudit dépileur.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description below of an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the attached drawings. In these drawings:
  • board 1 is a developed sectional view of a destacker according to the present invention,
  • Plate 2 shows the profile section view of Plate 1,
  • the boards 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 show internal profile views of the board 1 describing each stage of operation of said destacker.

Le dépileur d'enveloppes comporte un châssis ou structure principale formée des platines 1 et 1' et d'un certain nombre d'entretoises 2.The envelope destacker has a frame or structure main formed by plates 1 and 1 'and a number of spacers 2.

A l'intérieur de cette structure, la zone de stockage des enveloppes comprend la tôle verticale 3 et la tôle horizontale de support 4. Les enveloppes 5 sont posées en pile sur les deux courroies d'extraction sans fin 6 et 6' dont le brin supérieur dépasse légèrement le plan de la tôle 4.Inside this structure, the storage area for envelopes includes the vertical sheet 3 and the horizontal support sheet 4. The envelopes 5 are placed in a stack on the two extraction belts without end 6 and 6 'whose upper strand slightly exceeds the plane of the sheet 4.

Un presseur cylindrique 7 est appliqué sur le haut de la pile d'enveloppes ; deux câbles 9 et 9' passant autour de la tige de renvoi 11 et s'enroulant sur l'arbre 10. La présence du presseur cylindrique 7 sur le haut de la pile d'enveloppe 5 est détectée par un contacteur 12. En effet, une languette percée du contacteur 12 est traversée par le câble 9. Lorsque le presseur est relevé et que le câble est tendu, le contacteur est en position fermée ; lorsque le presseur s'appuie sur les enveloppes et que le câble est détendu, le contacteur est en position ouverte.A cylindrical presser 7 is applied to the top of the pile envelopes; two cables 9 and 9 'passing around the return rod 11 and winding on the shaft 10. The presence of the cylindrical presser 7 on the top of the envelope stack 5 is detected by a contactor 12. In fact, a the pierced tab of the contactor 12 is crossed by the cable 9. When the presser is raised and the cable is tight, the contactor is in position closed; when the presser rests on the envelopes and the cable is relaxed, the contactor is in the open position.

Le dispositif de séparation d'enveloppes comprend des galets 13 montés sur un arbre 14 et des paires de galets 15 montés sur l'arbre 16. Chaque galet 13 pénètre légèrement dans la paire de galets 5 associée de façon à ce qu'une enveloppe puisse passer entre lesdits galets en ondulant légèrement.The envelope separation device comprises rollers 13 mounted on a shaft 14 and pairs of rollers 15 mounted on the shaft 16. Each roller 13 penetrates slightly into the pair of rollers 5 associated with so that an envelope can pass between said rollers by undulating slightly.

Le dispositif d'entraínement comprend des galets 17 montés sur l'arbre 18 et des galets 19 montés sur l'arbre 20. Les galets 17 sont en contact avec les galets 19. Les courroies 6 et 6' et les galets 13, 15 et 19 sont mis en mouvement par le moteur bidirectionnel 21 par l'intermédiaire de l'ensemble poulies-courroie 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 et 30.The drive device comprises rollers 17 mounted on the shaft 18 and rollers 19 mounted on the shaft 20. The rollers 17 are in contact with the rollers 19. The belts 6 and 6 'and the rollers 13, 15 and 19 are set in motion by the bidirectional motor 21 via of the pulley-belt assembly 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30.

Les moyens d'ouverture du rabat comprennent le déflecteur fixe cunéiforme 31 et le volet mobile 32. Le volet mobile 32 est piloté par l'électroaimant 33 par l'intermédiaire de la biellette 34. En position de repos, montrée par la flèche 35, le volet 32 se trouve, sous l'action du ressort de rappel 37, en contact avec la butée 36. En position de travail, l'électroaimant 33 déplace le volet mobile 32 dans la position basse montrée par la flèche 38. Une barrière optique, composée de la cellule émettrice 39 et la cellule réceptrice 40, informe l'unité de commande du passage de l'enveloppe devant les cellules. L'unité de commande prend donc en référence le passage de la charnière de l'enveloppe au niveau de cette barrière et connaít à tout moment la position de l'enveloppe dans le mécanisme puisque le moteur 21 est un actionneur dit d'asservissement (moteur pas-à-pas, moteur à courant continu avec codeur...)The means for opening the flap include the fixed deflector wedge-shaped 31 and the movable flap 32. The movable flap 32 is controlled by the electromagnet 33 by means of the rod 34. In the position of rest, shown by arrow 35, the flap 32 is, under the action of return spring 37, in contact with the stop 36. In the working position, the electromagnet 33 moves the movable flap 32 to the lower position shown by arrow 38. An optical barrier, composed of the emitting cell 39 and the receiving cell 40, informs the control unit of the passage of the envelope in front of the cells. The control unit therefore takes reference the passage of the hinge of the envelope at the level of this barrier and knows at all times the position of the envelope in the mechanism since the motor 21 is a so-called servo actuator (stepper motor, direct current motor with encoder ...)

Les différentes étapes nécessaires à l'obtention d'un cycle de dépilage d'enveloppe apparaissent dans les figures numérotées de 3 à 8.The different stages necessary to obtain a cycle of envelope unstacking appear in the figures numbered from 3 to 8.

Dans la figure 3, le dispositif est en position de départ. Le presseur d'enveloppe 7 est amené en position haute par le moteur 8 par les câbles 9 et 9'. Les câbles se trouvent donc tendus et le contacteur 12 se trouve fermé. Ce dernier informe l'unité de commande que le presseur se trouve en position haute et que le dispositif peut recevoir un paquet d'enveloppes à dépiler. Le paquet d'enveloppes 5 est alors mis en place manuellement par l'opérateur ou automatiquement par un système mécanique ne faisant pas partie de l'invention. Les enveloppes sont empilées en contact avec la tôle verticale 3 avec leurs rabats positionnés à l'avant en position haute. Les enveloppes étant en place, le presseur cylindrique 7 est descendu au contact du haut de la pile d'enveloppes par l'intermédiaire du moteur 8 et des câbles 9 et 9'. Lorsque les câbles 9 et 9' se détendent, le contacteur 12 change d'état et indique à l'unité de commande que le presseur 7 est en pression sur la pile d'enveloppes 5. Le moteur 21 est alors mis en rotation ce qui a pour effet de mettre en mouvement les organes mécaniques qui lui sont liés, notamment les courroies d'extraction et de transport 6 et 6' et l'ensemble de séparation 13 et 15. L'enveloppe se trouvant en contact avec les courroies 6 et 6' est entraínée vers le séparateur 13, 15. Souvent, quelques enveloppes l'accompagnent. Les enveloppes accompagnant l'enveloppe inférieure restent bloquées à la hauteur du séparateur par l'action du galet 13 s'opposant par sa rotation à leur avancée. L'enveloppe inférieure peut franchir le séparateur car elle est directement au contact des courroies de transport 6 et 6' et dispose ainsi d'une grande puissance d'entraínement.In Figure 3, the device is in the starting position. The casing presser 7 is brought to the high position by the motor 8 by the cables 9 and 9 '. The cables are therefore stretched and the contactor 12 is found closed. The latter informs the control unit that the presser is is in the high position and the device can receive a packet envelopes to be unstacked. The package of envelopes 5 is then put in place manually by the operator or automatically by a mechanical system not part of the invention. Envelopes are stacked in contact with the vertical sheet 3 with their flaps positioned at the front in position high. With the envelopes in place, the cylindrical presser 7 is lowered in contact with the top of the stack of envelopes via the motor 8 and cables 9 and 9 '. When the cables 9 and 9 'are relaxed, the contactor 12 changes state and indicates to the control unit that the presser 7 is in pressure on the stack of envelopes 5. The motor 21 is then rotated this which has the effect of setting in motion the mechanical organs which are its linked, in particular the 6 and 6 'extraction and transport belts and the separation assembly 13 and 15. The envelope being in contact with the belts 6 and 6 'is driven towards the separator 13, 15. Often, a few envelopes accompany it. The accompanying envelopes the lower envelope remains blocked at the height of the separator by the action of the roller 13 opposing by their rotation to their advance. The lower envelope can cross the separator because it is directly in contact with the belts 6 and 6 'transport and thus has a great power of drive.

La figure 4 présente l'étape suivante. Le transport de l'enveloppe 5 se poursuit. Cette dernière est prise en compte par les galets d'entraínement 17 et 19 puis passe devant la barrière optique formée par les cellules 39 et 40. L'arrête charnière de l'enveloppe 5 glisse le long du déflecteur fixe 31 puis rencontre le déflecteur mobile 32. L'enveloppe 5 se galbant fortement, le rabat de l'enveloppe se décolle de cette dernière lorsqu'il n'est plus en contact avec le déflecteur fixe 31. Du fait que la longueur du rabat de l'enveloppe est connue, l'unité de commande sait quel déplacement doit effectuer l'enveloppe 5 depuis son passage devant la barrière optique 39 et 40 pour que le rabat de l'enveloppe se décolle complètement du corps de l'enveloppe.Figure 4 shows the next step. Transporting the envelope 5 continues. The latter is taken into account by the rollers 17 and 19 then passes in front of the optical barrier formed by the cells 39 and 40. The hinge stop of the casing 5 slides along the fixed deflector 31 then meets the movable deflector 32. The casing 5 is strongly curving, the envelope flap peels off of the latter when it is no longer in contact with the fixed deflector 31. Because the length of envelope flap is known, control unit knows which displacement must carry out the envelope 5 since its passage in front of the optical barrier 39 and 40 so that the envelope flap peels off completely from the body of the envelope.

La figure 5 présente l'étape suivante. La rotation du moteur 21 est inversée. Le corps de l'enveloppe se range en partie sous la pile d'enveloppe. Le rabat décollé glisse le long de la partie verticale du déflecteur 31.Figure 5 shows the next step. The rotation of the motor 21 is reversed. The body of the envelope is partially stored under the stack envelope. The detached flap slides along the vertical part of the deflector 31.

La figure 6 présente l'étape suivante. Le déflecteur mobile 32 est alors amené dans la position haute montrée par la flèche 35 par arrêt de la commande de l'électroaimant 33. L'enveloppe 5 poursuivant son recul, le rabat s'ouvre sous l'action de l'extrémité en coin arrondi du déflecteur fixe 31. Lorsque l'extrémité du rabat passe devant la barrière optique 39 et 40, l'unité de commande arrête la marche arrière du moteur 21.Figure 6 shows the next step. The mobile deflector 32 is then brought into the high position shown by arrow 35 by stopping the control of the electromagnet 33. The casing 5 continuing to retreat, the flap opens under the action of the rounded corner end of the fixed deflector 31. When the end of the flap passes in front of the light barrier 39 and 40, the control unit stops the reverse of the motor 21.

La figure 7 présente l'étape suivante. Le déflecteur mobile 32 est ramené en position basse. Le moteur 21 est alors mis en marche avant : l'enveloppe se déplace vers la gauche. Le rabat, qui se trouve en tête de ce déplacement, est dévié vers le bas par le déflecteur mobile 32 puis passe sous les doigts 41 de réception du système d'insertion dynamique ne faisant pas partie de l'invention. Ce système peut notamment être celui que décrit le brevet US-A-5 410 860 dont les doigts 1-1' correspondent aux doigts 41 de la figure 7 de la présente invention. On peut aussi se reporter au document WO-A-95/16578.Figure 7 shows the next step. The mobile deflector 32 is returned to the low position. The motor 21 is then started before: the envelope moves to the left. The flap, which is at the head of this displacement, is deflected downwards by the movable deflector 32 then passes under the fingers 41 for receiving the dynamic insertion system not not part of the invention. This system can in particular be that described by the US-A-5 410 860 whose fingers 1-1 'correspond to fingers 41 of Figure 7 of the present invention. We can also refer to the document WO-A-95/16578.

La figure 8 présente l'étape finale. Le déflecteur mobile 32 est ramené dans la position haute montrée par la flèche 35 par l'action de l'électroaimant 33. La déviation de l'enveloppe 5 cesse ; ce qui permet à celle-ci de s'entrouvrir et de chausser les doigts 41 de réception du système d'insertion dynamique. Le cycle est alors terminé.Figure 8 shows the final step. The mobile deflector 32 is brought back to the high position shown by arrow 35 by the action of the electromagnet 33. The deflection of the envelope 5 ceases; which allows the latter to half-open and to put on the fingers 41 for receiving the system dynamic insertion. The cycle is then finished.

Claims (10)

  1. A device for unstacking and opening envelopes from a pile of envelopes with the flap down, comprising:
    a frame (1, 1', 2),
    means (3, 4) for stacking a pile of envelopes (5) with folded-down flaps;
    means (6, 6') for extracting an envelope from the bottom of said pile;
    first drive means (17, 19) for moving said extracted envelope in a forward direction on a path from upstream to downstream;
    a fixed wedge-shaped deflector (31) arranged at an angle to the feed direction downstream from said first drive means (17, 19);
    second drive means (17, 19) for moving the extracted envelope in a rearward direction on a path from downstream to upstream, located upstream from said deflector (31);
    control means for controlling the extraction means (6, 6') and the first and second drive means (17, 19) in order to control:
    firstly, the extraction of said envelope (5) and its forward feeding, flap folded and oriented upwardly and forwardly, at the front and on the side of said deflector relative to the path until said flap has been deflected and travelled beyond said deflector;
    secondly, the feeding of said envelope (5) backwards so that said flap and said envelope position themselves over said deflector (31) as they move backwards, whereby the flap is folded out during backward movement until it is coplanar with the body of the envelope (5); and
    thirdly, the final feeding of the envelope forwardly in the downstream direction of the device,
       characterized in that the unstacking device comprises detection means (39, 40) for detecting the position of the extracted envelope (5) with respect to said deflector; in that said control means of the extracting means (6, 6') and of first and second drive means are responsive to a signal from said detection means, said second means for driving envelopes being located on the same path as the first drive means.
  2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said extraction means comprise an endless belt (6, 6') placed at the bottom (4) of the stacking means and cooperating with an extraction space at the bottom of a wall (3) of the stacking means.
  3. A device according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said device further comprises envelope separating means (13, 15), located downstream from said extraction means.
  4. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that said separating means comprise a pair of overlapping rollers (13, 15) placed on either side of the path of the envelope and rotating in the same direction.
  5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said first and second drive means are integrated and comprise opposite rollers (17, 19) in mutual support.
  6. A device according to claim 5, characterized in that said rollers (17, 19) are driven by a two-way motor (21).
  7. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said device further includes a movable flap (32) located downstream from said deflector (31).
  8. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said device further includes insertion fingers (41) located downstream from the path of the envelope.
  9. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said device further includes press means (7) for pressing on said stack of envelopes.
  10. A device according to claim 9, characterized in that said device further includes detection means (12) for actuating said press means (7) and actuating said unstacking device.
EP96937389A 1995-11-17 1996-11-04 System for unstacking and opening envelopes Expired - Lifetime EP0958148B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9513646 1995-11-17
FR9513646A FR2741299B1 (en) 1995-11-17 1995-11-17 UNPACKING AND OPENING SYSTEM FOR ENVELOPES
PCT/FR1996/001729 WO1997018957A1 (en) 1995-11-17 1996-11-04 System for unstacking and opening envelopes

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0958148A1 EP0958148A1 (en) 1999-11-24
EP0958148B1 true EP0958148B1 (en) 2001-06-13

Family

ID=9484664

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96937389A Expired - Lifetime EP0958148B1 (en) 1995-11-17 1996-11-04 System for unstacking and opening envelopes

Country Status (7)

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US (1) US6036185A (en)
EP (1) EP0958148B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE202039T1 (en)
CA (1) CA2238001C (en)
DE (1) DE69613407T2 (en)
FR (1) FR2741299B1 (en)
WO (1) WO1997018957A1 (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6179280B1 (en) * 1999-06-11 2001-01-30 Andrew F. Coppolo Envelope processing apparatus
US6234468B1 (en) * 1999-12-16 2001-05-22 Pitney Bowes Inc. Dual pocket right angle turn for an envelope transport system
US20040134927A1 (en) * 2002-10-31 2004-07-15 Connelly Paul J. Single drive multi stage dispenser
FR2859945B1 (en) * 2003-09-18 2006-09-22 Kern Ag AUTOMATIC DEVICE FOR FOLDING PIECES OF LOW DIMENSIONS, IN PARTICULAR DOCUMENTS
NL1025158C2 (en) * 2003-12-31 2005-07-04 Neopost Sa Machine and method for embedding sheets.
NL1027940C2 (en) 2004-12-31 2006-07-03 Neopost Sa Compact place setting machine.
JP5805956B2 (en) * 2011-02-04 2015-11-10 理想科学工業株式会社 Envelope warp correction device
US10315457B2 (en) * 2015-02-20 2019-06-11 Dmt Solutions Global Corporation Envelope inserter with suction cup opening mechanism and improved insertion motion control
US20220380168A1 (en) * 2021-05-27 2022-12-01 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Enclosing apparatus and image forming system

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2267574A (en) * 1939-07-13 1941-12-23 Claude L Post Envelope feeding mechanism
US2766569A (en) * 1952-10-01 1956-10-16 Pitney Bowes Inc Mail treating and inserting device
US2915863A (en) * 1954-11-15 1959-12-08 Ernst W Kummer Apparatus for handling and filling envelopes
US4846455A (en) * 1988-04-08 1989-07-11 Hurst Richard F High speed envelope feeding apparatus
DE59202835D1 (en) * 1991-03-12 1995-08-17 Kern Ag Inserting device.
FR2710315B1 (en) * 1993-09-22 1995-12-01 Secap Dynamic document insertion device in an envelope.
FR2713613B1 (en) * 1993-12-15 1996-02-02 Secap Device for opening and unstacking envelopes.
US5450187A (en) * 1993-12-27 1995-09-12 Xerox Corporation Envelope processing in a laser printer for higher reliability, usability and throughput
GB9403822D0 (en) * 1994-02-28 1994-04-20 Printed Forms Equip Envelope opening mechanism for mailing apparatus
US5971385A (en) * 1997-06-16 1999-10-26 Pitney Bowes Inc. Envelope feeder and integral flap opening device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2238001C (en) 2003-07-15
CA2238001A1 (en) 1997-05-29
US6036185A (en) 2000-03-14
FR2741299B1 (en) 1998-01-23
DE69613407T2 (en) 2002-05-02
DE69613407D1 (en) 2001-07-19
FR2741299A1 (en) 1997-05-23
WO1997018957A1 (en) 1997-05-29
ATE202039T1 (en) 2001-06-15
EP0958148A1 (en) 1999-11-24

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