EP2347917A1 - Inserting postal items into envelopes - Google Patents
Inserting postal items into envelopes Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2347917A1 EP2347917A1 EP10075036A EP10075036A EP2347917A1 EP 2347917 A1 EP2347917 A1 EP 2347917A1 EP 10075036 A EP10075036 A EP 10075036A EP 10075036 A EP10075036 A EP 10075036A EP 2347917 A1 EP2347917 A1 EP 2347917A1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- envelope
- postal
- postal item
- transport path
- alignment
- Prior art date
- 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.)
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 15
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012937 correction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
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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
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the inserting of postal items into envelopes.
- U.S. patent 7 398 635 discloses to use a linear array of optical sensing elements to determine the position of one edge of the insert material and another linear array of optical sensing elements to determine the position of one edge of the receiving envelope in order to make sure that there is sufficient end clearance between the insert material and the receiving envelope and makes corrections in alignment if necessary.
- the present invention may provide a method of inserting postal items into envelopes, comprising, for each of said envelopes:
- the method of the present invention enables, in a simple manner, precise pre-alignment of a postal item and an envelope necessary for reliable insertion to be achieved.
- the present invention may provide an apparatus for inserting postal items into envelopes, comprising:
- the apparatus of the present invention is able to achieve, in a simple manner, the precise pre-alignment of a postal item and an envelope necessary for reliable insertion.
- postal item is to be construed broadly so as to cover not only printed material such as documents, magazines, books and the like, but also other suitable inserts such as CDs, DVDs and the like, and any combinations thereof.
- FIG. 1 A schematic view of a document processing system 1 is shown in Figure 1 .
- the system 1 includes an apparatus, generally designated 10, for inserting documents 2 into envelopes 4 in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention.
- the apparatus 10 is shown mounted for operation between an envelope dispenser 50 and a document preparation system 60, such as a sheet feeder, a copying system or a printing system, each optionally with a sheet folder.
- the envelope dispenser 50 stores a stack of envelopes, separates individual envelopes 4 from the stack and feeds them, in a flap-extended condition as shown, onto an envelope transport path 6 for transportation to an inserting position 11.
- a document transport path 8 along which it is transported and inserted into the envelope by the apparatus 10.
- Figure 1 three instances of an individual document 2 are shown for illustration purposes: a first instance as it approaches the apparatus 10, a second instance as it travels along a first, alignment section 8b of the transport path 8, and a third instance when it reaches a pre-inserting position in a second, continuation section 8a of the transport path just prior to commencement of the inserting operation.
- the apparatus 10 is provided with a guide means 12.
- the guide means 12 comprises an envelope edge guide 14 having an alignment surface 15.
- the envelope edge guide 14 laterally bounds the envelope transport path 6 at the inserting position 11 and a section thereof immediately before the inserting position, and its alignment surface 15 defines an intended envelope alignment axis X e .
- the guide means 12 further comprises a document edge guide 16 having an alignment surface 17.
- the document edge guide 16 laterally bounds sections 8a, 8b of the document transport path 8, and its alignment surface 17 defines an intended document alignment axis X d .
- the envelope alignment axis X e and the document alignment axis X d are parallel with the envelope alignment axis X e being outwardly offset by a predetermined distance D.
- the apparatus is constructed such that the document 2 produced by the document preparation system 60, as it progresses along the first alignment section 8b of the document transport path 8, is urged or steered such that it travels obliquely in a direction along and towards the document edge guide 16 as indicated by the arrow 9b.
- the component of the motion imparted is small in the cross-transport path or lateral direction as compared with the along-transport path direction, an edge 2a of the document 2 enters into engagement with the alignment surface 17 while still in the alignment section 8b.
- the edge 2a of the document 2 is brought into precise alignment with the intended document alignment axis X d .
- a number of preferred constructions for imparting the required sidewards or lateral motion to the document 2 in the alignment section 8b are described in more detail below.
- the apparatus 10 is further constructed such that the document 2 is then conveyed along the continuation section 8a of the transport path 8.
- the document 2 travels in the direction of the transport path 8, as indicated by the arrow 9a, with its edge 2a remaining flush with the alignment surface 17.
- the document edge guide 16 need not extend into the continuation section 8a of the transport path 8.
- Figure 2 shows an inserting operation in progress.
- the continuation section 8a of the document transport path 8 comprises a continuation section drive structure including a pair of endless belts 20, each having a pushing finger 21.
- the document 2 is supported by the surface of the belts and is pushed by the pushing fingers 21 as the belts 20 are circulated, thereby conveying the document 2 along the continuation section 8a of the document transport path 8.
- an envelope 4 is shown already held at the inserting position 11 by a holder 28 with an edge 4a in precise alignment with the alignment surface 15 of the envelope edge guide 14.
- the holder 28 comprises an envelope opening device 30 comprising opening assemblies 30a, 30b.
- Each opening assembly 30a, 30b comprises a suction assembly 31a, 31b and an associated opening finger 32a, 32b that are mechanically coupled to the respective suction assembly.
- the opening assemblies 30a, 30b are mounted for movement along an axis perpendicular to the envelope alignment axis X e .
- the suction assembly 31a is pushed against an outer surface 4b of the lower face of the envelope and activated creating suction which pulls the lower face of the envelope into engagement with the suction assembly 31a opening up the gap for the opening finger 32 to enter the throat of the envelope 4.
- opening assembly 30b A similar procedure is repeated with the opening assembly 30b. With both opening fingers 32a, 32b lodged in the throat of the envelope 4, it may be kept open to the necessary degree to allow inserting to be performed. In a preferred mode of operation, the opening finger 32b is maintained at a fixed distance from the envelope alignment axis X e independent of the width of the documents or envelopes, and the opening finger 32a is inserted at a fixed distance from the envelope alignment axis X e and then subsequently urged away from the envelope alignment axis X e until it abuts the edge of the envelope opposite to the edge 4a.
- the envelope 4 is held at the inserting position 11 by the holder 28 with its throat opened to the continuation section 8a of the transport path 8 while the document 2 is conveyed along the continuation section 8a of the transport path 8. Since the edge 4a of the envelope 4 is in precise alignment with the envelope alignment axis X e , and the edge 2a of the document, having already been brought into the document alignment axis X d in the alignment section 8a, remains in alignment with document alignment axis X d , the envelope 4 and the document 2 have a predetermined spatial relation and orientation which substantially guarantees the document 2 may pass into the envelope 4 without catching any edges at the throat of the envelope 4, thereby allowing insertion to be reliably achieved. Since alignment is accomplished with respect to a single edge of the document and a single edge of the envelope, successful inserting of successively different widths of documents and envelopes may be performed using the same guide means 12 or with the guides 14, 16 in exactly the same relative alignment.
- FIG 3 shows a view from above of a first construction of the alignment section 8b of the transport path 8.
- the alignment section 8b comprises a support floor 35 having a line of transport rollers 37 recessed within it such that only a small portion of their upper circumference protrudes above the floor surface.
- Each of the rollers 37 is obliquely oriented in the same direction along and towards the document edge guide 16. As a document 2 enters the alignment section 8b the rollers 37 are driven so as to transport the document 2 along the alignment section 8b.
- the document 2 is carried in the direction indicated by the arrow R, whereby the edge 2a of the document 2 is driven into engagement with the alignment surface 17 thereby bringing the edge 2a of the document 2 into precise alignment with the document alignment axis X d .
- the rollers 37 both impart the motive drive to the document 2 and cause the sidewards displacement necessary for alignment.
- FIG 4 shows a side view of a second construction of the alignment section 8b of the transport path 8.
- the alignment section 8b comprises a transport member in the form of driven belt 40 which is oriented obliquely along and towards the document edge guide 16 i.e. in the direction of arrow 9b in Figure 1 .
- the orientation of the driven belt is not apparent from the Figure 4 view.
- the document 2 is held in contact with the surface of the driven belt 40 by a pressing member 42 comprising an array of freely rotating balls 42.
- the balls 42 press against the document 2 ensuring that it remains in firm contact with the surface of the belt 40 while allowing the document 2 to follow the path of the belt 40.
- the document 2 is brought into engagement with the alignment surface 17 and the edge 2a of the document 2 thereby into precise alignment with the document alignment axis X d .
- the pressing member 42 may comprise a set of freely steering caster rollers.
- the pressing member may be omitted.
- FIG. 5 shows a view from above of a third construction of the alignment section 8b of the transport path 8.
- the alignment section 8b comprises a support floor 35 having a line of rollers 37 mounted for free rotation within recesses formed in the floor 35 such that only a small portion of their upper circumference protrudes above the floor surface.
- Each of the rollers 37 is obliquely oriented in the same direction along and towards the document edge guide 16.
- the alignment section 8b further comprises transport members in the form of a pair of endless belts 42 arranged in parallel and positioned on opposite sides of the support floor 35.
- Each belt 42 includes a pushing finger 43.
- the document 2 is supported by the surface of the belts and pushed by the pushing fingers 43.
- the transport members 42 impart the motive drive to the document 3, while it is the freely-rotating rollers 37 that produce the sidewards displacement necessary for alignment.
- This third construction is advantageous in that the endless belts 42 may be arranged to drive the document 2 not only in the alignment section 8b but also the continuation section 8a of the transport path 8, i.e. the endless belts 42 and 20 may be embodied as a single pair of endless belts.
- FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a fourth construction of the alignment section 8b of the transport path 8.
- the alignment section 8b comprises a split floor structure 35 made up of a pair of support members 35a, 35b defining an inclined support plane that has the document edge guide 16 extending along and bounding the lower end of the support plane.
- a transport member in the form of an endless belt 45 having a pushing finger 46 is arranged to circulate in the gap between the support members 35a, 35b and push the document 2 along the alignment section 8b.
- the transport member 45 imparts the motive drive to the document, while it is the inclination of the alignment section 8b of the transport path that produces the sidewards displacement necessary for alignment.
- the apparatus 10 may include means for calibrating the distance D by adjustment of the relative lateral position one or both of the guides 14, 16.
- the guide means 12 may comprise a single member having a kink partway therealong which determines a fixed spatial relation between an envelope edge guide portion and a postal edge guide portion. In such an embodiment, an inserting apparatus can be recalibrated by substituting one guide member with another defining a different distance D.
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to the inserting of postal items into envelopes.
- Many solutions for inserting documents into envelopes are known in the art. For instance
U.S. patent 7 398 635 discloses to use a linear array of optical sensing elements to determine the position of one edge of the insert material and another linear array of optical sensing elements to determine the position of one edge of the receiving envelope in order to make sure that there is sufficient end clearance between the insert material and the receiving envelope and makes corrections in alignment if necessary. - It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple solution that avoids the need for last-moment corrections in the alignment of the envelope and the document.
- According to a first aspect, the present invention may provide a method of inserting postal items into envelopes, comprising, for each of said envelopes:
- holding the envelope in an inserting position with an open end oriented towards a postal item transport path and with an envelope edge perpendicular to the open end against an alignment surface that defines an envelope alignment axis at the inserting position;
- displacing one or more of the postal items along the postal item transport path into the envelope, an edge of the or each postal item, at least partway along the transport path, being urged against and guided by an alignment surface that defines a postal item alignment axis along the postal item transport path,
- wherein the envelope alignment axis is parallel to and spaced from the postal item alignment axis by a predetermined distance in a direction away from the postal item transport path.
- By arranging that the envelope is in alignment with the envelope alignment axis and the postal item is in alignment with postal item alignment axis, the method of the present invention enables, in a simple manner, precise pre-alignment of a postal item and an envelope necessary for reliable insertion to be achieved.
- According to a second aspect, the present invention may provide an apparatus for inserting postal items into envelopes, comprising:
- a postal item transport path comprising a postal item edge guide having an alignment surface for engaging an edge of the postal items in at least a section of the transport path, the alignment surface defining a postal item alignment axis along the postal item transport path;
- an envelope holder for holding an envelope in an inserting position with an open end oriented towards the postal item transport path, the envelope holder comprising an envelope edge guide having an alignment surface for engaging an edge of the envelope at an inserting position, the alignment surface defining an envelope alignment axis at the inserting position;
- the postal item transport path further comprising a driving structure for displacing the postal items along the postal item transport path into the envelope,
- wherein the apparatus is arranged such that the postal items are urged against the postal item edge guide, the envelopes are urged against the envelope edge guide, and the envelope alignment axis is parallel to and spaced from the postal item alignment axis by a predetermined distance in a direction away from the postal item transport path.
- By the postal item edge guide and the envelope edge guide defining alignment surfaces for the postal items and the envelopes, respectively, having a predetermined spatial relation, the apparatus of the present invention is able to achieve, in a simple manner, the precise pre-alignment of a postal item and an envelope necessary for reliable insertion.
- As used in the context of the present invention, the term "postal item" is to be construed broadly so as to cover not only printed material such as documents, magazines, books and the like, but also other suitable inserts such as CDs, DVDs and the like, and any combinations thereof.
- Particular elaborations and embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the dependent claims.
- Further features, effects and details of the invention appear from the detailed description and the drawings.
- Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:
-
Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a document processing system; -
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the part of the inserting apparatus shown inside the region A ofFigure 1 illustrating an inserting operation; -
Figure 3 shows a view from above of a first construction of the part of the inserting apparatus shown inside the region B ofFigure 1 ; -
Figure 4 shows a side view of a second construction of the part of the inserting apparatus shown inside the region B ofFigure 1 ; -
Figure 5 shows a view from above of a third construction of the part of the inserting apparatus shown inside the region B ofFigure 1 ; and -
Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a fourth construction of the part of the inserting apparatus shown inside the region B ofFigure 1 taken along the axis A-A. - A schematic view of a
document processing system 1 is shown inFigure 1 . - The
system 1 includes an apparatus, generally designated 10, for insertingdocuments 2 intoenvelopes 4 in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention. - The
apparatus 10 is shown mounted for operation between anenvelope dispenser 50 and adocument preparation system 60, such as a sheet feeder, a copying system or a printing system, each optionally with a sheet folder. The envelope dispenser 50 stores a stack of envelopes, separatesindividual envelopes 4 from the stack and feeds them, in a flap-extended condition as shown, onto anenvelope transport path 6 for transportation to aninserting position 11. InFigure 1 , two instances of anindividual envelope 4 are shown for illustration purposes: a first instance just as it enters theapparatus 10, and a second instance when it has reached theinserting position 11. Thedocument preparation system 60 after having prepared a document delivers it to adocument transport path 8 along which it is transported and inserted into the envelope by theapparatus 10. InFigure 1 , three instances of anindividual document 2 are shown for illustration purposes: a first instance as it approaches theapparatus 10, a second instance as it travels along a first,alignment section 8b of thetransport path 8, and a third instance when it reaches a pre-inserting position in a second,continuation section 8a of the transport path just prior to commencement of the inserting operation. - The
apparatus 10 is provided with a guide means 12. The guide means 12 comprises anenvelope edge guide 14 having analignment surface 15. Theenvelope edge guide 14 laterally bounds theenvelope transport path 6 at theinserting position 11 and a section thereof immediately before the inserting position, and itsalignment surface 15 defines an intended envelope alignment axis Xe. The guide means 12 further comprises adocument edge guide 16 having analignment surface 17. Thedocument edge guide 16 laterallybounds sections document transport path 8, and itsalignment surface 17 defines an intended document alignment axis Xd. As can be seen fromFigure 1 , the envelope alignment axis Xe and the document alignment axis Xd are parallel with the envelope alignment axis Xe being outwardly offset by a predetermined distance D. - The apparatus is constructed such that the
document 2 produced by thedocument preparation system 60, as it progresses along thefirst alignment section 8b of thedocument transport path 8, is urged or steered such that it travels obliquely in a direction along and towards thedocument edge guide 16 as indicated by thearrow 9b. Although the component of the motion imparted is small in the cross-transport path or lateral direction as compared with the along-transport path direction, anedge 2a of thedocument 2 enters into engagement with thealignment surface 17 while still in thealignment section 8b. In being urged to converge with thealignment surface 17 in the manner described, theedge 2a of thedocument 2 is brought into precise alignment with the intended document alignment axis Xd. A number of preferred constructions for imparting the required sidewards or lateral motion to thedocument 2 in thealignment section 8b are described in more detail below. - The
apparatus 10 is further constructed such that thedocument 2 is then conveyed along thecontinuation section 8a of thetransport path 8. In this section, thedocument 2 travels in the direction of thetransport path 8, as indicated by thearrow 9a, with itsedge 2a remaining flush with thealignment surface 17. In other embodiments (not shown), thedocument edge guide 16 need not extend into thecontinuation section 8a of thetransport path 8. -
Figure 2 shows an inserting operation in progress. As is visible inFigure 2 , thecontinuation section 8a of thedocument transport path 8 comprises a continuation section drive structure including a pair ofendless belts 20, each having a pushingfinger 21. Thedocument 2 is supported by the surface of the belts and is pushed by the pushingfingers 21 as thebelts 20 are circulated, thereby conveying thedocument 2 along thecontinuation section 8a of thedocument transport path 8. - In
Figure 2 , anenvelope 4 is shown already held at theinserting position 11 by aholder 28 with anedge 4a in precise alignment with thealignment surface 15 of theenvelope edge guide 14. In addition to theenvelope edge guide 14, theholder 28 comprises anenvelope opening device 30 comprisingopening assemblies opening assembly suction assembly opening finger opening assemblies envelope 4, thesuction assembly 31a is pushed against anouter surface 4b of the lower face of the envelope and activated creating suction which pulls the lower face of the envelope into engagement with thesuction assembly 31a opening up the gap for the opening finger 32 to enter the throat of theenvelope 4. - A similar procedure is repeated with the
opening assembly 30b. With bothopening fingers envelope 4, it may be kept open to the necessary degree to allow inserting to be performed. In a preferred mode of operation, theopening finger 32b is maintained at a fixed distance from the envelope alignment axis Xe independent of the width of the documents or envelopes, and theopening finger 32a is inserted at a fixed distance from the envelope alignment axis Xe and then subsequently urged away from the envelope alignment axis Xe until it abuts the edge of the envelope opposite to theedge 4a. - Thus, in use, the
envelope 4 is held at theinserting position 11 by theholder 28 with its throat opened to thecontinuation section 8a of thetransport path 8 while thedocument 2 is conveyed along thecontinuation section 8a of thetransport path 8. Since theedge 4a of theenvelope 4 is in precise alignment with the envelope alignment axis Xe , and theedge 2a of the document, having already been brought into the document alignment axis Xd in thealignment section 8a, remains in alignment with document alignment axis Xd, theenvelope 4 and thedocument 2 have a predetermined spatial relation and orientation which substantially guarantees thedocument 2 may pass into theenvelope 4 without catching any edges at the throat of theenvelope 4, thereby allowing insertion to be reliably achieved. Since alignment is accomplished with respect to a single edge of the document and a single edge of the envelope, successful inserting of successively different widths of documents and envelopes may be performed using the same guide means 12 or with theguides -
Figure 3 shows a view from above of a first construction of thealignment section 8b of thetransport path 8. Thealignment section 8b comprises asupport floor 35 having a line oftransport rollers 37 recessed within it such that only a small portion of their upper circumference protrudes above the floor surface. Each of therollers 37 is obliquely oriented in the same direction along and towards thedocument edge guide 16. As adocument 2 enters thealignment section 8b therollers 37 are driven so as to transport thedocument 2 along thealignment section 8b. Because of the orientation of therollers 37, thedocument 2 is carried in the direction indicated by the arrow R, whereby theedge 2a of thedocument 2 is driven into engagement with thealignment surface 17 thereby bringing theedge 2a of thedocument 2 into precise alignment with the document alignment axis Xd. It will be appreciated that, according to this first construction, therollers 37 both impart the motive drive to thedocument 2 and cause the sidewards displacement necessary for alignment. -
Figure 4 shows a side view of a second construction of thealignment section 8b of thetransport path 8. Thealignment section 8b comprises a transport member in the form of drivenbelt 40 which is oriented obliquely along and towards the document edge guide 16 i.e. in the direction ofarrow 9b inFigure 1 . (The orientation of the driven belt is not apparent from theFigure 4 view.) Thedocument 2 is held in contact with the surface of the drivenbelt 40 by a pressingmember 42 comprising an array of freely rotatingballs 42. Theballs 42 press against thedocument 2 ensuring that it remains in firm contact with the surface of thebelt 40 while allowing thedocument 2 to follow the path of thebelt 40. Following the path of thebelt 40, thedocument 2 is brought into engagement with thealignment surface 17 and theedge 2a of thedocument 2 thereby into precise alignment with the document alignment axis Xd. It will be appreciated that, according to this second construction, it is the path of the transport member itself that produces the sidewards displacement necessary for alignment. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the pressingmember 42 may comprise a set of freely steering caster rollers. In a still further alternative embodiment (not shown), the pressing member may be omitted. -
Figure 5 shows a view from above of a third construction of thealignment section 8b of thetransport path 8. Thealignment section 8b comprises asupport floor 35 having a line ofrollers 37 mounted for free rotation within recesses formed in thefloor 35 such that only a small portion of their upper circumference protrudes above the floor surface. Each of therollers 37 is obliquely oriented in the same direction along and towards thedocument edge guide 16. Thealignment section 8b further comprises transport members in the form of a pair ofendless belts 42 arranged in parallel and positioned on opposite sides of thesupport floor 35. Eachbelt 42 includes a pushingfinger 43. Thedocument 2 is supported by the surface of the belts and pushed by the pushingfingers 43. As thedocument 2 is driven over therollers 37, the engagement of thedocument 2 with the exposed upper circumference of therollers 37 causes their rotation. The rotation of therollers 37 carries thedocument 2 in the direction indicated by the arrow R, whereby theedge 2a of thedocument 2 is brought into engagement with thealignment surface 17 and into precise alignment with the document alignment axis Xd. It will be appreciated that, according to this third construction, thetransport members 42 impart the motive drive to the document 3, while it is the freely-rotatingrollers 37 that produce the sidewards displacement necessary for alignment. This third construction is advantageous in that theendless belts 42 may be arranged to drive thedocument 2 not only in thealignment section 8b but also thecontinuation section 8a of thetransport path 8, i.e. theendless belts -
Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a fourth construction of thealignment section 8b of thetransport path 8. Thealignment section 8b comprises asplit floor structure 35 made up of a pair ofsupport members endless belt 45 having a pushingfinger 46 is arranged to circulate in the gap between thesupport members document 2 along thealignment section 8b. As thedocument 2 is driven by theendless belt 45 onto thesplit floor structure 35, gravity acts on thedocument 2 and it slides down the support plane, as illustrated by arrow Y, until itsedge 2a comes into engagement with thealignment surface 17 and is thereby brought into alignment with the document alignment axis Xd. It will be appreciated that, according to this fourth construction, thetransport member 45 imparts the motive drive to the document, while it is the inclination of thealignment section 8b of the transport path that produces the sidewards displacement necessary for alignment. - The magnitude of D1, the offset between the envelope alignment axis Xe and the document alignment axis Xd necessary to ensure reliable inserting, may depend on a variety of practical factors related to the construction of the
apparatus 10 and the nature of the documents and envelopes. To this end, in one embodiment, theapparatus 10 may include means for calibrating the distance D by adjustment of the relative lateral position one or both of theguides
Claims (10)
- A method of inserting postal items into envelopes, comprising, for each of said envelopes:holding the envelope in an inserting position with an open end oriented towards a postal item transport path and with an envelope edge perpendicular to the open end against an alignment surface that defines an envelope alignment axis at the inserting position;displacing one or more of the postal items along the postal item transport path into the envelope, an edge of the or each postal item, at least partway along the transport path, being urged against and guided by an alignment surface that defines a postal item alignment axis along the postal item transport path,wherein the envelope alignment axis is parallel to and spaced from the postal item alignment axis by a predetermined distance in a direction away from the postal item transport path.
- A method according to claim 1, wherein at least successive ones of the envelopes include envelopes of different widths or successive ones of the postal items include postal items of different widths, wherein the postal items are inserted into the envelopes with said edge guides in continuously stationary positions.
- A method according to claim 2, wherein envelope opening fingers are inserted into each of the envelopes and open a throat of the envelope for facilitating insertion of the postal item or items therein and wherein a fixed distance transverse to the envelope alignment axis between a finger most closely to the envelope alignment axis is maintained at least during and between insertion of the postal items of different widths or during and between insertion of the postal items into the envelopes of different widths.
- A method according to claim 3, wherein at least one finger is inserted into each envelope at a fixed distance from the envelope alignment axis and subsequently urged away from the envelope alignment axis until abutting an edge of the envelope remote from the envelope alignment axis.
- An apparatus for inserting postal items into envelopes, comprising:a postal item transport path comprising a postal item edge guide having an alignment surface for engaging an edge of the postal items in at least a section of the transport path, the alignment surface defining a postal item alignment axis along the postal item transport path;an envelope holder for holding an envelope in an inserting position with an open end oriented towards the postal item transport path, the envelope holder comprising an envelope edge guide having an alignment surface for engaging an edge of the envelope at an inserting position, the alignment surface defining an envelope alignment axis at the inserting position;the postal item transport path further comprising a driving structure for displacing the postal items along the postal item transport path into the envelope,wherein the apparatus is arranged such that the postal items are urged against the postal item edge guide, the envelopes are urged against the envelope edge guide, and the envelope alignment axis is parallel to and spaced from the postal item alignment axis by a predetermined distance in a direction away from the postal item transport path.
- An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the drive structure includes circulatable postal item transport members of which an outer circumference is circulatable along a path having a section oriented obliquely in a direction along and towards said postal item edge guide.
- An apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the postal item transport path comprises support members defining an inclined support plane, the postal item edge guide extending along and bounding a lower end of the support plane.
- An apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the envelope holder includes circulatable envelope transport members of which an outer circumference is circulatable along a path having a section oriented obliquely in a direction along and towards the envelope edge guide.
- An apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the envelope edge guide and the postal item edge guide are fixedly connected relative to each other.
- An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the envelope edge guide and the postal item edge guide are integrally formed.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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EP10075036A EP2347917A1 (en) | 2010-01-22 | 2010-01-22 | Inserting postal items into envelopes |
US13/012,389 US20110203230A1 (en) | 2010-01-22 | 2011-01-24 | Inserting postal items into envelopes |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP10075036A EP2347917A1 (en) | 2010-01-22 | 2010-01-22 | Inserting postal items into envelopes |
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EP2347917A1 true EP2347917A1 (en) | 2011-07-27 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP10075036A Withdrawn EP2347917A1 (en) | 2010-01-22 | 2010-01-22 | Inserting postal items into envelopes |
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US (1) | US20110203230A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2347917A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
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WO2015073074A1 (en) * | 2013-11-13 | 2015-05-21 | T.S.D. Llc | Apparatus for inserting documents into envelopes and associated method |
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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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2010
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- 2011-01-24 US US13/012,389 patent/US20110203230A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2015073074A1 (en) * | 2013-11-13 | 2015-05-21 | T.S.D. Llc | Apparatus for inserting documents into envelopes and associated method |
US9452635B2 (en) | 2013-11-13 | 2016-09-27 | T.S.D. Llc | Apparatus for inserting documents into envelopes and associated method |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US20110203230A1 (en) | 2011-08-25 |
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