EP2347917A1 - Insertion d'articles postaux dans des enveloppes - Google Patents

Insertion d'articles postaux dans des enveloppes Download PDF

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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
Authority
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP10075036A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Harrie Heemstra
Herman Sytema
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Quadient Technologies France SA
Original Assignee
Neopost Technologies SA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Neopost Technologies SA filed Critical Neopost Technologies SA
Priority to EP10075036A priority Critical patent/EP2347917A1/fr
Priority to US13/012,389 priority patent/US20110203230A1/en
Publication of EP2347917A1 publication Critical patent/EP2347917A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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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  • Registering Or Overturning Sheets (AREA)
EP10075036A 2010-01-22 2010-01-22 Insertion d'articles postaux dans des enveloppes Withdrawn EP2347917A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP10075036A EP2347917A1 (fr) 2010-01-22 2010-01-22 Insertion d'articles postaux dans des enveloppes
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 (fr) 2010-01-22 2010-01-22 Insertion d'articles postaux dans des enveloppes

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2347917A1 true EP2347917A1 (fr) 2011-07-27

Family

ID=42045307

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP10075036A Withdrawn EP2347917A1 (fr) 2010-01-22 2010-01-22 Insertion d'articles postaux dans des enveloppes

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20110203230A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP2347917A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2015073074A1 (fr) * 2013-11-13 2015-05-21 T.S.D. Llc Appareil pour l'insertion de documents dans des enveloppes et procédé associé

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
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

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3858381A (en) * 1973-07-18 1975-01-07 Xerox Corp Envelope stuffing apparatus
US4020615A (en) * 1975-12-15 1977-05-03 Pitney-Bowes, Inc. Envelope inserter and feeder system
US7398635B2 (en) 2006-01-11 2008-07-15 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and device for aligning a receiving envelope in a mail inserter

Family Cites Families (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3423900A (en) * 1965-01-18 1969-01-28 Bell & Howell Co Collating-inserting machine
US4548400A (en) * 1980-11-26 1985-10-22 Pitney Bowes, Inc. Inserter gauging system
US5052168A (en) * 1990-02-05 1991-10-01 Opex Corporation Method and apparatus for spreading open envelopes
US5255498A (en) * 1990-11-02 1993-10-26 Pitney Bowes Inc. Envelope stuffing apparatus
FR2669270A1 (fr) * 1990-11-16 1992-05-22 Alcatel Satmam Dispositif pour ouvrir des enveloppes.
CN1051963C (zh) * 1993-05-21 2000-05-03 朗福德设备国际有限公司 信封装件机
US5447015A (en) * 1993-11-01 1995-09-05 Pitney Bowes Inc. High speed insertion device
US5581972A (en) * 1995-07-03 1996-12-10 Pitney Bowes Inc. Container opening apparatus
US6098374A (en) * 1998-08-14 2000-08-08 Pitney Bowes Inc. Envelope opening apparatus
US6425223B1 (en) * 1999-09-29 2002-07-30 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and device for maintaining the opening position of an envelope
DE10220908C1 (de) * 2002-05-10 2003-06-18 Pitney Bowes Technologies Gmbh Kuvertierstation für Postbearbeitungssysteme
US6978583B2 (en) * 2002-12-30 2005-12-27 Pitney Bowes Inc. High speed vacuum system for inserters
US7155878B2 (en) * 2004-08-31 2007-01-02 Pitney Bowes Inc. Device for opening the throat of an envelope in an insertion station
EP2243637B1 (fr) * 2009-04-24 2014-05-21 Neopost Technologies Appareil d'insertion d'enveloppes

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3858381A (en) * 1973-07-18 1975-01-07 Xerox Corp Envelope stuffing apparatus
US4020615A (en) * 1975-12-15 1977-05-03 Pitney-Bowes, Inc. Envelope inserter and feeder system
US7398635B2 (en) 2006-01-11 2008-07-15 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and device for aligning a receiving envelope in a mail inserter

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2015073074A1 (fr) * 2013-11-13 2015-05-21 T.S.D. Llc Appareil pour l'insertion de documents dans des enveloppes et procédé associé
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
US20110203230A1 (en) 2011-08-25

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