GB1423243A - Device for cutting open letter envelopes - Google Patents

Abstract

1423243 Cutting apparatus FRAMA AG 9 Oct 1973 [9 Oct 1972] 47102/73 Heading B4B A device for cutting open envelopes comprises a conveyer 3 for moving an envelope with its edge to be cut along a guide surface defining a first vertical plane, a pair of co-operating cutters 10, 11 defining a second vertical cutting plane which is adjustable with respect to the first plane, a sensing member 35 engageable by the envelope as it moves along the guide surface and an adjusting mechanism responsive to the movement of the sensing member to move at least one of the cutters so that the cutting plane is moved relative to the plane of the guide surface as a function of the thickness of the envelope sensed by the sensing member. The guide surface is defined by a wall 5 extending vertically from a horizontal envelope support surface 4 of the device. The cutters comprise a member 11 mounted on a shaft 15 which is rotatable in a wall 8 of the device, the shaft being rotated by a motor 50 via a belt 13; the shaft 15 also rotates the conveyer belt 3 whose upper reach extends through a slot 9 in the support surface 4. The upper cutter 10 is fixed to a shaft 21 which is rotatable in bearings 27, 28, Fig. 3, and may be driven by its own motor or by a belt from the shaft 15. The cutter 10 is secured to a block 20 housing a thrust bearing 22 which, via a plate 26, contacts an actuator disc 25. The disc is formed with cam-shaped recesses 37 which co-operate with balls 36 abutting a disc 32; the disc 25 is provided with a lever portion 25a which is coupled by a pin 44 to the envelope-thickness sensing member 35. In operation, when an extra thick envelope passes under the sensing member, the latter pivots thereby causing the disc 25 to rotate slightly and thus, via the ball and recesses 36, 37 move the cutting edge of the cutter 10 further away from the guide surface 5. In order to accommodate the latter adjustment, the axial width of the peripheral surface of the cutter member 11 is sufficient to allow the cutting edge to move across; the member 11 is urged by a spring into contact with the cutting edge. In order to adjust the initial setting of the cutting edge relative to the guide surface the disc 32 is threaded on to a sleeve 31, Fig. 3, so that by rotation of the disc its axial position is altered; notches 33 are provided in the periphery of the disc 32 so that the latter can be locked in a set position by means of a pawl (34) Fig. 4 (not shown) engaging a selected notch.