Inserter apparatus

Inactive Publication Date: 2010-02-04
NEOPOST TECH SA
View PDF17 Cites 9 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]The parameters from which the predetermined time is calculated may be stored as job-

Problems solved by technology

If the contents are incorrectly aligned with the opening of the envelope then they will not fit into the envelope pouch and the envelope and / or the contents will be damaged, and the production line will need to be halted to clear debris from the inserter station.
Equally, if the contents are not pushed completely into the envelope then the flap will not fold back, or seal, and production will be lost and delayed.
Although this makes it easier to ensure accuracy, it is a relatively slow method.
If the timing is wrong then either the insert does not fit completely into the envelope, or it hits the bottom of the envelope while the envelope is being held, and the impact can then damage the envelope and / or the insert.
In addition a lightweight insert may have insufficient momentum to overcome the inertia of the envelope to drive it fully out of the inserter station.
However positional control and coordination of such a system is difficult and the envelope may move early, ahead of the insert, or late such that the envelope is driven by the insert instead of the rollers.
It is a challenge to ensure that the insert and the envelope move in unison and engage together accurately at high speed regardless of size, shape, strength and weight.

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Inserter apparatus
  • Inserter apparatus
  • Inserter apparatus

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0019]In FIG. 1 a content pack 1 is shown, on a content conveyor platform 2, moving in the direction of arrow 3 towards an envelope 4. The envelope 4 rests on an insertion platform 5 with its flap 8 open, and is held in position at the inserter station, by a gripping mechanism which grips the envelope flap 8. The gripping mechanism comprises a grip bearing 6 and grip rollers 7 (one of which can be seen in the figure).

[0020]In FIG. 2 more detail is shown. The content pack 1 is driven along the content conveyor platform 2, by a kicker drive pawl 9 attached to a kicker pawl belt 10. A second kicker drive pawl 19 is positioned at a diametrically opposed position on the belt 10, so that two content packs can be driven with one rotation of the belt. Of course any reasonable number of pawls may be attached to the belt to drive successive content packs. The kicker pawl belt 10 is driven by a kicker drive stepper motor 11, which drives a wheel 12 by a kicker drive belt 13. The gripping mecha...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

PropertyMeasurementUnit
Thicknessaaaaaaaaaa
Accelerationaaaaaaaaaa
Depthaaaaaaaaaa
Login to View More

Abstract

Apparatus for inserting a content pack into an envelope, the apparatus comprising: a gripping mechanism; means for operating the gripping mechanism to hold an envelope; means for opening a throat of the envelope; means for moving the content pack in a direction toward and into the throat of the envelope; means for accelerating the envelope in the direction of movement of the content pack while the gripping mechanism is operational; and means for releasing the gripping mechanism at a predetermined time, to release the envelope, the predetermined time being while the content pack is at least partially inserted into the envelope, and being predetermined in dependence upon parameters comprising at least the content pack depth and the envelope depth.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to an inserter apparatus particularly for a paper handling machine used for inserting documents and inserts into envelopes, and a method of controlling such apparatus.[0002]In the paper handling industry envelopes are required to be filled with contents which may include documents such as personally printed letters, standard pre-printed letters, leaflets, brochures, and other inserts such as credit cards. There are many steps required to fill an envelope with such contents. Firstly both the envelope and the contents (suitably folded if necessary) must be transported from storage hoppers of the respective items along paths which converge at an inserter station. Then the envelope flap must be folded out, the envelope pouch opened enough to give clearance to insert the contents, and then the contents must be pushed into the envelope. The flap of the filled envelope must be closed and sealed, and finally the envelope must be...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
IPC IPC(8): B65B5/04B65B43/26
CPCB43M3/045B43M3/04B43M5/04B43M5/042
InventorWILLIAMS, CHRISTOPHER HUGH
OwnerNEOPOST TECH SA