IP Library Granted Patent US 8,453,418
Granted Patent B2
US 8,453,418 · App. 12/796,104 · Granted Jun 4, 2013

Document inserting apparatus

Inventors: Damon Smith (Essex, GB); David Dronsfield (Essex, GB)
Assignee: Neopost Technologies
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,453,418
App. No.
12/796,104
Granted
Jun 4, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus for inserting a document into an envelope. The apparatus includes a mechanism for holding an envelope at an insert station; pivotally mounted fingers for opening the envelope; and a platform for guiding the document over the fingers and into the envelope. The platform is pivoted at an upstream end and upwardly spring biased so that the platform is depressed against the spring bias, by an amount dependent on the weight of the insert document moving over, so that a light insert document follows a path which subtends a steeper angle to the horizontal compared to a heavy insert document.

Claims (8)

1. An apparatus for inserting a document into an envelope, the apparatus comprising:

an envelope holder for holding an envelope at an insert station;

pivotally mounted insertion fingers for opening the envelope; and

a platform for guiding the document to be inserted over the fingers and into the envelope, the platform being pivoted at an upstream end so that a light insert document follows a path which subtends a steeper angle to the horizontal compared to a heavy insert document,

wherein the platform is upwardly biased by a spring so that the platform is automatically depressed against the spring by an amount dependent on the weight of the insert document on the platform.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising transport rollers for holding an envelope flap at the insert station.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the insertion fingers are rotatably attached to a finger body and rotate about an axis by an amount dependent on the weight of the insert document passing over the fingers.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising a bridging piece arranged to bias upwardly the upper edge of the envelope opening.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 10, 2010
From: SMITH, DAMON; DRONSFIELD, DAVID
To: NEOPOST TECHNOLOGIES
Reel/Frame 024816/0478 →
Priority Claims (1)
GB 0910146.0 · Jun 12, 2009 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100313530A1 · Dec 16, 2010