Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An on-the-fly envelope stuffing apparatus has an envelope conveyor and an endless tray conveyor running in synchronism. Each tray supports an insert stack. A web pivotally mounted to the tray has rigid members which rest against the stack of inserts. Fingers are pivotally mounted to the web and biased such that the free ends of the fingers are canted toward each other. A protuberance on the tray underlies the inserts and projects beyond the front edge of the tray. As a tray moves downstream in synchronism with an envelope, the tray is cammed towards the envelope so that the protuberance enters the opening of the envelope and passes over any window in the envelope. Additionally, the ends of the rigid members enter the envelope. A pusher on the tray then pushes the inserts towards the envelope and also presses against the fingers so that they move towards the side edges of the envelope. The stack, in consequence of being pushed forward, deflects the free ends of the members upwardly so that these ends more fully open the envelope. As the inserts are further inserted into the envelope, grippers which grip the side edges of the envelope proximate its bottom edge are cammed open to facilitate full insertion of the inserts. Also, the fingers are allowed to partially move back towards each other to remove pressure on the edges of the envelope during insertion.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim