Patent ID: 8281919
Filing Date: 2012-10-09
Classification: B43M

Abstract:
1. A system for controlling friction forces acting on a mailpiece in a mailpiece insertion module, comprising: at least one friction drive belt adapted to define a substantially planar friction drive surface for conveying an envelope along a feed path; a repositionable backstop assembly disposed along the feed path and, in a first position, operative to arrest the motion of the envelope and, in a second position, operative to permit continued motion of the envelope along the feed path, a backstop actuator operative to position the backstop assembly into the first and second positions and consuming energy to maintain the backstop assembly in the first position; a sensor for acquiring data indicative of the magnitude of energy consumed by the actuator and providing a data signal indicative of the energy consumption data; a means for developing a pressure differential across the envelope to urge the envelope into frictional engagement with the drive belts and for developing friction forces along a mating interface between the envelope and the at least one friction drive belt, and a system controller, responsive to the data signal, for varying the magnitude of the pressure differential and the friction forces developed along the mating interface of the envelope.