Patent ID: 7600755
Filing Date: 2009-10-13
Classification: B43M

Abstract:
1. A vacuum deck for a mailpiece insertion module, comprising: a plurality of laterally-spaced friction drive belts adapted to define a substantially planar friction drive surface for conveying the envelope along a feed path; a support plate slideably supporting an underside surface of the friction drive belts, the support plate including a plurality of vacuum apertures disposed between adjacent drive belts, 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 means for developing, in fluid communication with the vacuum apertures of the support plate, a pressure differential across the envelope and urging the envelope into frictional engagement with the drive belts, and a breaker plate disposed over and across an upstream portion of the friction drive belts to reduce friction drive forces developed along an upstream end portion of the envelope thereby increasing the buckling stability of the envelope.