Patent ID: 6718731
Filing Date: 2004-04-13
Classification: B43M

Abstract:
A machine for inserting preselected items such as sheets of paper into envelopes, comprising:a sheet insertion station where sheets are inserted into envelopes; an elongate sheet feed conveyor means that delivers sheets to be inserted into envelopes at said sheet insertion station; said sheet insertion station being aligned with said elongate sheet feed conveyor means; said elongate sheet feed conveyor means including a table having a top surface; an insert plate lying flush with said top surface; a plurality of parallel, horizontally disposed, transversely spaced apart air jets formed in said insert plate; each air jet of said plurality of air jets having a longitudinal axis parallel with a longitudinal axis of said elongate sheet feed conveyor means; a sensor means for detecting the presence of an envelope at said sheet insertion station, said sensor means adapted to generate a signal when an envelope is detected at said sheet insertion station; and a pneumatic means activated by said signal that delivers a brief puff of air from said air jets, said brief puff of air opening an envelope at said sheet insertion station at least momentarily to enable insertion of a sheet thereinto.