Patent GB-988019-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in mail handling device
IPC: B07C1/04
Filed: 1962-11-12
Abstract: 988,019. Feeding sheets. PITNEY-BOWES Inc. Nov. 12, 1962 [Dec. 21, 1961], No. 42721/62. Heading B6B. [Also in Division B8] An apparatus for feeding letter mail from a hopper 38 to an edging and streaming device 24 comprises an inclined endless friction belt 50 and a plurality of de-clumping rollers 94 adjacent to and spaced above the forward end of the upper belt span 52. The belt 50 which is mounted on rollers 44, 48 on a frame 30 is driven through a speed reduction unit 66 and belts connecting pulleys 62,64,68,72, by means of a motor 56. The pulley 72 is connected to the input side of an electrically operated clutch, the output of which is connected to the belt roller 48. The rollers 94 in the form of steel discs with a periphery of rubber are spaced along a shaft 96 and are driven by a motor 108 and chain 112, at a linear velocity greater than that of the adjacent belt 50. The uppermost pieces of a clump of letter mail arriving at the rollers 94 are thus impelled into a shoot 22 communicating with the edging device. The shaft 96 is rotatably mounted on arms 100 which are fixed to a rockable shaft 102. An arm 116, adjustably fixed to the shaft 102, engages and adjustable stop on a bracket 104 of the framed 30, to fix the minimum gap between the rollers 94 and the belt 50. When a first pre-determined maximum gap between these rollers and belt is exceeded, a first electrical switch 124 mounted on the bracket 104 is tripped by the arm 116, the clutch is disengaged by energization of a solenoid 80 and the belt 50 is stopped until the gap is reduced by dispersal of the clump of letter mail. If, however, a single piece of letter mail causes the switch 124 to trip, the excessive drag on the motor 108 operates a relay causing de-energization of the solenoid 80 and re-engagement of the clutch, the velocity differential of the belt and rollers maintaining the overload condition until the single piece of mail is driven through the gap. When a second pre-determined maximum gap is exceeded, a second electrical switch 126 is tripped and a relay is operated which stops the drive to the belt 50 and to the rollers 94, until a manual reset switch is operated. Prior to reaching the rollers 94, the letter mail encounters de-clumping means comprising a plurality of pivoted metal plates 82, the undersides of which are lined with friction members 90. These plates are inclined to the belt 50 and get successively closer to the belt in the proximity of the rollers 94. Letter mail delivered to the rotaty edging and streaming device 24 is oriented with its short edges foremost, either by the shape of the shoot 22 or by a radially adjustable presser member 220 comprising a bristle brush. The edging device 24 comprises a horizontal annular disc 182, surfaced with rubber, rotatable on rollers 184, driven by a roller 192 and stabilized by rollers 194, 196, all mounted on a supporting table. The roller 192 is driven by a motor 214. An upstanding guide 218 and cover plate 230, 236 are disposed at the outer periphery of the annular disc 182. A further presser member- 240 mounted on the cover 230 comprises a flap of rubber to assist in streaming the mail on the annular disc 182. Oversize letter mail L<SP>11</SP> are removed from the annular disc 182 by means of a " snatcher " 244 which comprises three rollers 246, 248, 250 driven by a shaft 258 from a motor 272, in engagement with three respective spring-urged idler rollers. The line of these rollers diverges from the inner periphery of the annular disc 182 to carry the oversize mail to an aperture in the support table. A plate 314 with the guide 218 diverge from the outer periphery of the annular disc 182 in the vicinity of the " snatcher " and carry mail under a flexible finger 316 before passing into a conventional letter turning unit 26. Specifications 895,627 and 970,447 are referred to.