Title: Envelope flap separating mechanism

Abstract: A flap separating mechanism for distending a flap from a body portion of an envelope. An envelope moving through a mail handling system may require its flap to be moistened and sealed. As a prelude to the moistening procedure, the flap of the envelope must be separated from the body portion. The separating mechanism disclosed herein comprises a rotatably affixed belt conveyor and an adjacent ski-like stripper member. The stripper member is movably biased toward said conveyor to provide a normal force on envelopes disposed therebetween. The deflapping mechanism can accommodate envelopes of varying thickness, while providing a fixed plane for the printing of postage on the body portion of the envelopes.

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Inventors: Irvine, Robert (Riverside, CT, US)
Luperti, Harry E. (Wilton, CT, US)

Application Number: 648752
Filing Date: 1976-01-13
Publication_date: 1976-12-14
Assignee: Pitney-Bowes, Inc. (Stamford, CT)
Primary Class(es): 53/381.7
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

1317387	Sep, 1919	Penney et al.	53/266.
2301354	Nov, 1942	Alden	53/266.
3015926	Jan, 1962	Galambos	53/266.
3474711	Oct, 1969	Swinyar	53/384.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: McGehee, Travis S.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Soltow, Jr.; William D., Scribner; Albert W., Salzman; Robert S.