Apparatus and method for opening and sorting envelopes

摘要

An apparatus is provided for processing mail by severing an edge of each envelope in a stack of mail. The apparatus includes an input bin for receiving a stack of mail. A feeder feeds the bottom envelope from the input bin to a transport that conveys the envelope along an envelope path. A cutter positioned along the envelope path severs one edge of the envelopes. A detector detects a characteristic of the envelope and a sorter sorts the envelope in response to the detected characteristic.

主权项

1. An apparatus for opening envelopes, comprising:
an input bin for receiving a stack of envelopes; a transport for conveying the envelopes along an envelope path; a sensor for detecting the height of an envelope while the transport conveys the envelope in a face down orientation a cutter positioned along the envelope path operable to sever an edge of the envelope wherein the cutter is positioned adjacent the sensor so that the cutter cuts the envelope while the sensor detects the height of the envelope; a gate moveable between a first position and a second position to direct the envelope toward a first area or a second area after the cutter severs an edge of the envelope; a controller operable to control the gate in response to the height of the envelope detected by the sensor.