Shuttle envelope feeder with suction cup assist and corresponding method

摘要

An envelope feeder (200) for removing envelopes from an envelope stack. The envelope feeder comprises a shuttle plate (150) and a suction cup assembly. The shuttle plate (150) translates between a position under the envelope stack and another position partially remote from the envelope stack. The shuttle plate (150) includes an orifice (240) passing through its surface (252) and an envelope gripping mechanism (180) in connection with a vacuum valve (256). The suction cup assembly has a suction cup (230) connected to a hollow rod (233) that is in connection with another vacuum valve (238). An actuator (236) engages the suction cup (230) and moves the suction cup between an extended position and a retracted position. The suction cup (230) attaches to an envelope at the bottom of the envelope stack when it is in the extended position, and pulls the envelope toward the shuttle plate (150) as it moves to the retracted position. Then the envelope gripping mechanism (180) retains the envelope, allowing the shuttle plate to remove the envelope from the envelope stack.