| 摘要 |
An envelope hopper (20) is capable of selectively handling stacks of short envelopes (SE), stacks of long envelopes (LE), or stacks of envelopes of intermediate dimensions. The envelope stack rests on a table frame (26) in such a manner that at least a portion of a bottom-most envelope overhangs a breaker plate edge (32). At appropriate points in an machine cycle suction cups (64) rise from below a breaker plate (30) to attract the underside of the overhanging envelope and then fall to deflect the attracted envelope. Rotating arcuate surfaces (202) of segmented rollers (66) thereafter make contact with the underside of the deflected envelope. Cooperating rollers (72) are pivoted into a position to contact the upperside of the deflected envelope, to engage the deflected envelope between the rollers (72) and the driven segmented roller (66), and to apply a pressure which facilitates displacement of the envelope from the stack by the application of rotational motion from the segmented roller (66). The extent to which the envelope is fed from the stack and into awaiting gripper jaw (52) is dependent upon the extent of the motion of the rollers (72), as well as upon the distance separating the hopper (20) from transportation discharge means (54). The hopper (20) is further provided with an adjustable stack alignment guide (40) for accommodating envelope stacks of differing envelope sizes. |
