Ricoh has filed a patent for an envelope processing apparatus that inserts an enclosure into an envelope. The apparatus includes two conveyors, two ejectors, and circuitry to control the conveyance operation. The first conveyor conveys the enclosure to an enclosing position, while the second conveyor conveys the envelope to the same position and then to the first ejector. The enclosure is ejected to a separate second ejector. GlobalData’s report on Ricoh gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Ricoh, E-transaction user interfaces was a key innovation area identified from patents. Ricoh's grant share as of September 2023 was 26%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Envelope processing apparatus for inserting enclosure into envelope
A recently filed patent (Publication Number: US20230311561A1) describes an envelope processing apparatus designed to insert an enclosure into an envelope. The apparatus includes a first conveyor that conveys the enclosure to an enclosing position, a first ejector for the envelope, and a second conveyor that transports the envelope to the enclosing position via a vertical conveyance passage. The second conveyor also conveys the envelope with the enclosure to the first ejector. The apparatus is controlled by circuitry that manages the conveyance operation of both conveyors.
Claim 2 of the patent states that if either the enclosure or the envelope is in an abnormal conveyance state on either conveyor, the circuitry will control the conveyance operation to eject the unaffected enclosure and envelope to the appropriate ejector. Similarly, claim 3 specifies that if an abnormal conveyance state occurs on the second conveyor, the circuitry will eject the enclosure being conveyed by the first conveyor to the second ejector. Conversely, claim 4 states that if an abnormal conveyance state occurs on the first conveyor, the circuitry will eject the enclosure being conveyed by the second conveyor to the first ejector.
Claim 5 introduces the concept of a second ejector that is capable of performing a reverse conveyance operation, allowing the ejected enclosure to be returned to the first conveyor. Claim 6 explains that the first and second conveyors can operate in both a normal conveyance direction and a reverse conveyance direction, depending on the occurrence of an abnormal conveyance state. The circuitry controls the switching of the conveyance operation based on the position of the abnormal conveyance state.
The envelope processing apparatus described in the patent also includes a sealer that is responsible for sealing the envelope once the enclosure is inserted. Additionally, the patent mentions an image forming system that incorporates the envelope processing apparatus along with an image forming apparatus that can print images onto sheet-shaped mediums.
Overall, this patent describes an envelope processing apparatus with advanced control circuitry that can detect and respond to abnormal conveyance states, ensuring efficient and accurate insertion of enclosures into envelopes. The apparatus offers flexibility in conveyance direction and includes a reverse conveyance operation for ejected enclosures. The inclusion of a sealer and its compatibility with an image forming system further enhances its functionality.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
