Michael Andrew York

US Patent:

6547078, Apr 15, 2003

Filed:

Aug 23, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/378895

Inventors:

William R. Lile - Medford NJ
Albert F. Stevens - Moorestown NJ
Mark A. Stevens - Medford NJ
Robert R. Dewitt - Marlton NJ
Michael E. York - Cinnaminson NJ
Roy E. Patterson - Tabernacle NJ

Assignee:

Opex Corporation - Moorestown NJ

International Classification:

B07C 502

US Classification:

209539, 209584, 209604, 209900

Abstract:

An apparatus for the automated processing of bulk mail in a continuous and automatic procedure includes an operative combination of processing stations including an input station for receiving incoming mail in bulk fashion and for separating the pieces of mail for individual delivery to the remainder of the apparatus a station for detecting irregularities in the contents of the envelopes, such as metal items, folded contents, or oversized items; a station for outsorting envelopes rejected in accordance with determinations made at the detection station; a station for opening the envelopes, preferably along multiple edges; a station for removing the contents from the opened envelopes, for subsequent processing of the contents; and a series of stations for handling and orienting the contents for subsequent delivery to a plurality of output stackers.

US Patent:

20050097867, May 12, 2005

Filed:

Jan 21, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/348358

Inventors:

John Sammaritano - Marlton NJ, US
Robert DeWitt - Marlton NJ, US
John Forbes - Media PA, US
David Huminski - Medford NJ, US
Kazem Kojouri - Maple Glen PA, US
Joseph Melber - Delran NJ, US
Eric Minbiole - Cherry Hill NJ, US
Michael Sullivan - Ewing NJ, US
Michael York - Cinnaminson NJ, US

International Classification:

B65B043/26

US Classification:

053492000, 053381300

Abstract:

A mail processor and a method for processing mail is provided. The mail processor severs envelopes along one or more edges and transports the envelopes to a work desk where an operator removes contents from the envelopes. A feeder draws envelopes from the bottom of a stack of mail placed in a hopper. The envelopes are serially fed by the feeder to a cutting assembly that severs each envelope along one or more edges. A transport assembly tilts each envelope in an inclined plane and presents the tilted envelope to an operator. An extractor opens the severed faces of the envelope to expose the contents to the operator and permit the operator to remove the contents from the envelope. In one embodiment of the invention, the envelope is discharged from the extractor to a verifier that confirms that the envelope is empty prior to disposal of the envelope.

US Patent:

56514450, Jul 29, 1997

Filed:

Jun 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/479709

Inventors:

Albert F. Stevens - Moorestown NJ
Robert R. DeWitt - Moorestown NJ
Michael E. York - Sicklerville NJ
David Keller - Newtown PA
William R. Lile - Medford NJ

Assignee:

Opex Corporation - Moorestown NJ

International Classification:

B65G 4726
B65H 344

US Classification:

198447

Abstract:

An apparatus for the automated processing of bulk mail which incorporates a number of operating stations that serve to accomplish the various aspects of mail extraction, as well as the subsequent processing of extracted documents, and which are operatively associated with one another to serially process envelopes and extracted documents in continuous fashion and substantially independent of their characteristic features. To this end, the operating stations of the apparatus are configured to be as independent as possible of the characteristics of the envelopes and their contents so that envelopes and contents of varied characteristics can be effectively handled by the apparatus without requiring any significant adjustments. As a result, the apparatus is made capable of processing (as a single job if desired) envelopes and contents of varied characteristics, reducing the need to remove non-conforming envelopes and contents from further processing, and increasing the versatility and productivity of the apparatus.

US Patent:

50620924, Oct 29, 1991

Filed:

Nov 24, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/441014

Inventors:

Bohdan W. Siryj - Cinnaminson NJ
Michael E. York - Gibbsboro NJ

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Camden NJ

International Classification:

G11B 1722

US Classification:

369 38

Abstract:

Apparatus for presenting a desired one of a stack of N information disks with a selected one of its two information surfaces in a desired orientation to an information utilization device. The apparatus includes a mechanism for rotating the disks as a stack to put the selected surface in the desired orientation, for translating the disks as a stack to position the desired disk opposite the utilization device and for translating the desired disk into the utilization device.

US Patent:

50521683, Oct 1, 1991

Filed:

Feb 5, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/475219

Inventors:

Robert R. DeWitt - Marlton NJ
Michael E. York - Gibbsboro NJ

Assignee:

Opex Corporation - Moorestown NJ

International Classification:

B65B 4330

US Classification:

53492

Abstract:

Operations associated with the reciprocating suction arms of a mail extraction device are modified to prevent bleed through from occurring as the opposing faces of an envelope are spread open by the reciprocating arms by drawing an air flow through the suction arms which is sufficient to draw the envelope faces to the suction arms without necessitating their contact with the envelope, and each other. This may be achieved using a vacuum pump of increased output, or by developing a burst in air flow drawn by the suction arms, at an appropriate point just prior to their closure.

US Patent:

54602734, Oct 24, 1995

Filed:

Dec 29, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/175719

Inventors:

Albert F. Stevens - Moorestown NJ
Robert R. DeWitt - Marlton NJ
Michael E. York - Sicklerville NJ
David Keller - Newtown PA
William R. Lile - Medford NJ

Assignee:

Opex Corporation - Moorestown NJ

International Classification:

B07C 502

US Classification:

209584

Abstract:

An apparatus for the automated processing of bulk mail which incorporates a number of operating stations that serve to accomplish the various aspects of mail extraction, as well as the subsequent processing of extracted documents, and which are operatively associated with one another to serially process envelopes and extracted documents in continuous fashion and substantially independent of their characteristic features. To this end, the operating stations of the apparatus are configured to be as independent as possible of the characteristics of the envelopes and their contents so that envelopes and contents of varied characteristics can be effectively handled by the apparatus without requiring any significant adjustments. As a result, the apparatus is made capable of processing (as a single job if desired) envelopes and contents of varied characteristics, reducing the need to remove non-conforming envelopes and contents from further processing, and increasing the versatility and productivity of the apparatus.

US Patent:

58426930, Dec 1, 1998

Filed:

Nov 13, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/969188

Inventors:

Albert F. Stevens - Moorestown NJ
Mark A. Stevens - Medford NJ
Robert R. Dewitt - Moorestown NJ
William R. Lile - Medford NJ
Michael E. York - Sicklerville NJ
Jeffrey L. Chodack - Newark DE
Roy E. Patterson - Tabernacle NJ

Assignee:

Opex Corporation - Moorestown NJ

International Classification:

B65H 522

US Classification:

271 401

Abstract:

In a method for the automated processing of bulk mail, envelopes are transferred to a receiving apparatus in bulk fashion (from incoming mail trays or the like) for the extraction of documents contained by the envelopes, and the extracted documents are delivered to a remittance processing device, preferably both automatically and without the need for human intervention. Subsequent processing of the extracted documents within the remittance processing device then proceeds in usual fashion, completing the acquisition of information which is necessary to ready such documents for deposit into the banking system. Also disclosed are various presorting functions so that only envelopes containing documents of a specified type will be fully processed, other sorting functions such as the identification of specific types of documents (invoices or checks) for separate processing, and the use of a single extraction device to deliver extracted documents to either one, or a series of remittance processing devices. If desired, a buffer is provided which can receive and temporarily store documents received from the extraction device, for appropriate delivery to the remittance processing device responsive to demand.

US Patent:

60640235, May 16, 2000

Filed:

May 29, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/865521

Inventors:

William R. Lile - Medford NJ
Albert F. Stevens - Moorestown NJ
Mark A. Stevens - Medford NJ
Robert R. Dewitt - Marlton NJ
Michael E. York - Cinnaminson NJ
Roy E. Patterson - Tabernacle NJ

Assignee:

Opex Corporation - Moorestown NJ

International Classification:

B07C 5344

US Classification:

209569

Abstract:

An apparatus for the automated processing of bulk mail in a continuous and automatic procedure includes an operative combination of processing stations including an input station for receiving incoming mail in bulk fashion and for separating the pieces of mail for individual delivery to the remainder of the apparatus; a station for detecting irregularities in the contents of the envelopes, such as metal items, folded contents, or oversized items; a station for out-sorting envelopes rejected in accordance with determinations made at the detection station; a station for opening the envelopes, preferably along multiple edges; a station for removing the contents from the opened envelopes, for subsequent processing of the contents; and a series of stations for handling and orienting the contents for subsequent delivery to a plurality of output stackers.

Author:

Michael York

ISBN #:

0306814447

Author:

Michael York

ISBN #:

0373226411

Author:

Michael York

ISBN #:

0671689401

Author:

Michael York

ISBN #:

0671795910

Author:

Michael York

ISBN #:

0700712674

Author:

Michael York

ISBN #:

0810848732

Author:

Michael York

ISBN #:

0814797024

Author:

Michael York

ISBN #:

0814797083