Patents by Inventor John H. Vitko, Jr.

John H. Vitko, Jr. has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6390461
    Abstract: An improved insert hopper for use in conjunction with the insert feeding device of a document handling apparatus such as a mail insertion machine. The insert hopper includes a support deck, a front registration member, and a backstop member. A bottom support plate for the insert hopper has an outer surface constructed of a low-friction material such as PTFE, chrome, or finished stainless steel. One or more wedge blocks are mounted on the support deck. Each wedge block has an insert support surface supporting a trailing edge of the lowermost insert of an insert stack loaded in the insert hopper. The insert hopper can optionally have a tilted orientation with respect to the vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Bell & Howell Mail & Messaging Technologies Company
    Inventors: John H. Vitko, Jr., Richard F. Kanick