Patent GB-548075-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in machines for filling and otherwise preparing envelopes for post
IPC: B43M3/04
Filed: 1941-03-29
Abstract: 548,075. Filling envelopes with sheet material. HERBERT, S. C. March 29, 1941, No. 4248. Addition to 514,068. [Class 94 (i)] The invention consists in modifying the construction of the machine described in the parent Specification so that the envelopes are filled and their flaps tucked-in without first reversing each flap on the body of the envelope. Modifications of the letter-thrusting mechanism, and of the mounting of the guide fingers, are also included in the invention. Each envelope is fed from a magazine, in the manner described in the parent Specification, with the flap extended in the plane of the body and is conveyed by pairs of feed rollers to the filling mechanism. The last pair of rollers 110, 111, Fig. 2, feeds an envelope between a fixed angular guide plate 117 and a complementary plate 116 which abuts on the forward end of the filling table 121. The space between the guide 117 and the table 121 is bridged by a diverting member w which is movable about an horizontal axis and is depressed, against the action of springs, by a flat member 127 which moves forward to receive an envelope. The table 121 has a central longitudinal depression into which the central part of the front of the envelope and the flap is depressed to distend the envelope when aletter is inserted. An envelope, as it emerges from between the guides 116, 117 is received on the flat member 127 which is carried by two arms 124, Fig. 3, that oscillate about a spindle 123. The member 127 is then swung backwards to a position where it is in line with the table 121. Clips or grippers 129 for engaging the flap of the envelope, and distending member 146, are carried by a spindle mounted on the arm 124. Letter guide fingers 154, 155 are loosely mounted between the arms 1124 and rest on the grippers, but are moved back and forth along the grippers by oscillating arms b. The grippers. the distender 146, and the fingers 154, 155 are exchangeable for others of different form to suit various forms of flaps on the envelopes. The fingers 154, 155 may be mounted on a spindle screwed at its ends in opposite directions, the rotation of the screw enabling the fingers to be adjusted laterally. When an envelope is brought by the member 127 the filling position, shown, in Fig. 2, a folded sheet or letter is thrust towards it by bifurcated fittings 194 carried by horizontallyreciprocating arms 193. The letter-registering fitting 172 is arranged to descend on the guide plate 170 in order to allow increased clearance below the guide plate for the forks 194 and their arms 193. In another modification, the mechanism that operates the forks 194 may be arranged above the path of the letters. On the forward movement of the arms 124, the filled envelope passes over the deflector w into the grip of a pair of feed rollers 111, 200. Since the flap of the envelope has not to be turned from a position in contact with the front of the envelope, the flap-tucking mechanism may be arrangeded close to the rollers 111, 200 and turned through a right angle as compared with its position shown in the parent Specification.