Patent GB-1351151-A (GB)
Title: Machine for the production in a simple operation of addressed and filled envelopes
IPC: B31B170/20
Filed: 1971-04-19
Abstract: 1351151 Envelope making machines WINKLER & DUNNEBIER MASCHINENFABRIK UND EISENGIESSEREI KG 19 April 1971 [18 April 1970] 27334/71 Heading B5D [Also in Division B8] A rotary machine (Figs. 1-3) for producing envelopes and flat bags from a web or blanks comprises an envelope addressing station and an insert incorporating station. The former may address the envelope at any stage during its manufacture whilst the latter may apply one or more inserts to an envelope blank at any stage upstream of the flap folding stations (12-16, Figs. 1-3). Applying inserts.-The insert applying station 17, Fig. 4, is preferably situated between the station 11 creasing each blank to define the side, bottom and closing flaps and the station 12 for folding over the side flaps. The station 17 may comprise two units 91-95, 91<SP>1</SP>-95<SP>1</SP>, each of which includes pivotable suckers 97 and a rotating suction segment 95 that co-operate with pivotable insert stack supports 96 in feeding a folded insert to a suction cylinder 99 where an insert from one unit is superimposed on an insert from the other unit. The cylinder 99 has trained therearound a pair of tensioned feed belts 102 which co-operate with a pair of tensioned feed belts 103 in feeding the pairs of inserts on to a respective envelope blank carried upon rollers 106 and a tensioned broad belt 108. A gumming unit 110 may apply adhesive spots to that insert which is to be deposited against the blank. Addressing.-One of the above inserts may carry an address when a window-envelope is produced by window-forming and window patch applying stations (4, 5, Fig. 1). If a window is not provided then the window patch applying station (5, Fig. 1) may be used to apply a preaddressed patch or a piece of carbon paper for use in subsequent typewriting mechanism. Addresses may also be applied by a copy printing station 18, Fig. 5, comprising intermittently rotating rollers 124, 125 which feed an address web 120 preprinted in mirror image from a supply reel 119 through a storage box 126 to a roller 130 provided with a segment 131 for pressing the web 120 against the appropriate blank to transfer the ink address. The web 120 is taken up by a periodically rotating spiked wheel 132 and a reel 137 driven via a magnetic clutch which is switched on when the pivotable arms 135 of a self-aligning roller 136 are in their upper position and which is switched off when the arms 135 are in their lower position. A lever 129 sensitive to the degree of filling of the box 126 operates a microswitch 128 controlling the magnetic clutches driving the rollers 124, 125. A pair of tensioned belts 141 associates with a rotating cylinder 78 to slow down the passage of the blanks. The spent end of the web is provided with perforations which are sensed by a mechanical element or a photo-cell. The box 126 may be transparent. Alternatively, the envelopes may be addressed by a typewriting station 118, Fig. 7, which is positioned immediately upstream of the station (16, Fig. 2) delivering completed envelopes. The station 118 comprises one or two typing mechanisms and includes pairs of tensioned belts 155, 157 which slow down and carry the envelopes from a suction cylinder 151 past a type cylinder 159 and strikers 160 to pairs of tensioned belts 161, 162 which are driven at such a speed that the envelopes can be inserted individually into slots 80 of discs 81 delivering the completed envelopes on to a table 82. The spacing of spiked wheels 154 and the distance between rollers 166 and the discs 81 can be varied to accommodate different sized envelopes. In an alternative typewriting station (Fig. 8) comprising two typing mechanisms (218, 318) situated upstream of the station (6, Fig. 1) for stacking the partially formed envelopes, alternate envelopes are fed past each typing mechanism (180, 181) by pairs of belts (174, 178; 174<SP>1</SP>, 178<SP>1</SP>) as described above to rotating suction segments (183, 183<SP>1</SP>) which separate the envelope blanks and transfer them via a suction cylinder (185) to suction discs (44) of the station (6, Fig. 1).