Patent GB-190316757-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to Envelope Machines.
Inventor: WEST JAMES
Filed: 1903-07-30
Granted: 1903-11-05
Abstract: 16,757. West, J. July 30. Envelopes, machines for making. A strip of paper A fed from a roll has portions cut from its edges so as to leave side flaps a<3>, a<4>, Fig. 1, or w<1>, w<2>, Fig. 18. The strip is fed over a roller K, Fig. 9, to a cutting-roller L having its ends formed as cutting-edges of the conformation of the sides of the blank. The strip is pressed against these cutting-edges by two inclined steel rollers O rotatable on shafts, each pivoted at one end in a vertically-adjustable bracket N, and having its other end pulled upwards by a spring P. The end or cutting parts of the roller L are preferably formed on removable and interchangeable sleeves. The strip passes between a bar l<3> and the roller L, and the cut parts are removed by spring arms l<5>, which bear on the bar l<3> and yieldingly rest against the cutting-edges of the roller L. The brackets N are adjustably fixed on a cross-bar M. The strip passes round a rotary gumming-apparatus Q consisting of two end discs, which gum the side flaps a<3>, a<4> or w<1>, w<2>, and a central part carrying a transverse bar which gums one of the end flaps a', a<2>, or w. The gum is applied to the discs and bar by a roller T in a reservoir u, mounted on a bar U, the ends of which are mounted to slide in guides on the framing. The bar U is pulled by springs u' against adjustable stop screws u<3>. A scraper bar u<4> rests on the upper edges of the reservoir u, and is held down and away from the roller T by springs u<5>. Screws u<6> regulate the distance between the bar u<4> and the roller T. A roller V is provided with folding-grippers v, v<1> for forming the folds of the end flaps a', a<2>, or w, and the folds are tucked into these grippers by blades x<2> on a roller X. The grippers v, v<1> are closed by springs and opened by cams. The blanks are cut off, while the strip is stretched on the roller V, by a blade A<1> on a roller Z<1>, entering a groove in the roller V. The blade does not contact with the edges or bottom of the groove ; or a second blade may be mounted on the roller V to co-act with the blade A<1>. The leading end flap is folded down by passing under a bar B<1>, and this folded end leaves the roller V and passes on to an endless carrying-band d' and under a folding and pressing plate c<2> on a shaft C'. The rear flap is folded over on to the body of the blank, by an elastic flap or spring in a recess on the roller V, and the two end flaps are folded and pressed by the plate c<2>, the gummed end of the one overlapping the end of the other. The plate c<2> is pressed down by a spring and is raised by a cam engaging an arm c' of the shaft C<1>. The blank, with its end flaps folded, is then carried between the endless bands d', d<5>. The band d<5> is at least as narrow as the body of the blank, so that the gummed side flaps are left free. The fold lines of the side flaps are scored or creased and turned upwardly by creasing-discs d<9> engaging in grooved rollers d<10>. The side flaps are then folded over by twisted folding-plates, and the bottom flap a<3> or w<1> is pressed down on to the end flaps by a roller having a rubber band. The upper flap has its fold formed, without being pressed down on to the end flaps, by rollers which nip the extreme folded edge, leaving the rest of the flap free from pressure. The envelopes are delivered on to a conveyer belt having an intermittent movement. Gearing for driving the various parts of the machine is described. The blank W, Fig. 18, is formed with a scalloped sealing-flap w<2>, and is folded along the dotted lines, leaving safety corners w<3>.