Patent GB-220919-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to addressing machines
IPC: B41L47/46
Filed: 1923-03-01
Abstract: 220,919. Wade, H., (American Multigraph Co.). March 1, 1923. Addressing-machines.-An addressing-machine is adapted either for continuous automatic feed of envelopes to an impression roller or, alternatively, for manual positioning of sheets in the machine which may then be intermittently set in motion to feed the sheets to the same impression roller. Delivery apparatus is also described. adapted to deal alternatively with envelopes and sheets. Feeding and delivering address-plates. These are stacked in a magazine 20, Fig. 1, and are detached by projections on chains 25 driven by sprockets 26, 27, the sprockets 26 being mounted in a bracket adjustable about a pivot 33. The plates are conveyed past an inking roller 61 to coacting impression and envelope or sheet feeding rollers 40, 45 respectively. After the impression the plates are separated from the envelopes by prongs 83, Fig. 4, fixed to a bent plate 81 whereby they are directed on to an endless band 80 which carries them laterally and downwardly on to a platform 91 in a vertical hopper 90. The platform 91 is raised by means of a weight 94 attached to a chain passing over a sprocket 92 fixed on a shaft 93 which is rotated to lower the platform as the plates accumulate. The drive to the shaft 93 is through a coupling sleeve 97 which is thrown into engagement when an empty drawer is placed in the hopper by means of a shifter 99 operated by a pivoted cam 101 in the path of the drawer. The magazine 20 is loaded by inserting a drawer full of plates, a cam 440, Fig. 1, retracting a spring lug on the end of the drawer to release the plates. The drawer in its descent strikes against a rod 442 whereby an arm 446 engages a pallet lever 447. integral with the, sprocket 26, and rotates it to bring the projections on the chains 25 into correct feeding position. Feeding and delivering envelopes. These are stacked in an inclined shoot consisting of angle bars 52 connected by a bracket 303, slidably mounted on rods 304, and a front plate 53 removably mounted on rods 300. They are fed round the roller 45 to printing position by means of arms mounted on sleeves on the shaft 42 of the roller 45 and operated by stationary cams as described in Specification 147,684 to detach and feed the envelopes by engaging their flaps. After being addressed, the envelopes are delivered by rollers 70, 71, Fig. 14, which direct them down an inclined guide 73 to a cam 74 adapted to stack them against a stop 79 in a receiver 480 supported by arms 481 depending from a bracket 482 laterally adjustable on a bar 483 fixed to the rods 304. The roller 45 may feed either one or two envelopes per revolution, the speed of the coacting roller 40 and feed chain 25 being varied accordingly by change gearing. Feeding and delivering sheets; throw-out arrangements. The bracket 303 carrying the angle bars 52, Fig. 1, of the envelope shoot is slid off the rods 304, and the front plate 53 is removed from the rods 300, these being normally held in raised position by a latch 305. When released, the rods 300 are swung down into horizontal position to receive a tray 320, Figs. 10 and 11, for a pile of sheets. Side guides 330 for the sheets are fixed to laterally adjustable bars 328 mounted on a rod 325 supported by a bracket 323 secured to the front of the tray. The top sheet is pushed forward by hand and the tray is depressed, whereupon a clutch 111 is actuated to cause one revolution of the roller 45. For this purpose, a latch 334, Fig. 11, is pivoted on the bracket 323 and spring-pressed against a stop 335, a shoulder 338 on the latch engaging a lug 347 on the end of an arm 346 mounted on a crossbar 343, such that the tray when depressed actuates, through the arm 346 and a link 353, a member 250 having a cam end 251 adapted to disengage the clutch 111. Further movement of the tray, owing to an inclined surface 340 on the end of the latch 334 engaging a pin 350, releases the lug 347 and allows return of the parts to normal position. The clutch may also be controlled manually by means of a lever 125. The sheet pushed forward meets a front stop 416, Fig. 13, extending from a frame 412 pivoted at 413. Feed rollers 401 co-operating with the roller 45 are mounted on levers 403 pivoted at 404 and carrying a roller 408 engaging a cam 364 on the shaft 42. At the same time as the rollers 401 are lowered, the stop is raised by parts 406 of the levers engaging the frame 412. The sheet is guided to the feed rollers by a bent plate 411 fixed on the levers 403. The amount of head space may be varied by adjustment of the cam 364. The sheets, after addressing, are delivered horizontally on to a tray 510. Fig. 14, supported by legs 511 and by a plate 512 hung on a rod 513. Delivery is effected by rollers 502 coacting with the rollers 71. the rollers 502 being mounted on an arm 501 adapted to be swung into the dotted line position when the machine is changed over from envelopes to sheets, the rollers 70 previously coacting with the roller 71 being moved laterally and forming a drive therefor.