Patent GB-514068-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in machines for filling and otherwise preparing envelopes for post
IPC: B43M3/04
Filed: 1938-04-25
Abstract: 514,068. Filling envelopes with sheet material. HERBERT, S. C. April 25, 1938, No. 12371. [Class 94 (i)] Envelopes are withdrawn from a magazine, the flaps are straightened into alignment with the envelope, and may be reversed into contact with the front, presented and distended at a filling station at which postal matter is introduced, and removed to a station at which the flap is tucked into the envelope. The envelopes are placed, flap downwards, in a magazine, the bottom 26 of which is cut away to allow the flap of the lowermost envelope to project downwards. The envelopes are forced downwards by a weight 35 having hooks engaging in channels in the back plate 32. A member 59 having curved arms 60 moves from position 59<1> to the position shown in full lines and carries the flap into the range of a set of feed rollers 64. Two rollers 69, on a pivoted mounting 67, are raised to positions 69<1> to press the envelope against the feed rollers 64. The rollers 69 are slotted to accommodate the feed members 60. Guide plates 68, 76 direct the feed, and the envelope is fed by rollers, 78, 79, 86, 87 to a flap turning device comprising a plate 91 doubled upon itself to present an opening into which the flap travels. The device then turns about its pivot 95 into the position shown in broken lines, and the continued feed of the envelope body by the rollers 86, 87 forces it with the flap doubled back upon the front, into the bite of rollers 88, 89. In this condition, the envelope is fed through guides 99, 100, 109 to a gripping device 127 which seizes the upper edge and places it on a filling table 121, 122 to which the edge is clamped by a clip 146. The middle section 122 inclines downwards, and bulges the envelope so that guides 154, 155 can enter. The envelope is now ready for filling. The sheet material to be inserted is aligned laterally by a plate 57 and longitudinally by fingers 172, a roller 175 is raised to press it against a driven roller 176 and it is fed between guides 177, 187 which slope downwards. A forked member 194 on a sliding carriage 192 engages the rear edge and feeds it into the envelope. The gripping device 127 now returns and feeds the envelope over a pivoted diverting device 117 into the grip of rollers 111 200. A device 202 is raised into the path of feed to turn the flap back into alignment with the envelope, which is then fed by rollers 211 ... 218 to apparatus for tucking the flap into the envelope. The flap tucking mechanism comprises a plate 228, the upper edge of which is curved, mounted on a frame 226 pivoted at 225. The bottom edge of the envelope is supported by fingers 238 cooperating with a plate 229, and a finger 256 on a rocking frame enters the envelope and distends it by pressing the back against an abutment 254. The plate 228 and the associated parts rock back into the position shown in broken lines, and fingers 278 turn down the flap and tuck it into the envelope. Rollers 230, 243 are then brought together and the envelope is fed out of the machine. All the necessary parts of the machine are adjustable so that envelopes of various sizes may be dealt with. The back 32 of the envelope magazine is pivoted at 33 and the lower edges are accommodated in slots 29 in the bottom plate so that it may be angularly adjusted. The sides 44 are movable towards and away from the centre of the machine by right and left-hand screw devices, which also serve to adjust the abutment 57 of the letter feed. The guides 155 and the tucking fingers are also laterally adjustable.