Patent GB-1265411-A (GB)
IPC: B31B27/00
Filed: 1969-04-24
Abstract: 1,265,411. Bundling flat articles; feeding sheets. PAK-WELL PAPER INDUSTRIES, Inc. 24 April, 1969 [9 May, 1968], No. 20906/69. Headings B8C and B8R. [Also in Division B6] A continuous assembly of generally flat articles is formed by sequentially feeding the articles along a pathway, arranging the articles as they are fed, so that consecutively fed articles are disposed in overlapping relationship with respect to each other and causing each article to adhere to the preceding article along the side margins only thereof. As shown in Figs. 1A, 1B, articles 24 in the form of envelopes are extracted singly from a hopper 22 by means of a vacuum wheel 48, which communicates with a vacuum source applied to boxes at each side of the wheel 48. Each article is driven forwardly between rollers 62, 64 and light-sensitive counter means 65A, 65B, on to a pair of endless belts 70 each of which is provided with tabs 72 by means of which the articles are spaced along the belts. The articles are biased into frictional contact with the belts by members 74, and pass between a pair of punches 76, 78 which perforates the side margins of each article, prior to its passage between friction rollers 80 and thence between two pairs of rollers 82, 84, the rollers 82 of which deposit on the margins, liquid adhesive from a container 90. The article then passes between belts 96, 98 and downwardly on to a pair of pin tapes 110 on a roller 108 driven by a variable-speed electrio motor 170. The downward movement of the article is effected by the combined action of a cam-operated member 104 and an impulse of pressurized gas which is emitted from a conduit 106, whereby the leading perforations of the article are positioned with respect to one pair of pins 112 on the tapes 110 before the lower surface of the article contacts the adhesive on the upper surface of the preceding article. The overlapping portions are urged into engagement by rollers 116, 118 and the adhesive is cured by electrically heated strips 120, as the assembled articles pass to a member 124, below a tensioning roller 126 and over a table 140 to a spool 160. Roller 126 is carried by a pair of arms 128 pivoted at 130 which engage a spring-loaded member 132 of a control element 134 associated with a speed control box for an electric motor 46 which drives the spool 160. The motor 46 is also controlled by a switch 146 which is sensitive to the presence or discontinuity of the assembled articles passing on to the table 140. The switch 146 may operate a signal to indicate discontinuity in the assembly. The articles are fed between the member 124 and the table 140, on a flexible strip 150 which extends from member 124 and terminates in a weight 154. A similar strip 156 extends from a member 158 over the core of the spool 160 and terminates in a weight 164. In an alternative arrangement all components between the hopper 22 and the member 124 may be driven by a single driving member. In another embodiment, Fig. 9 (not shown), the adhesive applying means of Fig. 1 is replaced by rolls (180), (182), of perforated, adhesively coated tape for application to the margins of the articles. In a further embodiment, Fig. 10 (not shown), the punches 76, 78 of Fig. 1 are positioned downstream of the assembly forming means 184 of Fig. 9. In another embodiment, Fig. 11 (not shown), the cam-operated member 104 of Fig. 1 is replaced by a roller 192. In all embodiments, the degree of overlap of the articles is indicated by a line 206 extending inwardly of a margin of each article. The apparatus is applicable to highspeed printing apparatuses associated with computers.