Improvements in Envelopes and in the Method and Means of Making the same.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Dec., 1890-Accepted, 9th May, 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Envelopes and in the Method and Means of Making
the same.
A communication from abroad by SAMUEL CUPPLES, of St. Louis, in the State of
Missouri, United States of America, Manufacturer.
I, ALLEN PARRY JONES of 55 and 56 Chancery Lane in the County of
Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in envelopes and in the method and means
of making same. To clearly explain the invention reference is made to the accom-
panying drawings in which :-
.
Figure 1. is a perspective diagramatic view illustrating the manufacture of
envelopes from a continuously travelling paper strip together with some detached
view shewing the envelope in different stages.
Figure 2. is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a machine embodying my
invention.
Figure 3. is a plan view of a machine.
Figure 4. is a side view looking in the direction of the arrow Figure 3.
Figure 5. an enlarged sectional elevation of the parts of the machine adjacent
to the folding, cutting and creasing appliances.
Figures 6. 7. and 8. are detached views illustrating the construction and operation
of the folding, cutting and creasing and gumming appliances.
Figure 9. is a detached view of said appliances illustrating a modification.
Figure 10. is a view showing the cutter and supporting roll.
Figure 11. shows the devices for gumming the sheet before cutting it.
Figures 12 and 13. show the sheet thus gummed.
Figure 14. shows the envelope with the tongues pasted down on the back.
Figure 15. illustrates the separating device.
A, Figure 1, a roll of paper sufficient in width to make two series of envelopes
at the same time and as the sheet is drawn from the roll it is cut centrally so as to
form two contiguous strips A¹ A*, each of which is operated upon in the same
manner.
In Figure 1. the envelope is shown as consisting of a single piece of paper folded
along the line, to form the front and back portions 1, 2, folded along each edge to
form inturned flanges 3, 4, the former on the front and the latter on the back
portion, the flange 3, being pasted against the front portion and the flange 4, being
pasted against the opposite face of the flange 3, and the front portion being creased
transversely at y, to form a line of separation between the flap 5, and the front
portion and facilitate the turning down of the flap, which is gummed along the
edge at 6.
The first step in the operations upon the strip as it passes from the roll is to
deposit by suitable pasters at intervals adjacent to the opposite edges, thin films or
layers of gum or paste forming lines 7, 7, such lines being equal in length to the
length of the combined front and flap portions of the sheet. After the lines 7, 7,
have been placed upon the strip, the opposite edges of the latter are turned in at
about the points w, by edge folders Figure 1, and the turned in portions or flanges
are pressed down upon the body portion of the strip and will be cemented thereto
at the points opposite to and contacting with the gummed portions, while the
intermediate parts of the flanges will lie loosely upon the body portion of
the strip.
Other layers of paste or gum are now applied by suitable pasters at intervals to

page_text: The next
the outer faces of the inturned flanges förming lines 8, 8, each line 8 being equal in
length to the length of that part of the sheet that constitutes the back 2.
operation is to fold in succession by means of suitable creasers each portion of the
strip upon a line - transverse to the strip and near the ends of the lines 6, 8,
the end portion of the strip which is folded over upon the other portion, constituting
the back 2, of the envelope, and the lines 8, are so applied with respect to the
lines 7, that when the sheet is so folded those portions of the inturned flanges upon
the back 2, holding the lines 8, will constitute the flanges 4, that are loose from the
back, while the remaining portions of the flanges will constitute the flanges 3, that
are pasted on the lines 7, close to the front portion 1, of the envelope, while the
lines 8, of paste will cement the contiguous faces of the flanges 3, 4, together when
the back portion 2,- is folded down upon the front portion, as shown at C, D,
Figure 1.
The sheet is then creased transversely along the line y, so as to divide the flap
to form
portion 5, from the front portion 1, and then cut transversely on the line
the edge of the flap and a layer of gum 6, is applied to the edge of the flap
portion 5, and is dried thereon so as to afford a means of sealing the envelope as
usual.
All of these operations, are effected except the inturning of the edges of the
sheet by means of devices carried by rotating shafts.
A single set of devices only operating on one strip A' will be described although
two sets are shown.
F. F are the side frames of the machine provided with suitable bearings for the
supporting shaft 10, of the roll A, for the shafts 11, 12 of the pasters shown in the
form of pasting disks 13 and 14, for the shafts 15 and 17 of the pasting rollers 19
and 20, each with peripheral pasting type 21 and 22, for the shafts of the cutting and
creasing rolls G. and H. for the shaft 26 carrying the flap gumming type 27, and
creasing bar g', for the shafts 30 and 31 of the impression roll 32, and type roll 33,
and for the shafts-34,-and-35, of the guide- rolls 36 and 37, for- the shafts of the
vertical band rolls 38, and 39, carrying the endless: bands 40 and for the shafts of
the counter roll-41, and of the lower band roll shown in-dotted-lines-Figure:2.
which with the roll-39 carries the receiving-bands-43:
The various shafts are geared together by means of gears I, I, so as to turn in
unison and are driven from the driving shaft.25, constituting the shaft of the lower
folding roll H. There are also bearings in the side frames for the shaft of a guide
roll-45, which may be used to deflect the strip away from contact with an adjacent-
paste box J, and for shafts of rolls 45, 49, 102, and rock shaft 61.
There are paste_boxes_J,_to_each_set_of_pasting_disks. 13, 14,_the_said_paste_
boxes are hung to swing upon the shafts of the said disks and have slotted bearings
receiving loosely the shafts 47, of transfer paste rolls 48, which rest upon the faces
of the adjacent pasting disks and of the type carried by the adjacent pasting rolls
to transfer the paste or gum deposited on it by the disks to the faces of the types
which extend partly around the pasting rolls so as to deposit the lines of paste 7
and 8, on two horizontal lines in the relative positions before described.
Between the pasting roll 19, and the guide roll 49, is suspended from a cross
bar 50, an edge folder in the form of a folder blade 51, curved at the ends, slightly
below the level of the upper surface of the roll 49, and inclined downward towards
the back of the machine, so that the strip of paper is first deflected downward
from the pasting rolls and then rises towards the guide roll 49, and as the blade is
shorter than the width of the paper the latter will naturally fold up opposite the
ends of the blades and will fold over forming the inturned flanges before described,
which flatten down upon the portion of the paper as it passes around the roller 49,
without the necessity of employing inturning fingers or blades.
The strip of paper after passing around the guide roll 45, passes upward between
the pasting roll 20, and a cutting and creasing roll H, and then over the latter
between it and the corresponding roll G, and the faces of the inturned side flanges
have the lines 8, of paste or gum deposited upon them by the type upon the

page_text: pasting roll 20, the opposite portions of the roll G, being cut away or reduced in
diameter at u, so as not to contact with the freshly deposited layers of paste, but
the intermediate portions of said roll bearing upon the strip and hold it firmly in
contact with the roll H, so that the two rolls may constitute feeding rolls.
It is not necessary, however, that the roll G, shall act as one of the feeding rolls,
as the adjacent pasting roll 20, may cooperate with the roll H, as a feeding roll,
in which case it would be set up in contact therewith. One of the rollers G.
and H. carries a knife of proper form to cut the sheet transversely to form the
edge S, of the flap 5, (see Figure 10) while the other roll carries a cutting bed,
which is penetrated by the knife. Thus the upper roll is provided with a knife c,
and the lower roll with a bed d, of corresponding shape consisting of wood or hide
packed in a recess in the roller.
To draw the paper taut upon the counter roll and insure an even cut, avoiding
ragged edges while permitting the paper to be moved at a high rate of speed, the
said counter roll is provided with one or more clamps which bite upon the paper
strip after it has passed from between the rolls and hold it close and tight upon the
counter roll until the shearing has been effected. The said clamping devices further
serve to make neat, absolutely straight and uniform folds at the portions of the strip
where the same is bent at x, y, Figure 1.
The clamps for this purpose may be constructed in different ways, that which is
preferred will now be described by reference to Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9.
The roller H, carries two longitudinal cylindrical bars or rods f, f¹, from each of
which a radial blade e, extends outward into a narrow slot i, along the face of the
roller, of such width, however, as to permit a slight rocking movement of the rod f
to carry the blade e, to and from the adjacent face e', of the slot i.
Each rod, is provided with an arm connected with a spring 52, secured at
the other end to the roller, which tends to rock the rod so as to carry the blade e,
away from the face e, and each rod also carries at one or both ends a curved elastic
or spring arm 53, which as the rod is carried by the rotation of the roll H, from
beneath the roll G, contacts with any metallic contact piece or pieces (as the
shafts 24 and 26) and thereby rocks the rod f, or f¹, in the direction of the arrow
Figure 7. so as to bring the blade e, with an elastic pressure against its co-operating
face e¹.
e,
The roller G, is provided with a folding blade g, so arranged as to press upon the
strip as it passes between the rolls and fold it into the slot or recess i, while the
blade
is away from the face e¹, and as the folding blade then passes from
the strip and the arms 53 of the rod, strike the shaft 24, the fold is grasped
between the blade e, and the face e', and tightly gripped
so that the strip of paper
is held closely upon the surface of the roller, until the latter has turned to carry
the lower rod, to the position shown in Figure 8, and until the cutter c, has com-
pleted the severing of the strip to form the edge of the flap.
As the cutter e, begins to sever the strip the bar f, Figure 8, is brought opposite
the folding blade g', carried by the gumming shaft 26, which blade g', folds the
strip while it still lies flat upon the face of the roller, into the slot i, opposite the
rod f', the cutter c. completing the severing of the strip as the folding blade g',
effects its operation so as to leave the flap portion of the strip loose to supply
sufficient material to make the fold, after which the rod is turned by the contact
of its arms 53, with the shaft 26, and the paper is gripped, folded and creased by
the creaser as described, to form the crease y, as this is effected the arms 53, of the
rod f, leave the shaft 26, and the rod is rocked to loosen the lower end of the sheet
which assumes a vertical position, shown in dotted lines Figure 8.
Immediately after the sheet has been gripped by the rocking of the rod f", the
gummer type 27, is brought against the same to deposit the line 6, of gum upon
the edge thereof, and the clamp maintains firm hold of the sheet as the roller H,
rotates until the sheet is carried entirely away from the gummer type, after which
the arms 53, of the rod f, leave the shaft 26, and the rod, is rocked back and the
completed envelope is released. By thus maintaining the grip upon the sheet any

page_text: adhesion of the same to the gummer type
each envelope is ensured.
prevented and an absolute delivery of
When the envelopes are to be printed the type cylinder 33, and impression roll 32,
are used in connection with the driving rolls 36 and 37, around which
pass the
tapes 60, and the envelope passes vertically downward from the roll G, between
the rolls 32 and 36, and its bottom or folded edge is turned outward by the action
of the roll 37, and the tapes so as to pass between the type cylinder 33, and roll 32,
and the latter is cut away leaving a chamber, in such position Figure 2, as to
receive the flap 5, of the envelope (bent to a slight angle to the face by the creasing
along the line y) so that the fresh gum upon the flap does not contact with any
portion of the roll.
To the rock shaft 61, in front of the roll 32, is secured a reverser, consisting, as
shown, of a conductor having two parallel plates 62, 63 with an intermediate
channel which when swung inward present the space between them so as to receive
therein the envelope as it is fed outward by the action of the roll and cylinder, and
after-the body of the envelope-has-passed into the reverser, it is swung down to the
position shown in Figure 5, so that the envelope will drop therefrom between the
tape roll 38, and cylinder 41, the flap striking the cylinder and being bent inward
to an acute angle as the envelope passes downward, but without being pressed
against the body of the envelope.
The envelope is then carried backward by the feeding tapes
desired extent
until the gum upon the Hap is dry and is then fed to the folding rollers V, V,
which may be at considerable distance from the body of the machine, and as the
flap has been bent down to an acute angle the edge can be readily seized between
said rollers and bent flat down against the body as the envelope is fed forward and
discharged.
to any
It. will be obvious that any desired system of feeding rollers, bands, or conveyors
may be used for conducting the envelope from the impression rollers to the folding
rollers V.
The rocking of the reversing_device_at_proper intervals may be effected in any
suitable manner, as for instance, by means of a cam 61, Figure 4, upon the type
cylinder shaft 31, which contacts with an¯arm 66, upon the shaft 61, to throw the
reversing device outward,-while-a-spring-67, -connected to the arm 66, and to the
frame of the machine, draws the reversing device inward after the cam passes from
contact with the arm.
It is not essential_that_the_folding_or_creasing blade gl, which formns_the_flap
piece y, shall be carried by the same shaft 26, that carries the gummer type. For
instance it may be carried by the upper roll G, as shown in the modification
Figure 9, so as to form the crease y, just before the flap cutter c, operates-to-sever
the strip.
In order that the end of the strip after the flap of the preceding envelope has
been cut therefrom, may be turned upward as the strip is fed forward from between
the rollers G, EI, a blade or bar 69, placed opposite said rollers, over which the
travelling strip passes until the strip is gripped to form the fold after which the
folded sheet will be carried down upon the roller H, between the said roller and
the bar 69. The bar 69, is to be set to the position required. The roll 102;
mounted forward of the roll G, and under which the forward end of the paper
passes, serves to keep the paper straight and prevent it from bending back against
said roller G.
The turned up portion of the envelope is pressed against the front portion so as
to seal it along the pasted flanged edges, by the pressure of the tapes 60, and of the
roller 36, against the body of the impression roll.
The rocking of the clamp rods of the clamp cylinder or roller can be effected by
means of any suitable devices, as will be evident to any mechanic.
The different parts of the machine are adapted to be readily altered to conform
to the varying sizes and shapes of envelopes or other articles to be made.
Instead of applying the gum to the flap after the sheet is cut it is preferred to

page_text: apply it to the sheet as it travels through the machine at points z, as shown in
Figures 12 and 13, and to then dry the gum by passing the sheet through a drying
box 2, heated by steam as shown in Figure 11, which also shows the arrangement
of gumming rolls, with printing rolls 30, 31, which preliminarily print, the sheet
which is afterward severed to leave the gum , in proper position on the edge of
the flap. This permits the dry flap to be folded down as soon as they are cut.
In Figure 14, the end g, of the inturned folds is folded over the edge of the
back d, and pasted down on to the same, strengthening the latter and preventing
the fold from catching upon articles placed in the envelope. The envelopes or
other articles delivered from the above or any machine in succession generally
lap one over the other. In order to separate and distribute them use is made of
the apparatus shown in Figure 15. in which L, L, shows the rollers between which
the overlapped envelopes pass with the gum upon the flaps. Tapes or bands J, K,
carry the envelopes around a drum L, until the gum is dry. The articles pass in
succession beneath a roller M, around which the band J, is carried so that the
articles move further forward on the band K. Two rolls N, O, are driven at a
greater speed than the band K, so that as the end of an envelope passes between
the said roller N, O, the envelope is drawn rapidly forward and discharged on to
the platform Q, before the next envelope is seized between the rollers N, O. By
this means the envelopes are rapidly separated from each other.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The within described process of manufacture of envelopes, consisting in
depositing intermitting lines of paste upon the opposite edges of a continuous strip
of paper of uniform width, then forming continuous inturned flanges by turning in
said edges against the body of the strip, then depositing other intermitting lines of
paste upon the outer faces of the inturned flanges, then folding a portion of the
paper upon a transverse, line over and upon the other portion, then creasing the
strip transversely opposite the edge of the turned down portion and finally severing
the strip beyond said crease to form the flap, substantially as described.
2. The method of applying the gum to the strip at z, Figures 12 and 13, and
drying the same prior to cutting the strip transversely.
3. In a machine for making envelopes, the combination of a support for a roll of
paper, pasters arranged to apply paste at corresponding intervals on the opposite
edges of the strip of paper as it travels through the machine, and an edge folder
blade whereby the opposite edges are turned in and down upon the body of the
strip, pasters whereby the faces of the inturned flanges are coated with paste, a
transverse folder whereby the sheet is doubled upon a transverse line at the
termination of each of the inner lines of paste, a creasing device arranged to crease
the paper transversely near the edge of the part folded over and a cutter arranged
to sever the sheet transversely beyond the said edge, and paper folding rolls,
substantially as described.
4. The combination with the pasters, one of which has curved type for part of a
circle, edge and transverse folders, and cutter, of a creaser arranged to crease the
sheet adjacent to the edge of the back portion of the envelope, substantially as
described.
5. The combination in an envelope machine, of an edge folder and rolls carrying
pasters, a transverse folder, a creaser and a cutter, the first paster arranged to
deposit lines of paste at intervals upon the opposite edges of a continuously moving
sheet of paper, the edge folder arranged to turn in the said edges forming flanges,
the second paster arranged to apply paste to said flanges, the transverse folder
turning the end of the strip over on to the body to form the back of the envelope,
the creaser creasing the strip adjacent to the edge of the said back and the cutter
severing the strip transversely beyond said crease substantially as described.
6. The combination in an envelope machine, of rolls carrying two sets of pasters,

page_text: an edge folder arranged between the rolls and a transverse folder, creaser, and
cutter, substantially as described.
7. The combination with the pasting roller, and with the pasting disk carried by
a shaft, of a paste box suspended to said shaft, and a transfer roller supported
loosely in bearings carried by said box, substantially as described.
8. The combination with the pasting, and edge folding devices to operate upon a
continuous sheet, of a roll carrying clamps for seizing and holding the transverse
folds of said sheet, and a shaft carrying a cutter for severing said sheet beyond the
clamped portion, substantially as set forth.
9. The combination with a roll provided with independent sheet clamps, of a
shaft carrying a folding blade and cutter and a separate shaft carrying an independent
folding blade, substantially as set forth.
10. The combination of the roll provided with independent clamps, of a roll
carrying a folding blade arranged to fold an intervening strip of paper into one of
the clamps, a second folding blade whereby the paper is folded into the other clamp,
and a cutter arranged to sever the sheet beyond the point where it is seized by the
second clamp, substantially as set forth.
11. The combination of a shaft carrying a clamping device, of a spring arm con-
nected with said clamping device, and a contact piece arranged to be struck by said
arm as the shaft revolves, substantially as set forth.
12. The combination with the roll carrying a rocking rod provided with a
clamping blade, of a bent flexible arm extending from said rod, a contact piece, and
a spring connected with said rod to rock it in one direction, substantially as set
forth.
13. The combination with the shafts carrying rolls G, and H, of a clamp carried
by one of the rolls and provided with a curved yielding arm arranged to contact
with the shaft of the opposite roll, substantially as set forth.
14. The combination with the roll G, carrying a cutter and folder blade, of a
presser-roll- carrying two-rock rods, each provided with blades co-acting with-
clamping faces of the roll, springs turning said rods in one direction, and yielding
arms extending from the rod to contact with stationary bearings to turn the-rods-in
the opposite direction; substantially as set forth
15. The combination with the shafts 24, 25, and 26, of the clamps carried by one
shaft, a cutter-and-folder blade carried-by the other, and a folder blade-and-gummer
carried by the remaining shaft, substantially as set forth.
16. The combination with the envelope folding devices, and with the gummer for
applying the gum to the flap, of a reverser for receiving the envelope after the flap
-is-gummed,-and-for-carrying it-to-another-position,-and-rolls-arranged-to-partially
bend down the flap and to receive the envelope from the reverser, substantially as
set forth.
17. The combination with the rolls, feeding forward the gummed envelope, of a
vibrating conductor and a pair of rolls for partially turning the flap of the envelope,
and devices for reciprocating said conductor to carry it from the feeding. to the
turning rolls, substantially as set forth.
18. The combination with the folding and creasing flap pasting and gumming
devices, and a reverser 61, 62, 63, of rolls arranged to receive the envelope between
them, but separated to prevent the flap from being pressed against the body of the
envelope, substantially as set forth: -
19. The combination with the envelope forming and pasting and gumming devices,
of a type cylinder, au impression roll having a recess to receive the upturned flap
of the envelope and separated rolls 38, 41, for bending inward the flap, substantially
as set forth.
20. The combination with the impression roll and type cylinder and with the
envelope forming and gumming devices, of the guide rolls 36, 37, carrying bands 60,
arranged to press the edge of the envelopes against the impression roll and to guide
the envelopes between said roll and the type cylinder, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.

page_text: 21. The combination with the devices for applying the gum transversely to the
strip of a suitable heater 2, Figure 11 substantially as set forth.
22. The method and means of separating the overlapping articles by means of
rolls N, O, rotating more rapidly than the movement of the feeding support for said
articles, substantially as set forth in connection with Figure 13.
23. The combination of the envelope with its inturned folds when the ends of the
latter are pasted against the flap as in Figure 1, or down upon the back as in
Figure 14.
Dated this 17th day of December 1890.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.