IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ENVELOPES, AND IN MACHINERY USED THEREIN
Year: 1852

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
ADDENBROOKE, of Bartlett's Passage, in the City of London, Envelope Manu-
facturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Eighth day of January,
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, in the fifteenth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Joseph Addenbrooke, my exors, adññiors, and assigns, Her especial licence,
full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Joseph Addenbrooke,
my exors, adiiors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Joseph Adden-
brooke, my exors, adiiors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed, and in the Islands
of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all Her said
Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF ENVELOPES, AND IN MACHINERY USED THEREIN;" in which
said Letters Patent is contained a proviso, that I, the said Joseph Adden-
brooke, shall cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of
Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of

page_text: the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being
thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Joseph Addenbrooke, hereby declare that the nature of the said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, are fully described and
ascertained in and by the present Specification thereof, reference being had to
the Drawings hereunto annexed, that is to say:-
My Invention consists in the manufacture of envelopes by means of the
improved machinery represented in the Drawings. Figure 1 is a front eleva-
tion of a machine constructed according to my improvements; Figure 2, a
longitudinal section; and Figure 3, a cross section. A, A, is a frame or table
which supports the machine; B is the bed plate, to which the upright bearings
or side frames C, C, are bolted, -being united at top by the rod C¹ and nuts c, c;
D is a shaft, which is supported by and turns in the two bearings C, C, and
carries a series of cams and excentrics for actuating the working parts of the
machine; E, E, are two guides, bolted to the bearings C; F is the plunger,
which consists of a rectangular frame, the area of which is equal to the back
of the intended envelope; it is connected by the rod F¹ to the cam F2, keyed
on to the shaft D, by the revolution of which cam the plunger is lowered into
and raised out of a rectangular box or recess G, the internal area of which is
more than equal in dimensions to the plunger F by the thickness of the paper
of the four flaps of the envelope. H is the gum distributor, which is formed
of two strips of metal a, a, placed at an angle, as represented in the plan,
Figure 4, the upper edges of which, when raised out of the gum, take up a
sufficient quantity to distribute upon the gum flap of the envelope. This
gum distributor is connected to the shaft D through the intervention of the
rod H and cam H². I is the gum box; K is a metal pad or holder, which
is made of an angular shape, corresponding to the strips of metal a, a, and is
hollowed out on the under side, the better to adapt itself to the pressure
of the gum distributor when in contact. This pad is depressed and raised
by the rod K and cam K², and serves to hold that flap of the envelope
which is to receive the gum between it and the gum distributor. L is
a die or stamp, fitted into a socket z, upon the lever L', one end of which
lever is centred in the headstock L³, firmly bolted to the table A; L³ is a
three-threaded screw, which is tapped through the headstock L³, and bears
upon the free end of the lever L'. The upper end of the screw is con-
nected by a rod 6 to the weighted lever or fly I, which receives its motion
from the drum L, connected by the strap d to the long arm of lever L", which
is centred and turns upon the rod C', when the short arm is struck by the

page_text: cam I, keyed upon the shaft D. M is a counterpoise for raising the die after
the impression has been given to the flap of the envelope; N is a frame which
is placed in the upper portion of the rectangular box G, and connected by two
studs n, n, to a frame N¹, the ends of the two sides of which are hinged to the
under side of the bed plate B, while the end of the frame N' is connected by
a lug to a rod N³ and cam N³ on the shaft D, so that as the cam revolves the
frame N is depressed, and with it also the frame N, which causes four
pieces of vulcanized india-rubber tubing e, e, which are placed between it and
D, the lower portion of the box G, to be also depressed, and the circum-
ference of the india-rubber tubing to protrude into the area of the box. O
is a trap, which forms the bottom of the box G, and is hinged at o to the
bed plate B; O is a lever, which is centred at 0³, one end of which bears
upon the lower side of the trap O, while the other end is slotted out to
receive a pin in the end of the rod 0³, which is connected at top to the
cam O on the shaft D. P is an inclined trough or spout, bolted to the
cross bars p, p, and supporting in each end the rollers P¹, P', over which an
endless band of gutta percha or other like yielding material is passed, in
order to receive the envelopes as they come from the machine upon the
opening of the trap O. The endless band is put into motion by the cord
P, P2, passing over the pulley P³ on the shaft D and pulley P, on the
end of the spindle of the lower roller P¹. P, P, are guide pullies; Q',
Q3, Q³, Q, Q, are five rollers which revolve and bear upon the upper
portion of the endless band. The rollers Q, Q5, are formed of iron, covered
with gutta percha, and together with the rollers Q3, Q³, revolve by frictional
contact with the endless band. The roller Q is of the peculiar form
represented in Figure 4", the centre part being turned of a lesser diameter,
to allow of the stamped flap passing free of the roller, while the outer
and larger ends bear lightly upon the two end flaps of the envelope, so as
to incline them below the stamp flap until the envelope passes beneath the
reller Q2, when the end flaps are pressed down upon the gum flap, and are
rendered further secure by again passing beneath the next and heavier rollers
Q, Q. The roller Q' is driven by a band q from the roller Q2. R is the
feed table, which is made of a thin plate of cast steel, bolted to the general
framework of the machine; and R', R¹, two regulating studs for determining
the position of the blank of the envelope on the table. S is a metal roller,
which is covered with gutta percha, and turns upon centres in the brackets s, s.
The circumference of this roller projects slightly through a slot cut in the
table R. T is a second metal roller, also covered with gutta percha, the
spindle t of which turns in the arms T, T¹, projecting from the rocking

page_text: studs T, T. On the end of the spindle t is fixed a small toothed pinion
g, driven by a toothed wheel h, which turns in the arms T¹ on the rocking
stud T. is a pulley, made in one piece with the toothed wheel h, by
means of which it is caused to revolve when driven by the band from
the eccentric wheel U on the shaft D. T is a piece of metal of the peculiar
shape shewn, fastened to the rod u, supported by the arms T¹, T. This
piece T³ falls and rises with the feed roller T. T' is a broad metal spring,
secured by pins to the lower end of the piece T. The purpose of this
piece and spring T is to slightly crease the blank of the envelope
along its length while passing beneath them, and thus to ensure its being
presented in the proper flat position beneath the plunger. V, V, are two
springs, attached at one of their ends to the under side of the feed table R,
while the other ends are united to a cross piece V¹, in the centre part of which
is formed an eye m, through which the one end of a lever W is passed. This
lever W is centred between the brackets n, n, and bifurcated or divided into
two parts, as represented in the side view in Figure 5, and plan in Figure 6.
W¹, W¹, are two adjusting fingers, centred upon pins in the plates y, y, which
have slots y', y', cut in them, to receive pins which project out from the forked
ends of the lever W. X is a strip of metal, which is fastened to the under
side of the springs V, V, by the screws v, v, and to which at the centre part is
fixed the pulley X', over which a cord passes from the excentric X³. X³, X',
are guide pullies. The purpose of these adjusting fingers is to prevent the
blank of the envelope when fed into the machine from being thrown back by
impact against the stops at the back of the machine, and also to adjust the
blank accurately beneath the plunger F. Y is the fly wheel, on the outer end
of the shaft of which is keyed the crank Y, connected by the rod Y³ to the
treadle Y³, by which the whole machine is set in motion. Z is a pinion on
the shaft of a fly wheel, which gears into the toothed wheel Z' on the shaft D.
Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, represent full-sized views of the different
cams and excentrics on the shaft D, the letters of reference on which refer to
the corresponding letters in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 15 is a diagram, repre-
senting by the different colored lines the cams and excentrics in the relative
positions they occupy in regard to each other on the shaft D. The mode of
operation is as follows:-The attendant first puts the machine into motion by
means of the treadle Y³; he then places upon the feed table R a blank of the
intended envelope, adjusting its position by the regulating studs R', R. The
rotation of the shaft D, and with it the cams and excentrics, then causes the
upper feed roller T, by means of the excentric U, to be brought down upon
the lower roller S, upon which one of the end flaps of the envelope is placed ;

page_text: the roller T, being in rapid revolution, causes the envelope to be projected for-
ward by frictional contact with the roller S, when the end of it comes against
the stops on the frame N, where it is retained in its proper position beneath
the plunger, partly by the small spring a', and partly by the fingers W, W',
which are at this instant made to rise above the feed table R, by the excentric
liberating the springs V, V.. The fingers have till this time been in the
recumbent position, and kept beneath the table by the excentric drawing
down the springs V, V, to allow the blank of the envelope to pass freely over
them. The roller is then drawn up by the full side of the excentric U, and at
the same time the cam L' strikes the lever Lo, which, by means of the strap d,
causes the drum L' to partially rotate, and with it the fly L' and screw L³, which,
acting upon the lever L', causes the die L to be brought down upon the stamp
leaf of the envelope with a smart blow, which leaves an impression upon it of
such device as may be engraved upon the die. After the blow has been struck, the
counterpoise M restores the whole of the stamping parts to their normal position.
Simultaneously with the operation of stamping, the opposite leaf of the blank
is gummed by means of the cam H2 raising (through the intervention of the
rod H¹) the gum distributor H from out of the gum, the edges of the strips.
a, a, taking up a sufficient quantity to distribute upon the leaf. During the
raising of the gum distributor, the pad or holder K is being lowered by the
cam K² and rod K¹, until the under surface of the pad comes into contact with
the strips a, a, of the gum distributor, but having the gum leaf of the envelope
between them. The gum distributor is then lowered, and the holder raised
clear of the blank of the envelope, when the plunger F begins to descend by
the action of the cam F, and forces the blank into the rectangular box G,
which causes it to be creased into the shape of the intended envelope, but with
the flaps at a right angle to the back. The plunger then rises clear of the
box G; and the frame N, by means of the cam Ns and rod N³, is brought down
upon the four pieces of india-rubber tubing e, e, which causes them to be pro-
truded into the box G, and gives to the flaps of the envelope an inclination
towards each other, so that the plunger, which now begins again to descend,
comes down over the flaps which are now on the inside of it, and laid into their
proper relative positions; that is to say, the gum leaf of the envelope is laid.
down first, owing to the projection on that side of the plunger being the
longest and first coming in contact with the envelope, after which the two ends
are brought down upon the gum flap. The plunger is then again raised out of
the box G, and the trap O is caused to fall, by the lever O' being acted upon by
the rod O³ and cam O', which allows the envelope to slide down upon the endless
band in the trough or spout P, which endless band, being in motion, by the

page_text: cord P² from the pulley P³ on the shaft D, carries with it the envelope beneath
the set of rollers Q, Q², Q³, Q, Q, which press the flaps well down upon each
other, and firmly secure the end flaps upon the gum flap, delivering the envelope
complete into any receiver that may be placed for its reception. The trap O
is then restored to its horizontal position, and the process repeated.
Figure 16 is a modification of the plunger F, herein-before described; and
Figure 17, a representation of the cam to be used in conjunction therewith.
F is the plunger, of the peculiar form shewn; the sides and ends are carried up
high and closed in. F¹ is the boss through which the rod F2 is passed. This
rod is connected at top to the cam, Figure 17, which is keyed on to the shaft D,
in the same manner as represented in Figures 1 and 2, and to the lower part
of the rod a supplementary plunger F³ is screwed. G is a helical spring upon
the rod F², which abuts against a collar on the rod and the top part of the
plunger F. The cam, Figure 17, to be used with this plunger is of the double
kind, having one arm A shorter than the other B. The operation of this
plunger is as follows:-Upon the revolution of the main shaft D, on which
the cam is keyed, the shorter arm of the cam comes first into action, and,
through the rod F³, forces the plunger into the box G, and with it the blank
of the envelope, in the same manner as already described in reference to the
plunger in Figures 1, 2, and 3. The plunger is then raised out of the box G,
and the flaps inclined inwards by the pieces of vulcanized india-rubber, when
the plunger again descends and folds down the flaps in their proper order; but
the longer arm B being now in action, its additional length causes the supple-
mentary plunger F3 to be brought down upon the envelope with an amount
of pressure sufficient to cause the end flaps firmly to adhere to the gum flap.
And having now described: the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim the manufacture
of envelopes by means of the improved machinery herein-before described,
that is to say, in so far as regards,-
Firstly, the several arrangements and means for feeding, stamping, and
gumming.
Secondly, the means and machinery for pressing over the sides of envelopes
after being creased in the folding box.
And, thirdly, the working of machinery used in the manufacture of envelopes
by means of a treadle or treadles.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Addenbrooke, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighth day of July, One thousand eight hundred
and fifty-two
JOSEPH (L.S.) ADDENBROOKE:

page_text: year
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Eighth day of July, in the
of our Lord 1852, the aforesaid Joseph Addenbrooke came before our said
Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification afore-
said, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above
written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the
tenure of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Eighth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-two.