Improvements in Machinery for Wrapping Up Books, Pamphlets, Printed Matter, and other Packages.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 14th Apr., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by ROBERT HOE, of 504, Grand Street, in the City
of New York, United States of America, Printing Press Manufacturer.]
Improvements in Machinery for Wrapping Up Books, Pamphlets,
Printed Matter, and other Packages.
I HENRY EDWARD NEWTON of The Office for Patents, 6 Bream's Buildings,
Chancery Lane in the County of London, Patent Agent, 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 :-
The present improvements relate to that class of mechanisms known as wrapping
machines, the purpose of which is to envelope a book, pamphlet, folded sheets, or
other packages, within a postal cover or carriage wrapper, by automatically feeding
one to the other, and uniting the two as a compound product.
The function of this machine is to supply the covering material from the web, to
apply the cover to the article fed to it, and deliver the article covered or wrapped
as a finished package.
While it is contemplated, in some instances, to connect this wrapping machine
with a printing press, so that the folded product thereof may be covered or wrapped
and delivered in convenient form for mailing or other carriage, the article requiring
to be covered may be fed to this wrapping machine, either by hand or by any
feeding device that will successively deliver to it books, pamphlets, folded papers,
or other similar articles, and cause them to enter within the range of action of the
folding mechanism, which simultaneously forms a covering or wrapping tube and
applies the same about the article.
The invention consists in an improved folder whereby a web of paper or similar
wrapping material is converted into a tube of dimensions suited to the article to be
wrapped, which folder so operates that when the tube is partially formed, it
provides an entrance pocket for the reception within it of the article, and there-
after, during the completion of the tube, it applies the same about the article, so as
to envelope or cover it, and embraces various adjustments of parts of the folder,
to adapt it for operation in connection with varying dimensions of the article to be
wrapped or covered. It also includes a peculiar construction of two of the
members of the folder, whereby that portion of the web which is laid against the
edges of the said article shall be properly guided, and its buckling or rupture
It further includes a compressing
prevented during the operation of so folding it.
device whereby the loose leaves or plies of the article to be wrapped are compacted,
so. as to reduce the article to its smallest dimensions, and thus secure a perfect
package. It also comprises means for bending the article to be wrapped trans-
versely, and thus contracting the crosswise extent of the tube, so that the covering
tube applied thereto shall snugly fit the package when it assumes its ultimate flat
form. And it embodies feeding mechanism for introducing the package to be
wrapped, and for advancing the web and the tube enclosing the package, as well as
means for severing package from package, and delivering the severed package out
of the machine.
The foregoing constitute the principal features of this invention, but others will,
however, be set out in the course of the following description of the manner in
which these improvements are or may be carried into effect, and be specifically set
forth in claims therefor, an understanding of all of which will be aided by reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a machine embodying said invention, with the package-

page_text: feeding mechanism removed, and the lower shafts are also omitted, for the sake of
clearness.
Fig. 2 is an end elevation, in which are omitted some of the parts which would
obscure others more important to be clearly illustrated.
Fig. 3 is an elevation of the gear side of the machine.
Fig. 4 is an elevation of the opposite side of the machine.
Fig. 5 is a similar view, with the nearest side frame removed.
Fig. 6 is a longitudinal central sectional elevation.
Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the package-feeding mechanism.
Fig. 8 is a plan view of the same.
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the folding devices detached from the machine.
Fig. 10 is a similar view of the folding devices, with the web undergoing the
folding operation, and being wrapped about the package as its cover.
The principal elements of the machine illustrated are:-A pasting mechanism,
whereby the wrapping or covering web is provided with a line of paste for forming
its uniting seam; a folding apparatus by which a web of paper is converted into a
tubular wrapper, by lapping the same about the article to be covered or wrapped;
a feeding device whereby articles to be wrapped or covered are successively fed to
the folding devices to be wrapped or enveloped by the tube, as it is formed from
the web; a compressing device whereby the loose plies or sheets composing the
package to be wrapped are pressed together, so as to enter readily into the mouth
of the folder; a conforming device whereby the package is temporarily so shaped
while receiving its wrapper, that when it assumes its ultimate shape, the said
wrapper will snugly fit or bind the same; bending devices whereby the foregoing
operation is aided; feeding mechanism whereby the covering or wrapping web, and
the article to be covered or wrapped, are carried through the machine, and the
wrapped or covered article is conveyed to the delivery mechanism; a cutting
mechanism whereby the foremost covered or wrapped article is severed from
the wrapped article following it, while both are travelling onward through the
machine; and a delivering mechanism whereby the completely wrapped article is
delivered out of the machine.
The general operation of the machine illustrated as embodying these improve-
ments, which may be readily comprehended by an inspection of Fig. 10, is as
follows: A web of paper, while being fed through the machine, is converted into
a tube, which, when partially formed, presents an open pocket into which the
article to be covered, as the book B, is introduced, and when fully formed, is lapped
widthwise about said article as a cover or wrapper. Successively wrapped articles
thus enveloped within the tube, are separated into separate packages by severing
the web between their adjacent ends.
The pasting mechanism by which the lapped edges of the tube are united, consists
of a paste disc or roller 101, that is mounted to run in a paste vat 102, and bear
upon one edge of the web, as it passes from the web roll 103, and is led over a
roller 104, and around a roller 105. A line of paste is thus deposited upon one
edge of the web, and when said edge is laid on and pressed upon the opposite edge
of the web, after its two sides are folded inwardly and overlapped to form a tube,
the two edges will be joined by a pasted scam, and form a tubular wrapper or
cover.
The folding apparatus (see Fig. 9) consists essentially of a horizontal transverse
guiding or folding edge g, two rearward depending guiding or folding edges u, i,
laterally disposed at opposite angles to the guiding edge g, and two horizontal
guiding or folding edges d, e, set at converging angles, and of such a length as will
not only cause the sides of the web to be turned centrally into horizontal planes,
but one overlap the other to the extent desired for the seam that unites one to the
other to form a tube.
It is convenient and advantageous, instead of forming the guiding or folding
edges, guide, of bars or rods, as might be done, to construct, the folder in plate
form. Thus, the rearwardly inclined portion gu i might be a plate C of suitable

page_text: form, and have, extending forward from its upper edge, a horizontal plate R, of a
width equal, or about so, to that of the wrapped package to be formed, which plate,
as it alone operates as a support for the wrapping or covering web, when it sustains
the article to be wrapped, might have substituted for it an apron, or be constructed
as a table fixed to the frame, and in some cases be omitted altogether. The
guiding edges d, e, instead of being composed simply of turning bars or rods
angularly disposed, might be a plate structure of the shape shown, with rearward
depending wings O, W, and front lapping plates or guides E, L.
This folder or folding guide is sustained as follows:-Its plate C is hung near its
upper or guiding edge g by means of cars a (see Fig. 5), that are pivotted to arms
attached to the support 112, which extends from a bridge bar 113; and the angular
disposition of this plate C with respect to the leading roller 105 of the pair 104, 105,
over which the web 103 passes from the carrying spindle 94, is effected by means of
adjusting rods 114, which, pivotted to the underside of said plate, are supported by
means of sockets, as 115, attached to the side frames in which they may slide, and
are held in fixed positions by set screws 116.
The plate R is sustained, at one end, by a central support 112, that extends from
the bridge bar 113, and near its forward end by the bridge bar 117.
The composite plates forming the side wing O, guiding edge e, and lapping guide E,
and the side wing W, guiding edge d, and lapping guide L, as single instru-
mentalities, are adjustably supported so as to properly relate the guiding edges d, e
to each other, and to the guiding edges g, u i, by means of horizontal supporting
arms 118, 119, which have slotted holes through which set screws secure them to
extensions of the bridge bar 117. Such a folding guide, whether composed of the
plates, C, R, O, W, E, L, or of the edges g, u, i, d, e, similarly adjustable, with or
without the plate R, will cause a web of material drawn through it to be converted
into a tube as follows:-
The web 103 will be distended to its full width as it passes onto the rearwardly
inclined plate C, and its central or body portion, corresponding with the width of
the tube to be formed, will be passed over the guiding edge g, and extend onward
through the folding guide. At the guiding edge g, the web is bent at such an
angle as to cause its opposite sides to drop over the guiding edges u, i, and
extend therefrom to and over the guiding edges d, e, said sides being infolded under
the guides d, e, and doubled onto the central or body portion beyond the guiding
edge g, on parallel lines coinciding with the right line forward extensions of the
points where the guiding edges g, u, i, intersect. These guiding edges g, u, i, all
support the web outwardly, while the guiding edges d, e, support the sides inwardly,
and lap the said sides from their lines of doubling or folding onto the central or
body portion of the web, which sides will be pressed or laid flat in a horizontal
plane, such one edge lapping slightly over the other, thus forming a flat tube.
When this web, thus disposed, is advanced through the folding guide, the lines of
folding will be formed at the intersections of the guides g, u, i; the sides will be
stretched from the guiding edges u, i, over the guiding edges d, e; and thus be
folded on said parallel folding lines, and lapped upon the central body. As this
machine is especially adapted to envelope quite a thick article, as a newspaper, or
a folded newspaper within the tube formed by this folding guide, the guiding
edges d, e, are arranged to be adjusted vertically, so as to provide a space for it
above the plane of the guiding edge g, whence it results, that the web is not only
doubled on the folding lines, as described, but these lines are expanded to form
sides for the tube, which are substantially equal to the thickness of the said article,
or have dimensions equal to the distance at which the guides d, e, are set above the
guiding edge g; and hence the tube will be the hollow structure shown in
Figure 10, which illustrates the conformation of the web as it is converted from a
This method of
distended or flat condition, and assumes such tubular form.
for
forming the tube provides it with an open pocket beyond the guiding edge
the reception of the article to be enveloped by it, as the same is fed within the
range of action of the folder.
=

page_text: .
The feeding of the article to be wrapped might be an introduction of it by hand
into this pocket, but as it is obvious that the wrapping tube will be rapidly formed
by the machine, it is desirable to feed the article to be wrapped through a mechanism
having a speed of operation equal to that of the wrapping machine. This may be
accomplished by tapes in connection with a printing machine that produces a printed
and folded product, or with a folding machine that folds a sheet into proper dimensions,
and delivers the same by tapes. The tapes from such a folding machine, whether it
be connected or not with a printing machine as its delivery, might be extended to
run over the roller 27, or pulleys on a shaft near it, and suitable upper tapes be
provided to run over the pulleys 14, 15, or any other arrangement of tapes be provided
to carry the folded product into the said pocket. An advantageous construction of
feeding device, especially suited to the feeding of such articles as pamphlets, is shown
in Figures 7 and 8.
This consists of a box-like structure or container 100, through the bottom of
which feeding belts, or lagged aprons, 92, 93, protrude, to act as carriers. These
belts or aprons are endless, and run over suitable pulleys or sprocket wheels 95, 96,
that are mounted upon shafts, one of which, 97, is actuated to give timely feeding
movements to the whole from the shaft 26, by means of bevel wheels 98, 99.
The front end board of this container is adjustable vertically by means of set
screws that pass through slotted holes in a cross plate 109, so as to expose an opening.
at the lower front corner of the container of suitable dimensions to admit the passage,
one at a time, of the pack or article to be wrapped, which packs or articles are piled
one upon another within the container, upon suitable rigid supporting guides 47, 48,
which practically form a skeleton bottom, that sustains the pile against undue
pressing upon the feeding belts or aprons 92, 93, while permitting the latter to
operate between them.
These belts or aprons are so moved that each set of lags or projecting fingers 12
will force the lowermost pack or article outward onto the moving web, which is
being converted into a wrapper, whereupon it will travel concertedly with said web,
and become wrapped within it, as will hereafter appear.
This feeding mechanism may be located so as to deliver the pack or article
between the discs 14, 15 and the roller 27, or so as to deliver directly into the pocket
over the plate R.
Thus delivered, the leading end of the pack or article will enter the pocket, leaving
only space enough between them to admit of the severing of one from another, unless
it be desired that the wrapper shall have an overhanging end or ends, in which case
the necessary distance between the articles will be provided by a more slowly feeding
of them.
As the object of this improved folder is to lay or fold a web of paper in the form
of a tube about an article to be wrapped or covered, and said article will vary in its
thickness as well as its width, said guides d, e require, in addition to a proper angular
relation to the guide g, a lateral adjustment, which is also accomplished by properly
moving the same into suitable positions secured by the set screws passing through
the slotted holes in the extensions 118, 119. In order to adapt these guides d, e
to suit the varying thicknesses of the articles to be wrapped or covered, they also
have a vertical adjustment upon the same set screws, which is secured by placing
one or more suitable lifts beneath said extensions 118, 119, as will be readily apparent.
When thus adjusted for an article having any considerable thickness, such as is shown
in Figure 10, it is obvious that a portion of the wrapping web will require to be
laid against said edges, as it is guided inwardly, to be lapped upon the top of said
article.
Thus, instead of having its inwardly turned sides folded upon a single line of
doubling, at points corresponding with horizontal extensions from the junction of
the guides g, u and gi, the said sides will rise from said junctions to an extent
equal to that of the thickness of the article, and thus necessarily form a double
folding line, namely, where it passes over the lower edge of the side of the article
and over the upper edge or corner of the article. In order that the thin, limp

page_text: paper constituting the wrapper or cover may not buckle or be otherwise distorted
in passing from said junction of the guides g, u and g, i, the said guides d and e
have their rearward portions, adjacent to said points of junction, rounded at 1 and 6,
as shown in Figure 9, so as to form practically continuous supports within the
partially folded web at the points named, conforming to the natural position it
assumes, and thus acting to sustain the paper, and gradually turn it against the
edges of the article, as it passes onward to be laid onto the top of said article by
the guides d, e.
The compressing devices, by which the edge or edges of the article to be wrapped
are so compacted as to enable said article to smoothly and readily enter into
the pocket (which the wrapping tube presents in being folded or converted into a
tube as just described) consists of an open-side, gradually tapered guide, preferably
composed of a horizontal plate as 2, 3, whose outer end is curved upward, see Fig. 6,,
and of a vertical plate, as 4, 5, whose end is bent outwardly, see Fig. 1, thus forming
an entrance end which is large enough to receive the spread or distended edge of
the article, as the spread corner of a book, or the distended edges of a folded.
sheet, and gradually contracts, so that at its exit end its dimensions are equal to
Such a.
that of a compact condition of the material composing such article.
compressing device is mounted at one or both sides of the pocket, with its forward.
end slightly, entered within said pocket, and its outer or rear end in the pathway
of the article to be wrapped, so that the article readily entering into such guide has
its free leaves, or bulging plies, gradually pressed together, and the thickness of its
body brought to the proper dimensions to receive and be tightly enveloped by the
wrapper, as the two pass into the mouth of the folder, and move onward under the.
guided or guides d, e.
for
Ordinarily but one edge of a package will require the use of this compressor;
instance, a magazine or pamphlet having one bound edge, will have but one edge
with loose leaves, and a folded newspaper, will have one doubled edge, and its
other edge will have free plies, but in the case of the folded paper, as the parts of
the folded edge are unattached, that edge will bulge considerably, and make the
use of two compressors desirable; and for rapid manipulation, both compressors
will be found advantageous with all packages.
Where a vertical pressing is alone required, it will be obvious that the compressor
may be a roller or rollers of suitable size, as the curved surfaces of such rollers
will present a curved sloping guide, substantially like those marked 2 and 4, and.
additionally impart a rolling pressure. They are therefore to be considered as the
equivalent of the fixed pressing guide 2 or 3.
The package-conforming device consists of a conformator, which is a long-
narrow floating bar 9, preferably slightly wider than the seam to be formed by the-
overlapped edges of the wrapping tube. This floating bar 9 is sustained by having
one end secured to the shaft that carries the intermediate 49, and, bearing upon or
over the shaft of the roller 27, which roller is cut away for this purpose, it extends
forward centrally, and terminates at or near the feeding roller 11, somewhat in
advance of the ends of the longer lapping guide E or plate e, by which the upper
ply of the web is completely laid into place.
Its upper surface is preferably convex, so that, in addition to raising the upper
plies of the wrapper, it will slightly curve or bend upward the central portion of
the article to be wrapped, and thus draw its outer edges inwardly, the effect of
which is to contract the article widthwise, as in Figure 2.
The lateral compressing or bending devices, which cooperate with the bar 9, are
composed of opposite side or edge guides 90, 91, that are adjustably supported by
the bridge bar 117, upon which they are secured by means of lateral plates.
provided with slotted attaching holes and securing set screws.
These guides
embrace the point where the tube is fully formed, and extend near to the point
where the uniting seam is formed, and they preferably have concave surfaces that
bear upon the outer edges of the enveloped package, as it passes between them.
They may be set to press more or less inwardly, and thus bend or arch the

page_text: article to be wrapped, so as to secure or, aid in securing, the effect ascribed to the
conforming device.
Although the use of both is desirable, either the bar 9 or these guides 90, 91,
will so bend the package as to enable the lower ply of its wrapper to be drawn
from edge to edge of the article, like a bowstring, which will cause the wrapping
tube to be conformed to exactly the same size as the outside widthwise dimension's
of the article, when fairly compressed, and the result will be, that when the wrapped
article and its wrapper are free to assume their ultimate flattened shape, the
wrapper will snugly fit the article and form a compact package, capable of
resisting any ordinary handling and transport.
One feeding mechanism consists of two discs 14, 15, mounted upon a shaft 16,
that is sustained by arms 17, 18, by which it is hung to swing upon a shaft 19, that
is journalled in the side frames.
These discs are adjustably set apart such a distance that they preferably bear
upon or near the outer edges of the article passed beneath them for introduction
into the machine, and they are constantly rotated by means of a pinion 20 that
meshes with a pinion 21 on the shaft 19, which latter is driven by intermediates 49
and 22 from a pinion 23 on a short shaft, which is driven by mitre gears 24, 25,
from the longitudinal shaft 26.
The discs 14, 15 have, as a pressing support, the roller 27, whose shaft is driven
by means of a pinion 22.
Another feeding mechanism consists of similar discs 28, 29, mounted upon a
shaft 30, that is sustained by arms 31, 32, by which it is hung to swing upon a
shaft 33, that is journalled in the side frames.
These discs are adjustably set such a distance apart that they preferably bear
upon or near the outer edges of the article passed beneath them in its onward
passage through the machine; their shaft 30 is rotated by a pinion 37 that gears
with a pinion 38 on the shaft 33, which pinion is driven by an intermediate 39,
which gears with an intermediate 40, on a shaft 36, which is revolved by means of
mitre gears 44, 45, from the longitudinal shaft 26.
These discs 28, 29 have pressing support upon discs 34, 35 directly beneath them,
which discs are supported and driven by their carrying shaft 36, upon which is
fixed the intermediate 40.
Another feeding mechanism consists of similar discs 51, 52, mounted upon a
short shaft 53, that is sustained by arms 54, 55, which are hung upon a shaft 56,
that is journalled in the side frames.
These discs are adjustably set such a distance apart that they preferably bear
upon or near the outer edges of the article passed beneath them, in its inward
passage through the machine.
Their shaft 53 is rotated by a pinion 57 that gears with a pinion 58 on the
shaft 56, which latter is driven by an intermediate 59 from a pinion 60 on a
shaft 64, which in turn is driven by mitre gears 61, 62 from the shaft 26.
These discs 51, 52 have pressing support upon a roller 63 mounted beneath them
upon the shaft 64.
Another feeding mechanism consists of similar discs 65, 66, mounted upon a
shaft 67, that is sustained by arms 68, 69, which are hung upon a shaft 70 that is
journalled in the side frames.
These discs are also adjustably set such a distance apart that they preferably
bear upon or near the outer edges of the article passed beneath them in its onward
passage through the machine.
Their shaft. 67 is rotated by a pinion 71 that gears with a pinion 72 on the
shaft 70, which latter is driven by an intermediate 73 from a pinion 74 on a
shaft 75, which in turn is driven by mitre gears 76, 77 from the shaft 26.
These discs have, as a pressing support, a roller 111 mounted on the shaft 75.
A pressing device, consisting of a small concave ruller 11, depends from
arms 78, 79 that are hung upon the shaft 56.
This roller has a contour that fits the convex upper surface of the bar 9, upon

page_text: which it has a pressing support over the whole or greater part of the upper
surface of the seam uniting the edges of the wrapper that envelopes the package,
while the thus wrapped package is passing between it and the said bar 9.
The shafts 19, 33, 56, and 70, are provided with rock arms c, n, o, x, by which
the adjustment of the feeding discs 14, 15; 28, 29; 51, 52;.65, 66, and roll 11,
which they respectively support, with relation to the thickness of the package
being formed, is accomplished and maintained.
These rock arins are held in suitable position between the opposite lugs by
means of sets of screws, as is clearly shown in Figure 4.
The cutting mechanism consists of a vibrating double-edged cutter, whose two
opposite cutting blades 7, 8, cooperate with shear plates 10, 13, that are supported
by bridge bars 106, 107, secured to the framing, and which shear plates are set, and
may be adjustable, sufficiently apart to admit the passage of the wrapped or
covered article to be operated upon.
These shear plates 7, 8 are carried by two vibrating arms 81, 82, supported by a
shaft 80, that is rocked, with timely exactitude, through a rock arm 83 and a
connecting rod 84, that are moved by a cam 85, journalled by a stud on one side
frame, and rotated by means of a wheel 86 that meshes with a pinion 87 carried by
the shaft 75.
The delivery mechanism consists of an endless apron 88 that runs over rollers,
one (89) only being shown, to which apron an onward feeding movement may be
imparted in any convenient way.
The intermediate or longitudinal shaft 26, through which motion is imparted to
many of the devices, is rotated from the main driving-shaft 150 by means of an
intermediate 42, constantly geared with an intermediate 41, fast on the shaft 36
The intermediate 42 is hung in the swinging arm 50 (see Fig. 3) so that it may
mesh either with a large driving wheel 46, or with a small driving wheel 43, as
may be desired, the said driving wheels 46 and 43 being splined on, and arranged
to slide upon, the driving shaft 150, for this object.
It being understood that as the conforming device or floating bar 9 and the
compressing bending devices or edge guides 90, 91, are not essential, though
advantageous, in the operation of wrapping, that operation will first be described
without reference to these devices; and thereafter their functions will be
explained.
A rolled web 103 of suitable wrapping paper, of a width equal to the widthwise
area of the article to be wrapped, plus the overlapping portion required for the
seam, is mounted upon the spindle 94, and led over a roll 104, and then under a
roll 105, where the underside of one of its edges receives a line of paste from the
paste disc or roll 101, which dips into a paste vat 102, and runs in pressing contact
with the roll 105. It is introduced through the folder with its central portion
drawn over the folding guide or edge ; its sides are folded inwardly on lines
corresponding with parallel extensions from the points of union between the guides
or edges gu aud yi, so that one edge will overlap the other, to form a uniting
seam, and these inwardly folded sides are bent outwardly over the guides or
edges de, so as to be distended thence from the guides i (see Fig. 10).
sides will thus be overlapped, forming a tube which is fed onward by the
discs 51, 52, and roller 63. Thus conformed, the web will be progressively
converted into a tube, as it is continuously fed or drawn through the folder and its
overlapped edges will be joined together by a pasted seam.
Its
From an inspection of Fig. 10, it will be observed that this process of conversion
of the web into a tube causes the sides of the web to take such directions of travel
as to present an open pocket just in advance of the guiding edge g, which is
peculiarly suitable for the introduction into the tube of the article to be wrapped
or covered, as is shown in Figs. 9 and 10. The incoming package, fed forward
by the tapes described, or by the discs 14, 15 and roller 27, or otherwise
delivered into this pocket, will, by passing through the compressing guides, have

page_text: its edge or edges compressed to an equal thickness, and when in contact with the
moving web or wrapper, it will thereafter be carried onward through the machine
by frictional action, though it is preferable to aid its movement by means of the
discs 28, 29 and roller 34, before it reaches the discs 51, 52, and roller 63,
which propel the web. As the article to be wrapped rests upon the paper web,
and advances through the folder, the sides of the web will be turned centrally
over it, and laid smoothly and tightly upon it, one side of the web overlapping the
other side, and being fastened thereto by a pasted seam, thus enveloping the article
in a flat paper tube or cover.
The seam will ordinarily be complete when the wrapped article passes the
lapping guide E or guide e, but it is preferable to use a roller, as 11, to press this
pasted seam, so as to render it sufficiently strong to maintain itself when it is freshly
formed and damp.
The packs of articles will preferably be so fed onto the wrapper, as to lie quite
closely together, although, if it is desired to have one or both ends overhang, so
as to form a protecting projection, said packs or articles will be fed so as to be
suitable distances apart.
The wrapped packages thus successively formed within the tubular wrapper,
may be divided one from another by any suitable cutting mechanism. The one
herein shown is, however, a desirable construction, and it operates as follows:-
When the leading wrapped package has entered between the discs 65, 66, and
roller 111, which are to feed it out of the machine, and its rear end or
predetermined line of severance between it and next rearward package emerges
from between the shear plates 10, 13, and is passing a point corresponding with
the path of travel of the cutting blade 7 or 8, their carrier will be quickly vibrated,
to cause one blade, as 8, to descend through the wrapper, and sever it transversely
more or less close to the rear end of one, or the forward end of the other, package,
and the next severing will be accomplished in like manner by the blade 7, as its
carrier is quickly moved upwards. The plates 10, 13, may thus, in connection
with the blades 7, 8, act as shears, or they may constitute a holding guide to
sustain the wrapped package while the cutting is performed.
The foremost wrapped package, thus completed by being severed from those
following it, and undergoing the wrapping operation, will be fed onward by the
discs 65, 66, and roller 11, and emerging therefrom, will drop onto the moving
belt 88, which, constantly advancing, will receive the packages in succession upon
it, and finally deliver them into any convenient receptacle.
While the operation as thus described is a practical mode of wrapping packages,
it is advantageous to produce a package whose wrapper is so tightly bound about
the enveloped article, as to closely compact its component parts into the smallest
possible dimensions.
To accomplish this is the object of the conformator or floating bar 9, and the
compressing or bending devices and the edge guides 90, 91.
This floating bar 9 lies in such a plane with respect to the guiding edges d, e,
that it lifts the central portion of the article to be wrapped, high enough to
transversely curve said article, thus enabling the lower ply of the wrapping web to
be drawn in a straight line from the lower outside edges of said article, and thus
occupy somewhat less space than it will ultimately cover, when the article finally
assumes its flat form, while the sides of the web are drawn tightly over the edges
of the article, and laid smoothly over its upper surface, where they are lapped
together and united by the seam. And as this bar 9 is curved to conform to this
temporarily arched condition of the article, the pressing roller 11 is correspondingly
concaved, so that it will press evenly upon the pasted seam. This conforming of
the package will be aided by the edge guides 90, 91, which, pressing laterally
upon the edges of the package, tend to compress it into the arched form, yet, while
advantageous, they may be omitted; and, with some packages, they may be alone used,
and the floating bar 9 be omitted. When the package passes beyond the floating
bar 9 and the guides 90, 91, it will, from its inherent qualities, at once assume a flat

page_text: condition, thus straining its wrapper closely about it, and drawing its component
parts, as the plies of paper forming it, compactly together, and practically form a
compressed package.
It will, from slight consideration, be apparent, that since the floating bar is
positioned somewhat above the path of travel through the folder, that bearing discs
pressing its outer edges downward will cause the arched form described.
The functions of the discs 14, 15, and roller 27, is to feed the article delivered to
them onward into the pocket of the tube, and hence, if the feeding mechanism for
the article to be wrapped delivers it directly into such pocket, they may be
omitted. The discs 28, 29, and their cooperating discs 34, 35, are not necessary in
all cases.
All of these feeding discs may be used with advantageous results, since they are
set less distances apart than the length of the shortest package, and ensure a
positive onward feed at all points of travel of the article.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion 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. A folding apparatus for producing a wrapping tube, consisting of guides
having edges g, u, i, d, e, the latter de of which are adjustable vertically for
varying thicknesses of articles to be wrapped or covered, substantially as described.
2. A folding mechanism, consisting of the guides having edges g, u, i, d, e, of
which the guides d, e have edges curved at points 1, 6, adjacent to the guiding
edge g, whereby they operate to support that portion of the paper web which is to
be lapped against the edge of the article to be wrapped, substantially as described.
3. In a machine for wrapping or covering a package having loose plies, as a
pamphlet or folded newspaper, the combination with the folding lapping guides
having edges de, of the compressing guide operating upon the upper surface of the
package, near one or both of its edges, substantially as described.
4. The combination with the folding lapping guides having edges de, of the
compressing guide 4 or 5 operating upon one or both of the outer edges of the
package, substantially as described.
5. The combination with the folding lapping guides having edges de, of a
compressing guide, as 2, 4 or 3, 5, operating upon the upper surface and outer
edge of the package, at one or both sides thereof, substantially as described.
6. The combination with the folding lapping guides having edges de for laying
the sides of the web onto and overlapping the same upon the article to be covered,
of means for bending or arching the said article transversely, whereby the cover or
wrapper is applied snugly about the said article, substantially as described.
7. The combination with the folding lapping guides having edges de for laying
the sides of the web onto and overlapping the same upon the article to be covered,
of the conformator 9 and side guides 90, 91, operating to bend or arch said article
transversely, and thus ensure a snug fitting of its cover, when said article assumes
a flat form, substantially as described.
8. The combination with the folding lapping guides having edges de for laying
the sides of the web onto and overlapping the same upon the article to be covered,
of the conformator 9, substantially as described.
9. The combination with the lapping guides having edges de for laying the sides
of the web onto and overlapping the same upon the article to be covered, of side
guides, as 90, 91, operating to bend or arch said article transversely, and a support,
as plate R, for the package, substantially as described.
10. The combination with the guides having edges g, u, i, d, e, operating to
convert a web into a tube and form a pocket for the entrance of the article into
said tube, of means for feeding the article to be wrapped through said pocket into
the tube, and means for advancing said web, whereby the article becomes enveloped
or wrapped within the tube, substantially as described.
11. The combination with the guides having edges g, u, i, d, e, operating to

page_text: convert a web into a tube, form a pocket for the entrance of the article therein, and
to envelope or wrap said article within the tube, of means for feeding the articles
to be wrapped through said pocket into the tube, means for advancing the tube
and the article enveloped by it, and devices for applying a line of paste to the
overlapping parts of said tube, to form its closing seam, substantially as described.
12. The, combination with the guides having edges g, u, i, d, e, operating to
convert a web into a tube, form a pocket for the entrance of the article therein,
and to envelope or wrap said article within the tube, of means for feeding the
articles to be wrapped through said pocket into the tube, means for advancing the
tube and the article enveloped by it, a device for applying a line of paste to one of
the overlapping parts of said tube, to form its closing seam, and a roller operating
to press said seam, substantially as described.
13. The combination with the guides having edges g, u, i, d, e, operating to
convert a web into a tube, form a pocket for the entrance of the article therein,
and to envelope or wrap said article within the tube, of means for feeding the
articles to be wrapped through said pocket into the tube, means for advancing the
tube and the articles enveloped by it, a device for applying a line of paste to one
of the overlapping parts of said tube, to form its closing seam, and a means for
severing the tubular wrapper at points between the enveloped packages, substantially
as described.
14. The combination with the guides having edges g, u, i, d, e, operating to
convert a web into a tube, form a pocket for the entrance of the article therein,
and to envelope or wrap said article within the tube, of means for feeding the
articles to be wrapped through said pocket into the tube, means for advancing the
tube and the articles enveloped by it, a device for applying a line of paste to one
of the overlapping parts of said tube, to form its closing seam, a pressing roller
operating to press said seam, and a means for severing the tubular wrapper at
points between the enveloped packages, substantially as described.
15. The combination with the guides having edges g, u, i, d, e, operating to
-convert a web into a tube, form a pocket for the entrance of the article therein,
and to envelope or wrap said article within the tube, of means for feeding the
articles to be wrapped through said pocket into the tube, means for advancing the
tube and the articles enveloped by it, a device for applying a line of paste to one
of the overlapping parts of said tube, to form its closing sean, a pressing roller
operating to press said seam, a means for severing the tubular wrapper at points
between the enveloped packages, and means for delivering the detached enveloped
.package, substantially as described.
16. The combination with a mechanism for feeding packages in succession
thereto, of the guides having edges de, whereby the sides of a web are laid or
folded onto said packages, as a wrapper or cover therefor, and feeding discs
adjustable laterally, so as to effectively bear upon and feed forward the enveloped
article, substantially as described.
17. The combination with a mechanism for feeding packages in succession thereto,
of the guides having edges de, whereby the sides of a web are laid or folded onto
said packages as a wrapper or cover therefor, and feeling discs adjustable
vertically, to suit the thickness of, and thus effectively feed forward, the enveloped
article, substantially as described. .
18. In a wrapping machine wherein the wrapper or cover is folded about the
package as a tube, and the tube and enveloped articles are simultaneously advanced
through the machine by one or more pairs of feeding discs, the combination with
said discs, of means for adjusting them to fixed vertical bearing positions, to suit
different thicknesses of articles to be operated upon, substantially as described.
19. The combination with a folder operating to form a tube and envelope an
article. therein, and means for advancing the same rapidly through the machine,
of a cutter having blades 7 and 8, and means for vibrating the same, so as to
sever package from package, at each of its movements of vibration, substantially as
described.

page_text: 20. The combination with a folder operating to form a tube and envelope an
article therein, and means for advancing the same rapidly through the machine,
of shear plates 10, 13, and a cutter having blades 7 and 8, and means for vibrating
the same, so as to sever package from package at each of its movements of
vibration, substantially as described.
21. The combination with a folder operating to form a tube and envelope an
article therein, and means for advancing the enveloped article through a machine,..
of a floating bar, as 9, having a convex upper surface, and a pressing roller 11.
having a concave bearing surface, substantially as described.
Dated this 12th day of March 1894.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.