ÍMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ENVELOPES, AND THE MACHINERY, APPARATUS, OR MEANS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1852

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Mumby at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
1st October 1852.
(Void by reason of notice to proceed not having been given within the
time prescribed by the Act.)
I, GEORGE MUMBY, of Harrington Street, Hampstead Road, in the
County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "ÍMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF ENVELOPES, AND THE MACHINERY, APPARATUS, OR MEANS TO BE EMPLOYED
THEREIN," to be as follows:-
The improvements in this Invention relate,-First, to certain arrange-
ments and adaptations of machinery by which the various processes of
cutting and feeding blanks, embossing, gumming, folding, colouring the
die, bordering, and delivering, are performed in one machine, and
by one revolution of the main shaft. Second, to the method of cutting
blanks. Third, to the application and use of electricity, magnetism,
or electro-magnetism in feeding the blanks, or in other apparatus
requiring paper to be fed. Fourth the method of breaking the
current of electricity, in order that the blank may be fed in its proper
position. Fifth, to the production of two or more envelopes by one
revolution of the main shaft. Sixth, to the use of peculiar adjustable

page_text: apparatus in the manufacture of envelopes, whereby they can be made
of different sizes if required. Seventh, to certain arrangements of
machinery for inclining the flaps previous to the final descent of the
plunger. Eighth, to the mode or method of colouring and cleaning the
embossing die, and of inking the bordering die.
Ninth, to the use of
Tenth, to the method
a small plunger working within the large one.
of compensating for the decrease in the height of the blanks on the
table or platforin. Eleventh, to the apparatus or means of bordering
envelopes. Twelfth, to the method of gumming the seal flap.
The blanks are cut by a hollow cutting die, working in suitable bear-
ings, and actuated by a compound lever attached to the cross-head.
The electricity used in the feeding process is generated or excited by
the usual apparatus, consisting of a cylinder, rubber, and conductor; the
cylinder is made to revolve by a band attached to the pulley on the
main shaft. The electric fluid is conveyed to the feeder by means of a
chain fastened to the conductor, and at the opposite end is a piece of
India-rubber, which by its elasticity is used to break the electrical
current, thereby causing the blank to be placed in it's proper position.
After the blank is taken up by the electric feeder, it is carried to the
folding apparatus by means of a bell-crank lever working loose on the
main shaft, to the long arm of which is connected the traversing frame,
on which is the feeder, and the short arm has a connecting rod to the
cross-head; the latter as it ascends raises the short arm of the lever,
and consequently brings the feeder over the folding box, previous to the
gumming and embossing action; these latter processes being accom-
plished by cams on the main shaft actuating suitable machinery.
Attached to the traversing frame are two rollers arranged in such a
imanner that they alternately ink and wipe the embossing die. The
inking roller receives its colouring matter by passing over a slab as it
traverses backwards and forwards. This apparatus, being adjustable, can
be adopted at pleasure. The folding action is accomplished by a double
cam fast on the main shaft, which, as it revolves, causes the plunger to
descend into the folding box. This cam is of such a form that its
first movement causes the four flaps of the envelope to stand up at
right angles the other cam then coming into operation actuates the

page_text: small internal plunger which causes the flap incliners to give the necessary
relative position to the flaps (previous to the final descent of the large
plunger), so that they may be folded in their respective order. In
bordering the envelopes an engraved die is used, corresponding to the
size of the envelope. The die, as before mentioned, is inked by a roller
attached to the traversing frame passing over the colour slab and under
the die, whereby it receives a coating of ink; this is effected prior to
the arrival of the blank over the folding box; the die is then made to
descend upon the envelope on an India-rubber bed, by means of a cam
movement. At this stage of the process the internal plunger is made
to project beyond the large one, in order to detach the envelope, which
adheres to the dic, owing to the adhesive nature of the ink. And the
apparatus for gumming the seal flap consists of four revolving arms, to
the ends of which are fastened a piece of sponge; these, as they
revolve, dip slightly in a reservoir of liquid gum or other adhesive
matter. The blanks are then placed on a suitable moveable platform
in such a position that the gummers press upon the flaps as they revolve,
thus gumming them in a rapid and effective manner. As to the fifth
improvement:The manufacture of two or more envelopes is accom-
plished by repeating the machinery or apparatus necessary for the pro-
duction of one. In reference to the sixth improvement:-The peculiar
adjustable apparatus used for making envelopes of different sizes
consists in the employment of different sized folding boxes, plungers,
&c., and adapted to each other by screws and slots in the framing of the
machine. In explanation of the tenth improvement:-Compensating
for the decrease in the height of the blanks as they are fed away,
a ratchet wheel and detent are employed, so that when the traversing
frame returns, it presses against the detent, thereby causing the wheel
to turn partially round; this movement is then made to lift the blanks
to the feeder by a band and pully arrangement. The whole of the above
improvements may be used in combination with each other, and in one
and the same apparatus or machinery.