Year: 1886

page_text: I, SIDNEY AUSTIN GRANT, of Springfield, Massachusetts, United States of
America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in envelope-machines of the class
described in the Specification of former Letters Patent dated 15th October,
A.D. 1884, N° 13,614.
One feature of my present invention is the provision of means for holding or
supporting the blank-table against the pressure of the pickers while they are
taking a blank therefrom, and then releasing the said table so that it will be
moved outward by gravity to bring the next blank thereon into the proper position
to be taken by the pickers. In this manner, provide for ensuring the feeding
outward of the pile of blanks, after a blank has been removed therefrom, to the
exact extent necessitated by the removal of the said blank. I employ a blank-
retainer upon which the pile of blanks rests when thus fed or moved outward.
This blank-retainer is provided with means whereby it will be moved away from
the pile of blanks as it approaches the pickers, and will be moved back again as it
recedes therefrom.
Another feature of my said invention is the employment of spring arms or
hooks, whereby the blanks are held firmly against the blank-table, but which will
be moved away from the pile of blanks by the pickers, in the operation of taking
a blank therefrom, and will then be permitted to again engage with the said pile
of blanks.
My said invention, moreover, comprises the construction and arrangement of the
picker-box and the folding devices in such a manner that one of the folding wings
will, in the rotation of the said picker-box and folding devices, enter the said box
under one of the flaps of the envelope-blank, and will seize the said blank and
transfer it from the picker-box to the folding-box.
My said invention further comprises improvements in the means for folding the
envelopes, and in the means for delivering them from the drying chain into a
receiving box, and various other improvements all hereinafter set forth.
In the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in vertical section, of an envelope-machine
embodying my present improvements, one side of the frame being removed.
Figure 2 shows a nortion of Figure 1 drawn to an enlarged scale.

page_text: Figure 3 is a plan, drawn to a still further enlarged scale, of one of the blank-
tables illustrated in Figure 2, showing the top of a pile of blanks thereon and
showing also a portion of the frame in horizontal section, and an edge view of a
cam hereinafter described.
Figure 4 is a section on the line x, x, Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a portion of the frame and one of the
picker-boxes hereinafter described, together with portions of the mechanism
whereby the said picker-box is operated.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of a creaser-shaft and rotating creasers hereinafter
described.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the picker-box and operating mechanism
illustrated in Figure 5, but showing the same in a reversed position.
Figure 8 is a plan of one of the folding-boxes with an envelope-blank thereon,
showing one of the end flaps folded.
Figure 9 is a plan of the said folding-box, showing the folding wings and folding
shaft, hereinafter described, closed against the envelope.
Figure 10 is a perspective view, partly in section, showing portions of the
envelope-receiving box and the drying chain hereinafter described, together with
mechanism whereby the envelopes are drawn out of the said chain and caused to
drop into the said box.
Figure 11 is a side elevation, partly in vertical section, showing devices whereby
the gumming-roll is moved from the gum-roll to the pickers and vice versa, as
hereinafter set forth.
Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the gumming-roll and a rock-shaft to
which it is attached.
Figure 13 is a side elevation, partly in vertical section, showing a portion of the
machine, and illustrating a modification of my invention wherein the blank-table
frame has only one table connected therewith, and wherein provision is made for
imparting to the said table oscillating motion whereby it is made to co-operate
with, and supply blanks for, several rotating pickers and creasers, as hereinafter
set forth.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is the frame of the machine, which is of suitable form to permit the arrange-
ment therein of the blank-table frame B, the picker frame C and the folding-box
frame D.
The blank-table frame B is square in transverse section and is of any suitable
construction; it is mounted upon a shaft B¹ fitted to rotate in bearings in the
frame A. To each of the four faces of the frame B, a blank-table B' is attached by
means of a post b, the inner end of which is fitted in a hole or socket in the side of
the frame B, in which it has an endwise motion, for the purpose hereinafter set
forth. The said blank-table is fixed on the end of the said post b and has a move-
ment therewith towards and from the shaft B¹.
Four posts b¹ are fixed on each side of the frame B¹ around, and parallel with,
the post b, in the positions shown. In a groove in the inner edge of each of the
said posts b¹ is fitted a guide-strip b², and behind each of the said strips, in the said
groove, are placed spiral springs, one of which is shown at 6* in Figure 3, and
which tend to force the said strip outward. The blank-table B is situated between
the posts b¹, and the edges of the said strips b* are caused, by the action of the said
springs, to bear against the edge of the table B' and thereby guide the same and
retain it in its proper position during its movement towards and from the frame B.
These spring strips are, in some instances, dispensed with.
The post b, to which the table B is attached, passes through a spring-clamp E,
which is attached to the side of the frame B, and which consists of a metal plate
split on one side as shown in Figures and 4, and having an arm E¹ thereon
against which bears a sliding bar F. This bar is moved to and fro, in the rotation
of the frame B, by means of a cam F¹ firmly attached to the frame A, against
which cam bears an antifriction roller F2 carried by the bar F. The inward move-

page_text: ment of the said bar by the cam F' causes the spring-clamp E to grip the post b,
so that endwise movement of the latter is prevented; when, however, during
the rotation of the frame B, one or other of the blank-tables is brought under the
said frame, the end of the corresponding sliding-bar F moves away from the said
cam and releases the spring-clamp E, thus permitting the blank-table and its
post b to move by gravitation outward from the frame B, until the pile of blanks
thereon rests upon the oscillating blank-retainer G. This retainer determines the
placing of the pile of blanks in such a manner as to ensure that the outermost
blank shall be in position to properly co-operate with the pickers hereinafter
described, against which the pile of blanks is subsequently brought in the rotation
of the frame B.
The said blank-retainer G consists of a slotted metal plate g provided with
rollers g' (to avoid or diminish the friction between the said retainer and the outer-
most blank of the pile) and attached to the end of the arm G¹. This arm is fixed
upon a shaft H supported in bearings in a lug attached to the frame B and in one
of the said posts b¹ (see Figures 3 and 4); on one end of the said shaft H is fixed
a crank-arm H¹ provided with an antifriction roller h, which runs in a cam-
groove I¹ in a disc or plate I (Figure 2). This disc or plate is attached to, or forms
part of, the frame A, and is concentric with the shaft B₁ of the frame B. As the
frame B rotates, together with the blank-tables thereon, oscillating motion is
imparted to the said crank-arm H' and shaft H by the cam-groove I³. In this
manner, the blank-retainer G is moved over the pile of blanks, as soon as a blank
has been separated from the said pile, and thus prevents the escape of any blanks
therefrom during the further rotation of the table to bring the pile of blanks again
in contact with the pickers. As the said table is again about to be brought under
the pickers, the said retainer is removed or withdrawn from the pile, as shown in
Figure 2. When the table B* and the pile of blanks drop more or less by
gravitation, as above described, the pile of blanks falls against, and rests upon, the
retainer G, and is thereby held in position until it is again about to be brought
into contact with the pickers.
To each of the posts b¹ is secured a metal strip or spring 63. These strips or
springs are provided with studs or projections adapted to engage with and support
metal clips or bent bars 64, which are pivotted to the posts b¹ as shown in Figures 2
and 3. A flat spring hook 65 is attached to one of the said clips or bars b' and
engages with one edge of the blank-pile as shown; to the other clip or bar b', at
the opposite edge of the said pile, is attached a flat spring arm be which projects
beyond the edge of the pile and whose outer end is curved as shown. The arm 66
has attached to its outer side, a spring hook 6' whose upper end passes through a
hole in the spring-arm 6º and projects slightly over the top of the pile of blanks, as
shown in Figure 2.
The purpose of the spring hooks 6, 6' is to hold the pile of blanks down against
the curved face of the table B', whilst permitting blank after blank to be removed
freely therefrom as hereinafter explained. By pressing outward the springs 63 and
depressing the clips or bars b', the hooks b, b' may be moved clear of the table B²
to permit the placing of a pile of blanks thereon.
The frames B, C and D, to which are attached respectively the blank-tables, the
pickers and the folding-boxes, are suitably geared together so that the blank-tables,
pickers and folding-boxes will operate in conjunction with each other, as, and for
the purpose, herein set forth.
The frame C is of substantially the same form and construction as the frame B,
and to each side thereof is attached a set of picker devices as hereinafter described.
Four posts c project from each side of the frame C; the two sides J of the picker-
box are arranged between, and attached to, these posts; between these sides is
secured a curved plate J¹ extending from one end to about the centre of the said
box, both ends of the said box being open as shown in Figures 5 and 7. A curved
strip J2 connects the sides J at one end of the box; the outer edges of the said
şides and of the strip J³ constitute practically the folding lines of the back and front

page_text: flap and one end-flap of the envelope; the width of the said strip J' is about equal
to the thickness of the curved plate J¹ as shown.
As above stated, the edge of the strip J2 constitutes practically the folding line of
one end-flap of the envelope; to provide a like folding line for the other end-flap,
the strip J is attached to an oscillating arm K, which is pivotted between two of
the posts c at one end of the picker-box. The end of the said arm which carries the
strip Ja is adapted to move to and from the adjoining end of the said box, as
hereinafter described. When the said arm rests against the end of the box, the
said strip J occupies a position relatively to the sides J substantially like that of
the strip J. The strips J³, J³ operate, in combination with creasers hereinafter
described, to form the creases in the blanks for the two end-flaps of the envelope.
The arm K is provided with a stud K', which engages with the edge of a cam K
attached to the frame A and shown in dotted lines in Figure 5; to the inner side
of the arm K is connected a retracting spring Ks, which acts to hold the said stud
in engagement with the said cam, and to move the free end of the arm K against
the end of the picker-box.
Two pickers jare fitted to slide, between guides in the posts c, towards and away
from the shaft C¹, and are firmly attached to picker-bars j¹, one on each side of the
picker-box outside of the posts c. The said picker-bars are provided with anti-
friction rollers, which run in cam-grooves in the inner opposite sides of the
frame A, so that, when the frame C rotates, reciprocating motion is imparted to the
said pickers for the purpose of moving them outward to take the gum from
the gumming-roll, and inward to permit the creasing of the blank and the seizing
of the same by the folding devices hereinafter described.
The pickers j are provided with projections jt, which, when one of the blank-
tables arrives in the proper position relatively to the picker-box, will move the
spring hooks 66, 67 outward and thus permit the lifting of a blank from the said
table by the pickers.
Referring to Figures 5 and 7, the arrows thereon indicate the direction in which
the picker-box rotates; upon the rear side of the picker-box is pivotted a lever k,
one end of which passes through a slotted guide-bar ¹ and engages with a cam k²
secured to a convenient part of the machine. One end of a spring plunger ³ is
pivotted to the said lever between the picker-box and the said guide-bar. The
spring on this plunger acts to hold the end of the lever k against the said cam.
The said cam, when the lever k is brought against it by the rotation of the picker-
box devices, turns the said lever upon or about its pivot and moves that portion of
the lover which extends by the side of the picker-box outward beyond the edge of
the said side, thereby disengaging from the latter that portion of the envelope-blank
which may be lying thereon, when the picker-box comes against the folding-box.
The lower end of the envelope-blank is thus caused to hang perpendicularly at this
stage of the operation, and the proper folding of the first folded end-flap on the
crease-line is ensured.
In Figures 1 and 2, is shown in end view a creaser-shaft L, and, in Figure 6, the
said shaft and the creasers L¹ thereon, are shown in side elevation. The said shaft
is supported in suitable bearings in the frame A. Each of the said creasers is
arranged upon the said shaft as follows, that is to say:-A collar L² is fixed upon
the said shaft and the creaser L' is pressed against the said collar by a spring L³
kept in place by another collar L also fixed upon the shaft L. The collar L is
secured in such a manner that it can be adjusted to regulate the tension of the
spring L³. The collars L' may also be adjusted on the shaft L to regulate
the position of the creasers relatively to the edges of the strips J, J³ at the ends
of the picker-box, so that the said strips will engage with the edges of the
creasers L¹, while the picker devices carrying an envelope-blank are passing the
creasers, and thereby form the folding-lines for the end-flaps of the envelope.
The frame D, on which are supported four sets of folding-box devices, as shown
in Figure 1, is of substantially the same form and construction as the aforesaid
frames B and C. From each side of the said frame D project four posts d, to

page_text: which is attached the flap folding mechanism hereinafter described. To the outer
ends of the said posts is secured a plate or platform M, Figures 8 and 9. On this
platform are formed or fixed projections M¹, in which are the bearings for the
shafts of the end-flap folding wings M2, M3, the side-flap folding wing M* and the
seal-flap folding shaft Mr.
The end-flap folding wings M2, M3 are of the usual form, and so also is the
wing M, but to the latter is attached, as shown, a seal-flap fold-guide M6, which is
adjustable to and from the side of the folding shaft M³ to bring the edge of the said
guide, over which the seal-flap is folded, to a proper position relatively to the said
shaft, and thereby regulate the position of the folding line between the said flap
and the body of the envelope.
The said folding shaft M³ is provided in place of the usual seal-flap folding wing.
The said shaft has eccentric journals, one of which extends through a bearing m on
the plate M, and has fixed thereon a pinion m¹ with which gears a rack m². This
rack has endwise motion imparted to it (during the rotation of the frame D and
the folding devices carried thereby) by means of a cam-groove m* formed in the
frame A, in which fits a projection or stud m³ on the lower end of the said rack,
as shown in Figure 1.
One end of each of the shafts upon which the wings M³, M³ are supported
extends beyond the corresponding projection M¹ and has fixed thereon a pinion n
geared with a rack n; Each of the said racks has imparted to it a horizontal
motion in one direction by means of suitable cam-surfaces on the sides of the
frame A, and in the reverse direction by suitable springs (which cam-surfaces and
springs are not shown in the drawings), so that the requisite oscillating motion is
given to the folding wings M2, M³.
A similar oscillating motion is given to the folding wing M* by means of a
rack n which gears with a pinion n¹ fixed on the end of the shaft n³, on which
the said folding wing is secured. The rack n³ has endwise motion imparted
thereto by a cam-groove similar to the groove m³, but formed in the opposite side
of the frame A, into which groove fits a projection or stud on the lower end of the
said rack.
on the
Two blank-holding pins N are passed through suitable projections m*
plate M and are capable of endwise motion therein. These pins extend, at one
end, over the shaft of the folding wing M³ and, at the other end, beyond the edge
of the plate M; a spiral spring N¹ is placed on each of the said pins between a
collar thereon and one of the said projections m*. These springs serve to move
the said pins in one direction; the outer ends of the said pins bear against the
adjoining side of the frame A, which has thereon a cam-surface or projection N²,
Figure 8. When the said pins come in contact with the said cam-surface or pro-
jection, they are moved inward into the position shown in the said Figure, and
support one end of the blank; when, however, they have passed the said cam-
surface, they are moved back to the position shown in Figure 9 by the springs N¹
and thus withdrawn from the said blank.
In Figure 8, I have shown, in dotted lines, between the projections M¹ on the
plate M, the outlines of a base-plate situated between the said projections. The
blank is deposited on this plate and is thereby supported while its several flaps are
folded down by the said folding wings. The top side of the said plate is about in
the same plane as the under sides of the said folding wings when they occupy the
positions over the said plate shown in Figure 9.
At the rear of the machine is arranged the drying chain O, as shown in
Figure 1, and partly in Figure 10; the said drying chain is of the ordinary well-
known construction; motion is imparted thereto by suitable connection with a
moving part of the machine. The chain O and the rotating folding-boxes above
described are arranged to operate in relation to each other in such a manner that,
when one of the said boxes arrives over the end of the said chain, the folding
wing M and the end wings M³, M³ will release the folded envelope and permit it
to drop into a chute P, Figure 1, whereby it is guided into the chain O. By means

page_text: of this chain, the envelopes thus received are carried around in the direction
indicated by the arrow in Figure 1, and are dropped from the said chain into a
receiving box Q (Figures 1 and 10) which is suspended from the drying chain
frame as shown.
To ensure the delivery of the envelopes from the chain into the said receiving-
box, two hooked bars q (one of which is shown in each of the said Figures 1 and 10)
are attached to a cross-bar q' beneath the said box. The said hooked bars are
fitted to slide vertically in supports or guides q³, and motion is imparted to them
by a rock-shaft q³ to which the said cross-bar q¹ is connected by means of an
arm q' and a connecting rod 98. Motion is imparted to the said rock-shaft q³ from
the shaft R which has fixed thereon a cam r. An antifriction roller carried by a
sliding bar r bears against the said cam, whereby reciprocating endwise motion is
imparted to the said sliding bar. The other end of the sliding bar is connected
to an arm fixed on the said rock-shaft qs. A spring * is provided for keeping
the roller at the end of the said bar against the cam r, and effecting the return
movement of the said bar.
Attached to the under side of the drying chain and extending up and partially
around its rear end, are two guide-rods o, the extremities of the said rods, over
which the envelopes are dropped from the chain into the box Q, being shown in
Figure 10. These guide-rods support the envelopes until they arrive at that point
over the receiving-box Q where they are engaged by the hooked bars q and drawn
downward into the said box,
An ordinary freely-moving abutment block Q1 is placed in the delivery end of
the receiving box, as shown in Figure 10; against this block the envelopes are
pushed in the ordinary manner as they fall into the said receiving-box, the pusher-
devices employed, in the form of construction shown, consisting of a cross-bar Q
extending across the rear end of the receiving-box and having fixed upon it a
suitable arm (not shown in the drawings) extending into the end of the said box.
Horizontal reciprocating motion is given to the cross-bar Q2 and to its arm by
means of the rock-shaft Q³, Figure 1, with which the said cross-bar is connected
by means of an oscillating arm Qand a connecting rod Q³ arranged on each side of
the said receiving-box. Motion is imparted to the said rock-shaft Q3 by means of
the bar S, one end of which is connected to the end of an arm s on the said shaft,
its opposite end engaging with a suitable cam (not shown in the drawings) fixed
on the shaft R, whereby reciprocating endwise motion is given to the said bar.
The lever T¹, the receptacle T and the series or group of rollers shown above the
same in Figure 1, are devices for inking type-blocks which, in some instances, are
arranged within each folding-box, and are operated to print upon the envelopes
during the process of gumming and folding the same.
The devices by which the gum is applied to the pickers j, are constructed as
follows, that is to say:-A gum-box U, Figuras 1, 2 and 11, is placed opposite, or
nearly opposite, the centre of the frame C. In this box, the ordinary gum-
rollers u, u are arranged to operate in the usual manner. Rotary motion is given
to the said gum-rollers by a belt u³ or other suitable connection with one of the
shafts B, C, D¹ of the machine, the gum-roll u having on its shaft a pulley u³ and
being connected, by suitable gearing, with the gum-roll u¹.
A gumming-roller u' is arranged between the gum-roll u¹ and the picker devices
on the frame C. This gumming-roller is carried by a rock-shaft us and is rotated
by a belt u having a suitable connection with the shaft L, Figure 11. Motion is
imparted to the said rock-shaft us, whereby the gumming-roller u is moved from
the roll u¹ against the pickers j and vice versa, by the connection of the said shaft
with a cam on the shaft R by means of the arm attached to the shaft us, and
the connecting rod 5 one end of which is connected to the said arm and the
opposite end of which engages with the said cam. A spring is connected to
the rod and supporting-block 77, and acts to hold the end of the said rod in
engagement with the said cam.

page_text: The operation of the gumming devices, the pickers and creasers, and the folding
devices upon the blank is as follows, that is to say:-In the rotation of the picker
devices carried by the frame C, whereby the latter are brought in succession against
the blanks on the tables B³, the pickers j, before reaching the said blanks, arrive
opposite the gum-roll u¹, and, when in that position, the gumming-roller u' moves
away from the roll u¹, from which it has taken gum, against the pickers j and
applies gum to the edges thereof; the pickers and the face of the picker-box then
come against the outer blank of the pile and the said pickers become adhesively
attached to the said blank and pick it off from the pile. As the pickers and
blank-table approach each other, the projection at the point of the forward
picker strikes the curved end of the spring-arm 68, thereby forcing the latter and
the end of the spring hook b' away from the edge of the pile of blanks, and leaving
the forward edge of the top blank free to be lifted by the pickers; the latter then
draw the said blank from the pile. The spring arm 6 resumes its position, as
shown in Figure 2, as soon as the point of the picker disengages itself therefrom.
The blank, having been thus picked up, is carried against the edges of the
creasers L', which rotate in contact with the strips J3, J³ at the ends of the picker-
box, and thereby crease the blank or form the folding lines on which the end-flaps
are to be folded. At this point in the operation, the oscillating arm K is against
the end of the picker-box, as shown in Figure 7, but, immediately the picker-box
passes the said creasers, the said arm K moves away from the end of the picker-
box, as shown in Figure 5, to permit the operation of the folding wing M³,
Figure 8, which is the first folding wing to operate; this folding wing enters the
end of the box under one end-flap of the blank, seizes the latter and draws it
from the picker devices onto the folding bed as shown in Figure 8, where the
blank is shown in the position it occupies when first received by the said devices.
While the blank lies in the said position with one end folded, the ends of the
pins N encounter the cam-surface N³ and are moved thereby until their inner ends
slightly overlap the blank as shown, whereby the latter is held down against the
base-plate while the folding wing M³, which next operates, folds over the other
end-flap. Before the folding wing M³ is brought to its place against the body of
the envelope, the ends of the pins N. pass beyond the said cam-surface and are
drawn back by the springs N¹, as shown in Figure 9, clear of the envelope, thereby
permitting the wing M', with the back-flap and the folding shaft M³ with the seal-
flap to operate unobstructedly to properly fold the said back and seal flaps.
The back-flap folding wing and its extension are next operated, and follow the
end-flap folding wing M³, bringing the edge of the said extension Me to the folding
line of the seal-flap, and holding the latter against the side of the folding shaft M³.
The said folding shaft is then turned over the edge of the said extension, thus
folding the seal-flap over the latter and completing the folding of the envelope.
By folding the seal-flap over the edge of the said extension as above described,
its gummed surface is prevented from coming in contact with any part of the
envelope before it is dry. The said extension is preferably provided with a stud
or projection M7 to prevent contact of the gummed surface of the seal-flap with
the said extension.
As soon as the folding devices have operated as above described, their operating
racks so change their positions as to open out the folding wings, when, or imme-
diately before, the folded envelope is brought over the end of the drying chain,
thereby releasing the said envelope and allowing it to drop into the drying chain
as above described. Therefore, in each revolution of the frames B, C and D, four
envelopes are gummed, folded and delivered into the said drying chain, whence
they are delivered into the receiving-box ready for making up into bundles or
packets.
Referring to Figure 13, the frame C and the picker devices shewn therein are
similar to those hereinbefore described, and the blank-table, the posts 6' and the
retaining springs 65, 67 are substantially similar to those shewn in Figure 2; but
the means for operating the said table to move the blanks outwardly are different,

page_text: from those shewn in the said Figure, and are constructed and operate as herein-
after described. V is a ratchet-post or rack, which, in this form of construction,
takes the place of the post b in Figure 2, and, in so far as it supports the table B³,
performs the function of the said post b. The blank-holding devices shewn in
Figure 13 consist of only a single table, in connection with the above mentioned
accessories, mounted on a frame W supported on the shaft B¹. The said shaft B¹
rotates freely within the frame W and has secured upon it the circular cam-plate w
having in its side the cam-grooves w¹, w³. An oscillating lever w³ is pivotted on
a stud w, which is fixed in a convenient part of the frame of the machine.
One end of the lever w³ is provided with a stud having thereon an antifriction
roller which runs in the said cam-groove w², and the opposite end of the said lever
is connected with the frame W by the connecting rod w³.
The object of the modified construction shewn in Figure 13, with respect to the
blank-holding mechanism, is to provide means for operating a single blank-holding
table in conjunction with several sets of rotating picker devices such as are shewn
on the frame C, by giving the said table an oscillating motion, whereby it is
brought into conjunction with each set of the said picker devices as the latter are
rotated; and to obviate, if desired, the necessity for employing four sets of blank-
table devices to operate with the said picker devices.
When the cam-plate w rotates, oscillating motion is imparted to the lever w³,
and the blank-table B and frame W are thus moved to the right, and, upon
engagement with the picker devices, the latter and the said table move together to
the left; during this movement a blank is taken from the pile by the pickers;
immediately the latter move clear of the table, the said table is quickly moved
again to the right to engage with the succeeding picker devices.
The ratchet-post or rack V has the collar V frictionally secured thereon; a stud
on the side of the said collar enters the cam-groove w¹, whereby the said collar is
given a longitudinal reciprocating motion on the post V. A pawl V2 pivotted on
the frame W has its free end engaging with the ratchet-teeth on the said post, and,
when the latter and the table B, by the upward movement of the collar V₁, are
lifted, the pawl V' prevents the backward inovement of the said table when the
said collar slides towards the frame W; the said table and the blanks thereon are
thus moved into, and held in, a proper position for the engagement of the picker
devices with the blanks. When the blank-table is to be supplied with blanks, the
pawl V³ is moved away from the post V, and the table B³ depressed, the lower end
of the said post moving in a socket in the frame W.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it understood
that I claim—
First. The combination, with a blank-table carried by a rotating frame, of means
for supporting the said table against the pressure of the pickers and for releasing
it to permit the movement thereof by gravity, as, and for the purposes, above
specified.
Second. The combination, with the blank-table, of the post b attached thereto
and fitted to slide to and fro in a hole or socket in the frame B, the spring-clamp E,
and the sliding bar F arranged to be operated by a cam-surface on the frame A,
all substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Third. The employment of a blank-retainer revolving with the blank-table, and
means for moving the said retainer to and from the said table, as, and for the
purposes, above specified.
Fourth. The combination of parts comprising the crank-shaft H, the arm G'
having the blank-retainer G attached thereto, the arm H and the cam-groove I,
whereby I provide for the movement of the said blank-retainer, substantially as,
and for the purposes, set forth.
Fifth. The combination, with the pickers and the blank-table, carried by the
rotating frames and arranged to operate in conjunction with each other substan-

page_text: tially as above described, of spring arms or hooks, whereby the blanks are held
against the said table, but which will be disengaged from the said blanks by the
pickers, for the purpose above specified.
Sixth. The combination, with the picker-box, of the bars carrying the pickers
and arranged to be operated by the cam-groove in the frame A, substantially as,
and for the purposes, set forth.
Seventh. The combination, with the picker-box and pickers, of the lever k
pivotted to the said box and means for operating the said lever in the rotation
of the said picker-box, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Eighth. The combination, with the picker-box, of an oscillating arm and means
for moving the same to and from the said box, substantially as, and for the purposes,
set forth.
Ninth. The combination of parts comprising the picker-box, provided with the
curved strip J, the oscillating arm K provided with the curved strip J³, the
creaser-shaft L and creasers L¹, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Tenth. The combination, with the picker-box and the oscillating arm, carried by
the frame C, of folding mechanism carried by the frame D and operating in such
a manner that one of the flap folding wings will, in the rotation of the said frames,
enter the picker-box under a blank thereon, substantially as, and for the purposes,
set forth.
Eleventh. The combination, with the frame D, of the plate M carried thereby,
the end-flap folding wings M², M³, the back-flap folding wing M* provided with the
adjustable extension M6, the excentric seal-flap folding shaft M³, and means for
operating the said wings and shaft, all substantially as, and for the purposes,
set forth.
Twelfth. The combination, with the plate M, the folding wings and shaft carried
thereby, and means for operating the same as above described, of the pins N and
means for imparting to-and-fro motion thereto, substantially as, and for the
purposes, set forth.
Thirteenth. The combination, with the rotating frame B and the blank-table B²,.
of the posts b¹ and the guide-strips 62 therein acted upon by springs whereby they
are caused to bear against the edges of the said table, substantially as, and for the
purpose, set forth.
Fourteenth. The combination, with the drying-chain O and the receiving box Q,
of the hooked bars q for engaging with the upper edges of the envelopes in the
said chain, and means for imparting reciprocating end wise motion to the said
hooked bars, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Fifteenth. The combination, with the pickers carried by the rotating frame C,
of the gum-roll u¹, the-gumming roll u supported on a rock-shaft u³, and means
for imparting oscillating motion to the said gumming roll, substantially as, and for
the purpose, set forth.
Sixteenth. The improved machine consisting of the parts constructed and
combined substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 12 of the
accompanying drawings, and operating as, and for the purposes, specified.
Seventeenth. The modification of my invention substantially as described with
reference to Figure 13 of the drawings.