Improvements in the Manufacture of Envelopes and Bags and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 13th July, 1889-Accepted, 17th Aug., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Envelopes and Bags and
Apparatus therefor.
I, THOMAS WILLIAM IDLE, of 42, Almeric Road, Clapham Common, in the County
of Surrey, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communica-
tion to me from abroad from George Rogers Clarke, of Montell, Uvalde County, in
the State of Texas, one of the United States of America) to be as follows:--
This invention relates to that class of machines employed for making envelopes,
paper bags and the like, wherein the blank, which is to form the envelope or bag, is
automatically fed into the machine by a pneumatic feeder; the said blank being
folded and gummed on its way through the apparatus, and finally delivered therefrom
after the process of manufacture has been completed.
Before proceeding to describe this machine, it may be premised that, as preferably
constructed, it stands in an erect but inclined position; the blanks being fed in at
the upper end, carried downwardly and positively by an endless carrier, gumined
and folded as they move along, and finally delivered below or at the bottom of the
apparatus.
The pile of blanks is mounted on a reciprocating blank-platform, and the bottom
blank is seized by a pneumatic mechanical feeder; its advanced end being fed to a
mechanical gripper mounted in a moving endless carrier. The latter carries the
blank, while positively grasped and held, over a gumming disk and then through
folders, which fold down the side flaps. The blank then passes between the main
carrier and a pressure-belt, and these carry it over the roller by which gum is applied
for sealing the bottom-flap, and then through the bottom flap folder and sealer. The
bag or envelope is then delivered in a saleable condition.
All the movements of the machine are automatic, and the blank is positively
gripped and held by the carrier, which is positively driven, so that the parts cannot
get out of time.'
Having thus indicated briefly the general character of the apparatus, its construc-
tion will now be more minutely described.
The machine comprises a stout frame, preferably of metal and secured firmly at its
base to any suitable bed-plate. This frame is slightly inclined towards the rear and
is provided with a suitable strut or support. At the upper end of the said frame is
mounted the main driving shaft, which carries a fixed and a loose pulley. A pinion
on the main shaft gears with and drives a spur-wheel on an upper sprocket-wheel
shaft. The upper sprocket-wheel shaft drives a lower sprocket-wheel shaft through
the medium of a longitudinal shaft and mitre gear. The latter shaft is mounted in
bearings in the frame aforesaid. A pair of ordinary sprocket-wheels and a pair of
sprocket-drums, the sprocket-drums being arranged between the sprocket-wheels, are
fixed upon each of the sprocket-wheel shafts. These sprocket-wheels and draais
support and drive an endless carrier, which is made up of the following parts
Two endless Vancanson' chains are mounted on the sprocket-wheels and connected
together by transverse bars, which likewise serve as binge-pins for the links of the
said chains. The connected chains are furnished with an apron of leather or like
material, to form a smooth surface to receive the blanks. This apron is supported by
the bars aforesaid and is made up in short sections, secured, at their advancing ends,
to transverse ties extending across from chain to chain at suitable intervals. The
object in making the apron in sections is to allow it to pass freely over the drums
without having to stretch.
The pneumatic mechanical feeder will now be described.
driving shaft is a hollow roller, called the suction-roller.
Mounted upon the main
This is, by preference, a

page_text: little larger than the said shaft, and is situated about the middle of the width of the
carrier, where the latter breaks over the upper drum; its periphery being close to,
or in contact with, the apron on the carrier aforesaid. The periphery of the suction-
roller is perforated with one or more radial holes; the hollow space within the said
roller being in communication with a longitudinal hole in the main driving shaft,
which in turn communicates with an air-exhauster hereinafter described. A pressure-
roller is arranged at the back of the suction-roller and in contact therewith. The
former is, through the medium of suitable gearing, driven directly and in unison with
the latter and is maintained in contact therewith by means of a suitable spring or
springs arranged in any convenient manner.
The reciprocating blank-platform may be constructed, mounted and operated in
several different ways, but the arrangement preferred will now be explained: On a
rocking-shaft mounted just in front of the suction-roller are fixed two parallel guide-
.arms, upon which the carriage of the blank-platform is arranged to slide. On this
carriage are mounted, in slotted bars, adjustable side and back stops, which embrace
the pile of blanks at the sides and rear. It will be understood that the rear of the
blank-platform is presented towards the rear face of the machine, where the attendant
stands. The reciprocating motion is imparted to the said blank-platform by means
of two arms, coupled at their upper ends to the platform-carriage; the said arms
being keyed at their lower ends to a rocking shaft, which is partially, rotated in
one- the forward-direction by means of a cam on the upper sprocket-wheel shaft.
To move the blank-platform forward, this cam acts on a roller in the extremity of an
arm mounted on the rocking shaft aforesaid; the return movement of the blank-
platform being effected by means of a spring or springs.
The several parts are so proportioned that the speed of the endless carrier and the
peripheral speeds of the suction-roller and of the pressure-roller correspond; the
blank-platform being moved forward with substantially the same speed. The parts
are of course properly timed, as in all automatic machines of this character.
The operation of feeding the blanks into the machine is as follows:-A given
number of blanks is placed in a pile on the blank-platform and pressed against the
side and back stops in order that the blanks may be thereby evenly arranged. The
end of the pile of blanks then projects out over the suction-roller; the bottom blank
being close to or in contact therewith. The machine having been set in motion, when
the holes in the revolving suction-roller arrive directly under the blank, the air is
exhausted from the roller referred to, thereby causing the bottom blank to adhere
thereto. At this instant, the blank-platform is advanced and thus the blank yields to
the movement of the roller aforesaid, and is carried round thereby towards the
pressure roller, being eventually nipped between both rollers. The blank-platform is
held in its advanced position until the rollers have drawn the bottom blank nearly
out, when the said platform is instantly returned into its normal position by the
spring or springs before referred to. A projecting plate or finger is provided as a
precautionary device to prevent more than one blank being carried into the machine,
should. the blanks adhere together. Adjustable uprights are also furnished for the
purpose of keeping the pile of blanks back against the stops on the blank-platform..
When the latter is quickly moved forward, the momentum of the pile of blanks tends
to cause it to travel on beyond the platform, but these uprights serve as stops to
check such a movement and keep the pile of blanks even and properly arranged.
The blank nipped between the suction and pressure rollers is carried by them in a
downward direction towards the carrier until it is gripped by one of a series of
grippers pivotted to the carrier aforesaid. These grippers are placed at suitable
distances apart, and so timed as to seize each blank in succession, by its advancing
end, as it is fed towards the carrier. The means employed for actuating the grippers
will be hereinafter described.
The blank, as it is drawn between the suction and pressure rollers, receives gum
on one of its lateral flaps from a gumming disk fixed on the upper sprocket-wheel
shaft; the lower part of the said roller being submerged in gum contained in a gum-
trough placed beneath the same. The blank is afterwards drawn through stationary.

page_text: folders of the usual kind, which foll down the lateral flaps over a stationary folding
blade arranged between them. After the blank has passed through these folders, it
is carried under a pressure-belt arranged centrally over the carrier, which serves to
seal the lateral flaps. The blank then passes under two other pressure-belts, which
are arranged one on each side of and in line with the first. The three belts are
mounted on a central roller and two outer rollers; the former roller being driven
from the lower sprocket-wheel shaft through suitable gearing. The two outer belts.
are arranged at the point where the carrier begins to "break" around the lower
drum; and, when the advancing end of the blank, or partly finished bag or envelope,
emerges from under these belts, it is released by the gripper by which it was pre-
viously held. The blank then leaves the carrier and passes obliquely downwards
between two grid-like guides until its advancing end is nipped between a gumming
roller and a pressure-roller; these rollers acting in connection with each other. The
said rollers are circumferentially grooved to receive the bars of the guides; the bars
of the one guide entering the grooves in the gumming roller and the bars of the
other guide entering the grooves in the pressure-roller. These guides serve as
"strippers" to prevent the blank adhering to the rollers. By means of the gumming
roller, gum is applied to the body of the bag or.envelope for the purpose of securing
the bottom flap. This roller receives gun from a gum-reservoir in which a gum-
supplying roller is mounted. The gumming roller is driven directly by suitable
gearing from the lower sprocket-wheel shaft. There are certain peculiarities in its
construction which will be hereinafter described. As the advancing end of the
partly-finished bag or envelope emerges from between the grid-like guides, the
portion of the blank which forins the bottom flap, and which is on the advancing end
of the blank, passes down behind two rollers (also, by preference, circumferentially
grooved), hereinafter called the folding rollers. The flap is passed down at the back
of a vibrating comb-like guard (which keeps it clear of the folding rollers) and in
front of a vibrating "striker' or folder. When the partly-formed bag or envelope
has advanced far enough, a cam on a cross-shaft draws back the comb-like guard and
a second cam, mounted on the same shaft, allows a spring to drive the striker
forward in order to crease the blank along the line where the bottom flap will be
afterwards folded; the creased part being thereupon forced between the folding
rollers. The latter are driven directly, and carry the bag or envelope forward, seal
down the bottom flap, and pass the advancing end of the bag or envelope between
two plain delivery-rollers, from which it falis completed. These plain rollers are
designed to smooth, flatten and straighten the bag or envelope as a finishing
process.
"
"
The bottom flap folding devices will now be described more minutely. The comb-
like guard has an arm carrying a roller which is pressed against the cam from which
it is actuated by a suitable spring. The shaft carrying the guard aforesaid may have
guard-fingers projecting towards the folding rollers, in order to prevent the advancing.
end of the bag or envelope from being deflected upwards, as it might otherwise be..
The "striker also has an arın carrying a roller; the latter bearing against the cain
employed to hold the said striker back in its normal position. The latter is connected
to a suitable spring, which, at the proper time, is permitted by the cam to drive
forward the striker aforesaid. In order to render the action of the spring by means
of which the striker is driven forward more certain when the machine is running
very rapidly, the striker-cam is provided, as a precautionary device, with a projection
or lug adapted to engage at the proper moment with a lug on the striker-arm; the
striker being thus started forward, if need be, independently of the spring.
The gumming roller, the grooved pressure-roller the gum-supplying roller, the
folding rollers, and the delivery-rollers all have the same peripheral speed as
the carrier. The gumming roller and the cam-shaft carrying the cams for actuating
the comb-like guard and the striker each make two revolutions to one of the lower
sprocket-wheel shaft. A gear-wheel on the latter drives the said cam-shaft, which in
turn carries a gear-wheel for driving the grooved pressure-roller, one of the folding
rollers and one of the delivery-rollers. The gumming roller is driven from the

page_text: grooved pressure-roller and in turn drives the gum-supplying roller. The folding
rollers are geared together and the delivery-rollers are likewise geared together. All
these parts are driven directly by means of toothed gearing.
In order to keep the blank from adhering to the carrier after the gripper has
released it, and to direct its advancing end properly between the grid-like guides, a
fluted roller, called a "flyer," arranged just above the entrance to the said guides is
employed; and to prevent the bag or onvelope when delivered, from adhering to the
lower delivery-roller, a similar "flyer" is provided. These flyers should rotate
rapidly and may be driven in any convenient manner. By preference, the flyer near
the grid-like guides is driven by a belt from a large sheave on the shaft of the upper
delivery-roller, and the other flyer from the same sheave by means of a friction-
roller.
For convenience of access to the gumming roller from the back of the machine, all
the flap-folding and delivery-mechanism, together with the grooved pressure-roller
and one of the grid-like guides, are preferably mounted on a supplementary frame
hinged to the lower sprocket-wheel shaft and secured in place by a suitable fastening
device. This construction enables all the mechanism mounted on the supplementary
frame to be turned back out of the way.
The gumming roller is constructed in the following manner; the main objects
being to prevent the application of gum to its feeding face and to limit the applica-
tion thereof to its printing face, so-called-This roller is hollow and grooves aro
formed in its circumference; a portion of the latter being cut away for the reception
of the printing face, which is mounted upon two siems playing through the shaft of
the roller. A spring engaging with the said stems serves to keep the printing face
withdrawn in its recess and flush with the circumference of the roller in which it is
mounted. Within this roller is a rocking shaft carrying two arms which bear on the
ends of the stems carrying the printing face. This shaft projects out through the end
of the said roller, and on its projecting extremity is fixed an arm which, as the
roller revolves, is brought into contact with an adjustable cam-piece secured to the
machine-frame; this cam-piece acting on the arm in such a manner as to partially
rotate the rocking shaft and cause the arms carried by it to push out at the proper
time the printing face to a sufficient extent to cause the latter to touch the gum-
supplying roller and take up gum therefrom. The peripheries of the gumming roller
and the gum-supplying roller are not in contact, and consequently gum is only
supplied to the printing face of the former. This printing face preferably has a
surface of rubber, or similar material, of the requisite form for applying a suitable
quantity of gum for sealing the bottom flap of the bag or envelope. When the cam-
piece is turned out of the way of the arm on the end of the rocking shaft, tho
gumming roller ceases to supply gum and serves as a feeding roller only.
In order to prevent the printing face of the gumming roller from applying gum
to the face of the pressure-roller, when a blank is missed by the feeder, a slight
recess is formed in the face of the said pressure-roller corresponding in form and size
with the printing face of the gumming roller and so set as to register therewith when
the said printing face is in position for applying gum to a blank. Notwithstanding
this recess, the pressure-roller continues to act as a feed-roller for the passing blanks.
Whilst a blank is receiving gum, it is supported by the upper grid-like guide.
The grippers and the devices for releasing them are arranged in the following
manner: A narrow space is left between the sprocket-drums on each of the sprocket-
wheel shafts. A recess or aperture is formed in the opposite faces of these drums to
allow room for a gripper. Each gripper oscillates on journals carried by lugs on
the endless chains appertaining to the carrier, and is held up against a gripper-plate
by a suitable coiled spring. Each gripper is opened by means of a stud arranged in
the path of an arm or tail projecting therefrom. In order that this stud may be set
or. adjusted so as to open the grippers when requisite and allow the coiled gripper-
springs to close the grippers at the proper times, it is fixed to or forms part of a
disk or plate loosely mounted on the sprocket-wheel shaft. In the edge of this disk
is a notch with which a pin (on. an arm fixed on a rocking shaft mounted in the

page_text: machine-frame) engages. By turning the said shaft, the disk and consequently the
lug thereon may be adjusted as required. This rocking shaft may be fixed by a
lock-nut or other suitable fastening device. The above mechanism is fitted to both
the sprocket-wheel drums..
The device for supplying gum to the lateral flap of the envelope is so arranged as
to prevent the application of gum to the entire length of the flap. The gumming
disk employed for this purpose is fixed on the upper sprocket-wheel shaft and rotates
therewith. Its periphery is about flush with the surface of the carrier, so that the
margin of one of the lateral flaps of the blank, which projects out over the said disk,
may receive gum therefrom. But it is desirable that the gum so applied shall not
extend quite to the ends of the flap, and, to accomplish this result, a pressure-arm
and a lifter-arm, arranged in close proximity to the gumming disk, are secured to an
oscillating shaft mounted in the main framework. The margin of the blank passes
between these arms and over the periphery of the gumming disk aforesaid. The
combined weight of the pressure-arm and the lifter-arm suffices to keep the former
pressed down upon the passing blank so as to hold it against the gumming disk and
to insure its receiving a proper supply of gum; although a spring may be used in
addition, if preferred. In order to lift the blank clear of the gumming disk at the
proper time, whereby a little space at each end of the blank may be left ungummed,
the oscillating shaft has at one end a projecting arm which lies in the path of certain
adjustable studs mounted in a slot in the spur-wheel on the upper sprocket-wheel
shaft. These studs raise the said projecting arm, thereby causing the lifter-arm to
raise the blank. As the blanks follow each other in quick succession through the
machine, the two adjustable studs are set more or less closely together, and are
adapted to raise the tail of the forward blank and also to keep the lifter-arm elevated
until the advancing end of the next succeeding blank has passed over the lifter-arm
aforesaid. Thus both ends of the blank are in turn kept out of contact with the
gumming disk. The lifter-arm is so bent that its free end is directed towards the
back of the machine.
The air-exhauster it is preferred to employ for exhausting the air at proper
intervals from the suction-roller in order to cause the forward end of the bottom
blank to adhere to the said roller is constructed in the following way; it being
premised that the latter makes two revolutions for each blank that is fed, so that
provision is made for exhausting the air at alternate revolutions only, and that two
blanks are fed at each revolution of the sprocket-wheel shaft-In the fixed pulley
on the main driving shaft is secured an air-pump cylinder, the piston of which is
coupled, by a suitable yoke, to two bell-crank levers mounted in the pulley aforesaid.
These bell-crank levers carry studs which play in slots in the inner face of the fixed
pulley rollers being mounted upon the projecting extremities of the said studs.
The air-pump cylinder is in communication, by means of a suitable tube, with the
hollow main driving shaft. The communication referred to may, however, be other-
wise effected. When the fixed pulley rotates, a cam-shaped guide pushes the rollers
on the bell-crank levers alternately inwards towards the hollow driving shaft ; one
bell-crank lever serving to drive the piston into the cylinder and the other to draw it
back again into its normal position. A spring is permitted to bear upon the yoke to
counteract the effect of centrifugal force upon the movable parts within the fixed
pulley. The cam-shaped guide is rotatively mounted upon a rod fixed in the
imachine-frame; a spring being coiled about the said rod to normally keep the
cam-shaped guide out of the path of the rollers aforesaid. The face of the cam
which actuates the blank-platform is provided with a cam-shaped projection for
throwing the cam-shaped guide into position for operating the bell-crank levers.
The action of the parts is as follows:-The hollow driving shaft and the fixed pulley
mounted thereon make one revolution whilst the pivotted cam-shaped guide is out
of the path of the rollers on the bell-crank levers, the air-exhauster being therefore
not brought into play. In the first half of the next revolution, however, the cam-
shaped projection throws the cam-shaped guide into the operative position, whereupon
the air-pump piston is drawn back and the air exhausted from the suction-roller.

page_text: Whilst the revolution is being completed, the air-pump piston is caused to return
into the air-pump cylinder, thus breaking the vacuum. During the next revolution
of the shaft and pulley, the air-exhauster again remains inoperative.
Dated this 25th day of October 1888.
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
--
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Envelopes and Bags and
Apparatus therefor.
I, THOMAS WILLIAM IDLE, of 42, Almeric Road, Clapham Common, in the County
of Surrey, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communica
tion to me from abroad from George Rogers Clarke, of Montell, Uvalde County, in
the State of Texas, one of the United States of America) and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This invention relates to that class of machines employed for making envelopes,
paper bags and the like, wherein the blank, which is to form the envelope or bag, is
automatically fed into the machine by a pneumatic feeder, the said blank being folded
and gummed on its way through the apparatus, and finally delivered therefrom after
the process of manufacture has been completed.
Before proceeding to describe this machine, it may be premised that, as preferably
constructed, it stands in an erect but inclined position; the blanks being fed in at the
upper end, carried downwardly and positively by an endless carrier, gummed and
folded, as they move along, and finally delivered below or at the bottom. of the
apparatus.
The pile of blanks is mounted on a reciprocating blank-platform, and the bottom
blank is seized by a pneumatic mechanical feeder; its advanced end being fed to a
mechanical gripper mounted in a moving endless carrier. The latter carries the
blank, while positively grasped and held, over a gumming disc and then through
folders, which fold down the side flaps. The blank then passes between the main
carrier and a pressure-belt, and these carry it over the roller by which gum is applied
for sealing the bottom flap, and then through the bottom flap folder and sealer. The
bag or envelope is then delivered in a saleable condition.
All the movements of the machine are automatic, and the blank is positively
gripped and held by the carrier, which is positively driven, so that the parts cannot
get out of time.'
Having thus indicated briefly the general character of the apparatus, its construction
will now be more minutely described; reference being made to the accompanying
drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a back view of the machine as seen when looking in the direction indicated
-by the arrow 1 in Fig. 3.
Fig. 2 is a similar view, as seen when looking in the opposite direction, as indicated
by the arrow 2 in Fig. 3.
Fig. 3 is a view of the right side of the machine, shewing the extent to which it is
inclined.
Fig. 3 is a detail view of the side flap gummer.
Fig. 4 is a plan, as seen when looking in the direction indicated by the arrow 4 in
Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 shews the air-exhauster in the driving pulley; the section being taken sub-
stantially along the line 5 5 in Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is a section along the line 5ª 5º in Fig. 5.
The following figures are drawn to an enlarged scale :-
Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of the upper or receiving end of the machine.
Fig. 7 is a similar view of the lower or delivery end. thereof..

page_text: Fig. 7 shews in section the mechanism for folding the bottom flap.
Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the gumming roller for applying gum thereto.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view, drawn to the same scale as Figs. 1 to 5, of an envelope
or bag of the kind this machine is designed to produce.
The machine comprises a stout frame A, preferably of metal and secured firmly at
its base to any suitable bed-plate. This frame is slightly inclined towards the roar
and is provided with a suitable strut or support A'. At the upper end of the said
frame is mounted the main driving shaft B, which carries a fixed and a loose
pulley, Cand (2. A pinion a on the main shaft gears with and drives a
spur-wheel on an upper sprocket-wheel shaft. The latter drives a lower
sprocket-wheel shaft D₁ through the medium of a longitudinal shaft E and mitre
gearing c c. The shaft E is mounted in bearings in the frame aforesaid. A pair of
ordinary sprocket-wheels F F and a pair of sprocket-drums F1 F, the sprocket-drums
being arranged between the sprocket-wheels, are fixed upon each of the sprocket-
wheel shafts D and D. These sprocket-wheels and -drums support and drive an
endless carrier G, which is made up of the following parts:-Two endless 'Vancanson'
chains d d are mounted on the sprocket-wheels F F and connected together by trans-
verse bars e e, which likewise serve as hinge-pins for the links of the said chains.
The connected chains are furnished with an apron f of leather or other like material,
to form a smooth surface to receive the blanks. This apron is supported by the bars
aforesaid and is made up in short sections, secured, at their advancing ends, to trans-
verse ties extending across from chain to chain at suitable intervals. The object in
making the apron in sections is to allow it to pass freely over the drums without
having to stretch. In Fig. 2, two of the sections of the apron fare broken away to
expose the parts behind.
The pneumatic mechanical feeder will now be described. Mounted upon the main
driving.shaft B is a hollow roller H, called the suction-roller. This is, by preference,
a little larger than the said shaft, and is situated about the middle of the width of the
carrier G, where the latter breaks over the upper drum (Fig. 6); its periphery being
close to, or in contact with, the apron f on the carrier aforesaid. The periphery of
the suction-roller is perforated with one or more radial holes such as ; the hollow
space within the said roller being in communication with a longitudinal hole in the
main driving shaft, which in turn communicates with an air-exhauster, illustrated in
Figs. 5 and 5 and hereinafter described. A pressure-roller I is arranged at the back
of the suction-roller H and in contact therewith. The former (I) is, through the
medium of suitable gearing (Fig. 4), driven directly and in unison with the
latter (H) and is maintained in contact therewith by means of a suitable spring j, or
springs, arranged in any convenient manner.
The reciprocating blank-platform J may be constructed, mounted and operated in
several different ways, but the arrangement preferred will now be explained. On a
rocking shaft k mounted just in front of the suction-roller H are fixed two parallel
guide-arms kk, upon which the carriage of the blank-platform is arranged to slide.
On this carriage are mounted, in slotted bars, adjustable side and back stops m m,
which embrace the pile of blanks at the sides and rear. It will be understood that the
rear of the blank-platform is presented towards the rear face of the machine where
the attendant stands. The reciprocating motion is imparted to the blank-platforin J
by means of two arms n n, coupled at their upper ends to the platform-carriagel;
the said arms being keyed at their lower ends to a rocking shaft o, which is partially
rotated in one-the forward-direction by means of a cam on the upper sprocket-
wheel shaft D. To move the blank-platform forward, this cam acts on a roller in the
extremity of an arm of mounted on the rocking shaft o aforesaid; the return
movement of the blank-platform being effected by means of a spring or springs q q.
The several parts are so proportioned that the speed of the endless carrier G and
the peripheral speed of the suction-roller H and of the pressure-roller I correspond ;
the blank-platform J being moved forward with substantially the same speed. The
parts are of course properly timed, as in all automatic machines of this character.

page_text: The operation of feeding the blanks into the machine is as follows: A given
number of blanks is placed in a pile on the blank-platform J and pressed against.
the side and back stops m m in order that the blanks may be thereby evenly
arranged. The end of the pile of blanks then projects out over the suction-
rolier H the bottom blank being close to or in contact therewith. In Fig. 6,
X represents, in dotted lines, the pile of blanks. The machine having been set in
motion, when the hole or holes g in the revolving suction-roller H arrive directly
under the blank, the air is exhausted from the roller referred to, thereby causing the
bottom blank to adhere thereto. At this instant, the blank-platform J is advanced
and thus the blank yields to the movement of the roller H aforesaid, and is carried
round thereby, towards the pressure-roller I, being eventually nipped between both
rollers. The blank-platform is held in its advanced position by the cam P until the
rollers have drawn the bottom blank nearly out, when the said platform is instantly
returned into its normal position by the spring or springs 9 before referred to. A
prejecting plate or finger is provided as a precautionary device to prevent more
than one blank being carried into the machine, should the blanks adhere together.
Adjustable uprights s's are also furnished for the purpose of keeping the pile of blanks
back against the stops m m on the blank-platform. When the latter is quickly moved
forward, the momentum of the pile of blanks tends to cause it to travel on beyond
the platform, but these uprights serve as stops to check such a movement and keep the
pile of blanks even and properly arranged. The blank nipped between the suction
and pressure rollers H and I is carried by them in a downward direction towards the
carrier G until it is gripped by one of a series of grippers pivotted to the carrier
aforesaid. These grippers are placed at suitable distances apart, and so actuated and
timed as to seize each blank in succession, by its leading end, as it is fed towards
the carrier. The means employed for operating the grippers will be hereinafter
described.
The blank, as it is drawn between the suction and pressure rollers, receives gum
on one of its lateral flaps from a gumming disc u fixed on the upper sprocket-wheel
shaft D; the lower part of the said roller being submerged in gum contained in a
gum-trough placed beneath the same. The blank is afterwards drawn through
stationary folders K K of the usual kind, which fold down the lateral flaps over a
stationary folding blade K arranged between them. After the blank has passed
through these folders, it is carried under a pressure-belt L arranged centrally over the
carrier G, which serves to seal the lateral flaps. The blank then passes under two
other pressure-belts L' L', which are arranged one on each side of and in line with the
first. The three belts L, Land L, are mounted on a central roller L2 and two outer
rollers L³ ³ the former roller being driven from the lower sprocket-wheel shaft Di
through suitable gearing w (Fig. 1). The two outer belts are arranged (see Fig. 7)
at the point where the carrier G begins to "break" around the lower drum F; and,
when the leading end of the blank, or partly finished bag or envelope, emerges from
under these belts, it is released from the gripper t by which it was previously held.
The blank then leaves the carrier G and passes obliquely downwards between two
grid-like guides and y until its advancing end is nipped between a gumming roller M
and a pressure-roller N, these rollers acting in connection with each other. The said
rollers are circumferentially grooved to receive the bars of the guides; the bars of the
guide a entering the grooves in the roller M and the bars of the guide y entering the
grooves in the roller N. These guides serve as "strippers" to prevent the blank
adhering to the rollers. By means of the gumming roller M, gum is applied to the
body of the bag or envelope for the purpose of securing the bottom flap. This roller
receives gum from a gum-reservoir O in which a gum-supplying roller O¹ is
mounted. The gumming roller M is driven directly by suitable gearing from the
lower sprocket-wheel shaft D'. There are certain peculiarities in its construction
which will be hereinafter described. As the leading end of the partly-finished bag or
envelope emerges from between the grid-like guides and y, the portion of the blank
which forms the bottom flap and which is on the leading end of the blank, passes down

page_text: "
behind two rollers (also, by preference, circumferentially grooved), hereinafter
called the folding rollers. The flap is passed down at the back of a vibrating comb-
like guard a (which keeps it clear of the folding rollers ) and in front of a
vibrating." striker or folder . When the partly formed bag or envelope has
advanced far enough, a cam c¹ on a cross-shaft d¹ (Fig. 7) draws back the comb-like
guard a, and a second cam c³ (Fig. 7), mounted on the same shaft d', allows a
spring e¹ to drive the "striker" 61 forward in order to crease the blank along the line
where the bottom flap will be afterwards folded; the creased part being thereupon
forced between the folding rollers z z. The latter are driven directly, and carry the
bag or envelope forward, seal down the bottom flap, and pass the leading end of the
bag or envelope between two plain delivery-rollers P P1, from which it falls completed.
These plain rollers are designed to smooth, flatten and straighten the bag or envelope
as a finishing process.
The bottom flap folding devices will now be described more minutely. The comb-
like guard a¹ has an arm a³ carrying a roller which is pressed against the cam c¹ from
which it is actuated by a suitable spring, such as a³. The shaft carrying the guard a¹
may have guard-fingers a projecting towards the folding rollers, in order to
prevent the advancing end of the bag or envelope from being deflected upwards, as it
might otherwise be. The "striker" also has an arm carrying a roller; the latter
bearing against the cam c employed to hold the said striker back in its normal
position. The latter is connected to a suitable spring such as e¹, which, at the proper
time, is permitted by the cam c² to drive forward the striker aforesaid. In order to
render the action of the spring e' by means of which the striker b' is driven forward
more certain when the machine is running very rapidly, the striker-cam c² is
provided, as a precautionary device, with a projection or lug e (Fig. 7) adapted
to engago at the proper moment with a lug on the striker-arm ; the striker
being thus started forward, if need be, independently of the spring e¹.
2
The gumming roller M, the grooved pressure-roller N, the gum-supplying
roller O¹, the folding rollers. and the delivery-rollers P P all have the same
peripheral speed as the carrier G. The gumming roller M and the cam-shaft d
each mako two revolutions to one of the lower sprocket-wheel shaft D¹. A gear-
wheel on the latter drives the said cam-shaft, which in turn carries a gear-wheel
for driving the grooved pressure-roller N, the folding roller and the delivery-
roller P. The gumming roller M is driven from the grooved pressure-roller N
and in turn drives the gum-supplying roller O¹. The folding-roller = drives its
fellow roller ¹, and the delivery-roller P drives its fellow roller P. All theso
parts are driven directly by means of toothed gearing.
2
In order to keep the blank from adhering to the carrier G after the gripper t has
released it, and to direct its advancing end properly between the grid-like guides.
and y, a fluted roller m³, called a "flyer," arranged just above the entrance to the
said guides, is employed; and to prevent the bag or envelope, when delivered, from
adhering to the lower delivery-roller P¹, a similar "flyer" m² is provided. These
flyers should rotate rapidly aud may be driven in any convenient manner.
preference, the flyer m is driven by a belt n' from a large sheave Q on the shaft of
the upper delivery-roller P, and the other flyer m² from the same sheave by means of
a friction-roller.
By
For convenience of access to the gumming roller M from the back of the machine,
all the flap-folding and delivery-mechanism seen in Figs. 7 and 7, together with the
grooved pressure-roller N and the guide y are preferably mounted on a supplementary
frame A hinged to the lower sprocket-wheel shaft D¹ and secured in place by a suit-
able fastening device, such as o". This construction enables all the mechanism
mounted on the supplementary frame A2 to be turned back out of the way.
The gumming roller M is constructed in the following manner; the main objects
being to prevent the application of gum to its feeding face and to limit the application
thereof to its printing face so-called :-This roller is hollow and grooves are formed
in its circumference; a portion of the latter being cut away for the reception of the
B

page_text: Within
printing face M', which is mounted upon two stems f¹f playing through the roller-
shaft. A spring g engaging with the said stems serves to keep the printing face M¹
withdrawn in its recess and flush with the circumference of the roller M.
this roller is a rocking shaft carrying two arms h² 2 which bear on the ends of
the stems. This shaft h¹ projects out through the end of the roller M, and
on its projecting extremity is fixed an arm i¹ (shewn in dotted lines in Fig. 7)
which, as the roller revolves, is brought into contact with an adjustable cam-piece j¹
secured to the machine-frame; this cam-piece acting on the arm in such a manner
as to partially rotate the shaft h' and cause the arms h² ² to push out at the proper.
time the printing face M¹ to a sufficient extent to cause the latter to touch the gum-
supplying roller O¹ and take up gum therefrom. The peripheries of the rollers M
and O₁ are not in contact, and consequently gum is only supplied to the printing
face of the former. This printing face preferably has a surface of rubber, or similar
material, of the requisite form for applying a suitable quantity of gum for sealing
the bottom flap of the bag or envelope. When the cam-piece j' is turned out of the
way of the arm, the roller M. ceases to supply gum and serves as a feeding roller
only.
In order to prevent the printing face M₁ of the gumming roller M from applying
gum to the face of the pressure-roller N, when a blank is missed by the feeding
mechanism, a slight recess is formed in the face of the pressure-roller N corresponding
in form and size with the printing face M¹ aforesaid and so set as to register there-
with when the said printing face is in position for applying gum to a blank. Not-
withstanding this recess, the pressure-roller N continues to act as a feeding roller
for the passing blanks. Whilst a blank is receiving gum, it is supported by the
guide y.
The grippers t and the devices for releasing them are arranged in the following
manner A narrow space is. left between the sprocket-drums F1 F1 on the sprocket-
wheel shaft D. A recess or aperture is formed on the opposite faces of these drums to
allow room for a gripper t.
Each gripper oscillates on journals t¹ carried by lugs on the endless chain dapper-
taining to the carrier G, and is held up against a gripper-plate 2 by a suitable
coiled spring, such as 3. Each gripper is opened by means of a stud arranged
in the path of an arm or tail t projecting therefrom.
In order that the stud may
be set or adjusted so as to open the grippers t when requisite and allow the coiled
gripper-springs to close the grippers at the proper times, it is fixed to or forms
part of a disc or plate R loosely mounted on the sprocket-wheel shaft D. In the edge
of this disc R is a notch with which a pin p (on an arm p² fixed on a rocking
shaft S mounted in the machine-frame) engages. By turning the said shaft S, the
disc and consequently the lug thereon may be adjusted as required. This rocking
shaft S may be fixed by a lock-nut q' (Fig. 2) or other suitable fastening device.
Similar mechanism to that above described is also fitted to the sprocket-wheel
shaft D¹.
The device for supplying gum to the lateral flap of the envelope is so arranged as
to prevent the application of gum to the entire length of the flap. The gumming
disc u employed for this purpose is fixed on the upper sprocket-wheel shaft D and
rotates therewith. Its periphery is about flush with the surface of the carrier G, so
that the margin of one of the lateral flaps of the blank, which projects out over the
said disc u, may receive gum therefrom. But it is desirable that the gum so applied
shall not extend quite to the ends of the flap, and, to accomplish this result, a presser-
arm s (Fig. 3) and a lifter-arm u³, arranged in close proximity to the gumming
disc u, are secured to an oscillating shaft 71 (Figs. 3 and 3) mounted in the main
framework. The margin of the blank passes between these arms s' and u¹ and over
the peripliery of the gumming disc u aforesaid. The combined weight of the presser-
arm and the lifter-arm suffices to keep the former pressed down upon the passing
blank so as to hold it against the gumming disc and to insure its receiving a proper
supply of gum although a spring may be used in addition if preferred. In order to

page_text: lift the blank clear of the gumming disc u at the proper time, whereby a little space at
each end of the blank may be left ungummed, the oscillating shaft has at one end a
projecting arm v', which lies in the path of certain adjustable studs w¹ mounted in
a slot in the spur-wheel b. These studs raise the said projecting arm, thereby
causing the lifter-arm ¹ to raise the blank. As the blanks follow each other in quick
succession through the machine, the two adjustable studs we are set more or less
closely together, and are adapted to raise the tail of the forward blank and also to
keep the lifter-arm a elevated until the advancing end of the next succeeding blank
has passed over the lifter-arm aforesaid. Thus both ends of the blank are in turn
kept out of contact with the gumming disc. The lifter-arm u¹ is so bent that its free
end is directed towards the back of the machine.
The air-exhausting mechanism it is preferred to employ for exhausting the air at
proper intervals from the suction-roller H in order to cause the forward end of the
bottom blank to adhere to the said roller is constructed in the following way; it being
premised that the latter makes two revolutions for each blank that is fed, so that
provision is made for exhausting the air at alternate revolutions only, and that two
blanks are fed at each revolution of the sprocket-wheel shaft D-In the fixed pulley C
is secured an air-pump cylinder a (Figs. 5 and 5), the piston of which is coupled,
by a yoke y', to two bell-crank levers 1 and 2 mounted in the pulley aforesaid. These
bell-crank levers carry studs which play in slots in the inner face of the fixed
pulley C; rollers 1 and 2 being mounted upon the projecting extremities of the said
studs. The air-pump cylinder ¹ is in communication, by means of a suitable tube 3,
with the hole in the main driving shaft B. The communication referred to may,
however, be otherwise effected. When the fixed pulley is rotated, a cam-shaped
guide T pushes the roller 1' and 2' alternately inwards towards the shaft B; the bell-
crank lever 1 serving to drive the piston into the cylinder ', its fellow lever 2
drawing the said piston back again into the normal position. A spring 4 is per-
mitted to bear upon the yoke y' to counteract the effect of centrifugal force upon the
movable parts within the fixed pulley C. The cam-shaped guide T is rotatively
mounted upon a rod 5 fixed in the machine-frame; a spring 6 being coiled about
the said rod to normally keep the cam-shaped guide out of the path of the rollers 1¹
and 21. The face of the camp (Figs. 1 and 2) which actuates the blank-platform J.
is provided with a cam-shaped projection for throwing the cam-shaped guide T
into position for operating the bell-crank levers 1 and 2. The action of the parts
is as follows:-The hollow driving shaft B and the fixed pulley C mounted thereon
make one revolution whilst the pivoted cam-shaped guide T is out of the path of the
rollers 11 21; the air-exhauster being, therefore, not brought into play. In the first
half of the next revolution, however, the cam-shaped projection on the camp throws
the cam-shaped guide T into the operative position, whereupon the air-pump piston
is drawn back and the air exhausted from the suction-roller H. Whilst the revolution
is being completed, the air-pump piston is caused to return into the air-pump
cylinder a¹, thus "breaking the vacuum." During the next revolution of the shaft B
and pulley C, the air-exhauster again remains inoperative.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
1. The pneumatic blank-feeding mechanism constructed and operating substantially
as herein described, and comprising a suction-roller, an air-exhauster connected
therewith, a pressure-roller bearing on the said suction-roller and a reciprocating
blank-platform, the said platform being approximately on a level with the top of the
suction-roller, the parts being combined and arranged to feed the blanks from the
bottom of the pile.
2. The combination, with mechanism for feeding the blanks to an endless carrier, of
the said carrier provided with grippers for holding the advancing ends of the blanks,
the means for opening the grippers, the folders for folding the lateral flaps of the
blank and the folding blade, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
3. The combination, with the gumming disc u for applying gum to the lateral flap

page_text: of the blank and the gum-trough in which the said disc rotates, of the rocking shaft,
the arm s¹ on the said shaft for pressing the blank against the said disc, an arm, such
as u¹, on the said shaft for lifting the blank away from the said disc, an operating
arm, such as v¹, on the shaft r, and the wheel b provided with lifting studs w
arranged to pass under and lift the said arm v', substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
4. The combination with a suction-roller and a pulley, such as C, fixed upon a shaft
common to both, of the cylinder a mounted in the said pulley and provided with a
piston, the interior of the said cylinder being connected by a closed passage with the
interior of the suction-roller, two bell-crank levers mounted in the said pulley and
respectively coupled to the said piston and a curved or cam-shaped guide, such as
T, for actuating the piston in the cylinder through the medium of the said cranks,.
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
5. The combination, with the pulley C and the air-exhausting mechanism mounted
therein, of the pivotted cam-shaped guide T preferably provided with a spring 6 and
the rotatively-mounted cam p, the latter being arranged to actuate the guide T, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth.
6. The combination, with the reciprocating blank-platform J, the uprights s arranged
in front of the same and the finger, of the air-exhausting mechanism, the suction-
roller and pressure-roller I, the said blank-platform being arranged approximately on
a level with the top of the suction-roller and having a speed about equal to that of
the periphery of the said roller, substantially as and for purposes set forth.
7. The combination with the carrier G and the shafts and sprocket-wheels whereon
it is mounted, of the self-closing grippers & mounted in the said carrier, the discs R
carrying lugs arranged in the path of the gripper-tails and the mechanism for
shifting the position of the disc and lug, the same comprising a shaft, such as S,
having an arin 72 provided with a stud p₁ for engaging with a noich in the disc,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
8. The combination, with the shafts D D1 and the sprocket-wheels and -drums
mounted thereon, of the endless carrier G, which consists of two chains d d, connected
at short intervals by rods e e, and an apron made up of sections, each section being
secured by its leading end to the carrier, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
9. The combination, with a gum-reservoir ☐ and a gum-supplying roller 01
mounted to rotate therein, of a hollow gumming roller M. provided with a recess
for a printing face M₁ which is furnished with a retracting spring and a stem or
stems, and mechanism for causing the said printing face to protrude in order
that it may receive gum from the roller ', the said mechanism comprising a rocking-
shaft mounted in the said roller and fitted with an arm or arms h² for bearing
on the end of the stem or stems and an exterior arm for engaging with a
cam-piece secured to the machine-frame and arranged in the path of the arm i,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
10. The combination, with the folding rollers of the striker b', the cam c², the
spring e, the vibrating guard a¹, the cam c', and the spring a³, all arranged sub-
stantially as shewn in the accompanying drawings and operating for the purposes set
forth.
11. In an envelope- or bag-making machine, the pneumatic feeding mechanism con-
structed substantially as herein described and operating to feed paper blanks from a
reciprocating blank-platform, the several blanks, as they successively arrive at the
bottom of the pile, being seized, separated and removed.
12. In an envelope- or bag-making machine, the berein-described means for pre-
venting the application of gum to the pressure-roller N when no blank is passing; the
same comprising a recess formed in the face of the said roller and corresponding in
shape and size with the printing face M¹ of the gumming roller M1 and arranged to
register therewith.
13. In an envelope- or bag-making machine, the use, for feeding the blanks from
which the envelopes or bags are to be made, of " hollow roller whereof the circum

page_text: ference is perforated and wherein a partial vacuum is periodically created, the suction
causing each successive blank upon arriving at the bottom of the pile of blanks
to adhere to the surface of the roller during a portion of its revolution, substantially
as described.
14. The improved machine adapted for use in the manufacture of envelopes and
bags arranged or operating substantially as described with reference to the accom-
panying drawings.
DL: 9th J
T..1 10en
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.