IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ENVELOPES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Morgan-Brown, of the Firm of Brandon and
Morgan-Brown, Engineers and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings,
London, and 13, Rue Gaillon, Paris, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ENVELOPES." A communication from
abroad by Maro Spaulding Chapman, of Hartford, Connecticut, United States,
Envelope Manufacturer.
Sealed the 14th November 1876, and dated the 14th July 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Morgan-Brown at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th July 1876.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-Brown, Engineers
and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and 13, Rue Gaillon,
Paris. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ENVELOPES."
This Invention relates to mechanism for the manufacture of envelopes, and
consists in an organization of mechanism, substantially as described, whereby on a
single machine the envelope blank is gummed, is carried forward to a stamping or
printing apparatus, and is stamped with the government stamp, or printed, or both,
and is then carried to a folding mechanism, when the stamped or printed blank is
folded and delivered.
Also in the combination with the envelope blank sustaining bed of hollow posts
and separators within the posts to bear on the uppermost blank and against its
edge to press it toward the back posts to ensure the selection and lifting of but a
single blank by the gummers.
Also in the combination with the gum box and its roller and scraper of devices
whereby the scraper may be moved away from the roller to clear the box of pieces
of paper or other foreign substances and be replaced in exactly the same position
without removing the scraper adjusting screws.
Also in a picker adapted to draw or pick out the folded envelopes from the
envelope carrier, and place certain of the envelopes at stated intervals with their ends
beyond the adjacent envelopes to facilitate packaging.
The main shaft of the machine is driven preferably from a loose pulley adapted
to be connected with and so as to operate the shaft through a hub, provided with a
friction clutch mechanism to engage the interior of the pulley in any well-known
[Price 10d1

page_text: way, the hub being grooved to receive a fork on a shaft extended across the
machine, and connected with a shipper.
On the driving shaft is a cog wheel that engages a toothed wheel on a shaft
provided with an eccentric to operate the feeding mechanism, and this shaft also
carries a toothed wheel to operate a shaft, a pinion thereon being adapted to operate
the inking rollers. The shaft also carries cams to move the arms adapted to
reciprocate the gumming rollers. This shaft has a toe cam to operate the toggle
arms pivotted and connected with a slide, having at its upper end a die, by which
the government stamp is applied to the blank.
In practice the shaft will have an additional cam, and provided with a groove in
its face to receive. the end of a connecting pin to pull the slide and toggle down
positively, and the pin will also be provided with a roll to lessen friction on the
cam for the pressure necessary to properly imprint the government stamp is very
great. The stamping die is adapted to rise up through an opening in strips, one at
cach side of the machine. This slide may also carry a type to print suitable words
on the end of the envelope blank.
By the arrangement of gumming rollers and gummers the gummers apply an
equal quantity of gum from one to the other edge of the seal flap, and apply more
gum than is the case when the gumming rollers have their axes at right angles to
the gummers, for in this last construction the end of the gummers last passed over
are not as heavily coated as the ends first touched by the rollers. The gummers
operating to pick up the envelope blanks as usual depend from a cross head
sustained by rods guided in boxes, and connected at their lower ends by a bar
joined by a link with a lever pivotted and provided with a roller to be struck by a
cam on a shaft.
The gum is removed from the roller by a "doctor," and is crowded down into the
gum box, and is caused to flow about the ends of the roller, and the gum which is
usually quite thick is kept in constant circulation about the ends of the roller, and
a constant supply of gum is kept in the front of the gum box.
It is often necessary to turn the doctor or scraper back from the gun box roller
to remove bits of paper or other extraneous matter, and to do this in machines as
heretofore constructed necessitates the removal of the screws that adjust the scraper,
determining the quantity of gum to be carried up by the roller, and after the fault
is corrected the screws must be again inserted and the adjuster has to guess at the
position formerly occupied by the screws and scraper, so as to apply the same
quantity of gum to the envelope blanks, or in experimenting as to the proper
position of the scraper wastes much time.
To remove the scraper quickly and ensure its replacement in the same position
with reference to the roller there is connected with the centre of the scraper a
.threaded socket, into which is screwed a screw, and the head of the screw meeting
the side of the box governs the forward position of the scraper, and when the scraper
is turned back the screw fitting loosely in the hole in the box moves back with the
scraper. The scraper is held pressed forward at the ends by screws and pivotted
buttons adapted to be turned between the ends of the screws and the scraper, but
when the scraper is to be turned back the buttons are turned aside away from the
ends of the screws and the scraper may then be turned back without turning out
the screws and can be quickly cleaned and turned exactly to its former position.
The envelope blanks are placed on a bed made to swing outward and supported
at the top of arms, and on the top of the bed is usually placed a piece of sheet
india-rubber. The blanks are held between hollow posts, four being used, having
within them adjustable separators adapted to hook over the uppermost blank of
the pile and hold the pile down on the bed. These separators are carried by rods
rising from a cross-shaped frame provided with a hub adapted to slide on a rod
attached to the under side of the bed and resting on a spiral spring strong enough
to almost support the weight of the frame and separators. When the picking up
levices strike the. upper blank of the pile the blow is sufficient to cause the sape-
vators, pressing but lightly ou the blank, to rise a little or release their pressure on

page_text: the blank and permit it to be picked up easily by the devices, and the separators
then drop on the next blank.
The envelope carrying chain is composed of an endless chain having projecting
from it at intervals and on opposite sides fingers. The envelopes as folded are
dropped from a folding bed between the fingers and carried by the chain until they
are drawn out by a picker, the envelope at that time being at the left-hand end
and at the lower side of the chain.
The envelopes to be made up into packages, preferably twenty-five in each
package, and counting devices are therefore provided to throw each twenty-fifth
envelope beyond its adjacent envelope by a projecting finger or indicator.
twenty-fifth envelope is pulled out the finger strikes a projection attached to a rod
carrying two plates arranged to be moved with and by the rod.
As each
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said William Morgan-Brown in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th
January 1877.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-Brown, Engineers
and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and 13, Rue Gaillon,
Paris. IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ENVELOPES."
A communication from abroad by Maro Spaulding Chapman, of Hartford, Connec-
ticut, United States, Envelope Manufacturer.
The Invention relates to mechanism for the manufacture of envelopes, and consists
in an organization of mechanism, substantially as described, whereby on a single
machine the envelope blank is gummed, is carried forward to a stamping or printing
apparatus, and is stamped with the government stamp, or printed, or both, and is
then carried to a folding mechanism when the stamped or printed blank is folded
and delivered.
Also in the combination with the envelope blank sustaining bed of hollow posts
and separators within the posts to bear on the uppermost blank and against its
edge, as hereafter described, to press it toward the back posts to ensure the selection
and lifting of but a single blank by the gummers.
Also in the combination with the gum box and its roller and scraper of devices
whereby the scraper may be moved away from the roller to clear the box of pieces
of paper or other foreign substances and be replaced in exactly the same position
without removing the scraper adjusting screws.
Also in a picker adapted to draw or pick out the folded envelopes from the
envelope carrier and place certain of the envelopes at stated intervals with their
ends beyond the adjacent envelopes to facilitate packaging, and in certain com-
bination of devices hereafter described.
Figure 1 represents a left-hand side elevation of a machine provided with these
improvements looking from the end of the machine where the blanks are placed to
be gummed. Figure 2 is a top view.
Figure 3 is a view of that end of the machine where the gum box is situated.
Figure 4 is a detail of the opposite end of the machine and the envelope counting.
mechanism.
Figure 5 is a front end view of a complete operative machine looking toward the
gum box. Figure 6 represents the right-hand side of such machine; Figure 7 the
left-hand side.
Figure 8, the opposite end of the machine where the folding mechanism is located.
Figure 9 is a front end view with the gumming apparatus removed and the bed
for the blanks turned outward.
Figure 10 is a section on lines x, x, Figures 6, 7, looking from rear or folding end
of machine.
Figure 11 is a top view with gumming apparatus and beam and plunger removed

page_text: Figure 13, a side view of gum box; Figure 14, a top view; and Figures 15 and
10, sections on lines A, B, C, D, Figure 14.
Figures 17 to 21, details of mechanism for holding the pile of blanks and releasing
them.
Figure 22 is a top view of the gumming apparatus removed.
Figures 23 and 24, side and top views of the device for removing the envelopes
singly from the delivering chain.
Figure 25 is a section showing the devices for stamping or printing the blank.
Figure 26, a detail of the counting mechanism; and
Figure 27 is a top view of the bed on which the blank is folded.
The main shaft a of the machine is driven preferably from a loose pulley b (sce
Figure 10), adapted to be connected with and so as to operate the shaft a through
a hub c, provided with a friction clutch mechanism to engage the interior of the
pulley in any well-known way, the hub being grooved to receive a fork & on a
shaft e, Figure 5, extended across the machine and connected with a shipper f
On the driving shaft is a cog wheel g that engages a toothed wheel on a shaft i,
provided with an eccentric j to operate the feeding mechanisin, and this shaft also
carries a toothed wheel to operate a shaft p, a pinion thereon being adapted
Shaft i also carries cams 1, 0,
(see Figures 6 and 10) to operate the inking rollers.
to move the arms q,, adapted to reciprocate the gumming rollers.
In Figure 1 the shaft i has a toe cam n to operate the toggle arms 8, w, pivotted
at b, and connected with a slide having at its upper end a die u by which the
goverment stamp is applied to the blank."
In practise the shaft i will have an additional cam m (see Figures 4 and 9), and
provided with a groove in its face to receive the end of connecting pins to pull
the slide and toggle down positively, and the pins will also be provided with a
roll a¹ to lessen friction on cam n, for the pressure necessary to properly imprint the
government stamp is very great. The stamping die u is adapted to rise up through
an opening a (see Figures 25 and 11) in the strip y, two such strips y being used one
at each side of the machine. This slide v may also carry a type to print suitable
words on the end of the envelope blank.
Figure 25 shows the slide v provided with a projecting arm 151 and a groove 152
to hold a type, the latter rising through a longitudinal slot 153 in strip y (see
Figure 11). The arms q, 7, are connected with shafts 1, 1, supported in suitable
bearings, and at their opposite ends have arms like q, r, and the upper ends of
these arms connected by rods 2 are joined by links i, c¹, with the journal
boxes i, j, (see Figures 1, 6, and 22,) of the gumming rollers el, ¹, adapted to slide
on the rods f¹ supported by frane g above the gum box 1, and to take gum from
the gum box roller (see Figures 5, and 13 to 16). This roller is driven from
shaft by means of a band that passes about a pulley o¹ on the end of the shaft m¹
of the gum box roller.
In practise this pulley o¹ will be on a short shaft n¹ (see Figure 5), connected by
a fork with the end of shaft m¹ to allow the gumming mechanism to be removed
without unshipping the driving band of the gum box roller. The gum is placed
in the end of the gum box, and as the roller rotates in the direction of the
arrow, Figure 14, the gum is caused to circulate under the bearing 2 (the black
space, Figure 15, showing the passage) in the direction. of the arrows, and the
"doctor" or scraper pivotted in the gum box regulates the quantity of gum taken
up by the roller and applied to the gumming rollers, they being retained in contact
with the gum box roller, except at the time that the gummers s, t, are elevated above
the gum box, and then the gumming rollers placed it will be observed with their
axes parallel with the length of the gummers are each moved away from the gum
box roller in opposite directions and over the lower ends of the gummers. The
extent of motion given to the gumming rollers is much less than would be the
case if the rollers were at right angles to the gummers, or were on one carriage
and moved in but one direction, and by placing the axes of the gumming rollers

page_text: with relation to the length of the gunmers, as shown, the gum is evenly and
equally spread on the gummers, a fresh and properly gummed surface coming in
contact with the entire face of the gummers, which is not the case when a gumming
roller with its axis at right angles to the gummer is rolled over them.
By the arrangement of gumming rollers and gummers as herein described the
gummers apply an equal quantity of gum from one to the other edge of the seal-
flap, and apply inore gum than is the case when the gumming rollers have their
axes at right angles to the gummers, for in this last construction the end of the
gummers last passed over are not as heavily coated as the ends first touched by the
rollers. The gummers 81, 71, operating to pick up the envelope blanks as usual
depend from a cross head u¹ sustained by rods v¹ guided in boxes x, and connected
at their lower ends by a bar w¹ joined by a link y with a lever ¹ pivotted at a
and provided with a roller to be struck by a cam 62 on shaft c², having a pinion d°
engaged by an idler wheel e moved from the pinion f on shaft p, pinion f² being
operated from pinion on shaft i.
The gum removed from the roller ¹ by the "doctor" is crowded down into the
box and is caused to flow about the ends of the roller, and the gun which is usually
quite thick is kept in constant circulation about the ends of the roller ¹ under the
bearings, as represented by the arrows, and a constant supply of gum is kept in
the front of the gum box.
The journals or shafts m² of the roller ¹ turn in sleeves (see Figures 14 and
16) supported in bearing and provided with discs adapted to fit the ends of
roller closely, or under the scraper at the ends of the rolls, the scraper fitting on
or between the two discs, as the case may be, and this construction prevents the
escape of gun through the bearings, a common fault with bearings and journals
constructed as usual when worn away.
By this construction the wear of the shaft m¹ or journal does not leave a space
into which the gum can pass, and gum cannot get into the bearings except between
the discs and roller ends, and gum will not reach and disturb the bearings if the
discs are kept adjusted in contact with the roller ends, which may be done by
loosening the journal caps and crowding them forward.
It is often necessary to turn the doctor or scraper back from the gum box roller
to remove bits of paper or other extraneous matter, and to do this in machines as
heretofore constructed necessitates the removal of the screws that adjust the scraper,
determining the quantity of gum to be carried up by the roller, and after the fault
is corrected the screws must be again inserted, and the adjuster has to guess at
the position formerly occupied by the screws and scraper, so as to apply the same
quantity of gum to the envelope blanks, or in experimenting as to the proper
position of the scraper wastes much time.
To remove the scraper quickly and ensure its replacement in the same position
with reference to the roller there is connected with the centre of the scraper a
threaded socket, into which is screwed a screw 1, and the head of the screw
meeting the side of the box 1 governs the forward position of the scraper, and
when the scraper is turned back the screw fitting loosely in the hole in the box
moves back with the scraper. The scraper is held pressed forward at the ends by
screws m³, and pivotted buttons n adapted to be turned between the ends of the
screws m and the scraper, but when the scraper is to be turned back the buttons
are turned aside away from the ends of the screws, and the scraper may then be
turned back without turning out the screws m², and can be quickly cleaned and
turned exactly to its former position.
The envelope blanks are placed on a bed o%, shown in Figure 1 as a fixed bed,
but in practise made to swing outward, and supported at the top of arms p² (see
Figures 5 and 9), and on the top of the bed is usually placed a piece of sheet india-
rubber a³. The blanks are held between hollow posts (see enlarged views,
Figures 17 to 21), four being used, having within them adjustable separators 82
adapted to hook over the uppermost blank of the pile and hold the pile down on
the bed. These separators are carried by rods t rising from a cross-shaped frame u²

page_text: provided with a hub adapted to slide on a rod w attached to the under side of
the bed and resting on a spiral spring strong enough to almost support the
weight of the frame and separators. When the picking up devices s¹, t', strike the
upper blank of the pile the blow is sufficient to cause the separators pressing but
lightly on the blank to rise a little or release their pressure on the blank and
permit it to be picked up easily by the devises s', t¹, and the separators then drop
on the next blank.
The separators in the two posts at the outer edge or front of the bed are made
as springs (see Figure 17), and they press against the edges of the uppermost blanks
near the junction of the back and side flaps and keep the uppermost blanks always
crowded against the posts at the rear of the bed that govern the correct position
of the seal flap edge of the blank, and by means of these spring separators the seal
flap edge of the blank is always in the proper position to be picked up by its
gummer t, and the gum is always applied exactly at the proper position on the
edge of the seal flap, and the upper blank is never allowed to fall or get back of
the next lower blank, for when this happens two blanks are lifted by the gummer,
or clse both blanks are left down and are lost.
The bed may be provided with a latch 63 to retain the bed in horizontal position.
In Figure 7 the gum box is removed from its supporting frame c³.
In this machine the seal flap portion of the blank leads or is in advance as the
blank is moved through the machine by the feeding mechanism, whereas in most
other machines the back flap end leads.
The seal flap gummer t¹, which also picks up the blank, is adapted to apply a
much larger quantity of gum than the back flap gummer s¹, and the gummer t¹
has therefore more power as a picking up device, and seldom, if ever, fails to lift
up the seal flap, and the feed or device to carry the blank forward always gets
properly under the blank, whereas it often happens in other machines where the
back flap gummer is nearest the feed that the back flap gummer does not lift
the back flap properly, and then the feed or device to carry the blank forward does
not get properly under it and the blank is spoiled.
By placing the seal flap gummer nearest the feed and keeping the seal flap in
advance the waste of blanks is lessened, and it is unnecessary therefore to stop
the machine as often to remove spoiled blanks and the picking up of the blanks,
and their proper pesentation to the feed are made much more positive than
heretofore.
Strips y, f³, are placed at the top of the machine (sec Figures 2 and 11), and
the envelope blank in its passage through the machine is guided at its ends by
the guides and is supported on the narrow ribs a stiff by the strips y,
and these ribs are so small that the gum applied to them by the gummed
edges of the flaps does not collect thereon and impede the passage of the blank
through the machine, as would often be the case if the blank rested directly on
the strips y.
Under these strips is arranged the carriage 3 of the envelope feeding
mechanism, having adjustably connected therewith the pulling bars provided with
hooks 3 near the centre of their length, and with other hooks at their ends (see
Figure 11), the hooks 4 taking the blank from the picking up devices s¹, t¹, and
carrying it in position under bean to receive the impress of the government
die or to be printed, and the hooks 3 then engage and carry the blank forward to
the position where it is taken by the pushing bars 5 that carry the blank in the
proper position under the usual plunger m³ (see Figures 7 and 8 of the folding
mechanism), and by these hooks on the rods connected with the carriage the blanks
are intermittingly moved through the machine and placed in proper position to
be stamped and folded.
The under side of the beam 3 will be provided with a removeable block or bed 13
(see Figures 10 and 25), against which the stamp will be pressed, and this bed will
preferably be provided with a heavy piece of leather directly opposed to the stamp,
and the beam will also be provided with a bed 17, adjustable by a screw 18, and
adapted to work in opposition to the type to print the envelope.

page_text: The feeding carriage derives motion from arms ³ on a rock shaft o³, having
an arm p³ connected by a link q³ with eccentric j. Catches are pivotted (sec
Figure 11) on brackets 8 to prevent backward movement of the blanks when
the feeding hooks move toward the gumming apparatus. Above the strips y and
connected with springs 10 attached to forked holders us, and with the bar on which
the gun box rests, are cords 6, 7, 8, 9, under which the blanks pass and by which
they are kept down in engagement with the feeding hooks, the springs 10 keeping
the cords taut.
Figure 11 shows forks 11 to press the cords down evenly, and the under sides of
the forks are grooved to prevent lateral movement of the cords. Just before the
die u is projected through the opening a in the strip y to impress the government
stamp, blank stops 12 (shown only in Figure 11) on the ends of arms 13, pivotted
at 14 to the machine frame and lifted by the carriage 3, rise and stop the blank
in the proper position to receive the stamp in the corner of the face of the envelope,
and after the blank is properly placed the toggle is operated and the die is raised.
As the die rises the slide v strikes and raises the cord lifter 14 (see Figures 1 and
25) pivotted to the under side of strip y, and the lifter lifts cord S and prevents
the envelope blank from being drawn laterally over the inked die as the latter
rises, thereby preventing the stamp or impression from becoming blurred, as would
be the case if the blank was held down at the side of the die in a position lower
than the upper or stamping position of the die.
The inking devices are of any usual construction, but it is preferred to use for this
purpose those shown in the several Drawings, and they derive motion from a
shaft 2. This shaft p, viewing it from the front of the machine, has at its right-
hand end a grooved hub 19, Figure 7, adapted to operate a lever 20, provided at
its upper end with a pin to enter a groove in a hub 21 on a shaft 22, adapted to
move longitudinally a frame provided with an ink distributing roller 23 that
reciprocates over the inking roller 24 on the shaft 25, a roller 26 on the same
shaft working against the printing type. The shaft 25 has a toothed wheel 27
that engages an idle wheel 28 supported by an arm 29, the idle wheel being
operated by the wheel. The box or boxes 30 holding the ink have a roller or
rollers 31 provided on their journals with ratchet 32 engaged by pawls 33 on a
pivotted pawl carrying lever 34, connected with a cam 35 on a rock shaft 36 pro-
vided with an arm 37, having a pin or roll entering an irregular groove in a cam 38
on shaft p, the cam moving the rock shaft 36, provided also with an arm 39,
connected at the top with the frame or carriage 40 working in guides 41, and
carrying the inking rollers 42, 43, adapted to convey the ink from rollers 24 or 26
to the surface of the die, or to the type, the rollers being moved over the die or type
when lowered.
The ink is conveyed from the rollers in the ink box to the roller 24 by means
of a roller 44, a similar roller being used to convey ink to roll 26 if it is used. This
roller 44 is carried by vibrating arms 45 on a rock shaft 46, provided with an arm
47, having a pin 48 struck by a cam 49 on shaft p, and on this same shaft is a cam
hub 50, grooved to receive a roller or pin 51 (see Figure 10) attached to a lever 52,
and connected by a link 53 with the bar 54, carrying the fingers or devices to pick
the envelopes out of the chain 56, where they are deposited by the folding
mechanism.
The
The envelope carrying chain 56 is composed of an endless chain, having projecting
from it at intervals, and on opposite sides, fingers 56* (see Figures 6 and 7). This
belt is shown as broken off, but in practise besides passing over shaft 133 it extends
forward about four feet, and passes over a second shaft that keeps the chain taut,
and permits it to be intermittingly through a ratchet and pawl on shaft 133.
envelopes as folded are dropped from this folding bed between the fingers 56*, as
shown at left-hand end of chain, Figure 6, and on the further movement of the
chain each pair of fingers is brought together, as shown outside the frame, and the
envelopes on being placed between each pair of fingers are carried by the chain
until they are drawn out by the picker, the envelope at that time being at the left-

page_text: hand end and at the lower side of the chain. During the rotation of the chain the
envelopes would drop out were it not for a guide or plate arranged below the chain
and open ends of the fingers. The fly. wheel 55 (see Figure 7) on shaft a is con-
nected by a band with a shaft 85* connected in turn by a band 86* with a shaft
carrying a fan to dry the envelopes as they are carried by the chain 56.
The envelope blank to be folded is projected by the fingers 5 forward over the
opening 57 (see Figure 11), the ends of the blank passing under the guide fingers
58, and at this time the plunger m³ carried by the rod 59, sustained in guide
ways 60, and carried by arm 61 on rod 62, descends and pushes the blank down
through the opening 57. As the plunger descends with the blank the folding wings
63, 64, and 65, for turning over the back and end or side tlaps remain in vertical
position, and the folding bed 66 moves up toward the plunger and comes to a
horizontal position as the plunger reaches the bottom of its stroke, then as the
plunger rises the wings 63, 64, and 65 close, turning the back and side flaps from
à perpendicular to a horizontal position, and then the seal flap folder 67 folds the
seal flap over against the upper side of the side and back flap folders then holding
the blank, thus preventing the gummed seal flap from coming in contact with the
other portions of the blank.
When folded the folder 67 first rises, then the folder 64 and 65, and then the
folder 63, and the bed 66 is lowered. The face of this bed is grooved or cut away
(see Figure 27) leaving portions 68 and the rim 69 higher than the rest of the bed,
and this prevents the gum used to unite the back and side flaps from being spread
too far, and from passing beyond the contacting edges of the back and side flaps.
As the bed approaches its lowest position the upper end of stationary curved
fingers 70 attached to the plate 71 sustaining the folding wings pass through
openings 72 in the bed and lift the folded envelope, and it falls from the inclined
fice of the bed into and between the links of the chain or belt adapted to carry
away and dry the envelopes. The envelope drops into the chain with the seal flap
or top of the envelope down.
This chain being endless carries the envelopes back to the end of the machine, and
then they are picked or drawn out one by one from the links by means of a picker,
shown enlarged in Figures 23 and 24, and also in Figure 1. This picker is composed
of a rigid finger 73 and a moveable finger 74 pivotted at 75, and provided with a
spring 76 to close it against the finger 73, and a pivotted spring held catch 77 is
adapted to engage and hold the fingers 74 away from the finger 73. The finger 73
is slotted at 78 to connect with a projection 80 on the reciprocating sliding bar 54
before described. As the picker completes its movement toward the outside of the
frame on its own side of the machine an adjustable stud 81 on and projecting
within the frame strikes the end 82 of the finger 74 and opens it, as shown in
Figure 24, and the picker then moving forward receives between its fingers the
end of an envelope, and the catch 77 then strikes against a stationary projection 83,
Figure 26, suitably placed, and is turned to release the finger 74, which then' grasps
the envelope, and as the picker is moved back draws the envelope with it. When
drawn out and released a pusher $4 on an arm 85 pivotted at its lower end on a
stud 135, and provided with a rollor 86, is struck by a cam 87 on shaft c², and the
envelope is pushed forward into a trough or box 150, arranged to receive the
envelopes and placed by the side of the chain (see Figure 7).
The envelopes are to be inade up into packages, preferably twenty-five in each
package, and counting devices are therefore provided to throw each twenty-fifth
envelope beyond its adjacent envelope.
A bracket 88 provided with a pin or stud supports a ratchet 89, having twenty-
five teeth and a projecting finger or indicator 90. A pawl carrying arm 91 placed
on the stud that carries the ratchet and carrying a pawl 92 is connected by a
link 93 with the arm 85 and turns the ratchet one tooth at each time the pusher 84
moves forward with an envelope. As each twenty-fifth envelope is pulled out the
finger 90 strikes a projection 94 attached to a rod 95, carrying two plates 96, 97,
arranged to be moved with and by the rod. The plate 96 when not moved away

page_text: from the chain by the rod 95, its projection 94 being acted on by the finger or
indicator 90, serves as a guide stop for the ends of the envelopes drawn out by the
picker, but as each twenty-fifth envelope is drawn out and released the rod 95 and
plates are moved laterally, and the plate 97 acts against the end of the envelope
nearest the chain and moves its outer end beyond the ends of the envelope in the
box in advance of it. A suitable spring holds the rod 95 toward the chain.
detaining pawl 98 on bracket 99 prevents retrograde motion of the ratchet 89.
A
In connection with this counting mechanism a registering mechanism may be used.
The rod 62 of the folding mechanism is connected by a link 100 with an arm 101
on a stationary bar or shaft 102, the arm being provided with a roller 103 adapted
to be struck by a cam 104 on shaft c², this shaft deriving its motion through toothed
wheel. This shaft 102 is provided with, a cam 105 adapted to lift and hook over
a roller 106 on arm 107 pivotted on shaft 102 and connected by link 108 with the
under side of the bed 66 to raise and lower the bed positively. Other cams 109 and
110, through arms provided with rollers and connected by links 111, 112, with
rock shafts 113, 114, operate the folder for the seal and back flaps of the envelopes;
and cams 115, 116, connected through links 117, 118, and arms 119, 120, with rock
shafts 121, 122, provided with arms 123, 124, and links 125, 126, operate the folders
for the side flaps. Each rod 111, 112, 117, and 118, or their arms acted on by the
cams on shaft e adapted to lift them, are provided with strong spiral or other
springs to throw them down, the springs for this purpose not being shown in the
Drawing, except the spring 134 for the rod 112 (see Figure C).
The shaft c carries another cam 127 adapted to act, on a roll 128 on a link or
rod 129 connected at its upper end with a pawl carrying frame 130 provided.
with a pawl 131 adapted to engage a ratchet 132 on the shaft 133 that sustains the
inner end of and moves the envelope carrying chain.
One of the side flaps is gummed by means of a side flap gummer 136 connected
with the cross head u. This gummer is made as a hollow tube (see Figure 12),
and has a removeable bottom plug 137 provided with a cover 138 having gum
passages 139 and a passage 140 for a regulator 141, the regulator also passing
through an opening 142 in the bottom of the plug.
The regulator is a rod adjustably connected at top with a pivotted lever 143 held
up at its outer end by a spring 144 to keep the lower end of the regulator down
through the passage 142. A bracket 145 attached to the frame of the machine has
a top a turning finger 146 provided with a set screw 147 that engages the end of
the lever 143 each time the cross head u¹ rises and draws the regulator up, this
action permitting. the gum to pass through opening 142 and to be applied to the
side flap at the next descent of the side flap gummer with the cross head.
The quantity of the gum discharged is regulated by the screw 147, the extent of
upward movement of the regulator controlling or measuring the quantity of gum
discharged.
Instead of the hollow posts to guard the separators and position the blanks, two
small rods may be used one each side the separators and their rods.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the said Invention,
and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that
what I claim is-
First. The combination in a machine for making envelopes of mechanism to gum
and pick up and mechanism to fold envelope blanks, with mechanism arranged
between the gumining and folding mechanisms to stamp or print the face of the
blanks prior to folding, and with an intermittingly acting. feed to take the blank
lifted by the gummers and carry it to the stamping dies, and when stamped to
carry it to the folding mechanism, substantially as described.
.
Second. The hollow post in combination with rod t and spring separator adapted
to bear against the upper portion and edge of the blank, as set forth.
Third. The envelope blank, sustaining bed, and hollow posts in combination with
separators arranged to move up and down within the posts, substantially as
described.

page_text: Fourth. The envelope blank, bed, and back posts and separators in combination
with front posts and spring separators to keep the uppermost blank pressed against
the back posts to be acted upon by the gummer, substantially as described.
Fifth. The gum box and its roller and the gummers arranged at each side thereof,
as described, in combination with the independently acting gumming rollers adapted
to move simultaneously in opposite directions from the gum box roller over the
gummers, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Sixth. The combination of the gum box and its roller with the scraper and its
adjusting screws and interposed pieces, substantially as described, whereby the
scraper can be moved away from the roller and be replaced without disturbing the
screws, as set forth.
Seventh. The gum box roller and its journals in combination with the sleeves i²
and discs, substantially as described.
Eighth. The gum box and its supplying chamber q' and roller h² and scraper in
combination with the bearings 2 extended across the gum box, and constructed to
afford a passage way for the circulation of the gum, substantially as described.
Ninth. The seal and back flap gummers and independently actuated gumming
rollers, as described, in combination with the side flap gummer, constructed as
described, and its lever 143 and stop 147 to regulate the quantity of gum discharged,
substantially as described.
Tenth. The combination with the feeding and envelope blank supporting devices
of the cords, and a tension device to keep the cords taut and hold the blanks down,
substantially as set forth.
Eleventh. The combination of the support for the blank and the die and
cords 6, 7, with the cord lifter, substantially as described.
Twelfth. The combination with the carrier that receives the folded envelopes of
a reciprocating jaw or picker and devices to open and close it to seize and draw the
folded envelopes laterally from the machine.
Thirteenth. The combination with the reciprocating jaw or picker to draw the
envelope from the carrier and plate 97 and its supporting rod 95 of a ratchet wheel
and indicator 90 to move the plate 97 and project an envelope beyond the envelope
next in advance of it, substantially as described.
Fourteenth. The general arrangement of the machinery, as particularly described
and set forth, and in the manner of operating the same, substantially as described,
for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Morgan-Brown, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twelfth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN. (L.S.)