Improvements in Envelope Machines.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 31st May. 1890
Complete Specification Left, 26th Feb., 1391--Accepted, 28th Mar., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by RANDOLPH G. WARD, of Baltimore, U.S.A.]
Improvements in Envelope Machines.
0
SAMUEL GEORGE BAKER COOк, of No. 96, Queen Street, Cheapside, in the
County of London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
--
This invention relates to envelope machines and more particularly to that class
of such machines which are adapted to operate upon more than one blank, that is
to feed and fold at one time or during the operation of the machine more than a
single blank.
The main portion of the frame of the machine consists essentially of a cylinder
provided with broad flanges to give it a suitable stable foundation and with a web
merging in a hub or boss in which is keyed or otherwise rigidly secured a vertical
spindle. This spindle may be fixed or as would be desirable in some instances,
movable either in a vertical or rotary direction to carry devices for any required
purpose. therefore do not consider the rigidly connected spindle employed in this
particular machine as a limiting feature of my invention so far as novel features of
construction in the frame-work are concerned.
==
At the upper portion of the body of the frame and surrounding the same is
mounted (or it may be formed as a part thereof, that is integrally) a table on, and
in which the several folding, blank-supporting and envelope-delivering mechanisms
are located and arranged. "As many of the said mechanisins may be provided as
desired, in this instance, however four sets of folding and of blank-supporting
mechanisins are provided and the parts of the machine are relatively timed to adapt
them to that number of the specified mechanisms.
The blank-feeder consists of a cylinder which in this instance is at one edge fitted
to travel in a groove formed in the table, the same extending completely around
whereby the blank feeder may be rotated in said groove as a track. The upper
end of the cylindrical body is provided with a comparatively broad flange projecting
over the bed of the machine.
On the inner surface of the cylindrical portion of the feeder there is secured or
formed as desired gearing which extends completely around the cylinder.
Vertical ribs, grooves, or guiding tracks are formed at intervals on the interior
of the feeder cylinder with which the V shaped projections cooperate to cause
exact registration of adjacent moveable parts of the machine. Along the under
surface of the blank-feeder and at intervals (in this instance one eight of its circum-
ference) are arranged pickers each of which is connected with the feeder by spring
pistons and by guiding pins so that when operated by adjacent parts, said pickers
may be brought into contact with suitable gunuming mechanisms and with a pile of
blanks.
A guiding frame is provided, the function of which is to guide the folding pistons
and the mechanism employed for giving them movement. This guiding frame is
arranged within the feeder-cylinder resting upon a collar on the spindle, the central
hub of the guiding frame depending from the said collar has four arms which
extend over the feeder and terminate in guide eyes or bearings for the rods of the
folding-pistons and for the rods which support and give motion to a crosshead, the
latter being mounted for reciprocation upon the vertical spindle hereinbefore
referred to.
The guide frame has also bearings for the upper ends of shafts which
are hereinafter described. At the outer ends of the four arms there are formed
crossheads terminating in bearings for spring pistons which are arranged to come in
contact with the spring-pins of the gummer being depressed by contact of the cross-
head carried upon the vertical spindle so that the gum-pickers are forced into the

page_text: gum receptacles through openings adjacent to the opening or mouth of the folding
box. The guiding frame may be secured to the upper edge of the main frame by
bolts.
A spring is provided around the vertical spindle and between the bottom or table
portion of the guiding frame and the cross-head and in this instance a collar and a
secondary spring are interposed between the cross-head and the spring in order to
give a yielding pressure upon levers which are connected with the said collar.
These levers are pivotally connected with standards arranged around the machine
at the outer edges of the annular table and the base of the machine. These levers
are arranged over the plungers of the gum-pickers upon the feeder. The pivotal
connection of the levers with either the collar or the standards is rendered loose
by slotting preferably at the collar by reason of the curved path of the inner end of
the lever.
The functions of the spring described are regarding the secondary spring, to
compensate in a measure for the different distances which the inner ends of the
levers are required to travel to cause the pickers to reach and take, up the blanks
of varied thicknesses, it being understood that the blank tables are automatically
fed up as the blanks are removed therefrom. The function of the spring is to
relieve the main cam hereinafter described from undue labour in giving motion to
the cross-head and the parts carried thereby and to render the movements of all the
parts regular.
The blank-table is supported upon one or more non rotatable standards each of
which is threaded along its lower portion and provided with a geared nut all of
which are driven by a pinion properly connected with a disc. Over this disc is
arranged a shaft carrying a pulley which is screw-threaded and mounted upon a
threaded portion of the said shaft, set nuts serving to retain the disc at any desired
point on the shaft and at any desired distance from the centre of the disc whereby
the speed of the rotation of the said disc may be adjusted in accordance with the
required speed at which it is desired that the blank-table should be elevated. The
shaft is provided with a mitre gear which meshes with a companion on the vertical
shaft the upper end of which as before described, runs in a bearing in the guide
frame. A series of these shafts are employed comprising a number equal to the
number of blank-tables in the machine. After the blank-supporting table has been
elevated to its highest position, it is desirous that some mechanism be provided
whereby it may be depressed.
This
The main cam of the machine is mounted to rotate upon the vertical spindle
within the cylindrical body portion of the frame work supported upon the hub or
boss in which the vertical spindle is secured. This main cam is provided with a
track or groove which in this instance, and agreeing with the number of folding
mechanisms involved in the machine is constructed to give four vertical reciproca-
tions to the cross-head and four intermediate periods of rest to the same.
motion is communicated from the cam by means of rods rigidly connected with the
cross-head passing through so as to be guided by the guiding frame and downwardly
inside of the cylindrical portion of the blank-feeder and into and inside of the
cylindrical main portion of the frame of the machine where suitable guides are
formed for their reception. A pin or bolt (having preferably a friction roller
thereon) projects from each rod into the track of the cam. On the outer surfaces
of these rods the bevelled registering blocks or projections are located so that
during downward reciprocations of the rods the said blocks are brought into the
grooves and thus the folding-pistons carried by the cross-head are caused to exactly
register with the folding boxes on the annular table.
The lower edge of the main cam is provided with a gear whereby it may be
driven by a pinion mounted on the main or power shaft of the machine. A worm
and screw may be substituted for this gear and pinion. At the upper edge and
around the outside of the main cam a mutilated gear is provided that is, it con-
stitutes a circular rack having plain portions and toothed portions and adjacent to
the rack is a rib.

page_text: Each of the shafts is provided with a pinion which is adapted to mesh with the
toothed portions of the circular rack, and a larger pinion to mesh with the gear on
the blank-feeder, a collar upon the shaft intervening between the small and larger
pinions. When motion is imparted to the drive-shaft the main cam is rotated by
the pinion and the parts carried by the cross-head are reciprocated and motion is
imparted from the main cam through the medium of the mutilated rack to the
shafts downwardly to the blank-table-elevating-mechanism and upwardly to the
blank-feeder. The mutilated rack and rib are divided into eighths of the pitch of
the gear. That is four separated parts of the rib are carried beyond the pitch line
of the gear. The geared portions mesh with and drive the smaller pinion and the
collar which intervenes between the smaller and larger pinions as hereinbefore
described. The diameter of the larger pinion is one eighth of the diameter of the
gear on the blank-feeder. The collar which intervenes between the smaller and
larger pinions works intermittently upon the rib of the main cam and the smaller
pinion works intermittently upon its mutilated rack.
Thus although the pitch diameter of the smaller pinion bears the same relation
(one eighth) to the mutilated rack of the main cam, as the larger pinion does to the
cgear of the blank-feeder, still two revolutions of the main cam will be required to
communicate through the smaller pinion, its shaft, and the larger pinion, one revo-
lution to the blank-feeder. The blank-feeder is thus caused to intermittently travel
one half the distance between successive folding mechanisms and this by a con-
tinuously rotating cam or other mover.
Any suitable folding mechanism proper may be employed in connection with the
devices described and so also may any suitable blank-table-elevating-mechanism be
substituted for that described.
The folding box is provided with the usual folding plates or leaves which are
adapted to fold the flaps of the blank over the body portion following in their order
of operation such a succession as will properly dispose the flaps, the sealing flap of
the blank being necessarily the last to be folded. From each of the two opposite
leaves which fold the flaps on the longer sides of the blanks, there extends a con-
necting link, while from one of the end flap folders there extends a pivotally
connected rod. A shaft extends through the hinge or pivot of the folding plate and
on this shaft are mounted bevel-gears. Similar gears are mounted upon shafts
connected with the remaining folding leaves, so that the motion is imparted by a
lever and by the said gearing and by a connecting rod (pivotally secured to the
lower end of a crank arm and to the upper end of another similar crank arm) to all
the folding plates. A. rock arm projects from each of two of the shafts to connect.
with and give positive motion to two links which connect the two end folding plates
or leaves.
The order of succession in folding plates or leaves is as follows: The folding
plate or leaf to which the pivotally connected rod is attached moves first, the
opposite folding plate or leaf, next, the side folding plate or leaf farthest from the
pivotally connected rod, next, and finally the folding plate or leaf employed for
the sealing flap.
The wings which form the bottom of the folding-box upon which the blank rests
at the time the flaps are folded are in themselves well known and may be operated
in any usual well known manner.
In addition to the desired movements of the bottom wings of the folding box I
provide a step by step movement to endless carriers for conveying completed
envelopes from the machine. These carriers are endless hands carrying spaced
fingers and mounted on rollers or pullies; gears are mounted on the shafts of these
pullies and project towards each other so as to mesh with a rod having a rack and
provided with links extending to crank arms on the shafts of the wings. A recipro-
cation of the rack rod is produced by a rocking lever pivoted to the cylindrical.
frame of the machine and projecting into an additional track of the main cam.
A similar track and similar connecting devices may be employed for reciprocating

page_text: 1
the pivotally connected rod, herein before referred to, thereby operating the flap-
folding-plates or leaves.
The gum is applied to the pickers by means of openings of a shape substantially
agreeing with the gum-pickers, and slightly larger, through which as the folding
piston enters the folding box, the gun-pickers are forced, and come in contact with
a band which is wound upon spring rollers similar to those in use upon window
curtain rollers. Any suitable mechanism such as cord extending from the band to
an adjacent movable part of the machine may be used to unwind the same from the
roller which being spring actuated in an opposite direction serves to wind the band
thereon.
The roller is arranged in a compartment which is adapted to contain
suitably prepared gum so that the band becomes coated and saturated therewith
and a sufficient quantity is transferred to the gum-pickers when they come into
contact there with.
It is understood however that as regards other novel Features of my invention
they are not in any manner limited to the particular mechanism just described. As
for example the gum-pickers may be passed over and in contact with any suitable
gumming devices arranged in their circuit and in a horizontal plane in which they
move. Such gumming devices may consist of brushes supplied in any suitable
manner with gum or as is common in the art, the gum may be supplied to the gum
picker from a roller arranged in or supplied from any suitable gum receptacle.
The operation of my invention is as follows:
Blanks are placed upon the annular table and the power being applied to the
power shaft of the machine the main cam is rotated constantly and while it makes
one fourth of a revolution it causes a cross-head to descend bringing down with it,
levers which bear upon the folding-pistons and the gum-pickers causing them to
take up an envelope blank from each pile. The cross-head then returns to its
highest position and rests while the main cam is making another one fourth of a
revolution. During each pause (by means of the larger and smaller pinion and
collar hereinbefore described) the blank-feeder to which the gum-pickers are
attached is moved one eighth of a circle carrying the four blanks which it has taken
and these are brought over the four folding boxes. The cross-head now comes
down again this time forming four envelopes and causing the gum-pickers on the
blank-feeders to take up four more and the operation is continued. Simultaneously
with the forming of the envelopes by the depression of the cross-head and the
folding-pistons, the gum-pickers pass from where the blanks have just been taken
by the folding-pistons into the gum serving box or receptacle and receive a new
supply of gum.
Now it will be noticed that the distinctive mode of operation involved in the
mechanism herein before described consists in providing a blank-feeder which has
but a simple movement viz., an intermittent rotary movement and which has no
vertical or other reciprocatory movement. So also in regard to the folding-pistons,
they partaking of no rotary motion whatever either intermittent or continuous and
yet by the co-operation of the blank-feeder described they are properly served with
blanks upon which to operate. It is apparent therefore that the main objects of
this invention as hereinbefore indicated are secured and that the product of the
machine is increased without the adoption of mechanisms involving undue
momentum of the parts in operation or undue complexity in the construction of the
said parts.
Dated this 21st day of May 1800
AYRTON & THOMAS,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Envelope Machines.
I, SAMUEL GEORGE BAKER Cook, late of No. 96, Queen Street, Cheapside
in the County of London, now of No. 27, Eagle Wharf Road, Hoxton, in the County
of Middlesex, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to envelope machines and more particularly to that class
of such machines which are adapted to operate upon more than one blank that is to
feed and fold at one time or during the operation of the machine more than a
single blank.
The objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following
description and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the
claims.
Referring to the drawings
Figure is a plan of an envelope machine embodying my invention, the guide-
frame being removed and the picker actuating levers broken away to disclose
interior mechanism.
Figure 2 is a central vertical section on the lines y of Figure 1, the guide-frame
being partially removed as are also the picker operating levers.
Figure 3 is a central vertical section taken on the lines X of Figure 1 the
crosshead carrying the folding pistons being removed and the guide frame being
also but partially shewn so as to disclose other parts.
Figure 4 is a plan of the blank feeder or carrier as it appears without any of
its attachments or adjacent parts.
Figure 5 is a diametrical vertical section of the same and its gear.
Figure 6 is a plan of the guide-frame.
Figure 7 is a central vertical section of said guide frame.
Figure 8 is a plan of the gearing employed for adjusting the blank supporting
tables.
Figure 9 is a side elevation of said gearing and table the framework being shown
in section.
Figure 10 (Sheet 3) is a diagram of the main cam laid out or extended in a flat
position.
Figure 11 (Sheet 1) is a longitudinal vertical section of a compound gear and
end elevation of the larger gear, the collar and the smaller gear constituting the
said compound gear.
Figure 12 (Sheet 2) is a side elevation and plan of a rib and mutilated rack
employed.
Figure 13 is a plan on an enlarged scale of the folding box mechanism, employed
for folding the flaps of the envelopes.
Figure 14 is a plan of the connecting rod and cranks shown at one side of
Figure 13.
Figure 15 is a plan of the upper portion of the frame work of the folding box
with gumming mechanism shown in dotted lines.
Figure 16 is a substantially central vertical section of the folding box and its
folding mechanism together with details of the endless carriers for transferring the
completed envelopes from the machine.
Figure 17 is a central vertical section of the cross head folding piston and guide
frame and the adjacent portions of the blank feeder, the section being taken at
right angles to that shown in Figure 2.
Figure 18 is a plan of the gum pickers showing the relative location of the
folding piston and the spring pistons in which the pickers are mounted.
Like letters of reference refer to like parts in all the Figures of the drawings.
A represents the main portion of the frame of the machine and it consists

page_text: essentially of a cylinder provided with broad flanges to give it a suitable stable
foundation and with a circle merging in a hub or boss A³ in which is keyed or
otherwise rigidly secured a vertical spindle G.
As will hereinafter appear the cylindrical form of the framework together with
its annular table is admirably adapted for the reception and co-operation of the
various mechanisms employed whether the spindle be fixed, or as would be desirable
in some instances movable either vertically or rotary to carry devices for any
purpose. I therefore do not consider the rigidly connected spindle employed in this
particular machine as a limiting feature of my invention so far as novel features of
construction in the frame-work are concerned.
At the upper portion of the body of the frame and surrounding the same is
mounted (or it may be formed as a part thereof, that is integrally) a table Bon
and in which the several folding blank-supporting and envelope delivering
mechanisms are located and arranged. As many of said mechanisms may be
provided as desired, in this instance however, four sets of folding and of blank-
supporting mechanism are provided and the parts of the machine are relatively
timed to adapt them to that number of the specified mechanisms.
The blank-feeder C consists of a cylinder which in this instance is at one edge C¹
fitted to travel in a groove B formed in the table B the same extending completely
around whereby the blank-feeder may be rotated in said groove as a track. The
upper end of the cylindrical body is provided with a comparatively broad flange
projecting over the bed B of the machine.
On the inner surface of the cylindrical portion of the feeder there is secured or
formed as desired gearing c which extends completely around the cylinder.
Vertical ribs, grooves or guiding tracks c are formed at intervals on the interior of
the feeder cylinder, with which the V shaped projections e³ co-operate to cause
exact registration of adjacent movable parts of the machine.
Along the under surface of the blank-feeder C at intervals (in this instance of
the circumference) are arranged pickers each of which (see Figure 17) is
connected with the feeder by spring-pistons e³ and by guiding pins e so that when
operated by adjacent parts said pickers may be brought into contact with suitable
gumming mechanisms and with a pile of blanks.
D represents the guiding frame, the functions of which is to guide the folding
pistons and the mechanism employed for giving them movement. The frame D
is arranged within the feeder cylinder C. The frame D has four arms d which
extend over the feeder C and terminate in guide eyes or bearings for the rods e¹
of the folding pistons and for the rods e which support and give motion to the
crosshead E the latter being mounted for reciprocation upon the spindle G. The
guide-frame D has also bearings (see Figures 3 and 6) for the upper ends of
the shafts which are hereinafter described. At the outer ends of the arms d
there are formed crossheads terminating in bearings 3 for spring pistons d³×
which are arranged to come in contact with the spring pins of the
gummer being depressed by contact of the crosshead E so that the gum
pickers are forced into the gum receptacles through openings adjacent to the
opening or mouth of the folding box J. The frame D may be secured to the
upper edge of the main frame A by bolts Dx (Figure 6).
g
The spring G is around the spindle G and between the bottom or table portion
of the frame D and the crosshead E and in this instance a collar g' and a secondary
spring are interposed between the crosshead and the spring in order to give a
yielding pressure upon the levers a which are connected at to said collar. These
levers are pivotally connected at a² with standards a arranged around the machine
at the outer edges of the table B and the base of the machine. These levers a¹
are arranged over the plungers e' of the gum pickers upon the feeder C. The
pivotal connection of the levers a' with either the collar or the standards a is
rendered loose by slotting as at a³× (Figure 3) preferably at the collar by reason of
the curved path of the inner end of the lever.
The functions of the spring described, are regarding the spring g² to compensate

page_text: in a
measure for the different distances which the inner ends of the levers are
required to travel to cause the pickers to reach and take up the blanks of varied
thickness, it being understood that the blank tables are automatically fed up as the
blanks are removed therefrom. The function of the spring g is to relieve the
main cam F hereinafter described from undue labour in giving motion to the cross-
head and the parts carried thereby and to render the movements of all the parts
regular.
The blank table I (see Figures 3, 8 and 9) is supported upon one or more
vertical non rotatable standards each of which is threaded along its lower portion
and provided with a geared nut both of which are driven by a pinion properly
connected with a disc. Over this disc is arranged a shaft ³ carrying a pulley h
which is screw threaded and mounted upon a threaded portion of the said shaft h³,
set nuts serving to retain the disc h at any desired point on the shaft h³ and
at any desired distance from the centre of the disc whereby the speed of the
rotation of said disc may be adjusted in accordance with the required speed at
which it is desired that the blank-table should be elevated. The shaft h³ is
provided with a mitre gear 2 which meshes with a companion on the vertical
shaft the upper end of which as before described runs in a bearing d² in a guide-
frame D. A series of these shafts are employed comprising a number equal to the
number of blank-tables in the machine. After the blank-supporting table has been
elevated to its highest position it is desirous that some mechanism be provided
whereby it may be depressed.
It is
represents what may be designated as the main cam of the machine.
mounted to rotate upon the spindle G within the cylindrical body portion of the
framework and upon the hub or boss A². This cam F is provided with a track or
groove which in this instance and agreeing with the number of folding
mechanisms involved, in the machine is constructed to give four vertical recipro-
cations to the crosshead E and four intermediate periods of rest to the same. This
motion is communicated from the cam, by means of the rods, rigidly connected
with the crosshead passing through so as to be guided by the frame 1) and down-
wardly inside of the cylindrical portion of the blank-feeder C and into and inside
of the cylindrical main portion of the frame of the machine where suitable
guides ex are formed for their reception. A pin or bolt es (having preferably a
On the outer
friction roller projects from cach rod into the track of the cam.
surface of these rods e the bevelled registering blocks or projections are located
so that during downward reciprocations of the rods said blocks are brought into
the grooves and thus the folding pistons e carried by the crosshead E are
caused to exactly register with the folding boxes J on the table B.
The lower edge of the cam F is provided with a gear F3 whereby the cam may
be driven by a pinion z mounted on the main or power shaft Z of the machine. Å
worn and screw may be substituted for the pinion and gear shown. At the upper
edge and around the outside of the cam F is a gear . This gear is mutilated
that is, it constitutes a circular rack having plain portions and toothed portions as
clearly shown in Figure 12 and adjacent to the rack is a rib 2.
Now by reference to Figure 3 it will be seen that each of the shafts his
provided with a pinion 4 which is adapted to mesh with the toothed portions of the
rack immediately above the pinion and on the shaft is a collar hand
immediately above the collar a larger pinion H. The latter meshes with the gear c
on the blank-feeder C. As thus far described it will be seen that when motion is
imparted to the drive shaft Z, the cam is rotated by the pinion and the parts
carried by the crosshead are reciprocated and motion is imparted from the cam
through the medium of the rack to the shafts downwardly to the blank-table-
elevating-mechanism and upwardly to the blank-feeder. The mutilated gear or
rack and rib fare divided into eighths of the pitch diameter of the gear.
That is four separated parts of the rib are carried beyond the pitch line of the
gear. The geared portions mesh with and drive the pinion 4 and the collar

page_text: a
(that is the collar having a portion of its periphery removed to produce
Hattened part 5 see Figure 11). The diameter of the pinion H is one eighth of
the diameter of the gear e on the feeder C. The collar works intermittently
upon the rib 2 of the cam wheel F and the pinion 4 works intermittently upon
the geared rack of the cam wheel F. Hence it will be seen that although the
pitch diameter of the pinion " bears the same relation (one eighth) to the gear or
rack on the cam wheel F as pinion H does to the gear c on the feeder C, still
two revolutions of the cam-wheel F will be required to communicate through
the pinion shaft and pinion H one revolution to the feeder C.
feeder is thus caused to intermittently travel one half the distance between
successive folding mechanisms and this by a continuously rotating cam or other
mover.
The
Any suitable folding mechanism proper may be employed in connection with the
devices described and so also may any suitable blank-table-elevating-mechanism
be substituted for that shown and described as regard to other novel features of my
invention and the same is not limited to their use in connection with the specific
folding and blank-table-elevating devices specified.
The folding box J is provided with the usual folding plates or leaves which are
adapted to form the flaps of the blanks over the body portion following in their
order of operation such a succession as will properly dispose the flaps, the sealing flap
of the blank being necessarily the last to be folded. From each of the two opposite
leaves which fold the flaps on the longer sides of the blank there extends a connecting
link while from one of the end flap folders there extends a pivotally connected
rod K. A. shaft k¹ extends through the hinge or pivot of the folding plate; (see
Figures 13, 14 and 1.6) and on this shaft are mounted bevel-gears. Similar gears
are mounted upon shafts connected with the remaining folding leaves, so that the
motion is imparted by the lever K and by said gearing and by the connecting rod k
(pivotally secured to the lower end of one crank-arm k and to the upper end of a
similar crank-arm ) to all the leaves. Rock arms projecting from the shafts k²
and are connected with and give positive motion to the links 3.
The connecting rod is provided for the purpose of imparting motion to the
shaft from the shaft as a supplementary device and to insure the absolute
accuracy of the relative movements of these two shafts. It is true that the
motion is transmitted from 3 to by the gearings but it is impossible to avoid
the lost motion resulting from wear whenever this form of transmission of motion
is employed. The connection of these shafts by the arm is to insure the
compensation for all this lost motion and to keep these arms in the same relative
position with regard to one another.
The order of succession in folding leaves j is as follows.
The leaf to which the rod K is pivotally attached moves first, the opposite
leaf next, the side leaf farthest from the connecting rod Ke next, and finally the
sealing flap folding leaf.
The proportioning of the pinions and axes surrounding this folding box are such
and the pinions on the end of shafts and K; ³ are made just so much longer than
those on the ends of the shafts and as to make the folders on said box act in
the following manner and order.
The end folders move first that is they have a start ahead of the side folders
before motion begins. The folder opposite the connecting rod is however
attached to the rock arm on its proper geared shaft so low down as to move
faster than said folder on the end. The consequence is that when the end folders
which move together have reached a partial inclination, they are overtaken by the
side folders, and as there is an edge of the blank extending all round the edges
of the end folders, the flap on the side folder catches this edge, and carries the end
flaps along with the side flap. The sealing flap folder in the meantime has started
from a position farther back and less advanced than any of the other folders and
as it is connected with its proper shaft higher up than its opposite, its motion is

page_text: slower. The consequence is that when the folding has been completed by the
other folders, the scaling flap has only received a creasing fold which is all that
is necessary and desirable.
By this proportioning of the flaps and the overtaking of the end folders by the
side folders the flaps may be successively placed in their proper order and the
envelope completed.
Figure 16 represents wings or leaves which form the bottom of the folding box
upon which the blank rests at the time the flaps are folded. These are in
themselves well known and may be operated in any usual well known manner.
In this instance I indicate one manner of giving the desired movements to the
bottom wings or leaves of the folding-box and also a step by step movement to the
endless carriers for conveying completed envelopes from the machine. These
carrier are endless bands 2 carrying special fingers and mounted on rollers or
pulleys b. Gears (see dotted lines Figure 16) are mounted on the shafts of
pullies and project towards each other so as to mesh with a rod N having a
rack N' and provided with links N2 extending to crank arms N³ on the shafts M'
of the wings M. A reciprocation of the rack N' is produced by a rocking
lever N (see dotted lines Figure 2) pivoted to the frame A and projecting into an
additional track N' of the cam F. A similar track N° (see dotted lines Figure 10)
and similar connecting devices (not shown) may be employed for reciprocating the
rod K thereby operating the flap folding leaves.
In Figures 15 and 16 I have illustrated a mode and means of applying gum -to
the pickers and it comprises openings of a shape substantially agreeing with the
pickers and slightly larger through which as the folding piston enters the box J
the pickers are forced and come in contact with a band which is wound upon
spring rollers similar to those in use upon window curtain rollers. Any suitable
mechanism such as cord extending from the band to an adjacent movable part of
the machine may be used to unwind the same from the roller which being spring
actuated in an opposite direction serves to wind the band thereon. The roller is
arranged in a compartment which is adapted to contain suitably prepared gum so
that the band becomes coated and saturated therewith and a sufficient quantity is
transferred to the pickers when they come into contact therewith.
It is understood however that as regards 'other novel features of my invention
they are not in any manner limited to the particular gumming mechanism just
described. As for example (see Figure 1) the pickers may be passed over and in
contact with any suitable gumming devices arranged in their circuit and in a
horizontal plane in which they move. Such gumming devices may consist of
brushes I supplied in any suitable manner with gum, or as is common in the art,
the gum may be supplied to the picker from a roller arranged in or supplied from
any suitable gum receptacle.
"
The operation of my invention is as follows:-Blanks are placed upon the table I
and the power being applied to the shaft Z the cam wheel is rotated constantly
and while it makes one fourth of a revolution it causes the crosshead E to descend
also the levers a¹ which bear upon the pistons e3 and the pickers c², causing them to
take up an envelope blank from each pile. The crosshead E then returns to its
highest position and rests while the cam is making another one fourth of a revolu-
tion. During each pause (by means of the compound pinion H, and collar ½³)
the feeder C to which the pickers are attached is moved one eighth of a circle
carrying the four blanks which it has taken and these are brought over the four
folding boxes. The crosshead E now comes down again this time forming four
envelopes and causing the pickers on the feeders to take up four more and the
operation is continued. Simultaneously with the forming of the envelopes by the
depression of the crosshead and the pistons d³ the pickers c² pass from where
the blanks have just been taken by the folding pistons into the gum serving box
or receptacle, and receive a new supply of gum.
Now it will be noticed that the distinctive mode of operation involved in the
mechanism herein before described and illustrated consists in providing a blank
13

page_text: reeder which has but a simple movement viz.: an intermittent rotary movement and
which has no vertical or other reciprocatory movement. So also in regard to the
folding pistons, they partaking of no rotary motion whatever either intermittent o
continuous and yet by the co-operation of the feeder shown and described they are
properly served with blanks upon which to operate. It is apparent therefore that
the main objects of the invention as hereinbefore indicated are secured and that
the product of the machine is increased without the adoption of mechanisms
involving undue momentum of the parts in operation or undue complexity in the
construction of said parts. I deem it proper to state that I do not limit my
invention in any of its novel features to the exact construction hereinbefore shown
and described, but reserve the right to amend, add to or subtract from the details
of construction in any manner and to any extent within the scope of the mechanical
skill of persons conversant in the use and manufacture of the class of machines to
which this my invention relates.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what. manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
.
1. In an envelope machine, the combination of non rotatable reciprocative
folding pistons and a non-reciprocative intermittently rotative blank-feeder sub-
stantially as specified.
2. In an envelope machine the combination of a series of blank-folding
mechanisms substantially as specified and alternately disposed series of blank-
supporting mechanisms substantially as specified, a non-rotatable series of folding
pistons arranged above the said folding mechanisms and an intermediate inter-
mittently rotatable blank-feeder substantially as specified.
3. In an envelope machine the combination of alternately arranged folding and
blank-supporting mechanisms substantially as specified, a non-rotatable series of
folding pistons carried by a vertically reciprocative frame having registering
projections an interposed intermittently rotative blank-feeder having registering
grooves substantially as specified.
4. In an envelope machine the combination of a framework provided with a
fixed bed having arranged alternately thereon folding mechanisms and blank-
supporting mechanisms substantially as specified a non-reciprocative intermittently
rotatable crosshead carrying folding pistons, a main cam for giving motion to the
crosshead and intermediate gearing for transmitting intermittent motion to the
blank feeder substantially as specified.
5. In an envelope machine and as a means for conveying an intermittent motion
to and in combination with the blank feeder thereof a broken rack and rib a gear
connected with the feeder and a compound gear comprising pinions and an inter-
mediate collar adapted to slide along the unbroken portions of the rib substantially
as specified.
6. In an envelope machine and as a means for reciprocating the folding-pistons
thereof and for intermittently rotating the blank feeder thereof, the combination
of said pistons and feeder of a cam having a track for giving alternate vertical
movements to the folding-piston crosshead and alternate periods of rest to the
same, and having also a broken rack for giving intermittent rotation to gearing
connecting the blank-feeder with said cam substantially as specified.
7. In an envelope machine and as a means for reciprocating the folding-pistons
thereof and for intermittently rotating the blank feeder thereof and in combina-
tion therewith a cam having a track for giving alternate vertical movements to the
folding-piston crosshead and alternate periods of rest to the same and a broken
rack and rib, an intermediate pinion meshing with the broken rack an adjacent
collar adapted to ride upon the broken rib, a gear connected with the blank-feeder
and a pinion meshing therewith and mounted concentrically and moving with the
collar substantially as specified.
8. In an envelope machine the combination of a substantially cylindrical frame-

page_text: work having a fixed annular bed embracing said framework an annular blank-
feeder mounted on the bed, a cam arranged to rotate within the framework on a
central spindle rigidly mounted therein, a crosshead mounted upon the spindle,
rods connecting the crosshead with the cam and an intermediate guide-frame
provided with arms for guiding said rods substantially as specified.
9. In an envelope machine the combination of a non-rotatable reciprocating
crosshead a non-reciprocatory intermittently rotatable blank-feeder having pickers,
a system of picker-operating levers connected at the inner ends by a collar with
a central spindle upon which the crosshead reciprocates and a spring arranged
between said collar and said crosshead substantially as specified.
10. In an envelope machine, a non-reciprocatory intermittently rotatable blank-
feeder having a series of openings for the passage of folding pistons and having
at each opening, yieldingly supported gum pickers substantially as specified.
11. In an envelope machine a blank-feeder having a cylindrical body, a
projecting flange provided with a series of openings for the passage of folding-
pistons therethrough and yieldingly supported pickers arranged at each of the
openings and having a gear connected with the body for the rotation of the feeder
substantially as specified.
12. In an envelope machine, a blank-feeder having a cylindrical body portion
provided with a gear for its rotation and vertical ribs or grooves a flange
provided with openings and pickers in combination with vertically reciprocative
folding-pistons and supporting rods which are provided with registering projections
adapted to take into the grooves or ribs of the body of the feeder substantially as
specified.
13. In an envelope machine the combination of a series of non-rotatable
reciprocatory folding-pistons a non-reciprocative blank feeder having twice the
number of openings that there are folding-pistons, a series of folding mechanisms
substantially as specified and blank supporting mechanisms each equal in number
with the folding-pistons, a cam for reciprocating the pistons, an intermediate
gearing connecting the cam and the feeder, to intermittently rotate the feeder one-
half the distance between the said folding-pistons substantially as specified.
14. In an envelope machine and in combination with the folding mechanism
thereof a non-rotatable reciprocative folding piston, a non reciprocative inter-
mittently rotating blank-feeder having a series of openings each provided with
yieldingly supported pickers and picker gumming mechanism substantially as
specified arranged in the path of the pickers substantially as specified.
15. In an envelope machine and in combination with the blank supporting table
thereof and with the threaded standards and geared nuts for lifting the said table,
a pinion for operating said geared nuts, a disc for operating said pinion and a
frictional pulley adjustably mounted on a shaft to bear upon said disc substantially
as specified.
16. In an envelope machine and in combination with the blank supporting table
and with the threaded standard and geared nut for lifting the said table, a pinion
for operating said geared nut, a disc for operating said pinion and a friction
pulley adjustably mounted on the shaft adjacent to said disc substantially as
specified.
17. In an envelope machine the combination of a main cam, reciprocating
folding pistons, an intermittently rotatable blank-feeder folding mechanisms and
blank supporting tables with gearing interposed between the feeder and cam and
connected with said feeder and the blank supporting table operating mechanisms
and means substantially as described for rotating the can substantially as
specified.
18. In an envelope machine, the combination of the cylindrical framework
having an exterior overhanging table provided with an annular groove and a blank
feeder having a cylindrical body portion an outwardly projecting flange and
adapted to ride in the groove on said table substantially as specified.
19. In an envelope machine a gum receptacle arranged adjacently to the folding

page_text: box and having an opening in its top substantially forming to the shape of a
picker in combination with said picker whereby a picker may be introduced into
the opening to be supplied with gum and whereby the upper surface of the
receptacle prevents the contact of a blank with the gum therein substantially as
specified.
20. In an envelope machine a gum receptacle provided with an endless band
and with means substantially as described for giving movement to the same, in
combination with the folding box and the blank-feeder carrying blank-pickers and
picker-depressing pistons and means for operating said blank-pickers and picker-
pistons substantially as specified.
21. The combination with end-flap folding leaves and side-flap folding leaves
the former mounted on shafts provided with pinions at their ends and the latter
connected by links to geared shafts running parallel therewith whereby motion
imparted to one of the end-flap folding leaves is conveyed to the remaining leaves
substantially as specified.
22. The combination with the end and side flap folding leaves of shafts having
pinions thereon said shafts connected one with each leaf and a connecting rod k
and cranks operatively connected with opposite shafts whereby lost motion is
overcome substantially as specified.
23. In an envelope machine of the class described a cylindrical frame having an
annular table in combination with a centrally located gearing for giving motion to
the operating devices supported by the frame and its table substantially as
specified.
•
24. The combination of a cylindrical frame having an annular table a
cylindrically flanged blank-feeder a concentrically located main motion conveying
cam gear and pirions for imparting motion to said feeder substantially as specified.
Dated this 23rd day of February 1891.
AYRTON & THOMAS,
Patent Agents.