Improvements in Envelope Machines.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Feb., 1898-Accepted, 2nd Apr.. 1898
[Communicated from abroad. by JOHN A. SHERMAN, of 24, Dean Street, Worcester,
Massachusetts, United States of America, Engineer.]
Improvements in Envelope Machines.
I, CLARENCE WHITMAN. HOBBS, of 36 & 37, Featherstone Street, Finsbury, in the
City of London, Manufacturing Engineer, 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, as communicated to me from abroad, relates more especially to
that class of envelope machines which are constructed to fold and seal the blanks
from which envelopes are made, although certain of the improvements hereinafter
described may be used in other machines employed in the stages of making of
envelopes, as will be understood by all skilled in the art. It is especially intended
to be used in making envelopes in which the sealed flap is either ungummed or
dried. One important novel feature of general utility, in this class of machines, is
in the mechanism for folding the seal-flap; but another novel feature is the
arrangement of the wings of the picker which carry the gumming surface and
which, while adjustable, are always at the same angle to each other. Although this
may require the use of an envelope blank or set of blanks of somewhat peculiar
shape, it renders it possible to adjust the wings by only one movement, viz., toward's
or from each other, instead of requiring an additional rotary movement to change
their angle to each other. The peculiar feature however, which renders this
machine different from others lies in its adjustability, which renders it possible to
use the same machine to make envelopes of varying widths and lengths.
In this machine all the adjustable parts are so connected that they may be moved
by one operation. This is a great convenience, as it greatly shortens the time
necessary to change the adjustment and hence increases materially the daily capacity
of the machine. The adjusting mechanism is so applied that by one turn of a hand
wheel the various parts will be moved proportionately, so that the machine will be
in condition to make a properly proportioned envelope of any desired size, but it will
be evident that other mechanical means may be adopted to bring about the same
result without departing from the spirit of the invention.
For the further description of the invention, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings, in which, Fig. 1 is a front elevation, Fig. 2 a plan, and
Fig. 3 a side elevation of a machine embodying the invention. Fig. 4 is a section
on line 4, 4 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 5 is a section on line 5, 5 of Fig. 1, these two views
being taken looking in opposite directions. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the fly-flap
folder mechanism, and the receptacle for the finished envelopes. Fig. 7 is an
enlarged sectional view of the folding box and Fig. 8 is a plan of the folding box.
Fig. 9 shows the shape of the blank which is adapted to be used in this machine,
and Fig. 10 is a detail showing adjustment of the picker wing.
A is the table mounted upon legs A', which are connected together by
struts A2, A3, and A4. B is the cam shaft which is also supported from the

page_text: Mounted above the table on main standards C1, C2, is a suitable paper board
which, for purposes of adjustment, is made in two parts C, Cx. The standard C',
which supports the movable end C of the paper board, slides on a dove-tail track C³
mounted on the table A. The under side of the standard is provided with a rack c,
which engages with the pinion c¹ mounted on the shaft D, which is hung just
below the table A. At the further end of this shaft D is mounted a gear d,
which engages with a pinion d' mounted on a stud d2 which carries a hand
wheel d³, so that by turning this hand wheel in either direction, the standard C¹ will
be moved accordingly to adjust the position of the paper board.
Above the paper board is mounted a take-off, which is made in two parts E,. E*,
(Figs. 4 and 5), of which the part Ex is stationary and the part is adjustable, these
parts being mounted upon supports on the two parts C, C* of the paper board. The
adjustment of the part C consequently adjusts also the take-off.
The gumming mechanism consists of a gum box F with gum rolls of ordinary
construction, and a picker which is made in two wings G, G*, both of which are hung
from a slotted cross bar G¹ mounted on top of two vertical rods G2, G². The bottom
of each of these rods sets in the end of a lower cross bar G³, (Figs. 1 and 5),
carrying on its lower side the friction roll g which, when the pickers are up, stands
upon the end of a lever g¹ pivoted on the strut A4. This lever g¹ is shown by dotted
lines in Fig. 4, and full lines in Fig. 5, and is provided with the cam roll g2 operated
by, the cam 93 on the cam shaft B. Springs g₁ draw the vertical picker rods G², G²
down towards the end of the lever g' so that it and the roll g are in contact, except
where the picker is prevented from falling its full stroke by the height of the
pile. of blanks Z shown in Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5. The pickers consist of two
vertical wings G, G each of which is provided with a clamp screw G4, G5
which, clamps it in the slot G6 of the cross bar. G¹. The simultaneous adjustment of
the picker wing G with the other parts of the machine, is accomplished by means
of a forked arm G7, mounted on the side of the movable part C of the paper board,
which engages with an ear Gs mounted on a stem of the wing G. The shank of
each wing is square so that the wings will always remain at the same angle to each
other. The lower or gummed surface of each picker is constructed in the usual
manner. The picker may be adjusted in length to provide for envelopes of different
widths, in a manner to be described below.
The carriers for conveying the blank, after it has been withdrawn from the picker by
the take-off, to the plunger, are marked H, H*, Figs. 1 and 2. They are entirely separate
from each other, one being mounted in the track h and the other in the track *, and
they are reciprocated in the usual way by means of links (Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5)
which connect them with a pair of arms H', H2 by means of a transverse rod H³, the
links being a part of the sleeves H4, H, one of which H5 being capable of sliding
upon said rod H³ in changing the adjustment of the machine. The arms H¹, H² are
pivoted upon the strut A4, and the lower end of each arm is moved by means of the
strap eccentric He, Fig. 5, which is mounted upon the cam shaft B; this mechanism
being such that the two carriers are given a simultaneous and absolutely equal
reciprocation between a position under the pickers and a position under the plunger.
The carriers are provided with suitable dogs to properly center the blank thereon.
The track, in which the carrier H slides, is mounted on a standard upon the bed
piece J which slides on a dove-tail track j mounted on the table A. Upon the under
side of the bed piece Jis a rack J¹ which engages with the pinion J2 mounted on the
shaft D. (see Figs. 4, 5 and 7). Thus by turning the hand wheel d³ in either
direction with its pinion d¹, which engages with. the wheel d on the shaft D, the
latter is rotated and the rack is moved in or out, as the case may be, at the same
time that the standard C¹ and paper board C is given a corresponding adjustment
(Figs. 1, 4, 5 and 6), as described below.
The bed piece J also carries one of the end folders K which, with the opposite end
folder K and the pressure folders L, l, Lx, forms the folding box or mechanism for
making the body of the envelope, Figs. 7 and 8. The folders Kx and L, l, L* are
operated in the usual manner by mechanism of well known construction lettered *k*; *

page_text: respectively; and, as shown by Figs. 1, 2, 7 and 8, the folder K is operated by means
of a link connecting rod k, adjustable in length, and clamped by a clamp screw k¹.
This connecting rod runs to a rocker arm k² mounted on a sleeve which carries a
second rocker arm k*. The arm is connected by the connecting rod k³ to the cam
lever ko mounted on the strut A4, and operated by the cam k on the cam shaft; the
cam and connection being of the usual construction, and operating in the usual way.
The sleeve is mounted on a stud supported in two brackets k³, which project
from the table A.
The two wings of the pressure folder are connected by a slotted piece l, (forming
part of the folding box or mechanism above named), which is mounted in journals
on the table A in the usual manner. Another part L of the pressure folders is clamped
by a set screw 3 to 6, the latter being the portion which performs the greater part of
the folding operation as it folds the edge of the back flap, the parts L, Lx performing
the sealing operation.
Adjustment is made in the following manner. Upon the back side of the folder L
is a segment which engages with the grooved projection 12 from the under side of
that standard on the bed plate J which supports the track (see Figs. 4 and 5) so that
when the bed plate J is moved in or out by turning the hand wheel d³, as above
described, this movement will adjust the position of the grooved projection 12 and
consequently of the segment and its wing L of the pressure folder.
The plunger M, Mx is in two parts, hung from the lower end of a plunger rod M¹,
which is reciprocated in the usual manner. The adjustment of the plunger to suit
the size of the envelope is provided for in the following way. The stationary part Mx
of the plunger is connected to the lower end of the plunger rod M₁ and is provided
with a horizontal track on which slides the movable part of the plunger M, the track
being indicated by the letter m, Figs. 2, 4 and 5. The movable part M carries a
projection m¹. Upon the outer side of each track h, hx is mounted a U-shaped
arm h2, h3.
From the under side of each of these arms projects downwards a
gauge h4.
When the carriers bring the blank under the plunger, these two gauges
prevent the blank from being carried too far, thus serving to center the blank under
the plunger.
One of these arms h² carries at its outer end a forked piece m² (see Fig. 2) which,
when the plunger is in its highest position, straddles the projection m¹. When in
adjusting the machine, the track h is moved in or out by the bed plate J, it carries
the arm h² and hence, as the adjustment should always be made when the plunger is
up, by means of the engagement of the parts m¹, m², adjusts the length of the plunger
to suit the size of the envelope blank, as explained more fully hereinafter. When the
adjustment has been made the two parts of the plunger are clamped together by a
suitable set screw m³, Fig. 5.
As the plunger descends, it carries the blank with it until it forces it upon a set of
spring supported elevators N, N*, Ny (Figs. 7 and 8) so that the blank is practically
held between the latter and. the plunger. The elevators are mounted upon a cross
rod N¹, one end n of which slides in vertical groove n¹, (Figs. 5 and 7), the other
end 2 being mounted upon a sleeve sliding on a vertical guide rod n¹, Figs. 4
and 7. The sleeve n³ is connected by link n to a lever n upon a bracket n³. A
connecting rod n' connects the lever n with a cain lever n° (Figs. 1 and 4) mounted
on the strut A3 and controlled by the spring no. The cam no depresses this lever
against the force of this spring, being timed to withdraw the elevators as the plunger
descends, and to allow the elevators to rise in two motions after the folding operation
has taken place. The position of one or more of these elevators may be adjusted by
a set screw upon the bar N¹. In practice I prefer to make the elevator Ny adjustable
by a clamping screw, the elevator N being also clamped upon the bar N¹ by a clamp
screw which may be loosened when adjustment is required. The elevator N itself
passes up through a slot in the bed plate J so that it will be adjusted
simultaneously with the other parts on movement of the bed plate, as will be
understood; from Fig. 7.
As the elevators N, N* and Ny rise, there is a slight dwell or pause in their motion

page_text: :
before they reach their upper position, for the purpose of allowing the: pushers. P, Px
to carry each envelope blank to the fly flap folder. These pushers (Figs. 2, 4 and 5)
are respectively mounted on bracket blocks p, p* sliding on ways on the sides of the
tracks h, h: The bracket blocks are connected by links p¹ with sleeves p³, pt. on a
rod p, on which the sleeve pt is adapted to slide, as shown in Fig. 2. This rod forms
a pivot to the two arms p' which, at their lower ends, are mounted on a cross bar p
working in brackets po, and by means of a crank arm på, slot ended connecting rod plo,
cam roll p, bearing on and actuated by a cam 2012, the pushers are given a simultaneous
movement, this mechanism being like the mechanism by which the two wings of the
carriers H, H* are operated simultaneously to push the envelope from the top of the
elevators on to the tucking plate Q. It will be seen that the adjustment of these
pushers is accomplished whenever the carrier H is adjusted, the sleeve p4 sliding on
the rod p (Fig. 2) for this purpose.
The tucking plate Q, Figs. 4, 5 and 6, has a vertically reciprocating movement.
It is mounted upon a frame R having sleeves which slide upon guide rods R¹, hung
from the under side of the table A. Curved connecting rods r, r connect the frame R
with levers pivotally mounted upon the strut A+. These levers are each provided
with a cam roll which rests upon its cam r² so that they are rocked simultaneously to
reciprocate the tucking plate Q.
The lowest position of this tucking plate is in the same plane with the bottom of
the folding box or mechanism, (previously referred to), so that it will receive the fly
flap of the blank as the blank is forced down by the plunger M, Mx, and support it
during the folding operation. The plate then rises with the elevators N, Nx and Ny
until the folded envelope has been brought opposite the pushers P, Px, when the
elevators stop for an instant, and the pushers act to push the entire envelope upon
the tucking plate Q, and then retire to allow the elevators to complete their movement
upward to meet the new blank, which the plunger is bringing down, when they retire
again with the plunger and new blank.
The envelope blank is pushed forward until it strikes two pendent gauges q which
are adjustably weighted (Fig. 6) to govern their position and tension. These gauges
hold the envelope blank against the ends of the pushers P, Px and with them serve
to locate the blank in its proper position under the tucking knife. For this reason
the pushers are made adjustable on their bracket blocks p, px, Figs. 4 and 5 by slots
and wing nuts p¹³, and may be adjusted according to the width of the envelope.
The fly flap of each envelope is folded by means of a tucking knife S, Figs. 2
and, 6, which is mounted on a bar 8 attached to two vertical rods 81. These rods
slide in bearings 82 and are connected at their lower ends by means of a horizontal
bars, Fig. 1. This bar s³, is connected by a connecting rod 84 (Fig. 4) to the cam
lever s pivoted on the strut A³, and operated by means of the cam se. The tucking
knife S descends upon the blank and strikes it on the line where the fold of the fly
flap should come and drives the blank on that line down through the slot q¹ Fig. 6,
and between the two pairs of tucking rolls Q1, Q2, Q³, Q. One roll in each pair is
grooved slightly as shown to allow for the escape of air which the envelope contains,
and the rolls Q2, Q are mounted in slides and compressed by springs against the
rolls Q1, Q so as to exert the necessary pressure to complete the sealing of the
envelope, and yet so that they may yield according to the thickness of the paper.
They also serve to carry the envelope down into the case below.
These rolls are operated in the following manner. The shaft of the top rear
roll Q¹ is extended and connected to a shaft q2 by a universal joint 93, (see Figs. 2
and 3). The outer end of this shaft is mounted in a sleeve 94 which is provided with
a stud or pin q5 oscillating in a horizontal socket q mounted on the frame, this
pin q5 being at right angles to the sleeves. Thus a constant rotary motion may be
given to the roll Q, while the frame, in which it is mounted, reciprocates.
i. Power is applied to the shaft q2 by means of the driving chain q7 which passes
around the sprocket wheel q8 on the end of the shaft q2, and around a sprocket wheel
on the cam shaft below. To keep this chain taut, I provide a spring q³ attached to
1:

page_text: the lower end of a swinging arm q10. mounted on the frame and carrying an idler
bearing roller q¹¹.
The aforesaid rolls Q1, Q2, Q3, Q' are geared together so that they will all have the
same circumferential speed and will feed each envelope downward so that it will
drop in front of the placer T, Fig. 6. From the under side of the table A is hung,
by hangers U, a shelf V, and from the rear end of this shelf hangs two arms t
carrying a stud t¹. Upon this stud is mounted the lever 12, which at its upper end
carries the placer T. The lower arm 3 of this lever carries a can roll which is
operated by the cam #+, Fig. 5.
The envelope, as it comes down from the tucking rolls, drops on to the rear end of
the shelf V, Fig. 6, and is then pushed by the placer T under the front end of the
hooks u.
Two of these hooks are shown, (Figs. 4 and 5) each of which is pivoted to
a hanger U which assists in supporting the shelf V. The rear end of each hook is
provided with slotted connection and clamping screw as shown in Fig. 6, so that it
may be adjusted with relation to the height of the envelope.
To hold the envelopes upon this shelf, we provide a lever W upon which are -
mounted a series of fingers w, Figs. 1, 4 and 6. This lever W is mounted on a
sleeve w¹ carried by a stud hung by suitable brackets from the frame A.
It gets a
rocking motion from an arm w², also carried by the sleeve w¹, and connected by
a connecting rod w³ with a cam lever won the strut A³, operated by a cam w5.
These fingers w are curved somewhat in order to correspond with the swing of the
lever arm which carries them, and the operation of this part is so timed that when an
envelope is being pushed into place by the placer T, these fingers drop and come up
again after the envelope has been placed against the preceding envelope, so as to
hold the bottom of the envelopes back, after which the placer is withdrawn.
placer T is slotted as shown in Fig. 1 so as to allow this operation. These envelopes
are held by these fingers against a bracket block U¹ which slides on the shelf V.
The
The
On each side of the paper board C, C* Fig. 1, is mounted a separator C4, Fig. 6,
which is constructed and operated in the following manner. It consists of a finger
mounted on an arm c² which is provided with a sleeve c³ on a stud c20, which is
secured to the standard c4 mounted on the paper board C, C*. To each main
standard C¹, C² is journaled a lever 05, (Fig. 6), the long end of which lies under
separator arın c². The other end bears against a projection c5 on the shaft co.
shaft runs across the machine and is turned by a handle c7, Fig. 1. By turning the
handle the projection c5 depresses its end of the lever and lifts its corresponding
separator, C4. The separator fingers normally rest on the pile of envelope blanks and
each lever C5 normally lies sufficiently below its finger to allow it to rest on the pile
of blanks Z, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
When it is desired to replenish the pile of blanks the handle c', Fig. 1 and 6, is
turned down to move the separators C4 out of the way. This same motion through the
connecting rod go from the projection c³, throws rearward the rests g³, which catch
under the picker cross bar G¹ and prevent its descent. These rests are pivoted
above the table A as shown, especially in Figs. 3 and 4, each being connected by the
rod g6 from the projection c5 on the under side of the shaft co.
:
The operation of this machine does not, in general, differ materially, so far as the
timing of its parts are concerned, from the operation of other well, known machines
for making envelopes. The blanks are laid upon the paper board C, C, the
separators C being first lifted, as above described, to allow the blanks to be placed
beneath them and the picker bar G¹ being prevented from dropping in the manner
described above. The separators and picker bar are then released. The
pickers G, G descend, after being properly gummed in the usual manner, and lift
the top blank. While this blank is suspended from the pickers the carrier H, H*
moves under it. The picker mechanism then continues its upward movement so
that the blank is pulled off by the take-off E, E and drops upon the carrier H, H*,
and while in its upper position, the picker G, G* is regummed in the usual way.
The carrier now moves towards the rear of the machine, bringing the blank under
the plunger M, M and the blank is pushed into position or centered in the usual
=

page_text: The
manner. The picker in the meantime has gone down for another blank.
plunger, in its downward movement, drives the blank between the two parts of the
carrier H, H* which are so shaped as to act as a creaser to turn up the side flaps
which form the ends of the envelope, and also the back flap. The elevators N, NY, N
rise to receive the blank and steady it against the plunger, descending to the level of
the bottom of the folding box as the plunger descends, thus ensuring the proper
conveyance of the blank to the folding box where it is folded. In the meantime the
carrier has moved forward again to receive the next blank. The carrier, being made
in two parts, is thus enabled to pass the plunger bar, the plunger leaving the blank in
the folding box and ascending again in time for the next blank.
.
The side folders K, K now, fold the side flaps of the envelope and then the
pressure folder L, l, L* acts to seal the envelope. The portion which forms the seal
flap has, during this time, been partially resting upon the tucking table Q, and as
soon as the folding operation has been completed and the folders have resumed their
vertical position, the elevators and the tucking table rise together until the envelope:
is brought opposite the pushers P, Px, so that the pushers in moving horizontally, as
they now do, push the envelope off the elevators on to the tucking table. The
elevators now complete their ascent to receive another blank. The front edge of the
seal flap, when pushed on to the tucking table, strikes the pendant gauges q and
the rear edge of the envelope remains against the pushers, which serve to gauge the
position of the envelope upon the tucking table. The pushers now retreat and the
tucking knife S descends and drives the envelope down through the tucking table,
creasing it in the proper line so that it will be folded between the tucking rolls which
deliver the envelope upon the shelf in front of the placer. The placer T carries it
against the preceding envelopes, the fingers w moving out of place to allow it to reach
its position behind the hook.
It will be noticed that the lower edges of the picker wings G, G, which carry the
gum, are always at the same angle to each other owing to the fact that the shank of
each picker is angular. Whenever necessary, this edge may be elongated to suit the
size of the envelope blank by adding one or more blocks g7, (Fig. 10) and securing the
same by means of a set screw 98. Thus the same picker wing can be used for envelopes
of different widths. In order to properly center the plunger M, M*, Fig. 2, the upper
end of the plunger rod lies in a slot M² in the cross head M³ and is held in place by
the nut M4.
The machine does not need to be adjusted to the width of the envelope because
the plunger is intended to crease only three sides of the blank, namely, those three
sides which are to be operated upon by the three folders, and the plunger
therefore should be made as wide as the widest envelope to be folded upon the
machine, as when it is to be used with a narrower envelope than that, its
additional width will simply be inoperative. In the drawing Fig. 2, the plunger
M, M is shown as divided, with a central space between the two parts which
project beyond its normal width, which co-operate to crease a wider blank than
if the two parts were closed together. This construction is better than making
all sizes of the plunger continuous to the width desired, as it not only serves to
lighten the plunger considerably, but two or three plungers, with the required
adjustment by m, m³, Fig. 5, suit all sizes of envelopes. It will be seen from
Figs. 4 and that the pushers P, P* are connected to their bracket blocks p, p
by screwed connecting links p₁ and these with the slotted connection and wing
nuts p¹s enable an adjustment to be easily effected to correspond with the
adjustment of the plunger to the size of the envelope blanks.
The main adjustment however, is that necessary to render the machine capable
of making envelopes of different lengths and this adjustment is accomplished in
the following manner.
The plunger M, M* and pickers G, G* being in their highest position; the
picker bar G¹ being preferably supported by the rest g³ and the plunger being
also suitably supported, the parts m² and G8 (Fig. 4) engage with the parts m²
and G respectively. The clamp screw Go which holds the adjustable picker in

page_text: place, the clamp screws m³ which hold the two parts of the plunger together,
the clamp screw 13 (Fig. 8) of the pressure folder, and the clamp screw k¹ of the
end folders K together with the screw of the elevator N, are loosened, and the
hand wheel d³ is turned until the parts are properly adjusted by moving the bed
plate J and the standard C¹. When the proper adjustment has been reached the parts
are again clamped by their respective set screws.
The utility of such an adjustment will be apparent, and one important feature which
makes it possible is the keeping of the picker wings always at the same angle to
each other. This requires the use of an envelope blank of somewhat unusual shape,
but the result is very desirable, and it appears could only be obtained in this way.
The blank which is used on this machine is shown in Fig. 9, and while blanks for the
various sized envelopes may differ from each other in proportion in various directions,
the two edges z¹, z¹ which are to be gummed, will always be at the same angle to each
other. This is a very important and desirable feature, and it is believed that this is
the first machine in which the angles of the edges of the back and end flaps to each
other does not change to correspond with the change in what is known as the square
or face of the envelope, namely: its size when finished. A series of blanks of different
sizes for use in this machine will have the peculiarity that each blank will represent
every other blank of the series irrespective of the size of the squares, in having these
edges always at the same angle to each, this angle corresponding, so far at least as
the edges z¹, 21 are concerned, with the angle of the pickers to each other.
Where a tucking knife and rolls are used, it is evident that the machine is not
arranged to gum the seal flap as well as the side flaps of the envelope, as in such a
case the seal flap as well as the back flap, would be stuck to the body of the envelope,
and the envelope rendered useless.
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, a paper board consisting of two parts, one of which is
mounted on a laterally sliding standard, as and for the purpose described and shown
in the drawings.
2. In an envelope machine, a paper board capable of adjustment to receive blanks
of different lengths, in combination with the take-off located upon the blank support
and adapted to be adjusted thereby, substantially as described and shown in the
drawings.
3. In an envelope machine, the herein described separator consisting of a rocking
part suitably mounted and adapted to rest upon a pile of blanks, in combination with
a lever, one end of which is located under the said separator, and means whereby the
lever is operated to rock the separator from off the said blanks, substantially as
described and shown in the drawings.
4. In an envelope machine, the combination of means for gumming and folding
envelope blanks with means for feeding each blauk to the picker and taking it from
thence to the folding mechanism, consisting of a suitable paper board, separator and
take-off, each made in two parts, one part adapted to be moved towards and from the
other, whereby the same mechanism may be used with blanks of different widths
substantially as described and shown in the drawings.
5. In an envelope machine, a picker consisting of two wings set at a suitable angle
to each other, one wing being adapted to be adjusted towards and from the other
while remaining at the same angle therewith, substantially as described and shown in
the drawings.
"
6. In an envelope machine, a picker made in two parts, one part being adjustable
towards and from the other, substantially as described and shown in the drawings.
7. In an envelope machine, an adjustable picker consisting of two wings, one of
which may be moved towards and from the other, in combination with an adjusting
arm adapted to engage with said movable wing for purposes of adjustment, substan-
tially as described and shown in the drawings:

page_text: 8. In a machine for making envelopes, a carrier made in two parts each adapted to
slide upon suitable tracks, one of said tracks being adjustable towards and from the
other, substantially as described and shown in the drawings.
9. In an envelope machine, the combination of a carrier inechanism made in two
parts, each mounted upon a suitable track, one of said tracks being adjustable towards
and from the other, with a plunger made in two parts one adapted to slide upon the
other, and an adjusting arm mounted upon the said adjustable track and adapted to
engage with the movable portion of said plunger for purposes of adjustment, substan-
tially as described and shown in the drawings.
10. In an envelope machine, the combination of a reciprocating plunger and a
folding box or mechanism, with two or more elevators adapted to reciprocate through
the floor of the said folding box to meet the plunger in its descent and with it convey
an envelope blank to the folding box, substantially as described and shown in the
drawings.
11. In an envelope machine having a suitable carrier, the combination of a folding
box or mechanism with means for driving an envelope blank through the carrier and
into the folding box and folding the body of the said envelope, means for folding the
seal flap consisting of a slotted table and a vertically reciprocating tucking knife
adapted to drive the crease of the seal flap through the slot, and means for conveying
the envelope through the slotted table, substantially as described and shown in
the drawings.
12. In an envelope machine, the herein described means for folding the seal flap
of an envelope, consisting of a slotted table and vertically reciprocating tucking knife
mounted over the table adapted to reciprocate through the slot therein, and a set of
rolls located under the slot and adapted to withdraw the envelope therefrom, sub-
stantially as shown in the drawings.
13. In an envelope machine, the combination of a folding box mechanism having
three folders with a reciprocating table adapted to support the seal flap of an envelope
blank, means for lifting the blank out of the said folding box which are adapted to
reciprocate with the table, a pushing mechanism adapted to push the envelope off
elevators upon the said table, and means whereby the seal flap is thereupon folded,
substantially as and for the purposes described and shown in the drawings.
14. In an envelope machine, a folding box mechanism having a pressure folder
adjustable in length, and a side folder movable towards and from its opposite side
folder, substantially as described and shown in the drawings.
15. A folding box mechanism for an envelope machine having a bead extending
along one end of its long sides, upon which is mounted a pressure folder consisting of
two wings, one of which is adjustable upon the said bead, in combination with an end
folder mounted upon an adjusting plate, with means whereby said folders are
operated and capable of adjustment together by one operation, as and for the purposes
described and shown by the drawings.
16. In the folding box mechanism of an envelope machine, the combination of
means for folding and sealing three sides of an envelope blank having oscillating
folders, with means for folding the seal flap, consisting of a reciprocating tucking
knife, a slotted table and two or more rolls of approximately the same diameter
throughout their length located beneath the table and adapted to receive and feed
the seal flap, and means whereby the blank is carried from the said folding box to the
table, substantially as described and shown in the drawings.
17. A folding mechanism for an envelope machine consisting of a folding box
adapted to fold three sides of an envelope blank, means for folding the seal flap of the
envelope consisting of a slotted table, a vertically reciprocating tucking knife mounted
over the table and adapted to reciprocate through the slot therein, and a set of rolls
of approximately the same diameter throughout their length located under said slot
and rotatable to withdraw the envelope therefrom, substantially as described and
shown by the drawings.
18. An adjustable folding box mechanism for folding envelope blanks, one of the
folders in which has a continuous bead running to the longest length of the folding

page_text: box and carrying one or more wings, adjustably located thereon and adapted to over-
reach the bead and seal an envelope whereby a movement of the adjustable wing will
shorten or lengthen the active edge of the said bead, substantially as described and
shown in the drawings.
19. In an envelope machine, the combination of means for folding the seal-flap of
an envelope comprising a slotted table and a tucking knife adapted to direct the
envelope through the slot, with a pushing mechanism adapted to push the envelope
on to the table, and swinging, gages suitably mounted thereon and located to center
the envelope above the slot, substantially as described and shown in the drawings.
20. In an envelope machine capable of adjustment to make envelopes of different
lengths, the combination of an adjustable-bed-plate-carrying-one-end folder and-
provided with mechanism for engaging with and adjusting the pressure folder, the
carrier and the plunger, with a suitable adjustable standard carrying a portion of the
paper board, the take-off and an arm adapted to engage with one wing of the picker,
and means whereby the said standard and bed plate are simultaneously moved,
substantially as described and shown in the drawings.
21. In an envelope machine, means whereby the various parts for making the
envelope may be adjusted to make envelopes of varying lengths, the said means
consisting of two supports together carrying or connected with one half of each of
the operative parts for making an envelope connected together and combined with
suitable operative means whereby they may be simultaneously operated and carry the
operative parts supported upon them towards and from the other half of the operative
parts, substantially as described and shown in the drawings.
22. In an envelope machine, a picker as herein described, the lower or operative
edge of which is adapted to be elongated by the addition of one or more blocks,
substantially as shown in the drawings.
23. In an envelope machine, an envelope receptacle consisting of a shelf having a
block against which the envelope may be packed, and a retaining hook to retain the
envelope in place against the block, in combination with the slotted placer D and the
fingered holder W co-operating with the slots in the said placer, the two capable of
operating together in the manner described and indicated by the drawings.
24. In a mechanism for folding the seal flap of an envelope, one or more pairs of
rolls, each pair consisting of a plain roll and a grooved roll whereby provision is made
for the escape of air from the envelopes as it passes between them, substantially as
described and shown in the drawings.
25. In an envelope machine, mechanism for folding the seal flap consisting of a
vertically reciprocating tucking knife, a table provided with a slot located under the
knife, and one or more pairs of rolls located in the frame under and connected to the
table, the knife being reciprocated to force the envelope through the table and fold
the seal flap, and the rolls being so placed that they will receive the envelope as it
is forced through the slot by the tucking knife, and means whereby the said rolls
are rotated, substantially as described and shown in the drawings.
26. In an envelope machine, the combination of a stationary folding box, with
mechanism for folding the seal flap consisting of a vertically reciprocating tucking
knife, a vertically reciprocating table provided with a slot located under the knife,
one or more pairs of rolls located in a frame under and connected to the table, the
said knife being reciprocated to force the envelope through the table and so fold the
seal flap, the said rolls being so placed that they receive the envelope as it is forced
through the slot by the tucking knife, means whereby the rolls are rotated, which
means consist of a shaft provided with a universal joint carrying a sprocket wheel, a
chain belt passing around the sprocket wheel and connecting it with the power shaft,
and means whereby the chain belt is held taut at all times irrespective of the distance
apart of the sprocket wheel and power shaft, substantially as described and shown in
the drawings.
27. In an envelope machine, two pickers suitably mounted in a slotted cross bar
with means whereby the crossbar is reciprocated, each picker having an angular
shank located within the slot in the picker bar whereby the angle of the pickers to
R

page_text: each other is maintained irrespective of their distance apart, substantially as described
and shown in the drawings.
:
28. An envelope machine adapted to be adjusted to make envelopes of varying
lengths containing one or more of the novel features herein described, and indicated
by the drawings.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
37 and 39, Essex Street, Strand, London, Agents for the Applicant.