Improvements in or relating to Machines for Making and Imprinting Envelopes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Dec., 1890-Accepted, 31st Jan., 1891
CUMLELLE DIMULTICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Machines for Making and
Imprinting Envelopes.
I, JAMES BALL, of 170 Elm Street, in the City of Holyoke, and State of
Massachusetts, United States of America, Superintendent and Mechanical 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:-
The object of this invention is to improve the construction of envelope machines
whereby, in addition to their capabilities for gumming and folding the blanks into
envelopes the said blanks may be also printed or embossed, and all in such a manner
that this new machine is of unusual practicability to the end of certain and efficient,
and rapid, operation.
The principal features of invention relate to devices adjacent to and co-acting
with the picker-gummers so that the envelope-blank lifted from the pile by the
latter are properly maintained in a raised position after being detached from the
said picker-gummers and until the blank-carriage or conveyor has come forward to
such a position as to receive said blank;
Also to a printing mechanism, more particularly the inking devices for the type
thereof, and to a device for retaining the envelope-blank in its proper position
preparatory to being printed;
Also to a folding mechanism the principal features of improvement of said
mechanism consisting in a folding bottom or bed which is movable to suc-
cessively present different portions of its surface under the folding wing, there
being combined with said movable folding bottom a cleansing device or devices
whereby any ink which may have been transferred from the printed face of the
envelope onto said folding bottom will be removed;
Also to improvements in the mounting of the folder-flaps or wings;
Also to devices for extracting the envelopes from the drier-chain and con-
veying them to and upon the receiving or banding table of the machine which
are of unusual efficiency;
And furthermore, to sundry improved constructions and combinations of parts
not hercinabove referred to, but which will hereinafter fully and clearly appear
and be pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings these improvements in envelope making and
imprinting machines are illustrated, and
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation taken from front to rear of the machine.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the same.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a device for retaining the blank in a certain
position after it has been gummed and before being received by the blank
carriage.
Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view through the folding mechanism, taken on
the line 4 4, Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of one of the end flap folders.
Figure 6 is a section on line 6-6, Figure 2.
Figure 7 is a detail view in perspective of a pawl device employed in the
inking mechanism.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the mechanism for extracting the envelopes
from the drying chain and placing them in counted bunches on the banding table
of the machine.

page_text: Figure 9 is a front elevation of one of the nippers of the said extracting mechanism
as in its position for conveying an envelope from the drying chain, and
Figure 10 is a plan view of the same.
Figure 11 is a side elevation of the cam and connections for operating the
gummer.
Figures 12, 13, 14 and 15 are views in illustration of mechanism constituting and
relating to the folding-bed of the machine, the same being regarded as modifications
of the folding-bed devices illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 4.
In this machine the envelope-blanks are provided at and supported on the blank-
elevating table 6, at the front of the machine, and are, by the gummers, 21, 21
successively lifted and then conveyed and carried to the action of the printing
devices at a', and, after being printed, are further conveyed rearwardly to the
creasing and folding mechanism at b, and then discharged into the drying-
chain to be finally extracted therefrom at c', and delivered onto the banding
table.
A feature of improvement herein described and shown has reference to improved
means for maintaining an envelope-blank in proper position after being lifted by
the gummers, and at the instant that the gummers leave it, so that its rear central
portion will not be permitted to sag below a horizontal plane coincident with the
blank-carriage, which then receives and conveys the blanks rearwardly, first to the
printing, and then to the folding mechanism, and said mechanism is constructed
and operates as follows, reference being particularly had to Figures 2 and 3,-
and 19 indicates a horizontal plate, which is supported in the position shown, by a
cross-bar 20 secured to a fixed part of the machine above the table 2. The
gummers 21, 21, which constitute the pickers, are mounted upon the vertically
guided shaft 22, to which vertical reciprocatory motion is imparted, the said
gummer-pickers falling and rising in proximity to the front and rear edges of said
plate 19.
The vertical reciprocation of the picker-shaft 22, is effected through its
link connection with the arm 24, on the rock-shaft 23, said shaft receiving its
rocking motion through the connection with the arm 24, thereof of the connecting-
rod 16, which has an engagement with an extension of the cam-lever 25, (see
Figure 11) the latter being reciprocally swung by the cam 26. A spring 40, holds
the free end of the lever 25, against said cam.
Now again referring to Figures 2 and 3: a post 27, has its lower extremity set
in a socket in the table and is provided with two bearings 28 and 29, supported
from the post by the lateral arms 30; and a blank-holding finger-rod 31, is
supported in said bearings for a rocking motion. It will be seen that the finger-
rod 31, with the finger 32, thereon, may be moved against and away from the
under side of the said plate 19.
The movements of the finger-rod 31, are produced by mechanism as follows.
A spring 33, is applied to the finger-rod so as to swing the finger 32, and retain
same as long as permitted so to do, under the plate 19. A vibratory lever 34, is
hung on the frame of the machine, and engages with a cam, not shown but
of ordinary construction. Said lever 34, and spring 33, act conjointly to give
said finger-rod its vibratory motion in a horizontal plane. An extension 35º, is
fixed on said finger-rod toward the outer end thereof, and is provided with a
horizontal arm 36, which extends opposite a stop-post 37, fixed on the table..
A spring 38, has one end connected to said extension 35*, its opposite end
being secured to a suitable fixed part of the machine. When the finger-rod is, by
the lever 34, swung to the position indicated by the full lines in Figures 2 and 3,
it is so moved against the force of the spring 33, and the spring 38, connected to
the extension 35*, causes the rod 31, to rock and swing the end of the finger 32,
downwardly and away from against the bottom of the plate 19, or the envelope-
blank which may be thereunder. Then after the removal of the blank, and as
soon as it shall have been replaced by another, the lever, 34, swings away from
the rod 31, permitting spring 33, to swing the finger 32, under the lifted blank,
and at this instant the arm 36 strikes the stop 37, causing the rod 31, to rock,

page_text: and the end of the finger 32, to be thrust against the envelope-blank, contining
same against and under the said plate 19. A fixed down-hanging arm 39, on the
bearing 28, serves to arrest the swinging motion of the extension 35°, (caused by
the spring 38) and to prevent any excessive rocking motion of the rod 31, when
the end of finger 32, moves away from the envelope-blank.
The upper end of the connecting-rod 16, comprised in the gummer-operating
devices, has a yoke 41, which is provided with a slotted extension 42, through
which a pin 43, passes which pivotally connects the upper end of the rod 16, to the
rock-shaft arm 24. A retracting spring 44, of considerable reaction is connected
between the cam-lever 25, or what is substantially the same, the rod 16, and said
arm 24, and serves to hold the said pin 43 at the lower end of the slot in the yoke-
extension, as shown in Figure 1. This connection of the cam-lever 25, with the
rock-shaft arm 24, tends to prevent any shock or blow resulting from the sudden
contact of the gummers 21, with the pile of blanks when the machine is running at
high speed, for the spring 44, receives the first force of such blow or contact and
yields thereunder in a greater or lesser degree.
Said spring 44, and yoke connection on the connecting rod, 16, also serve to
permit the pile of blanks to be kept at such a height under the pickers as to
invariably result in a proper contact of the pickers upon the upper blank of the
pile, thus ensuring against failure of the picker taking a blank at every reciprocatory
movement thereof.
In practice, the blank pile is maintained at such a height above the table as will
arrest the down movement of the pickers while the pin 43, in arm 24, is at the
lower end of the slot in said yoke-extension and just before the cam-lever 25, or the
cam-roll thereon, is brought in contact with the point x, on the cam 26, nearest
the axis of the shaft, and by the time the said point x, is reached by said cam-lever
the connecting-rod 16, is drawn down so far as to bring the upper end of said slot
against the pin 43, thereby forming a connection between arm 24, and said cam-
lever, and at this time a positive action of the peculiarly constructed cam 26,
ensues, whereby the contact of the pickers with the gummers is perfected and the
gum is most surely and evenly applied.
The said cam 26, is constructed with an arm 46 on the side thereof, having a
stud or projection 47, thereon opposite said portion r, of the cam, the space
between said stud and the portion, being substantially the same as the diameter
of the friction-roll 48. Thus when the cam-arm 46, and its stud 47, are brought
into the operative relations shown in Figure 11, with the said friction roll, the
cam-lever is positively drawn onto the periphery of the cam at , by the
friction-roll, and consequently the pickers are positively forced against the pile
of blanks.
It is deemed safer, in practice, to run the pickers 21, by a non-positive connection
as described, during almost their entire movement towards the blank-pile, for the
reason that should any hard substance or tool get accidentally between the pickers
and said pile, and the whole of said movement be positive, serious damage would
result to the machine.
g, represents the platen above the type-bed h, the same being movable upwardly
and away from the plane of printing which is about coincident with the top of the
pile of blanks, the type-bed being movable toward and downwardly away from
said plane, as clearly indicated in Figure 1. The platen is operated as a toggle,
one member 49, thereof, being fixed on the rock-shaft 50, which receives its rocking
movement through the connection with the arm 51, thereof of a cam-operated thrust
or connecting rod, 52, and 53, indicates a link for constraining the movements of
the platen for the proper presentation of the latter. The type-bed is actuated
through means of the toggle 54, and cam 55, as common in printing machines.
56 indicates a horizontal support, and is as common in envelope-machines, consisting
of a pair of fixed horizontal separated and parallel strips extending from front to
rear of the machine and affording ways for the blank-conveyor 57, which latter is

page_text: given its usual reciprocatory movement by being linked to the arm so, whICH IS
operated by the cam 59.
Novel mechanism is provided for inking the type on the type-bed at the time
the latter is in its lowermost position, which I will now proceed to describe.
60 indicates an ink-well which is supported in a position somewhat above the top
of the table 2.
61 is the ink-carrying roller, movable under to take ink from the ink-well
and away therefrom, and said roller is mounted on a suitable arbor, the extremities
of which slide on horizontal guide-rods 62, 62, suitably supported and extended at
right angles to the line of travel of the envelope-blank. The reciprocatory
movement of the roller 61, whereby it is caused to have a traverse from the ink
supply to and upon the top of the disk 63, is imparted by the connection with its
arbor, of the links, which also have a connection with the radial arms 66, of the
rock-shaft 67, the latter receiving its rocking movement through the connection
with a radial arm thereof of a connecting-rod operated from a cam in a usual
manner.
The disks 63 and 64, (see Figure 2) have toothed borders which mesh as gear-
wheels, the one 63, being positively driven by the pallet 68, particularly indicated
in Figure 7. The pallet is carried on an arm 69, hung for its centre of swinging
movement upon the axial post 70, of the disk 64, and said arm receives its swinging
motion by means of the link 71, which by one end is connected to the arm and by
the other end to one of the radial arms 66. The other disk 64, receives its slow
rotary motion from its mesh with the disk 63.
The roller 72, which is mounted to travel at right angles to the roller 61, is
supported on a rod 73, the ends of which are movable and supported upon horizontal-
guides 74, 74; and the roll 75, is also mounted on a rod or arbor 76, therefor, the
ends of which are also movable on the guides 74, 74. The arbors 73 and 76, are
tied together, or form in substance one frame-like structure, whereby both of said
rolls are moved in unison, and the reciprocatory motion thereof is imparted by
means of the link 77, which is connected to the arbor rod 76, by its one end, and
by its other to the radial arm 78, affixed to the rock-shaft 79, to which a rocking
motion is given through connections actuated by a cam in a usual manner.
The roller 72, is adapted to run over the intermeshing portions of the disks 63
and 64, said roll having an extent of traverse from a position upon the teeth at the
rear of the disk 64, as shown in Figure 2, to and upon the distributing roll 80,
which is in a position forward of disk 64, and under the roller 75, when the latter
is in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, and therefore ink which is upon the
border of the disk 63 towards the other disk 64, will, as the roller 72, runs over
such border, distribute it upon the surface of the intermeshing teeth of disk 64,
and then as said toothed portion which has received the ink, as just stated, has
been brought toward and in or about in the central longitudinal line of the machine
coincident with the centre of the disk 64, and the printing-bed, the said reciprocating
roller will distribute the ink generally over the surface of the last mentioned disk
besides conveying ink to and upon the distributing roll 80.
It is intended, in practice, to give the distributing roll 80, a continuous rotation,
and for this purpose a pulley 81, is provided on the arbor of said roll, to be
belt driven.
It is plain that as-t the roller 72 runs forward, effecting a distribution of ink on
the disk 64, and also conveying ink to the distributing roll 80, the roll 75, moves
forwardly and off of said distributing roll 80, to ink the type.
Of course in lieu of automatic devices for conveying ink onto the disk 63, the
same may be placed thereon from time to time by an attendant, and of course its
distribution and application upon the type will be effected through the distributing
means described.
The blank-carriage 57, moving forwardly in the operation of the machine after
the printing has been effected to take the next blank at the pile, and then on its

page_text: return movement to convey same to the position for rinting que
construction and arrangement of abutment hooks thereof, at the time of making
its rearward traverse, conveys the first blank which had been printed another step
rearwardly beyond the printing position, as at 82, Figure 1, where the blank will
be momentarily permitted to remain, and then as the carriage having been
forwardly projected and is returning to bring the last printed blank to the
position 82, and a new blank to the printing position, through the rear hook
abutment on such carriage carries the blank which had been in the position 82,
another step rearwardly to its proper position over the creasing-frame to be creased
by the plunger 83.
During the regular running of the machine there will be three blanks on the
carriage to be moved step by step between the successive operations respectively
had thereon.
A retaining device is provided to act on the rear of the blank when it is brought
to its position for being printed, and consists of a finger-lever 84, fixed on the
rock-shaft 85, which shaft receives its proper periodical movements through a cam
and connections properly provided and applied. Immediately the blank is brought
to its printing position the finger-lever exerts a binding action upon the edge
portion of the rear flap holding the latter firmly upon a suitable fixed support
which is properly applied therefor, and which in envelope machines is often
constituted as a part of the creasing-box or frame 85, extended forwardly between
the separated pair of members comprised in the blank-conveyor.
In this machine I employ a bottom for the folding devices which consists of a
series of metallic sections 86, 86, hinged to each other to form an endless band,
supporting blocks u and a', upon which said section formed band is mounted, the
said blocks being supported on shafts 87 and 88. The shaft 87, is mounted in
fixed bearings, while the shaft 88 has bearings in a horizontal yoke-bar 89, (which
for purposes of rigidity and the even carrying of the mechanism, may be duplicated)
and the said yoke-bar by its one end is pivotally mounted on, or axially coincident
with the shaft 87, and is given an intermittent swinging motion in a vertical plane
through means of the cam 90, and the rod 91, and the interposed roll-carrying
lever 92. This endless band is disposed within an aperture of the table and has
a step by step movement which takes place as the yoke-bar and the forward
supporting block ', are lowered, so that after each envelope-blank has been folded
and discharged, and before a new blank is brought to the action of the folder,
another section 86, will be brought upon the upper side of the said forward
supporting-block to form the fresh folding bottom.
When the yoke-bar 89, is downwardly swung the forward movement of the
section-formed band is given by the partial rotation of the carrying-blocks u and ut,
which is occasioned by the pallet 93, and ratchet 94, shown on the shaft for the
block, at the right hand of Figure 1, and actuated by a cam on one of the driving
or driven shafts of the machine and connections intervening between the cam
and pallet and ratchet, as shown in part, and in any event as will be easily
understood.
I have combined as a part of this folding-bed mechanism, certain details of con-
struction which are of much practical advantage, especially for securing, after the
forward carrying support u', has been turned, and as it is again raised to its position
for properly presenting the upper surface of the section 86, thereon, as and for the
folding bottom, the rigid and immovable maintenance of the said block and section
thereon in such bed-forming position. The carrying-shaft 88, is therefore extended
laterally of the machine under the table and provided with a block, 95, which is
of greater outward, or radial extent than the block u, but the said block 95, has its
corner portions abated, and forms in the present instance an octagon. The said
block 95, is disposed, as to its upper portion, in a slot 96, which is formed through
the table there being a ledge 97, overhanging the slot. As the shaft 88,, with the
block 95, thereon, is lowered with the endless band and is turned, the block 95, of
course is lowered and turned and then as the said parts are upwardly moved one of

page_text: the faces of the said block 95, is carried hard against the said overhanging ledge 97,
maintaining the shaft 88, and the block u', rigid and true.
It will be noticed that the plane at which the blank is folded is a little
above the top of the table 2, as indicated by the dotted line 98, in Figure 4,
and into which plane the top surface of the endless band is projected when
moved to constitute the folding bottom, and it will be noticed that the front
and rear flap folders 99 and 100, are hinged to base-pieces 101 and 102, which
at their under portions are cut out, as shown at 103, 103, Figure 4 and Figure 6,
so as to permit the rising and falling motion of the endless band.
Each section of the folding-bed is of such dimension as to have a solid portion
under the opening in the creasing-frame the superficial area of which is greater
than that of the creasing-frame opening, so that invariably there will be a flat
base under every fold of the envelope.
104 represents a holder for a sponge or moistening device which is suitably
supported and spring pressed at and against the underside of the endless band,
so that after the folding has taken place on a section and said section has been
caused to travel around its supporting block and past said moistening device, it
will be cleansed of any ink which may be thereon and, continuing its travel,
said section will be wiped dry by the felt, or other absorptive material which
is shown at 105. One end of the felt is secured to the yoke-bar, and thence
carried around in contact with the working surface of the section-band, is
secured to roll 110. Said roll is supported on link arms 111, whereby it and
the felt may rise and lower as the section-band moves.
The folding wings for folding down the flaps of the envelope after having
been creased are to be operated in any well known or approved manner, but it
will be seen that the end-flap folders 106, are hinged to base-pieces 107, see
Figure 5, carried on the extremities of spring-arms 108, 108, which arms by
their other extremities are bolted to the table. One or more screw-studs 109,
are passed with a screw engagement vertically through each base-piece and by
their lower ends bear upon the table, and by properly turning said screw-studs
the said base-pieces may be vertically adjusted with the utmost nicety whereby
the endflap folding wings may most advantageously be operated on conjunction
with a peculiar section formed folding bottom.
In the drawings of Sheet 4, Figures 12 to 15, inclusive, I have shown a
different form of mechanism for constituting and operating the folding bottom
which will be moved to present a fresh surface on which to fold each blank,
but which mechanism is to be regarded as a legitimate modification of the one
hereinabove described; and for said mechanism I provide a ring or disk 112,
the working surface of which is constituted by the ring exterior which is in the
form of the inclined sides of a truncated cone of slight height. Said ring 112,
is supported in a circular race-way 113, and has a step by step rotational
movement therein. The race-way is hinged on a suitable supporting part of the
machine, as at 114, and is given a tilting or rocking motion so that, periodically,
from the position occupied by the race-way and ring 112, as shown in full lines
in Figure 12, said parts are caused to assume a position indicated by the dotted
lines in said figure. The tilting motion is imparted from the cam 115, and the
connections 116 between the cam and the race-way 113. The step by step rotation
of the ring 112, is ensured by the pawl 117. The said pawl is hinged as at 118, to
a pawl-carrier 119, which in turn is pivotally mounted on a suitable part of the
machine-frame and counter-weighted so that the pawl-carrier and pawl thereon
may have a swinging motion in a vertical plane whereby the pawl may be main-
tained in an engagement or proximity with the ratchet-teeth 120, on the underside
of the ring 112, during all positions of the said ring and race therefor. The
spring 121, serves to maintain the pawl 117, laterally relative to its pawl-carrier so
as to be in a position of engagement always with the ratchet-teeth 120. As the
race and ring are swung up from the working position shown by full lines
Figure 12, whereby the particular portion 122, of the ring,-is presented as the

page_text: | folding bottom,—into the position indicated by the dotted lines, so that the folded
envelope may be discharged into the drier chain, the pawl 117, gives, and slides
over one or more of the ratchet-teeth, and then as the race and ring are returned
to the said position shown in full lines in Figure 12, the pawl acts as a resistant
against the return of the ring to its working position to such a degree that the ring
is consequently forced around within its race for such part of a rotation as corre-
sponded to the number of ratchet-teeth over which the pawl had slipped, thus
bringing a fresh portion of the face of the ring to position as the folding bottom.
123 in Figures 12 and 13, indicates the wiper for the surface of the movable
bottom supported on the race-ring 113.
In Figure 15, 124 represents a double bowed brace or bracket for the support of
the portion 125, which serves as a supplement of the table 2, within the race and
ring, and which portion supports one of the flap folders.
Care has been taken to illustrate in Figure 8, of the drawings a portion of the
ordinary envelope drying-chain into which the folded envelopes f, are dropped from
the folding bottom, also certain parts of the counting devices, the parts which
operate in moving the said envelopes from the chain to the ordinary receptacle
therefor, and the operating mechanism for the above-mentioned parts, such illus-
tration being deemed advantageous for a clear understanding of the operation of the
improved gripping devices which seize the envelope by both ends while it is in the
said chain, and at the instant that it is released therefrom, and is thereby carried
bodily forward and dropped into said receptacle, and then the grippers return to
said chain and repeat the operation.
A pair of said grippers 149, is provided for the machine, and they are located as
shown in Figures 1 and 8, and are constructed and operated for the purpose as
above stated, as will be now described. The said gripper 149, is shown in side
elevation in Figure 9, or as seen at the front of the chain and in plan view in
Figure 10, and consists of a frame-part 150, of suitable metallic construction (said
figures showing the device in full size) having a pending end to which the upper
end of a lever 151, of the machine is secured, and on and by which it is supported
and given a vibratory motion, as below described.
On the front side of said frame 150, (the side shown in Figure 9) is hung, by a
pivot-screw 152, a jaw 153, having a rearwardly extending part, the rear end of
which is provided with a counter-balancing weight 154, constituting a part thereof,
or attached thereto, to cause said jaw to maintain, normally, the position shown in
Figures 9 and 10, and to be returned to said position after having been given a
vibratory motion in a vertical plane and brought to the position indicated by dotted
lines in Figure 9.
An elbow-lever 155, is pivotally hung on a bracket 156, on the side of the
frame 150, one arm of which extends horizontally and enters a socket in said rear-
ward extension of the jaw 153, or otherwise suitably engages therewith, and its
second arm hangs in substantially a vertical position at the front of the gripper, as
clearly shown in Figures 8 and 9. A. spring, attached by one end to a fixed part
of the gripper, has its opposite end attached to said horizontal arm of the elbow-
lever 155, to insure the return of said lever and the jaw 153, to their normal
positions, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, after the jaw shall have been swung to the
position shown in dotted lines in Figure 9, as and for the purpose below described.
Said spring, may be omitted if desired.
A second jaw 157, is hung on a pending bolt 158, in the upper horizontally
extending part 159, of the gripper-frame, and is adapted to have a vibratory motion
in a horizontal plane and to have its extremity swing against and from the end of
said jaw 153, as clearly shown in Figure 10, in full and in dotted lines, whereby the
envelope is gripped and released.
The said jaw 157, has one end of a lever 160, pivotally connected with its rear
side at K, said lever extending freely through a perforation in an arme, on the
frame of the gripper, in which perforation said lever is free to swing horizontally.
A spiral spring 161, is applied to said lever between a shoulder d, thereon and the

page_text: inner side of said arm e, and serves to force said lever endwise towards the jaws 157,
and thereby hold said jaw in a closed and in an open position, as indicated in
Figure 10. The spring 161, is compressed, when, by the swinging movement of
the jaw 157, the pivoted end of the lever 160, is brought to a point centrally
between the dotted and full line positions shown in Figure 10, and becomes dis-
tended when the jaw is fully open or shut, thereby the jaw is held as above
described. It will thus be seen that said jaws 153 and 157, have independent
vibratory motions in planes of opposite angles, or, in vertical and horizontal
planes.
A guide-plate 162, preferably of sheet metal is secured to the upper part of the
gripper-frame so that it extends rearwardly just above the said jaws 153 and 157,
and presents its outer edge to the ends of the envelopes in the drying-chain 127,
when the gripper swings towards them, and serves by contact with
be
any that may
out of position, to bring the ends thereof into line so that they shall, one after the
other, be caught by said jaws, as illustrated in Figure 10.
The said levers 151, of the machine (see Figure 8) to which the said grippers
are secured, have their lower ends secured each to a support 163, which is pivotally
attached to the side of a second support 164, which latter is fixed on a shaft 165, of
the machine. Each of said supports has a bolt J, passing loosely through the
cylindrical part thereof, and attached to said support 164, and the two levers 151,
pivotally connected by a cross-connecting bar, 166, and the two grippers 149,
thereon, have a short vibratory movement, in nearly a vertical plane, swinging on
said bolts J. Said vibratory movements of the levers 151, are produced, primarily,
by the action of the intermittently rotating ratchet-wheel 167, of the envelope-
counting mechanism (see Figure 8) as follows:
Two levers 168 and 169, are fixed by one end to a cylindrical body 170, the
latter being supported to rock on a bolt which passes through it. Said lever, 168,
has its free end engaging with the cam-shaped edge 171, of the ratchet-wheel 167,
which is caused to rotate intermittently as aforesaid in the direction shown by the
arrow in Figure 8, by the well known action of an eccentric 172, on a shaft of the
machine, as in said last-named Figure, or by any other suitable means whereby
the connecting-rod, 173, is given a reciprocating endwise motion, thereby vibrating
the lever 174, which, by imparting a similar motion to the pawl-carrying arm 175,
causes the usual action of the pawl 176, to rotate the wheel 167, as aforesaid, and
such movement of the said wheel and cam-edges, results in a step-by-step movement
of said levers, 168 in a direction from the adjoining face of the ratchet-wheel, and
said lever 169, imparts to the levers 151, and the grippers thereon, a like movement
in the same direction until the end of lever 168, drops off the end w, of said cam-
edge, and then the levers 151, are by the action of the spring 177, swung in the
opposite direction drawing the end of the lever 168, to the position shown in
Figure 8.
The said vibratory motion of the grippers provides for placing each
twenty-five of the envelopes which are taken and conveyed by the grippers, in
endwise offset relations each to the other, on the receiving table, whereby the
operator easily distinguishes the groups of twenty-five envelopes each, and can
conveniently take them for banding.
The grippers 149, have also a vibratory motion given them in a direction
towards and from the said drying chain in order that they may convey the
envelopes from said chain to the usual receptacle or table therefor, said vibratory
movement being effected by the action of a cam N, on shaft M, against the.roller-
bearing end of an upright 178, fixed on said shaft 165, whereby the latter, the
levers 151, and the grippers, are rocked in one direction, a retracting spring 179,
swinging them oppositely, or towards the drying chain.
Two envelope pushers 180 and 181, respectively above and below the delivering
part of the drying chain, are caused to swing against the rear side of the seized
envelope and ensure its proper support against deflection by air-pressure when
moved quickly from the chain by the grippers, said pushers having a swinging
movement imparted thereto, coinciding in speed with that of said grippers, by

page_text: means of two rock-shafts 182 and 183, on which said pushers are hung. Said
pushers further serve to carry the envelope farther on, into said receptacle, after it
is released by the grippers as below described.
The operation of the grippers in taking, moving, and dropping an envelope, is as
follows:
At the start of the grippers from the front side of the machine, or the envelope
receptacle where they may have dropped on an envelope, the free end of the
levers 160, and their connected jaws 157, and the jaws 153, are brought to the
positions shown in dotted lines in Figures 9 and 10, whereby the said jaws are
opened and the envelope is disengaged therefrom, by the impact of said free end of
levers 160, with fixed stops 184, and of the pending arms of the elbow-levers 155,
with other fixed stops 185. Figure 10, illustrates the gripper and envelope when
moving toward said stops, and before releasing the envelope. Said grippers are
immediately swung away from said stops, 184 and 185, removing to take another
envelope from the drying chain, and as soon as the said pending arm of the
lever 155, leaves the stop 185, the weight of the rear end 154, of the jaw 153, and.
the spring, act to bring said jaw to the position shown in full lines in Figure 9,
removing all obstacle to the approach of the end of the jaw 53, against the outer
side of the envelope, but at the instant that jaw is brought quite or nearly to
the side of the envelope, the end of lever 160, strikes a third fixed stop 186,
whereby the jaw 157, is made to close quickly against the back side of the envelope
opposite the end of the jaw 153, and this envelope is now gripped and carried
forward as before described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim, is:
1. A finger-rod suitably supported in combination with a fixed horizontal plate
and means for imparting a motion to said rod whereby it may confine an envelope
against said plate at the proper period, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
2. A finger-rod having a finger thereon, bearings for said rod in which it may
rock and with which it has a horizontal vibratory motion, a lever and a spring for
imparting said vibratory motions thereto, and mechanism substantially as described
for imparting said rocking motion thereto, combined and operating in a manner
substantially as set forth.
3. A finger-rod, a post rocking on a fixed part of the machine, bearings for said
rod attached to said post on one of which bearings is a pending arm, an elbow-
lever fixed on said rod, having an arm 36, with which said pending arm engages, a
stop-post with which said arm 36, engages, a lever and a spring for effecting the
horizontally vibrating motions of said finger-rod, and a spring attached to said
elbow-lever, combined and operating substantially as set forth.
4. The finger-rod, a reciprocally rotating post on a fixed part of the machine,
bearings for said rod attached to said post on one of which is a pending arm, and
mechanism substantially as described, for imparting a swinging motion to said rod,
bearings, and post, and for rocking said finger-rod on its bearings combined and
operating substantially as set forth.
5. In mechanism, substantially as described, for operating the pickers in an
envelope machine, the combination with a pivoted cam-lever having a connection
with the picker-operating devices, of a cani on which an end of said lever rests
having an arm extending beyond its periphery in the plane of its rotation which
has a positive engagement with said lever at a certain point in the rotation of said
cam, and having a point on its periphery extending farther from its axis than the
lever-engaging part of said arm, substantially as set forth.
6. The combination with the picker-operating cam-lever of an envelope-machine,
of a cam with which said lever engages having thereon an arm extending beyond
and to one side of its periphery and in the plane of its rotation, opposite that
B

page_text: portion of said periphery nearest the axis of the cam, and having a point on said
periphery extending farther from its axis than the lever-engaging part of said arm,
which arm has a positive engagement with said lever at a certain point in the
rotation of the cam, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
7. In a machine for making and printing envelopes, the combination with the
vertically movable type-bed and the blank-carrier, of the platen above said parts a
rocker-shaft and means for rocking same, a toggle one member of which is carried
by said rock-shaft and to the other of which said platen is connected, and link arms
one end of which is pivotally hung on the frame and the other to said platen,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
8. In a machine for making and imprinting envelopes the combination with the
platen and type-bed and an envelope-carriage, of a movable finger mounted adjacent
said printing parts and means for moving said finger toward and from a suitable
supporting part for an envelope-blank for holding the latter at a proper period,
substantially as described.
9. The combination with the type-bed, of two rotatable disks having intermeshing
tooth borders and a roller adapted to run over the meshing portions of said disks,
there being furthermore embraced in the contrivance a roller running over and
from one of said disks onto the type-face.
10. In a machine for making and imprinting envelopes the combination with the
type-bed of two disks having toothed borders and means for rotating said disks, an
ink supply and a roller for taking and conveying ink therefrom to and upon the
border of one of said disks, a roller running over the other of said disks and so
arranged that it may roll over the meshing portions of both thereof, a distributing
roller 80, onto which said first-named roll runs, and another roll for carrying ink
from said distributing roll to the type, substantially as described.
11. In combination, the disks 63 and 64, the radial arm 69, swinging from the
axial post of one of said disks and carrying thereon the pallet mounted to engage
the teeth of one of said disks, the rock-shaft and a link between same and said
arm 69, substantially as described.
12. The combination with an inking-disk 63, and an ink supply, of a roller and
guide supports whereby the roller may be constrained to move from said supply
onto said disk, a rock-shaft and actuating means therefor, a pair of radial arms 66, 66,
on said rock-shaft and links connecting said rock-shaft and said roll, and all
arranged in an envelope making and printing machine substantially in the manner
set forth.
13. A bottom for the folding-box of an envelope-machine having a movement
thereunder whereby different portions of said bottom are brought successively under
the folding-box, and a movement from the folding devices of the machine whereby
the said bottom and said folding devices are separated when the folded envelope is
to be delivered therefrom, and mechanism for effecting said movements, substantially
as set forth.
14. In an envelope machine, the combination with printing or embossing devices,
substantially as described, of a folding-box to receive and fold a printed or embossed
envelope-blank, and a bottom for said folding-box consisting of a series of sections
hinged to each other and forming an endless band, two supports upon which said
band is mounted hung to rotate on shafts, and mechanism for imparting an inter-
mittent rotary motion to one of said supports, whereby different portions of the
surface of said bottom are brought successively under the folding-box, combined
and operating substantially as set forth.
15. A bottom for the folding-box of an envelope-machine, consisting of a series
of sections hinged to each other and forming an endless band, two supports upon
which said band is mounted hung to rotate on shafts, and mechanism for imparting
an intermittent rotary motion to one of said supports, whereby different portions of
the surface of said bottom are brought successively under the folding-box, combined
and operating substantially as set forth.
16. In an envelope machine, the combination with a suitable fixed part of the

page_text: machine as a table, provided with a ledge or abutment, of the movable folding
bottom comprising therein the endless band of hinged sections and supports therefor,
means for imparting to one of the supports and said band a motion toward and
from the folding devices, and an extension of said movable support adapted to
present a block or enlargement 95, which is thereon into engagement with said
ledge, for the purpose set forth.
17. In an envelope machine, the combination with the movable folding-bed con-
sisting of the endless hinged section band and supports, and means for moving said
band, substantially as described, of a cleansing pad applied to have a yielding
bearing upon a suitable portion of the surface of said band, substantially as
described.
18. The combination with a bed movable to present different surfaces thereof as
the folding bottom, of a moistening device and a wiping device, substantially as
described.
19. In an envelope-machine, a flap-folder wing and a base-piece to which said
wing is hinged, one or more spring arms by one end suitably confined and supported,
and by the other carrying said base-piece, a screw-stud passing with a screw engage-
ment through said base-piece and having by its end thereunder a bearing upon a
fixed abutment, as the table, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
20. In combination with the folding-wings of an envelope machine, a folding-bed
movable to present different portions thereof successively under said folding-wings,
each of said portions so presented having an area exceeding that of the folded
envelopes, for the purpose set forth.
21. A gripper for removing envelopes from the drying-chain of an envelope-
machine consisting of two jaws for engaging an envelope, having independent
vibratory motions in planes of opposite angles, combined with levers substantially
as described, co-operating with said jaws, a frame supporting said mechanism and
jaws, a vibratory lever of the envelope-machine to which said gripper is secured,
and fixed stops of said machine with which said levers engage during the vibratory
movements of the gripper, substantially as set forth.
22. A gripper for removing envelopes from the drying chain of an envelope-
machine consisting of two jaws for engaging an envelope, said jaws having vibratory
movements in vertical and horizontal planes, combined with a frame supporting said
jaws, a lever pivoted on said frame and engaging with said vertically vibrating jaw,
and a lever and a spring hung on said frame and connected with said horizontally
vibrating jaw, substantially as set forth.
23. A gripper for removing envelopes from the drying-chain of an envelope-
machine consisting of two jaws for engaging an envelope, having independent
vibratory motions in planes of opposite angles, combined with levers substantially as
described, co-operating with said jaws, and a frame supporting said mechanism and
jaws, substantially as set forth.
24. A gripper for removing envelopes from the drying-chain of an envelope-
machine consisting of two jaws for engaging an envelope, having independent
vibratory motions in planes of opposite angles, combined with levers substantially
as described, co-operating with said jaws, à frame supporting said mechanism and
jaws, and an envelope guide-plate secured to said frame and extending horizontally
at the side of said jaws, substantially as set forth.
25. In an envelope-machine, two envelope-grippers of the class herein described,
two levers to which said grippers are attached, a shaft carrying supports to which
said levers are pivotally hung to permit their gripper-bearing ends to swing trans-
versely across the drying-chain, a cam acting to rock said shaft and swing said
grippers towards and from said chain, and mechanism substantially as described, for
imparting said transversely swinging movements to said levers, combined and
operating substantially as set forth.
26. In an envelope-machine, two envelope-grippers of the class herein described,
two vibratory levers to which said grippers are attached, a shaft serving as a
support for said levers, an upright secured to said shaft, a cam acting on said

page_text: upright to rock said shaft, vibrating envelope pushers following and moving with
each envelope seized by said grippers, and mechanism substantially as described,
for imparting vibratory motions to said pushers, combined and operating substan-
tially as set forth.
27. The arrangement of the different devices for acting on the blank as the
gumming, printing and folding mechanisms, in a line, and a blank-conveyor substan-
tially as described, for moving the blanks successively from the one mechanism to
another, as set forth.
Dated this 19th day of November 1900
JAMES BALL.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.