Improvements in Apparatus for Manufacturing and Printing on Envelopes, Bags, and the like.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Aug., 1887:
Specification Accepted, 7th Oct., 1887
Improvements in Apparatus for Manufacturing and Printing on
Envelopes, Bags, and the like.
I, BENJAMIN WOLF of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America,
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 comprises improvements in envelope and bag machines, and in
printing attachments therefor provided with means whereby the paper from which
envelopes or bags are made may be adjusted in relation to the printing form or type,
so as to change the position of the printing on the envelopes or bags without affecting
the operation of the machine.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 represents a side elevation of an envelope or bag machine embodying the
invention.
Figure 2 represents a top or plan view of the guiding devices for the paper, on an
enlarged scale.
Figure 3 represents a section on line 2, ., figure 2 on an enlarged scale.
Figure 4 represents a side elevation of a device for adjusting the paper.
Figure 5 represents a transverse section of a portion of the machine on line y, y
figure 1, on an enlarged scale.
Figure 6 represents a side elevation of the guide for the wire which passes around
the drying drum.
Figure 7 represents a face view of the cutter or knife.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.
A represents a table which is located in front of, or adjacent to an envelope or bag
machine, the same having standards B for supporting the roll of paper from which
the envelopes are made, and guide rollers (for said paper.

page_text: In the table A, is an opening D to receive a chase or form E, which is connected
with a bar or rod F, the latter being guided in a yoke or hanger F' attached to
the table A and engaged by a cam G, the shaft G₁ whereof receives power in any
suitable manner, whereby motion may be imparted to the form E to and from the
printing bed H, the latter being secured to the table above the opening D.
It is evident that the form E may be operated by any other means than the
cam G, the same being convenient for the purpose intended.
After the paper from the roll on the standard B leaves the rollers C, it is passed
on the table under the bed H and over the opening D, and as the printing press is
in operation, the form E is advanced and prints the paper, which is now at rest,
said paper receiving intermittent motion in any suitable manner.
The paper after being printed is passed under a roller J located above the table A,
and then around an elevated roller or drum K, after which it is passed under a
roller L, and reaches pasting rollers M, also located above the table. The drum K
has its axis mounted in sliding boxes N which are guided in vertically slotted
hangers P, the latter being secured overhead in any suitable manner. The boxes N
have fitted to them screws Q which are swivelled to the hangers, whereby the drum
may be raised or lowered, it being evident that as the paper rests on the drum, it
follows the same in its vertical motion.
By this provision the paper may be shifted or set back, or advanced and thus
nicely adjusted in relation to the form E, in order to be printed at places corresponding
to the top, bottom or middle of the envelope or bag subsequently made, this being
accomplished without disturbing the parts of the envelope or bag machine, or
changing the operation thereof.
When the paper reaches the pasting rollers M, it is pasted or gummed on opposite
sides, and then passed under the cutter which imparts the shape of the envelope or
bag, the sides of the shaped piece then being thrown up, after which the piece is
folded and pressed together, so that the sides of the envelope are connected by the
gum or paste previously applied, after which the shaped envelope is conveyed to the
drum on which its flap is gummed, and the envelope is dried.
The cutter R is of shape to form the envelope or bag to be made, the same being
secured to a head S to which rising and falling motions are imparted by means of a
crank shaft T which is mounted on the frame of the machine and operates a slide U
fitted in a cross head V at the bottom of the arms V₁ to which the head S is attached.
Connected with the crank shaft is a jointed arm W on which is hung a pawl X,
which engages with a ratchet Y, whereby intermittent motion is imparted to the feed
roller Z. The table A has an opening A' within which the feed roller Z rotates, the
periphery of said roller appearing slightly above the table.
A roller B' is mounted above the roller Z', so that the paper may be fed forward
between the same.
In the table on the upper face thereof are depressions Cinto which the sides of
the paper are pressed, and creased thus throwing up said sides preparatory to folding
the same over the part constituting the front of the envelope or bag, it being noticed
that the sides of the part constituting the back of the envelope or bag are pasted or
gummed, and caused subsequently to adhere to the turned up sides of the front part
above referred to, whereby the envelope or bag is properly united.
In order to press and throw up the sides of the paper, blades D' are employed, the
same depending from the head S, and being adapted to enter the depressions C³ of
the table A, whereby as is evident, the paper is forced into said depressions, and its
sides are accordingly raised. After this is accomplished the head is raised and the
folders E¹ are advanced against the turned up sides, and then forced down and over
the front part of the body of the envelopes.
The folders are of the form of sliding fingers which are mounted horizontally on
the table A, and have pivoted to them arms F which are connected with elbow
levers G2 pivoted to the standard rising from the table A. Links H' are pivoted to
the levers G and to elbow levers J₁ the upper links whereof are adapted to be
engaged by shoulders K' on the rising and falling head S. Secured to the inner

page_text: sides of the elbow levers G2 are arms L' which carry adjusting bolts a, and have
pivoted to them the spring-pressed toe pieces M¹ which are adapted to be engaged
by the shoulders K of the head S as follows: When said head S descends, the
paper is cut the required shape, and the shoulders K' ride over the inclined faces of
the toes M, and the latter then yield, allowing the shoulders, to strike the bolts a
whereby the elbow levers G² are slightly moved, the effect of which is the partial
withdrawal or outward motion of the fingers E'.
The elbow levers are also partly raised, owing to the connection of the same with
the elbow levers G2 by means of the links H.
The cutting and creasing of the sides being accomplished, the head S rises, and
the shoulders K bear upwardly against the toe pieces M and raise the same.
This throws the elbow levers in reversed direction whereby the fingers are advanced
and the folding of the creased sides of the paper is accomplished. The elbow levers J¹
are lowered, and when the toe pieces trip, they are cleared of the shoulders K', the
latter strike the upper limbs of the levers J and raise the same, the effect of which
owing to the intermediate mechanism, is the withdrawal of the fingers in advance of
the descent of the head preparatory to the next operation of cutting and creasing of
the paper that is fed along.
The envelope or bag as shaped, gummed and folded, is advanced under the folding
blade N' which is connected with the head S, and lowered between the rollers P¹ so
as to be folded transversely and the gummed parts pressed together, thus uniting the
sides of the envelope or bag, the latter then being conveyed by aprons Q1, and wires Q
to the drum R' where the flaps are gummed and the envelopes or bags dried.
In order to guide the paper true to the printing devices, or directly to the envelope
or bag forming machine, I employ the device shown in Figure 2.
A screw S¹ is swivelled to the table A by means of a boss b which is fixed to the
table A by means of an arm c the screw passing freely through the boss, and having
nuts or shoulders d on opposite sides of said boss.
A boss e is fitted to the end of the screw opposite to the boss b and engages with
the threads thereof.
TT represent parallel plates which are freely fitted on the rollers (so as to embrace
the side edges of the paper.
The plate T is freely connected with an elbow lever U¹ which is pivotted to the
table, and bas its arm or limb c journalled to the boss b. The plate T2 is freely
connected with an elbow lever V2 which is pivotted to the table and journalled to the
boss.e. The connection of the bosses b, e with their respective elbow lovers is similar
in each case, being illustrated in Figure 3.
A spring W is attached to the two arms so that as the screw is rotated, and
the elbow lever V2 is moved in or put in or out in order to set the plate T3, the
spring causes the arm U₁ to follow the arm V2, and thus the plates occupy their
proper positions relatively to the paper, and causes the same to run or be fed true in
its course.
The wire which is endless, is guided and sustained on rollers X', X2, X' and
passes around the drum R¹ for holding the envelopes or bags on the latter during the
Hap-gumming and drying of the envelopes or bags. The roller X2 has its axis
mounted in boxes which may be raised and lowered on the hangers Y₁ to which
said boxes are fitted, by which provision the tension of the wire may be readily
adjusted.
The hanger is pivotted to the ceiling or a beam overhead, or may be rigidly connected
therewith.
The hanger P of the drum K may also be pivotted to the ceiling or a beam overhead,
and as the drum is elevated, the paper as printed, has opportunity to dry, prior to
conversion into envelopes or bags.
A number of drums may be employed in connection with the drum K, to
increase the distance that the paper has to traverse, and the same may be mounted
on adjustable or stationary bearings as desired, the adjustability of the drum K being
preserved.

page_text: 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-
First A printing attachment for a machine for making envelopes, bags or the
like having a device whereby the paper which is fed to the machine, may be adjusted
in relation to the centre of the printing form or type and the printing be
effected on the envelopes or bags in different places without affecting the machine as
stated.
Second A printing attachment or machine having adjustable guiding and supporting
drum for the paper, substantially as described.
Third A printing device in combination with a drum which supports and
guides the paper, and means for adjusting said drum, whereby the paper may
be shifted or set in relation to the printing form or type as a centre, substantially as
described.
Fourth A table having a printing form or type and a bed, between which the
paper to be printed is passed in combination with a supporting and guiding drum
with means for adjusting the same, whereby the paper may be set or regulated to
the form or type as a centre, and printing effected at various places, substantially as
described.
Fifth A guide for the paper consisting of parallel plates attached to arms which
are connected by a spring, substantially as described.
Sixth The screw S₁ with threaded boss e lever V2 and plate T2, combined
substantially as described.
Seventh The screw S¹ with boss b freely fitted thereon, the threaded boss e, the
lever U¹, the lever V2, and the connecting spring W₁ in combination with the parallel
plates T T², substantially as described.
Eighth The rollers having the plates T T freely fitted thereon in combination
with the levers U₁, the lever V2 and the spring W₁, connecting said arm and lever,
substantially as described.
Ninth The table with depressions, the creasing and folding blades, and the folding
fingers, combined substantially as described.
Tenth A head carrying creasing blades D¹, a cutter or shaper R, and folding
blade N¹ in combination with the folding fingers E¹, and connected devices operated
by said head, substantially as described.
Eleventh Folding fingers operated by means of arms F, elbow levers G², links H',
and elbow levers J', said elbow levers G carrying toe pieces M' which are adapted to
be engaged by the head S, substantially as described.
Twelfth In a folding device for the purpose set forth, the tripping toe piece M¹
connected with one of the levers of the folding fingers E' substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
Thirteenth The elbow lever G2 having arms L' in combination with the toe piece M¹
its spring and adjusting bolt substantially as described.
Fourteenth-In a folding device for the purpose set forth the toe piece M³, and
elbow levers J adapted to be engaged by the sliding head S to effect the operation of
the folding fingers in opposite directions, substantially as described.
Fifteenth In an envelope or bag machine, a holding wire in combination with the
drying drum, and a guiding and supporting roller having its bearings adjustably
mounted, substantially as described.
Dated this 4th day of August 1887.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.