Improvements in and relating to Envelope and Bag Machines.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Aug., 1894-Accepted, 20th Oct., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Envelope and Bag Machines.
I, GEORGE ROGERS CLARKE, of the Town of Montell, in the County of
Uvalde, in the State of Texas, United States of America, Mechanician, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This invention relates to that class of machines wherein a blank, cut to the
proper shape and fed into the machine, is folded, gummed and delivered as a
complete envelope or bag. The machine herein shown and described is adapted to
making envelopes, but it requires only a slight alteration in the proportions of the
parts to adapt it for making what are known as bags.
The present machine seizes the blank which has been seggregated by the feeder,
draws it into the machine, folds the two lateral or end flaps, then pushes it out to
the delivery rollers, at the same time applying gum to the envelope body, folding
the bottom flap, sealing it down, and applying self-sealing gum to the closing flap.
Then an automatic transfer device seizes the envelope discharged by the delivery
rollers and transfers it to an intermittently moving, chain-drier, and the drier
delivers it to the closing-flap folder. This folder folds the flap and delivers the
envelope to an automatic counter, which counts the envelopes, or separates them
into parcels each containing a known number.
In addition to the mechanism for effecting the objects named above, precautionary
devices are employed whereby the gum-applying devices are thrown into operation
only when a blank is passing through the machine, and whereby the mechanism
which operates the counter is thrown into operation only when an envelope is taken
from the drier.
The invention will be fully described hereinafter and its novel features carefully
defined in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings, serving to illustrate my invention-
Figure 1 is an elevation of the left-hand side of an envelope machine embodying
my invention; and Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same.
These views show
practically the entire machine.
Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but with the drying and counting mechanism
removed; and Fig. 3A is a detached and enlarged view illustrating the construction
of the master gear wheel from which the train is driven.
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section taken inside of the frame at the left-hand
side of the machine; and Figs. 4A, 4B and 4° are detail views, enlarged, of some of
the parts which will be hereinafter described.
Fig. 5 is a vertical, longitudinal section of the upper part of the machine, taken
in the plane indicated by line a" in Fig 6; and Fig. 6 is a plan of this part of the
machine. These views are on a little larger scale than the principal views.
Figs. 7 and 8 are views on a large scale, illustrating the construction of the folders
for the lateral, or end-Haps of the envelope; Fig. 7 being a longitudinal, vertical
mid-section and Fig. 8 a plan. In Fig. 8 are three diagrams illustrating successive
operations of the lateral folders on the blank.
Figs. 9, 10 and 11, are longitudinal, vertical mid-sections of that part of the
mechanism which applies gum to the envelope-body and folds down the bottom flap
thereon, the views showing successive stages of the operation; and Figs. 9, 10
and 11 are plan views of the parts seen, respectively, in Figs. 9, 10 and 11.
LD 011

page_text: Figs. 12 and 124 represent the cam for operating the bottom-flap folding bar,
detached and in its two terminal positions.
Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are sectional views of that portion of the machine where the
sealing flap is gummed and the envelope delivered to the transfer, and showing
successive stages of the operation; and Figs. 14 and 15 are plan views of the
parts seen, respectively, in Figs. 14 and 15.
Fig. 16 is a sectional view, on a larger scale, of the post of the transfer.
Fig. 17 includes two elevations of the device for relieving the upper delivery
roller. These views are on a larger scale than Fig. 13.
Figs. 18 and 184, are, respectively, an edge elevation and face view of a part of
the drier-chain, detached.
Figs. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 24 and 24", illustrate the construction and operation
of the folder for the closing flap of the envelope, and of the envelope-counter.
Fig. 19 is a side elevation; Fig. 20 is a longitudinal vertical section in the plane of
line 20, in Fig. 22; Fig. 21 is a side elevation showing the side opposite to that
seen in Fig. 19; Fig. 22 is a plan; Fig. 23 is a section taken on line ** in
Fig. 22.
Figs. 24, 24 and 24 illustrate the mechanism for preventing the counter from
operating when no envelope is fed thereto. These views are on a larger scale than
Figs. 19 to 23.
Figs. 25 and 26 are illustrative views showing, in a detached manner, the
mechanism for preventing the application of gum when no envelope blank is passing;
Fig. 25 is a side view and Fig. 26 is a plan.
Figs. 27, 28 and 29 are views of the principal cams, which will be hereinafter
described.
Fig. 30 is a plan view, on a large scale, designed merely to illustrate the situation
of the two trains of gears in the machine.
For convenience of description I will call the feeding side of the machine, at the
right in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, the front, and the opposite side seen in Fig. 2, the rear
or back.
The mechanism of the machine is mounted on a substantial frame, 1, the top of
which will be, by preference, slightly inclined toward the front. In the lower part
of the frame is mounted the main driving shaft, 2, provided with the usual tight-
and-loose pulleys, 3, seen in Fig. 2. On the main shaft is a pinion, 2*, which gears
with a spur wheel, 3*, on a cam shaft, 4, in the frame. The driving shaft rotates
in the direction indicated by the arrow z, in Fig. 4, and from it all the mechanism
of the machine is driven.
At the front of the machine (see Figs. 5 and 6) is mounted a stationary plat-
form, 43, to support a pile of blanks, X. A pneumatic-mechanical feeding mechanism
seggregates and draws out the bottom blank of the pile and feeds it to the gripper
of the machine. On the cam shaft 4, is a cam, 5 (see Figs. 2 and 27); and on a
rock-shaft, 6, in the frame, is fixed an arm, 7, bearing a stud which engages the
groove in the cam 5. On the outer, projecting ends of the rock-shaft 6, are fixed
arms, 8, which are coupled at their upper ends to a reciprocating carriage or slide, 9,
(Fig. 5) mounted in guides in the part 1 of the main frame which supports the
blank-platform. This slide 9 carries a transversely extending seggregating blade, 10,
rigidly secured to the slide, and a suction-roller, 11. This roller has on it a pinion
(seen in Fig. 3) which gears at its top with a rack on the frame 1*, whereby the
roller is caused to rotate as it moves to and fro. The suction-roller is connected by
a flexible tube, 12, (Fig. 5) with an air-pump, 13, fixed on the main frame 1, and
the piston, 13, of the pump is actuated to exhaust the air from the suction-roller at
the proper time by a cam, 14, (Figs. 2 and 29) on shaft 4, and an elbow-lever, 15,
fulcrumed in the frame and bearing a stud which engages the groove in the cam.
At each of its reciprocating movements the suction-roller attaches itself to the edge
of the bottom or lower blank of the pile X, and then rolls in under the pile, the
seggregating blade following and passing in between the attached blank and those
in the pile above. The vacuum is now broken and the end of the released blank

page_text: springs away from the suction-roller, when it is in position to be seized by the
gripper of the machine and drawn out from under the pile. After the gripper draws
out the blank the suction-roller returns to its first position.
Mounted at the top of the main frame, in suitable guides, is a reciprocating
slide, 16, to which is secured the folding blade, 17, (Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8) made from
polished sheet steel, by preference. This blade is secured to the slide 16 at one end
and may have reinforcing ribs, 17, (Fig. 7) adjacent to that end.
The slide 16 is reciprocated by arms, 18, (Fig. 3) on a rock-shaft, 19, in the
frame, said arms being coupled to the respective ends of the slide 16, by links, 20.
The shaft-19 is rocked by an arm, 21, thereon, which is coupled by a link, 22, to a
crank-pin in the wheel 3*.
Mounted in the guides which carry the slide 16, is the carriage, 23, (Figs. 5
and 6) which carries the gripper mechanism. This carriage is of a T-shape when
viewed in plan, the body being narrow and its front end provided with a transverse
plate or part to which is secured the forward end of a broad belt or apron, 24.
The apron 24 passes about guide-rollers, 25, in the frame and thence back to two
drums, 26, rotatively mounted on a shaft or fixed rod, 27, at the rear end of the
frame. The rear portion of the apron 24 is forked, as clearly seen in Fig. 6, and
the branches are secured to the respective drums 26, on which they wind in order
to keep the apron under tension, coil springs, 28, being employed for this purpose.
These springs are secured at one end to the rod 27, and at the other end to the
respective drums in a well known way.
When the slide 16 moves back (toward the left in Figs. 5 and 7) it carries with
it the gripper carriage by reason of a pendent lug, 29, (Fig. 5) on the carriage
taking behind the slide 16. Otherwise the gripper carriage, which plays in a plane
above the slide 16, is not connected with the latter. As the gripper carriage moves
back it draws the apron 24 with it, the face of the apron being applied quite closely
to the upper surface of the folding blade 17, and the two moving in unison. The
springs 28 keep the apron under tension.
The gripper comprises two jaws adapted to be opened as the carriage moves
forward and held open by a toggle, which when broken upward at the knuckle,
allows the gripper jaws to be closed on the blank with a snap by a spring. The
upper jaw, 30, of the gripper, is L-shaped and hollow at its back, and is pivoted
at 30 in the gripper carriage. The lower jaw, 31, is embraced between the cheeks
of the rear, hollow portion of the upper jaw, and is pivotally mounted in the latter
at 31. A spring-rod is socketed in the heel of the lower jaw 31, back of the
pivot 31 and has a bearing in the upright rear portion of the upper jaw at its
upper end.
"
On this rod is a spring, 32, which by abutting at its upper end against a part of
the upper jaw and against the heel of the lower jaw at its other end, tends to hold
the jaws closed, as seen in full lines in Fig. 7, but with moderate force. At the
right-hand side of the gripper carriage 23, as seen in Fig. 6, is a toggle, 33,
pivotally attached at its rear end to the carriage 23 and at its front end to an
upwardly projecting part of the lower jaw at 31ª. When the gripper carriage
inoves forward toward the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5, the normally
upright portion of the upper jaw 30, impinges against a roller or stud, 34, in the
frane and the gripper is thus tilted or rocked backward on its pivot 30* in a
manner to throw the gripping end upward so as to receive between the jaws the
edge of the seggregated blank. But as the toggle 33, which is slotted at the
knuckle, is not slotted at this point to an extent sufficient to allow the lower jaw 31
to tilt to the same extent as the upper jaw, it follows that the latter part of the
tilting movement causes the gripper to open by the arrest of the lower jaw, the
upper jaw continuing to rise a little while the rear part of the upper jaw compresses
the spring 32. When the gripper carriage has advanced to this point-that is,
when the open jaws of the gripper have embraced the edge of the blank to be
seized--the carriage 23 is arrested by impinging against that part of the frame
which carries the rollers 25; but the slide 16, which carries the folding blade 17,

page_text: moves on a little farther. The object of this is to cause a toe, 35, on the slide 16
(see Fig. 6), to take under a crank arm on a rocker, 36, on the main frame and
"break up" the knuckle of the toggle 33, so that the spring 32 on the gripper may
close the jaws thereof. On the rocker 36 is a crank adjacent to the gripper carriage,
and when this carriage is arrested, the toggle 33, will be in position over the pin of
this crank, so that, when the toe 35 passes under the outer crank of the rocker 36
and rocks the latter, the knuckle of the toggle will be broken upward and the jaws
of the gripper will close with a snap on the blank.
The reverse or rearward movements of the folding blade and gripper now begins
and the blank seized is drawn in between the upper surface of the folding-
blade 17 and the lower face of the apron 24, these parts moving with the
blank.
The next operation is the folding of the end-flaps of the blank, and this, together
with the mechanism for effecting it, is best illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 8. The
width of the folding blade corresponds exactly with the length of the body of the
envelope to be made from the blank, æ, seen in Fig. 8, wherein part of the folding
blade 17 is shown and the end-flap folders in full and broken lines, respectively,
their two extreme positions. The unfolded extremities of the end-flaps of the
blank are also represented in broken lines.
On the machine frame are secured the upright bearings, 37, of the end-flap
folders, 38, which are blades carried on arms which have rocking journals that
extend downwardly through the bearings 37 and carry each a crank, 38, on its
lower end. The folders are operated by a slide, 39, mounted in dovetail guides in
the frame and furnished with a link or slotted plate, 39, the slot in which is
engaged by the pins on the respective cranks 38. Reciprocating movement is
imparted to the slide 39, by a cam, 40, (see Figs. 2 and 28) which rocks a lever, 41,
on a fulcrum rod, 42, in the frame, the upper end of the lever 41 being coupled by
a link, 43, to the slide 39.
The
The end-flaps of the blank a, which project beyond the lateral margins of the
folding-blade, will usually droop a little, as seen in the upper diagram in Fig. 8A,
and when the folders 38 are brought into the position seen in full lines in Fig. 8,
they take above these end-flaps and fold them in under the folding-blade 17.
middle diagram in Fig. 84 shows the folding operation partly performed, and the
lower diagram shows it completed. The folders 38 remain in their closed position
(seen in full lines in Fig. 8) for some time after closing, indeed until the bottom flap
is folded.
As the end-flap folders must play closely in under the folding-blade 17, and are
therefore, under normal conditions, below the plane of the flap to be folded, I
provide each blade with an automatically operating depressor for the flap. On the
underside of the end-flap folder is fulcrumed a lever, 38, the front of which is in
the nature of a curved, slender finger, held elevated by a spring, 38, which presses
the rear end on the lever down on an inclined cam, 38, on the bearing 37. When the
end-flap folders are open, as represented in dotted lines in Fig. 8, the tip of the
forward arm of the depressing lever 38ª will be projected upward in a slanting
direction so as to take over the edge of the flap and depress it to the proper extent
and cause it to pass under the folder blade. But when the flap-folders are brought
into the position seen in full lines in Fig. 8, the rear arm of the lever 38ª rides up
on the cam 38 and thus depresses the forward end of said lever to a point below
the level of the upper surface of the flap-folder.
The folding of the end-flaps being completed substantially simultaneously with
the termination of the rearward movement of the folding-blade, that is, while the
crank which operates the folding-blade is passing the center, the blade, together
with the apron 24, and the gripper, again move forward, carrying the partly folded
blank on to the devices for applying gum to seal the bottom flap and for folding
and sealing down the bottom flap. may say here, by way of explanation, that
the folding-blade 17 has in it an aperture of the proper size and shape to allow the
gripper mechanism to pass down through it, and that the forward, free end of the

page_text: folding-blade is cut square, as indicated by the dotted line in Fig. 8, and corresponds
with the line of the fold of the bottom-flap, which latter projects beyond the end
of said blade.
The mechanism for applying gum to the body of the envelope and for folding
and sealing down the bottom-flap, is best illustrated in Figs. 9 to 12, in conjunction
with Figs. 3 and 4.
As the folding-blade 17, on its return movement, carries the partly folded blank
forward under and below the blank platform 4*, gum is applied to the outer faces
of the end-flaps in a V-form by a rotating gummer, 44, mounted in a frame ant
adapted to receive gum from a fountain roller, 45, in a gum-fountain, 46. The
gummer is mounted in a swinging frame, 47, and is upheld by a spring, 48. The
gummer is rotated forward when the folding-blade moves forward, but stands still
while the said blade is moving back, thus the gummer has imparted to it an inter-
mittent forward rotation by means of a rack, 49, (Fig. 3) coupled to a stud on the
slide 16, at one end and its teeth gearing with a wheel, 50, (Figs. 3, 3 and 30)
rotatively mounted on a shaft, 51, in the frame and ratcheted to a gear wheel, 52,
fixed on said shaft. The wheel 50 rotates to and fro under the action of the rack,
but the wheel 52 is rotated only on the forward movement of wheel 50. Fig. 3A
illustrates the construction; in the face view a portion of wheel 50 is broken away
to show a part of wheel 52 which projects into a recess in the inner face of the
wheel 50 and carries a pawl, 52, which engages a shoulder at 50* in the recess of
wheel 50. If the latter wheel be driven in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 3, it
will drive wheel 52, but when driven in the opposite direction it will not drive said
wheel as the pawl will then be wiped into the space provided for it in the projecting
part of wheel 52. Any suitable ratchet device may be employed for this purpose.
The gummer 44 is rotated through a train seen in Figs. 3 and 30, from the gear
wheel 52, its journals having a slight lateral play in their bearings to allow the
spring 48 to act.
While the gum is being applied to the folded end-flaps by the gummer 44, the
bottom-flap is being folded, as seen in Figs. 10 and 11, by means of a folding
bar, 53, carried in arms fixed on a rock-shaft, 54, and extending transversely across
the path of the bottom-flap, but normally above the said path. The rock-shaft 54
is mounted in the frame and is rocked so as to depress the folding bar at the proper
time and cause the latter to depress the bottom-flap (Fig. 10), the depression of the
bar being sufficient to allow the folding-blade to pass over or above it. Thus, as
the folding-blade advances, the bottom Hap of the blank is folded down over the
end of the blade and then underneath the latter. The transverse rod on which the
arms carrying the gummer 44 are hung, or some corresponding transverse rod,
holds back the flap and prevents it from coming in contact prematurely with any of
the gummed parts.
The mechanism for depressing and elevating the folding
bar 53 at the proper times is operated through the medium of the reciprocating
slide 9, which carries the suction-roller 11 and the seggregating blade 10, and is
best seen in Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 124. A cam, 55, secured at its respective
ends to the slide or carriage 9, but exterior to the frame, rests on studs in a cross-
The contour of the lower
head, 54, on the projecting end of the rock-shaft 54.
edge or face of this cam 55 is such that when the cam is in one terminal position-
seen in the detached view, Fig. 12-the shaft 54 will be so rocked as to elevate the
folding bar 53. This is the position of the parts seen in Figs. 9 and 94, the cam 55
being represented in dotted lines in Fig. 9. When the cam is in the other terminal
position-seen in the detached view, Fig. 12-the folding bar 53 will be depressed.
This is the position of the parts seen in Figs. 10 and 10%.
The folding-blade continues to advance carrying the partly formed envelope on
its extremity until the envelope is fairly entered between the delivery rollers, 56
and 56, situated at the front of the machine directly below the blank-platform 4*.
This mechanism is best illustrated in Figs. 13 to 154, inclusive, and Figs. 4 to 4",
inclusive.
Situated back of the delivery rollers are the gumming devices for applying gum

page_text: to the closing flap of the envelope, and in order to understand the operation of this
device and that of the delivery rollers, it may be understood that the latter rollers
only rotate when the folding-blade is advancing and that the same is true of the
rotating gummer, 57, which applies the self-sealing gum to the sealing or closing
flap, all of the parts being driven from the shaft 51. But while the folding-blade
is advancing with one partly finished envelope, the last envelope left in the grip
of the delivery rollers will be passed on by them and the gum will be applied to its
closing flap. It will be understood then that when the folding-blade carries a partly
finished envelope forward over the rotating gummer 57, the raised gumming face on
the latter will be down and receiving gum from a fountain roller, 58, in a gum-
fountain, 59, as seen in Fig. 13, which represents the parts when the folding-blade
is at the extreme end of its forward stroke and ready to withdraw, leaving the
envelope nipped between the delivery rollers 56 and 56. The folding-blade now
withdraws, and as the delivery rollers do not rotate backward said blade-which is
smooth and polished,--leaves the envelope between the rollers. In order to cause
the delivery rollers to grip only the envelope and resist the withdrawal of the
same by the folding-blade, the upper roller: 6, is mounted in a frame, 60, pivoted
in the main frame below and in front of the lower roller 56, and has springs, 60³,
on its pivot-rod which tends to press the upper roller down upon the lower.
At the next forward movement of the folding-blade the delivery rollers begin to
carry the envelope through, bringing the face or underside of the sealing flap over
the now rotating gummer, 57, which applies the gum to the face of the same in the
form of a V-shaped stripe along its margin. However, as there is no folding-
blade back of this flap to serve as a resistance, a backing or bearing roller, 57*,
above the path of the envelope, is employed, this roller having a raised face to
match that on the rotating gummer. The backing roller 57* is mounted in arins on
a rock-shaft, 57, about which is a coil spring, 57, which tends to keep the roller
pressed down elastically toward the gummer and thus afford a yielding resistance.
There is a stop to limit the movement of the frame which carries the bearing roller.
The roller 57 is positively driven from the same source as the gummer 57, and in
unison therewith.
The delivery rollers draw the envelope on to the position seen in Figs. 15 and 15ª,
and deliver it to a vibrating transfer, but as the closing-flap, to which moist gum
has been applied, must pass between these rollers, it is necessary to construct the
lower roller 56, in such a fashion that no part of its surface will come in contact
with the gum on the lower face of said flap. This is conveniently effected by
making said roller (see Figs. 13, 14 and 15,) in the form of a hollow drum and
cutting away one-half thereof, so that it is practically only semi-cylindrical. This
roller is so set that before the gummed surface of the flap reaches the bite of
the delivery rollers the effective periphery of the lower roller will have moved
around far enough to free the envelope and leave a clear space for the passage of
the gummed flap.
The transfer, which is illustrated in Figs. 13 to 16, inclusive, receives the nearly
completed envelope from the delivery rollers and transfers it to the drier-chain.
Mounted on the front part of the frame, at the left-hand side as here shown, is
an upright socket-bearing, 61, in which is rotatively mounted a tubular or hollow
shaft, 62; and on the upper end of this shaft is mounted a pinion, 63, which gears,
through an intermediate wheel, 63, (Fig. 154) with teeth on the side of the
rack 49, which is, in reality, a double rack. When the rack reciprocates it rocks
the shaft 62 through half a rotation about its axis. As a matter of fact the
pinion 63 is turned by the rack through a complete rotation, but said pinion is
connected with the shaft through the medium of a torsion spring, 64, coiled about
the reduced upper end of the shaft and within the hollow of the pinion-boss and
secured to the said parts at its respective ends (Fig. 16). When the gripper
swings round to receive an envelope from the delivery rollers, it is stopped by
impinging against the frame of the machine and the continued forward movement
of the rack 49 merely rotates the pinion 63 and winds up the spring 64. On the

page_text: withdrawal of the rack the gripper does not move until the spring is unwound.
The pinion 63 has a bearing at the upper end of its bosson a collar, 65, held in
place by a wing nut, 66, on the shaft.
On a bracket on the shaft 62, is secured the upper, non-movable jaw, 67, of the
transfer gripper, and fulcrumed on a pivot in said bracket, is the movable lower
jaw, 67, of the said gripper. Within the hollow in the lower part of the shaft 62,
is mounted a sliding, jaw-operating rod. 68, which has a slot in its upper end
engaged by the shorter arm of the lower gripper jaw, 67*; and a spring, 69, on
said rod serves to hold the jaw 67* closed against the upper jaw except when the
operating rod is pressed upward by mechanism now to be described with especial
reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4.
On the back of the cam 14 (see section, Fig. 29), is a cam, 70, which actuates a
rocker-arm, 71, (Fig. 3) in the frame, and this arm is coupled to a rod, 72, which,
at its upper end, enters the lower end of the hollow shaft 62, and takes under the
operating rod 68, thus lifting it and opening the transfer gripper, the spring 69
being compressed.
The transfer gripper swings around to the position seen in full lines in Figs. 15
and 15 to receive the envelope from the transfer rollers, the jaws close on the
envelope, and the gripper swings around (through a half-revolution) to the position
best seen in Fig. 14, delivering the envelope into a pair of spring-fingers on the
endless drier-chain, 73. Fragments of this chain are seen in side elevation and
front elevation, respectively, in Figs. 18 and 18ª, and more fully, as mounted and
operated, in Figs. 1 and 2. As soon as the partly finished envelope ( in these
views) has been transferred to the drier-chain, the cam 70 opens the jaws of the
transfer gripper, and the chain 73, is moved on a distance sufficient to bring the
next pair of spring fingers thereon in position to receive an envelope. I will now
describe the construction of the chain 73 and the mechanism for operating it,
premising that as it is intended to carry the envelopes until the gum on the closing-
flap is dry, it may be of any length desired and may run over pulleys overhead
not shown in the drawings. I have only shown that part of it in Fig. 1 which is
adjacent to the machine.
The chain 73 is composed of links, 73, (see Figs. 18 and 184) each of which
bears a rigid finger, 73, and a spring finger, 73°. These form what I have called
the pair of spring fingers, although one of them may be rigid. The envelope is
forced in edgewise between these fingers. The chain is moved or fed along
intermittently by means of mechanism best seen in Figs. 2 and 3. In the lower
part of the main frame is mounted a shaft, 74, which has fixed on it a sprocket.
wheel, 75, (Fig. 1) carrying the chain 73, and a toothed wheel, 76. On the main
cam-shaft 4, is a cam, 77, which carries in its outer face a pin or stud, 77, like a
crank-pin, and at each rotation of the cam 77, this pin engages between the teeth
of the wheel 76 and rotates it to the proper extent for effecting the movement of
the chain 73. To lock the wheel 76 between the periods when the pin 77' is not
acting on it, a locking lever, 78, is fulerumed on the frame and provided at one
end with a roller-stud, 78, which bears on the periphery of the cam 77, and at
the other end with a locking-stud, 78, which is adapted to engage between two
adjacent teeth on the wheel 76 and lock said wheel against rotation whenever the
cam 77 raises the opposite end of the lever. When the cam passes, the end of
the lever bearing thereon falls by gravity, thus freeing the wheel 76. The chain
moves in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1. The envelopes are
transferred to the chain at the point T, in Fig. 1; they are then carried down and
about the wheel 75, thence upward and to the extent of the chain, and then down
again to the point D, in Fig. 1, where they are removed from the chain and
delivered to the folder which folds the closing-flap. When this flap shall have
been folded, the finished envelopes are delivered into the counter. The devices
for folding the closing-flap and counting the envelopes will now be described with
especial reference to Figs. 1 and 2, and Figs. 19 to 23, inclusive.
An auxiliary frame or extension 1, at the left side of the main frame, carries

page_text: the mechanism for folding the closing-flap of the envelope and also the counting
device. The chain 73 passes down through this frame 1, as indicated at the
right in Fig. 2. In the frame 1ª is mounted, in horizontally arranged guides, a
slide or carriage, 79, apertured to allow the chain 73 to pass through it and
carrying pushers, 80, for pushing the envelope from the spring fingers on the
chain. The front edge of the slide 79 is cut square across, and when the side is
drawn back (as in Fig. 22) and the envelope is brought down by the chain to a
level with its upper surface, the folding line of the closing-flap will co-incide with
the front end of said slide which forms a thin folding blade. The slide 79 is
reciprocated by means of a rocker-arm, 81, (see Fig. 1) pivoted to the frame at
its lower end and vibrated by a link, 82, which couples it to the arm 18. At its
upper end the arm 81 is coupled to the slide 79 by a link 83.
Mounted on the auxiliary frame 1ª, is a rock-shaft, 84, which is rocked by the
arm 81, through the instrumentalities of a stud, 81, on the latter which engages
a cam-slot on one end of a lever, 85, fulcrumed on the main frame and coupled at
its other end to a short arm on the rock-shaft 84, by a rod or link, 86. On the
rock-shaft 84 are fixed two upwardly extending arms, 84, which carry at their
upper ends a rock-shaft, 87, carrying two arms, 88, which bear a plate, 88%. On
the frame 1 is a cam-plate, 89, in which is formed a loop-like cam groove or slot,
and on one end of the rock-shaft 87 is fixed an arm, 90, bearing a stud which plays in
this cam groove. The function of the plate 88* is to take over the closing-flap of
the envelope about to be delivered from the chain and to hold it down so that it
will be sure to be folded properly. The drying of the gum on the flap is apt to
curl it up and abort the folding operation. The operation is as follows: When
the slide 79 withdraws, the plate 88* also moves back, the stud on the arm 90
traversing the upper part of the loop of the cam groove and thus elevating the
plate 88 and insuring its taking over the envelope flap. When the slide 79 moves
forward the plate 88* also moves forward, but is now guided by the lower side of
the loop-groove in the cam-plate 89, which thereby keeps the plate pressed down
upon the closing-flap of the envelope.
As the envelope is moved forward by the pushers on the slide 79, the closing
flap thereon passes under a transverse plate, 91, in a pair of arms, 92, (see Figs. 24
and 24B) pivoted on the frame 1ª. One of these arms,-seen in Figs. 1, 19 and 22-
carries a plate 92 which has in it a cam-slot, in which plays a stud, 84ª, on one
of the arms 84. The effect of this construction is, that when the envelope
advances the stud 84* depresses the arms 92, and causes the plate 91 to break
down the closing flap of the envelope over the end of the advancing slide 79, and
crease it along the line of the fold.
As the slide 79 continues to advance, the thin blade at its front end being now
embraced between the body of the envelope and the closing flap of the latter, the
envelope is forced into a pocket of the counting reel, indicated as a whole by
the letter R in Figs. 1, 19 and 22. Before proceeding to minutely describe the
construction of this counting device, I will say that the reel rotates intermittently
and has, as here shown, six pockets; consequently, in order to bring each pocket
in succession in front of the slide 79, the reel makes one-sixth of a rotation at each
movement, and as it is here arranged to count the envelopes into parcels containing
twenty-five envelopes, it moves at the termination of each twenty-fifth stroke of
the slide 79, or at least when the twenty-fifth envelope has been deposited in the
pocket. The package or parcel of envelopes is or may be removed from the filled
pocket by the attendant.
Each of the six pockets of the reel R comprises a non-moving plate, 93, fixed on
a radial arm of the reel to support the envelopes, and is provided with a bend at
its inner edge to give it an L-shape, as clearly shown where the reel is broken
away (in Fig. 19) at its upper part. The envelopes resting on the plate 93, are
pressed upon by a yielding plate, 94, pivotally mounted in spring arms, 95. The
reel is fixed on the reel-shaft, 96, mounted in the frame 1, on which shaft (see
Figs. 20, 21, 22 and 23) is also fixed a disk, 97, furnished with six radial slots

page_text: corresponding to the six pockets of the reel. On a crank-shaft, 98, mounted in the
frame is a crank, 99, bearing a crank-pin (Fig. 20) which, at each rotation of the
crank-shaft, engages one of the radial slots in the disk 97, and turns the disk (and
reel) through one sixth of a complete rotation. The reel, together with its shaft
and the radially slotted disk 97, is locked against rotation during the interval, by
means of a detent stud on an arm, 100, on a rock-shaft, 101, in the frame, which
stud is made to engage with, and is held in a slot in the disk when a stud on
another arm, 102, on the rock-shaft 101, rides on the circular, concentric portion
When this disk 103
of the periphery of a disk 103, loose on the crank-shaft 98.
is rotated to that position-seen in Fig. 20,-where the stud on arm 102 comes
opposite to a recess, 104, in the edge of said disk, a force tending to rotate the
disk 97 will cause it to force the rounded detent stud on arm 100 out of the radial
slot in disk 97, thus leaving the reel free to be rotated.
I will now describe the mechanism which rotates the disk 103, as well as that
which rotates the crank 99, and through it, the reel R.
On the crank-shaft 98 is hung a pawl-arm, 105, which carries two spring-
pawls, 106 and 107, and this arm is rocked or vibrated by a link, 108, which
couples it with a slide 79. The pawl 106 engages a full ratchet wheel, 109,
secured to the disk 103, and to the other pawl, 107, engages a partial, or mutilated
ratchet wheel, 110, fixed on the crank-shaft 98. Every reciprocating movement of
the slide 79, causes the pawl 106 to advance the wheel 109 and the disk 103 to the
extent of one tooth, and as there are twenty-five teeth in the wheel 109, it follows
that at every twenty-fifth reciprocating movement of the slide 79, the recess 104
in the disk 103, will be brought opposite to the stud on the arm 102, thus allowing
the detent stud on arm 100 to be forced out and unlock the slotted disk 97. At
the instant this disk is released the pin of crank 99, which stands normally in
position to act on the slotted disk, rotates the same through one-sixth of a
revolution.
The power which rotates the reel R is a weight, 111, on a lever, 112, on the
frame, as seen in Fig. 21. The end of this lever is coupled by a link, 113, to a
crank-pin in the mutilated ratchet wheel, 110, so that when this wheel is rotated
intermittently by the pawl 107, the crank-pin is carried up and raises the
weight 111. I may say here, by way of explanation, that both of the ratchet
wheels 109 and 110 are furnished with back-stop pawls, 114, to prevent back
rotation thereof. When the vibrating pawl 107 (see Fig. 21) shall have rotated
the ratchet wheel 110, in the direction of the arrow, far enough for the crank-pin
therein to pass a little beyond the upper center, the pin on crank 99 (Fig. 20) will
have become engaged with a radial slot in the stopped disk 97, so that said ratchet
wheel 110 cannot rotate farther; and simultaneously with this, the naked or
untoothed portion of the periphery of the ratchet wheel will have reached the
point where the nose of the pawl 107 is situated, whereby said pawl, although
continuing its vibrations, will not act on said wheel. As the crank-pin which lifts
the weight passes the upper center the weight 111 drops a little, swinging the
crank, 99, until its pin enters into and is stopped by engagement with a slot in
disk 97, and the said weight is now prevented from falling by such engagement,
and the disk 97 is locked against rotation by the stud on the arm 100. The
pawl 106 continues to rotate the ratchet wheel 109 and cam disk 103, but when, as
before stated, the latter disk is rotated far enough to bring the notch 104 therein
opposite to the stud on the arm 102, the pin in the crank 99 will suddenly rotate
the disk 97, forcing out the stud on arm 100. The movement of the disk will be
limited by the extent of fall of the weight, and this will, in the present case, rotate
the reel R through just one-sixth of a revolution. Fig. 20 shows the position of
the parts just after the weight has fallen. To insure the instant engagement of the
locking stud on the arm 100 with a slot in the disk 97, so as to prevent the
oscillation of the disk after the weight falls, I provide the wheel 110 with a cam
plate, 110, (seen in dotted lines in Fig. 21) which, as the weight falls, rides over a
branch, 102ª; on the arm 102, and depresses: said. arm. so as to force the stud
B

page_text: thereon out of engagement with the recess 104 and cause the locking stud on the
arm 100 to engage the slot in the disk 97.
The above completes the description of the envelope machine proper; but there
are certain details relating to precautionary devices which I will now describe,
premising that as the feeding mechanism may from some cause fail at times to
seize an envelope blank, or the machine may run for a tine after the pile of blanks
is exhausted; I provide the machine with what I will call for simplicity an anti-
gummer, which prevents gum from being applied to any of the parts when no
envelope blank is passing. The construction of the mechanism of this device will
be best understood by reference to Figs. 25, 26 and 5; also Figs. 13 to 15^,
inclusive.
Fulcrumed loosely on the pivotal axis, 30, (Fig. 5) of the gripper, and embraced
between the cheeks of the lower gripper jaw, is a monitor lever, 115, which has a
nose, 116, on its front end that plays through-or may play through,-holes in the
two jaws. At its rear end the lever has a long tail or arm, 117, which takes under
the front end of a loosely fulcrumed rocker, 118, carried by the gripper-carriage 23.
The rear end of the rocker 118 is in the form of a V or wedge, and when the
gripper carriage moves back this wedge encounters the wedge-shaped front end
of an operating lever, 119, mounted on the frame 1, striking the end of said
lever so as to depress it or elevate it, this being dependent on the action of the
monitor lever 115. Now when the gripper-carriage is in its advanced position,
with its jaws open, to receive an envelope blank, the nose on the monitor lever
will be drawn down by the movement of the parts so that its tip does not
appear above the upper surface of the lower jaw, but when the gripper is
closed and draws back, the weight of the rear arm or tail of the monitor lever
tends to protrude the nose of the latter upwardly through both gripper jaws.
If, however, there is an envelope blank between the jaws, the blank holds the
nose of the monitor lever depressed and the rear arm elevated, and this arm
raises the front end of the rocker 118, and depresses its wedge-shaped rear end.
Consequently, when the carriage moves back with the blank this depressed end
of the rocker takes under the front end of the operating lever 119 on the frame,
elevates it, and depresses its rear end.
The lever 119 operates a bell-crank rocker, 120, in the machine frame, through
a connecting link or rod, 121, and this bell-crank rocker operates a rock-shaft, 122,
at the front part of the frame through the medium of a connecting link, 123,
coupled to a pendent arm on said rock-shaft. This is clearly seen in Figs. 25
and 26.
On the rock-shaft 122, is an upright arm, 124, the upper extremity of which
engages a slot in an oblique arm, 125, of an elbow-lever pivotally mounted on
the frame and carrying on its other arm a V-shaped cam or nose, 126.
When
there is a blank in the gripper as described, the operating lever 119 rocks the
shaft 122 in such a manner as to swing the nose 126 over in the direction
indicated by the arrow thereat in Fig. 26.
Now (referring to Figs. 14 and 15 especially) on the shaft of the gummer 57,
there is a sleeve, 127, capable of sliding along the shaft a limited distance aud
carrying a V-shaped cam-stud, 128, which, as the gummer rotates, encounters
the nose 126, as the latter is set by the blank in the gripper, and moves
the sleeve 127 along the gummer shaft until a cam 128* thereon is moved out
of the plane of a disk, 57, on the shaft of the bearing roller 57, thereby
permitting said roller to press down the closing-flap of the envelope so that the
gummer 57 may apply gum thereto. If there is no envelope in the gripper,
then the cam 128* will be left in the plane of the disk 57b, and at the rotation
of the gummer the roller 57 will be lifted so as to avoid the gummer.
The gummer 44, seen in Figs. 9, 10 and 11, is controlled through the same
operating lever 119, and rock-shaft 122, by means I will now describe with
especial reference to Figs. 4, 17 and 26.
On the rock-shaft 122, is an upright arm, 129, which has on it a laterally

page_text: projecting lip, 129; and fulcrumed on the shaft or rod which carries the arms 47,
bearing the gummer 44, is a lever, 130. This lever carries at its rear end a
roller which is over and in the same plane with a cam, 44, on the same shaft as
the gummer 44. Normally, when there is a blank in the machine, the spring 48
keeps the gummer 44 pressed upward in operative position and when the cam 44*
rotates under the roller on lever 130, it merely raises said lever aud allows it to
descend when the cam passes; but if there be no envelope blank in the machine,
the rock-shaft 122 will be so rocked as to bring the lip 129* on the arm 129
forward under a pendent toc, 130%, on the forwardly extending arm of the
lever 130, whereby, when the cam 44* rotates under the roller at the rear end of
the lever it cannot raise the latter and consequently the gummer 44 will be
depressed by the yielding of the spring 48.
It is desirable, when the machine is in operation and no blank is passing
through it, not only to prevent the gumming devices from operating, but to
prevent the delivery rollers from closing on the withdrawing folding blade 17.
The device I employ for preventing this is best illustrated in Figs. 4, 17, 25
and 26.
The arms forming the frame 60, which carries the upper delivery roller 56, have
mounted on each of them a lever, 60°, which is held up to the position seen at the left
in Fig. 17 by a spring at the pivot, so that, when a crank-pin, 60°, carried by the
journal of the lower delivery roller strikes it, the lever will merely yield and
allow the crank-pin to pass; but when there is no blank passing, a projecting
branch on the arm 129 (see Fig. 4) will be made to impinge against an arm, 60°,
on the lever 60 and press the latter back to a shoulder, 60, on the frame 60.
Under these conditions the crank-pin 60° will impinge on the lever 60 and swing.
back the frame 60 so as to relieve the pressure of the upper delivery roller on the
folding blade 17.
The devices for preventing the gumming-notably the parts seen in Fig. 25 and
designated by the reference numerals 119, 120 and 122, have frictional bearings, so
that when the lever 119, is set by the lever 118, the parts set will remain in
position until changed through the action of the monitor lever 115.
The means for preventing operation of the counting device when no envelope
is delivered to the reel R, is best illustrated in Figs, 19, 20, 22, 24, 24 and 24".
Fig. 24 is a plan of the mechanism with the superincumbent parts removed
Fig. 24 is a section in the plane of line 24, in Fig. 24, and Fig. 24³ is a
similar section in the plane of line a 24.
I have said that the pawl arm 105 is rocked by the slide 79, through the
medium of the link 108, and I will now explain how a limited reciprocating
movement is imparted to the slide 79 by the slide 79 whenever there is a partially
completed envelope held in the chain 73, in position to be folded and pushed into
the counter-reel R, and also how, when no envelope is so present, the slide 79 will
fail to actuate the slide 79%, and the pawl arm 105 will therefore remain inactive.
The slide 79 has two lugs, 79" and 79, which play in slots 1" in the side of
frame 1, and support the slide. Between these lugs plays a lug, 79, on the slide 79.
This latter slide has an extended movement, but the slide 79* has a limited
movement, only sufficient to move the pawls 106 and 107 to the extent of a single
tooth of their respective ratchets. When the slide 79 moves in one direction and
nears the end of its stroke its lugs 79 impinges on a lug on slide 79x and carries the
latter slide with it, and when it moves in the other direction it carries the slide 79*
back again. On the forward movement of the lug 79 (see Fig. 24^), it will not
move the slide 79* forward if a latch-arm, 79, pivoted on the forward lug 79", on
the slide 79, be depressed, because the free end of this latch will then pass into a
recess 79 in the underside of the lug 79. In Fig. 24 this lug 79¢ is represented
as at the extreme end of its forward stroke. This view represents the position of
the latch-arm when no envelope is presented in the drier-chain before the pushers 80.
If there be an envelope presented--as will be the case normally, of course-the
free end of the latch-arm 79d will be elevated so that when the slide 79 makes its

page_text: forward movement the lug 79 will strike said arm and carry forward the slide 79*.
The monitor mechanism which controls the movements of the latch-arm will be
best understood by reference to Figs. 24 and 24B.
Pivoted on the frame 1, at 131, is a lever, 132, carrying at its rear end a
laterally projecting stud, 133, which takes under the latch-arm 79. On the front
end of the lever 132, is secured an arm, 134, which projects rearwardly and bears
on its free end a lug, 135, which takes over the pin of a crank-arm, 136, on a rock-
shaft, 137, in the frame. This rock-shaft has on it a forwardly projecting arm, 138,
carrying at its free end a roller, 139. A spring, 140, on the frame normally
depresses the arm 134, and thus serves, through the instrumentalities named, to
keep the stud 133 depressed and the roller 139 elevated. When elevated, this
roller projects upwardly into co-inciding slots in the slide 79 and the plate 88*, but
when the flap of an envelope is brought down upon it, and is pressed upon and
backed by the plate 88, the roller 139 will be depressed. This has the effect to
rock the shaft 137 and cause the pin in the crank-arm, 136, on said shaft to raise
the arm 134 a little. On the free end of this arm is a nose, 141, which is bevelled
on its underside, and when the arm is lifted in the manner described the tip of this
nose is brought above the level of a wedged-shaped nose 142, carried by the
slide 79, which, as the latter slide starts to move forward, takes under the nose 141
and throws up the arm 134. This arm carries with it the lever 132, and the
pin 133 in the same lifts the latch-arm 79d, into the path of the lug 79°, thereby
causing the slide 79 to actuate the slide 79*.
It will be seen that one of the functions of the four-inotion plate 88%, is to hold
the flap of the envelope-if there be one, down so firmly that the monitor-wheel 139
cannot rise.
Fig. 24 shows the flap-folding plate 91 in its depressed position. The cam-slot
in the plate 92 is of such a form that at the first part of the forward movement of
the plate 88, che folding plate 91 will be suddenly depressed. The rock-shaft, 91*,
(see Figs. 24 and 248) carrying the folder 91, has set in it a projecting stud, 91",
which, whe said plate rises during the latter part of the withdrawing movement of
the slide 79, engages a shoulder 139, on the boss of the mouitor-wheel 139, and
rocks the shaft 137 slightly, in order to draw down the monitor-wheel and prevent
it from chafing against the slide 79 at the forward end of the slot therein up
into which said wheel projects. This slot does not extend quite to the forward
end of the slide and it is not desirable that the slide and wheel should chafe at
each movement of the former. The stud 91" holds the wheel down until the slide
has drawn back far enough to clear it but sets it free to rise whenever the folding
plate descends.
There are some other details of construction which, while of minor importance,
will require description.
These I will now explain.
It is desirable that that part of the frame in which is mounted the carrier 16,
bearing the suction-roller, and bearing also the blank platform 4*, shall be hinged
to the frame 1, so that it may be lifted and turned back in order to facilitate the
examination of the gumming and other mechanism beneath it. Therefore I hinge
this part of the frame at its rear end, the hinging point being marked H in the
several views where it is shown, notably Figs. 9, 10 and 11; and as some of the
mechanism is mounted in this binged portion, the connections are so made that
the mechanism raised will disengage itself without difficulty from that remaining.
As the bearing roller 57 has a little up and down movement in operation of the
machine, find it convenient to drive it in the manner illustrated in Figs. 4^, 4B
and 4. Fig. 4 is a plan, on a larger scale than the principal views; Fig. 4 is a
side view, and Fig. 4 is an illustrative side view showing the parts displaced. A
short shaft mounted in the frame is driven from the train and carries on its inner
end a crank-disk, 143, the pin in which engages a radial notch in a similar disk, 144,
on the shaft of the bearing roller 57*.
The fountain rollers 45 and 58 are driven from the train in a simple manner,

page_text: illustrated sufficiently in Figs. 14 and 14ª. On the roller journals are fixed
transverse end-plates 45, and these end-plates are each engaged, when the parts
are assembled, by a pin 45 projecting laterally from the face of the proper gear
wheel of the train. This construction allows the gum fountains to be readily and
conveniently removed.
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. In an envelope and bag machine, the combination with a reciprocating folding
blade, a reciprocating gripper, for seizing and drawing in the blank, and a recipro-
cating backing belt all connected and moving together, of vibrating flap-folders,
adapted to fold two opposite flaps of the blank onto the folding blade, substantially
as set forth.
2. In an envelope and bag machine, the combination with a reciprocating folding-
blade, carrying the blank, a vibrating folding bar for folding the bottom-flap of
the envelope over the end of said blade as the latter advances, and a gummer for
applying gum to seal said bottom-flap, of the intermittently rotating delivery rollers
which receive the partly folded blank from the folding blade, said rollers being
arranged to rotate forward only, and when the folding-blade is advancing,
substantially as set forth.
3. In an envelope and bag machine, the combination with the intermittently
rotating delivery rollers, and the intermittently moving endless chain-drier arranged
adjacent to said rollers, of a vibrating transfer device, provided with an auto-
matically opening and closing gripper to seize and transfer the envelope, substantially
as set forth.
4. In an envelope and bag machine, the combination with an intermittently
moving endless chain-drier provided with clips to hold the envelopes, of the device
for folding the closing flap of the envelope, said device consisting of a reciprocating
folding slide, provided with pushers to drive the envelope from the drier and
under the folder, the vibrating flap-folder arranged in front of said folding slide
and adapted to fold the flap over the front end of same, and an intermittently
rotating reel, into which the folding slide delivers the envelope, substantially as set
forth.
5. In an envelope and bag machine, the combination with a reciprocating folding
blade and its slide 16, of the gripper slide 23, mounted in the latter and having a
pendent portion 29, which takes behind the slide 16, the apron 24, secured to the
slide 23, the bearing rollers 25, the drums on which said apron rolls, the springs
which keep the apron taut, the gripper, comprising the upper jaw 30, pivoted in
the slide 23, the lower jaw 31, pivoted in the upper jaw, the spring between the
jaws back of the pivot and the toggle 33, coupled at one end to the gripper slide
and at the other end to the lower jaw, means substantially as described for tilting
the gripper, and means substantially as described for breaking up the toggle at the
knuckle to allow the jaws to close, substantially as set forth.
6. In an envelope and bag machine, the combination with a reciprocating folding
blade, the reciprocating gripper slide, the gripper, the apron secured at one
extremity to the gripper slide, and means substantially as described for maintaining
tension on the apron, of a pair of lateral flap-folders, 38, the bearings 37, in which
said folders are mounted, the cranks 38, on the journals of the folders, a
reciprocating slide 39, and a slotted link carried by said slide and engaging the pins
of said cranks, substantially as set forth.
7. In an envelope machine, the combination with the reciprocating folding blade,
of the folding bar 53, the rock-shaft 54, carrying said bar, the cross-head on said
shaft provided with studs near its ends, and the reciprocating cam 55, arranged to
rock said shaft 54, through the medium of said studs, substantially as set forth.
envelope and bag machine, the combination with the reciprocating
folding blade, of the vibrating folding bar 53 and its operative mechanism, the
8. In an

page_text: gum fountain 46 and its roller, the intermittently rotating gummer, 44, and the
spring supporting said gummer, substantially as set forth.
9. In an envelope and bag machine, the combination with the reciprocating
folding-blade, of the intermittently rotating delivery rollers 56 and 56, the latter
being cut away or mutilated as described, and the incans for applying gum to the
closing-flap of the envelope, comprising a fountain and fountain roller, an inter-
mittently rotating gummer 57, and an intermittently rotating bearing roller 57*,
arranged above the gummer, substantially as set forth.
10. In an envelope and bag machine, the combination with the delivery rollers
and a receiver for the envelope, of a transfer comprising a bearing, a hollow shaft
therein, a pinion on said shaft, a gripper jaw secured to a bracket on said shaft, a
gripper jaw pivoted to said bracket and having its shorter arm coupled to an
operating rod within the hollow shaft, and a spring within the shaft and about said
rod for closing the jaws, and means substantially as described for rocking said
hollow shaft and for opening the jaws of the gripper, as set forth.
11. In an envelope and bag machine, a transfer for the envelopes comprising the
fixed socket-bearing 61, the hollow shaft 62, mounted therein, the pinion 63, on
the upper end of said shaft, the cushion spring 64, connecting said pinion with
the shaft, the upper jaw 67, fixed to a bracket on the shaft, the lower jaw 67,
fulcrumed on said bracket, the slotted operating rod, 68, the shorter arm of the
lower jaw engaging the slot in said rod, and the spring 69, embracing said rod and
operating to close the gripper jaws, as set forth.
12. In an envelope machine, the combination with an intermittently moving,
endless chain-drier, having spring clips or fingers to receive and hold the envelopes,
and a reciprocating folding slide 79, apertured to permit the said chain to pass
through it and provided with pushers to remove the envelope from the spring clips
on the chain, said chain and slide being timed to operate in unison, of a vibrating
folding plate 91, adapted to fold the closing-flap of the envelope over the end of the
moving slide, and a pocket or receptacle to receive the envelope from said slide,
substantially as set forth.
13. In an envelope and bag machine, the combination with the intermittently
moving endless chain-drier, the apertured, reciprocating folding slide through which
the said chain plays, and the vibrating folding plate, of the reciprocating, four-
motion, flap-covering plate 88%, and mechanism substantially as described for
imparting the proper movement to said plate, as set forth.
14. In an envelope and bag machine, the combination with means for folding the
closing flap of the envelope and delivering it into the pocket of the intermittently
rotating reel, of the said reel, provided with radially arranged expanding pockets,
and means substantially as described for imparting a partial rotation to said reel at
the termination of a given series of reciprocatory movements of the flap-folding and
envelope-delivering slide, substantially as set forth.
15. In an envelope and bag machine, the combination with the reciprocating
folding slide 79, and the pawl operating slide 79, operated by the slide 79, of the
reel R, provided with pockets adapted to receive envelopes from the slide 79, the
shaft 96 of said reel, the radially slotted disk, 97, on said shaft, the rock-shaft 101,
the arm 100 on said shaft provided with a detent stud adapted to engage a slot in
said disk 97, the crank-shaft 98, the crank 99, on said shaft, the pin of which is
adapted to engage a slot in and rotate the disk 97, the mutilated ratchet wheel 110
fixed en said crank-shaft, the disk 103, loose on the crank-shaft and provided with
a recess 104, the arm 102 on shaft 101, provided with a stud adapted to engage the
recess in disk 103, the full ratchet wheel 109, fixed to the disk 103, the pawl
arm 105, carrying spring pawls which engage the teeth of the respective
ratchets 109 and 110, the link connecting said pawl arm with the slide 79, the
weighted lever 112, and the link connecting said lever with a stud in the ratchet
wheel 110, substantially as set forth.
16. In an envelope and bag machine, the combination with the reciprocating
gripper having apertures in its jaws 30 and 31, of the monitor lever 115, hinged in

page_text: the gripper and provided with a nose 116 engaging the aperture in the lower
gripper jaw, a rocker 118, under one end of which takes the tail or arm of the
monitor lever, the lever 119, mounted on the frame and having a wedge-shaped end
presented to said rocker 118, the rock-shaft 122, intermediate mechanism whereby
the rocking of the lever 119 is imparted to said rock-shaft, the rotating gummer 57,
the bearing roller 57, the disk 57 on the shaft of the bearing roller, the sleeve 127,
on the shaft of the gummer and provided with a cam 128, and a cam stud 128, and
shifting mechanism intermediate the rock-shaft 122 and the said cam-stud whereby
the sleeve 127 is shifted, substantially as set forth.
17. The combination with the rotating gummer 57, the sleeve 127, splined on the
shaft of said gummer and carrying a V-shaped cam-stud 128 and a cam 128,
the rotating bearing roller 57, arranged above and over the gum r.ller and the
disk 57, on the shaft of the bearing roller and normally in the plane of the
cam 128, whereby rotation of the latter raises the bearing roller, and intermediate
mechanism substantially as described for shifting the sleeve 127 when an envelope
blank has been seized, substantially as set forth.
18. In an envelope and bag machine, the combination with the gripper for the
envelope blank, the monitor lever, the rocker 118, the operating lever 119, the
rock-shaft 122, and the connecting mechanism intermediate said lever and shaft,
whereby the rocking of said shaft is controlled by the blank in the gripper, of the
rotating, spring supported gummer 44, the cain 44, on the shaft of said gummer,.
the lever 130, having a roller in one arm which rests on the cam 44*, and a toe 130*,
on its other arm, and the arm 129, on the rock-shaft 122, provided with a lip 129,
to take under the toe 130%, substantially as set forth.
19. In an envelope and bag machine, the combination with the reciprocating
slide 79, for folding the closing-flap provided with a recessed operating lug 79°,
and the pawl operating slide 79, provided with lugs 79 and 79b, between which
the lug 79 plays, of the arm 79, carried by the slide 79, and adapted to enter the
recess in the operating lug when depressed, and means substantially as described for
elevating said arm into its operative position when an envelope is delivered to the
folding slide, substantially as set forth.
20. The pneumatic-mechanical sheet-feeder, or blank-feeder, comprising a plat-
form to support the sheets, a vibrating suction-roller adapted to move to-and-fro
under the pile of sheets and substantially in contact with the bottom sheet, an air-
exhauster which exhausts the air intermittently from said suction-roller, and means
for imparting axial rotation to the roller as it moves back under the pile.
21. In a sheet feeder, the combination with a platform to support the pile of
sheets, a vibrating suction-roller adapted to move to and fro under the pile of
sheets and substantially in contact with the bottom sheet, an air-exhauster, which
exhausts the air intermittently from said suction-roller, means for imparting axial
rotation to said roller as it moves back under the pile of sheets, and a vibrating
seggregating bar, adapted to move under the pile of sheets and between the sheet.
attached to the suction-roller, and said pile.
Dated this TL 1
J
1004
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.