IMPROVE- MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING SATCHEL BOTTOM PAPER BAGS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Broughton Stilwell, of the City and County of
Worcester, in the State of Massachusetts, United States of America, at present
residing at No. 10, Rue Kepler, Paris, France, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING SATCHEL BOTTOM PAPER BAGS."
.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Charles Broughton Stilwell at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th July 1878.
CHARLES BROUGHTON STILWELL, of the City and County of Worcester, in the
State of Massachusetts, United States of America, at present residing at No. 10, Rue
Kepler, Paris, France. " IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING SATCHEL BOTTOM
PAPER BAGS."
The purpose of my Invention is to combine in one machine apparatus for forming
and pasting a paper tube from a continuous web, and cutting, pasting, and folding
the tubular blank thus made, so as to form a satchel bottom paper bag from a
web of paper at one continuous operation.
The subject matter claimed is herein-after specifically stated.
In the following description the discharge end of the machine is designated as the
front end and the feeding end (or that end containing the paper roll) is designated
the rear end. The right side of the machine is that side which would be on the
right of the person facing the paper roll, and looking towards the discharge end of
the machine; the opposite side I call the left side.
The accompanying Drawings represent so much of a paper bag-forming machine
embracing all my present improvements as is necessary to illustrate the subject
matter herein claimed in the best way now known to me.
Obviously, however, some of these improvements may be used without the others,
and in machines differing somewhat in construction and operation from the one
herein shown.

page_text: The details of construction of the devices shown may also obviously be varied in
different well-known ways by the skill of the workman without departing from
the spirit of my Invention.
Figure 1 represents a plan or top view of the entire machine; Figure 2, a side
elevation thereof; Figure 3; a vertical longitudinal section therethrough on the line
3, 3, of Figure 1.
Figure 4, a vertical longitudinal section on the line 4, 4, of Figure 6, through that
portion of the mechanism which forms the tubular blank, and makes the preliminary
cut thereon; Figure 5, a horizontal section therethrough on the line 5, 5, of Figures
4 and 7; Figure 6 is a view in elevation of the front of the same, or that side
nearest the discharge end of the machine partly in section on the line 6, 6, of
Figure 4; Figure 7, a view of the opposite side thereof.
Figure 8 is a horizontal setion through the tube-forming plate on the line 8, 8,
of Fig. 7; and Figure 9 is a plan or top view of the preliminary cutter and friction
pad.
Figure 10 represents a plan or top view of the actuating cylinders, which carry
the devices which partially sever the tubular blank, and open its mouth to form
the preliminary bottom folds detached from the machine; Figure 11, an end view of
the same.
Figure 12, an inverted plan or bottom view of the cylinders showing the mouth
of the tubular blank as opened to form the primary folds of the bottom of the
bag; Figure 13 is a side elevation with the parts in the same position as shewn in
Figure 12.5.
Figure 14; a central longitudinal section through the first actuating cylinder on
the line 14, 14, of Figures 10 and 11; Figure 15, a similar section through the
other actuating cylinder on the line 15, 15, of Figs. 10 and 11.
Figure 16, a vertical transverse section through one of the actuating cylinders on
the line 16, 16, of Figure 18, shewing the details of the mechanism for actuating the
pins which open the mouth of the tubular blank; Figure 17 represents a similar
view of the same with the parts in a different position; Figure 18, a horizontal
section through a portion of the same on the line 18, 18, of Figure 17.
Figures 19 and 20 are diagrams representing the cutting knife in different
positions.
Figures 21 and 22 are respectively a plan and side elevation of one of the adjustable
spring bearings of the second actuating cylinder.
Figure 23 is a plan or top view of the final cutting, creasing, and folding
mechanism.
Figure 24, a vertical longitudinal section on the line 24, 24, of Figure 23,
shewing the details of the final pasting, cutting, creasing, and folding apparatus ;
Figure 25, a similar view of the details of the final creasing and cutting.
devices.
1
Figure 26, a plan view of the final pasting roll and paste vat. .
Figure 27, a front elevation of the pasting mechanism partly in section on the
line 27, 27, of Figure 26, also containing a section shewing the spring rocking
bearing of the pasting roll.
Figures 28 and 29 are respectively a plan and side elevation shewing the details
of the rocking spring bearing above mentioned.,
Figure 30 is a view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section of the
carrying final folding cylinder.
Figure 31, a horizontal transverse section through the final creasing and cutting
devices on the line 31, 31; of Fig. 32; Figure 32, a section through the same on the
line 32, 32, of Figure 31.
Figure 33, a horizontal transverse section through the final folding and discharging
devices.
L
.
Figure 34, an elevation partly in section of the shaft which carries the roll of
paper (from which the bag is made), and its adjusting devices.

page_text: Figures 35, 36, and 37 represent the tubular blank and bag in various stages of
formation.
.
In this instance the mechanism is shown as mounted in a suitable main
frame A.
The paper roll, from which the tubular blank is formed, is mounted on a shaft B,
turning in suitable bearings at the rear or feeding end of the machine, and provided
with adjustable conical collars b for securing the roll of paper in position.
The shaft is also capable of longitudinal adjustment in its bearings to vary the
lateral adjustment of the paper roll, and is held in its adjusted position by suitable
adjustable stops b' bearing against the end of the shaft.
The web or strip of paper passes from the roll over the guide roll C, and is then
deflected downward to pass under a tube-forming plate B, depending from a cross
bar above the main frame transversely to the longitudinal central line of the
machine.
The paper passes downward to this tube-forming plate in this instance at an
angle of about 45° to the horizontal line of its travel after passing the plate. The
width of the plate is just equal that of the interior of the tubular blank after it
is formed, and the effect of this strain upon the paper in passing across; the edges
of this tube-forming plate is to turn and fold over that portion of the paper on each
side beyond the corners of the plate; or, in other words, that portion of the web
which does not come in contact with the plate.
The tube-forming plate is shewn in this instance as composed of three pieces
arranged in the forin of an inverted "T," and consisting of a vertically adjustable
stem d, carrying at or near its lower edge two horizontal pieces or sections d', d, thus
rendering this device adjustable both vertically and horizontally, the horizontal
adjustment adapting the plate to the formation of the tubes of different width
and the vertical adjustment adapting it to the preliminary cutter herein-after
mentioned.
Guard fingers d³ depending from the main frame on each side of the tube-forming
plate serve to maintain in proper position the upwardly turned edges of the web
during its rapid passage through the machine.
A short cutting roll D', preferably of raw hide, is mounted in suitable bearings,
in this instance secured to the front face of the tube-forming plate, and is capable of
vertical adjustment to compensate for the wear of the roll.
A cutting knife E is mounted on a suitable cutter head, which is secured by an
adjustable clamp to the revolving shaft e directly under and parallel with the roll D¹
above mentioned.
The knife, it will be observed, is made V shaped, and moves apex foremost so as
gradually and successively to cut from front to rear as it revolves; thus, in con-
nection with the cutting roll; making the preliminary central transverse cut in the
blank.
1
Rotary motion-is imparted to the cutting roll in this instance by a friction pad
E¹, mounted on, a cutter head immediately in front of the knife slightly above the
line of the edge of the knife, which pad presses the paper intervening between the
cutter and the roll against the latter with sufficient force to cause its surface to
travel at the same rate of speed as the edge of the knife just before the contact of
the knife and roll:
A supporting plate F bridges the space between the tube-forming plate and the
actuating, feeding, cutting, and drawing rolls H and I.
A longitudinal bar D² serves to brace the tube-forming plate against the strain
of the paper, and also as a support for, the paste reservoir or cup G. A feed tube
or escape pipe.g, leading from this reservoir or cup, supplies a line of paste to one
edge of the web constituting the blank just previous to the pressing down of the
fold to complete the tube. This escape pipe also performs the function of a guiding
finger for holding down an edge of the blank.
The reservoir is mounted in a swinging or adjustable bracket g', which permits

page_text: тога.
Each of these cylinders is shewn in the Drawings as made of three parallel sections,
but they may, if preferred, be made in a single piece; either mode of construction
being old and well known.
The feeding of the paper, it should be observed, is due solely to the friction on
the paper in passing between the cylinders.
2
The perforating pins h are mounted on a rock shaft h¹, turning in suitable bearings
in the cylinder H near its periphery. These pins normally protrude from the
surface of the cylinder with a forward inclination to more securely engage or hold
the paper, and are normally locked in this position by means of a spring latch h²
engaging with a short arm or lever h³ on the rock shaft, the lever being released at s
the proper time by the action of an adjustable cam h* on the frame, against which
When released from the
cam the latch is carried by the rotation of the cylinder.
latch the rock shaft is free to oscillate in its bearings, see Figures 16, 17, and 18.
Cutting knives i which may be either plain or serrated, are mounted on a rock
shaft or shafts ¹, oscillating in suitable bearings in a cylinder I parallel with the
axis, and near its periphery, this oscillation being controlled by cams I¹ mounted on
the ends of the rock shafts, and actuated by contact with the opposite cylinder H,
as the cylinders H and I revolve, see Figs. 10, 15, 19, and 20. The opposite
cylinder H is provided with a corresponding slit 2, the interior of which is made
longer than its exterior for a purpose herein-after explained. I have found in
practice that the method heretofore generally employed of cutting by a knife
working radially relatively to the axis of the cutting cylinder as ordinarily employed
in printing presses, does not act as efficiently as desirable in a machine running with
the speed required in making bags, and have therefore so organised the apparatus
that the cutter always enters and leaves the recesses in the opposite cylinder in a
plane parallel with that passing through the axes of said cylinders, as shewn in
Figures 19 and 20, and as it is desirable to have the openings in which the knives
enter in making the cuts as narrow as possible to prevent the impression or inden-
tation of the paper in the groove, and to ensure the more perfect severing of the
paper, it is necessary to make the bottom of the slits wider, to give room for the
free movement of the oscillating knife, as its plane is changed relatively to the
radius of the cylinders in their revolution, thereby securing efficient action at any
speed desired.
The knives in the present instance, it will be observed, are mounted in the outer
sections of the cylinder I, and the holding pins on the central section of the opposite
cylinder H, as this organization is necessary to make a bag of the kind shewn,
but this arrangement might obviously be altered to adapt it to the manufacture of
bags of different styles.
The slitting knives j, j¹, are arranged on each side of the central section of the
cylinder with their front edge intersecting the corresponding inner edge of the
cutting knives above mentioned, so as to form parallel slits on each side of the
central line of the blank as shewn in Figure 35.

page_text: In operation, the blank as it passes under the tube-forming plate, has a central
V shaped cut made in it, as shewn in Figure 35. The edges are then folded over and
pasted. As the blank passes under the guard plate, the pins on the roller H
perforate it. The blank then passes down between the cylinder H and I, its edges
being then severed with transverse cuts (the inner ends of which join the ends of
the V shaped cut above mentioned), and is then slit longitudinally by parallel
knives on opposite sides of the seam at the junctions of the outer cuts, and the
V shaped cut, as shewn in Figure 35, leaving the central portion of the blank connected
by the upper ply or seam only, which portion of the blank is a connecting strip
with the preceding blank, and ensures the continuity of the feed of the blank
through the machine.
The ply which adheres to the cylinder I in its onward passage is necessarily
withdrawn from the pins on the cylinder H, while the opposite ply is retained by
them and carried in the opposite direction around the cylinder H, until the strain
upon the paper thus produced causes the outer edges of the blank to be drawn
inwardly upon itself, making the preliminary or opening fold of the bottom of the
bag, as shewn in Figures 12 and 13, when the pins are unlocked by the latch
coming in contact with the cam, and are free to oscillate, permitting the withdrawal
of the flap from the pins by the strain on the paper itself. The partially folded
blank is then carried forward under the cylinder I, and over the breaking and sup-
porting plate K to the carrier cylinder L passing between it and the pasting roller
M, which prints the paste upon it in a well-known way; see Figures 24, 26, 27,
and 36.
The carrier cylinder L is by preference made in three sections, the central one of.
which is revolved positively at a definite rate of speed by gearing, while the outer
sections, , revolve loosely on the shaft or independently of it, their speed being
dependent upon that of the holding and carrying belts p, p, which are driven at an
accelerated speed to produce a given strain upon the paper after it leaves the
actuating cylinders H and I, to assist the opening of the blank and the formation
of its preliminary fold.
A small supporting roll N retains the blank in place on the carrier cylinder after
being cut as herein-after mentioned. The pasted blank is then severed by a knife
o, carried by cylinder O; and operated in a manner similar to the knife of the
cylinder I, the knife however in this instance being arranged on the central section
of the roller to sever that portion of the blank left unsevered by the preceding
cutters, and operating in creases in the positive central section of the carrier
cylinder L.
The circumference of the carrier cylinder must necessarily be a multiple of the
length of the tubular blank from which the bag is made, but may vary in size
relatively thereto.
Creasing blades o³, o, on the cylinder O now go into action and crease the blank
by pressing it into recesses or compressing it against yielding pads on the periphery
of the carrier cylinder in a well-known manner.
Just after the blank is severed, it passes under carrier bands p, p, traversing over
suitable rollers, which bands retain it upon the surface of the carrier cylinder. At
this moment an oscillating folding arm R travels over the cylinder in the same
direction with, but more rapidly than the cylinder, and forms the first of the final
folds, see Figure 23. This folder is shewn in this instance as consisting of an
overhanging arm projecting over the cylinder, and mounted on a shaft so as to turn
independently of it, or on an axis coincident therewith; it might however be
mounted eccentrically if preferred. This arm is oscillated by the conjoint operation
of the cam and spring in a well-known way, clearly shewn in Figure 3 of the
Drawings, but might obviously be operated in various well-known ways, such as
by a crank, or by positively acting cams.
As the forward edge of the blank has been turned upward by the act of creasing
it, so as to cause it to project slightly. above the cylinder, it strikes against a
roller S, and is folded back upon the first bottom fold, the oscillating arm remaining

page_text: in contact with the first fold, until the second one is folded back upon it, thus com-
pleting the fold on the bottom of the bag. The folded blank is then carried by the
bands around roller S, with its pasted side conforming to the curvature thereof, and
is pressed in its final flattened condition by the compressing roll T. The folded
and compressed blank is then carried around between the roller S and guide fingers
U, and discharged at the front of the machine. The guide fingers also strip the
bag from the carrying cylinder.
The operating parts of the machine, the primary cutter, the actuating rolls, the
carrier cylinder, the pasting cylinder, and the final creasers and cutters are positively
driven by gearing, and are so connected and timed as to ensure the successive and
exact operation of each part upon the blank in its proper place and time; the oscil-
lating folding arm in this instance is thrown forward in the direction of the traverse
of the paper by a spring, and returned by the action of a cam fixed positively upon
the shaft which carries the final cutter and creasers; the holding and carrying
bands are driven by the final folding roll, which roll is driven faster than the geared
cylinders by a belt receiving its motion from a pulley attached to an intermediate
gear beneath. In this instance a spur gear V is shewn as mounted on the shaft,
which carries the second actuating cylinder I, and which may be driven in any
approved well-known way from a suitable prime mover, thus constituting it the
driving shaft under the organization illustrated in the Drawings.
The spur gear V meshes with a corresponding one V¹ on the first actuating
cylinder H, whose gear V₁ in turn drives a large idle gear V2, engaging with a
smaller gear V3 on the shaft e, which carries the preliminary cutter E and friction
pad E¹.
A spur gear V4 mounted on a stud shaft and gearing into the driving gear V
above mentioned, drives a large spur gear V5 on the shaft of the carrier cylinder L.
The gear V5 in turn drives a smaller one V on the paste roller M, as well as another
gear V7 on the shaft which carries the severing knife O.
A pulley W₁ on the same shaft as that on which the gear V5 is mounted carries a
belt or band W, which passes over a tension pulley Ws, and drives a pulley W on
the shaft of the folding and compressing roller or cylinder S, over pulleys, collars,
or shoulders X, of which roller the travelling bands p, p, run; these bands also
traverse the carrier cylinder L and guide pulleys Z, Z, which control the route over
which they travel.
The direction of movement of the various parts is indicated by the arrows.
The operation of the machine will readily be understood from the foregoing
description.
I claim as my Invention,-
First. The tube-forming plate constructed substantially as herein-before set forth,
with laterally adjustable corners to vary the width of the bag blank, as well as to
compensate wear.
Second. The V shaped preliminary cutter constructed substantially as herein-
before set forth, and operating on the blank apex foremost, so as to cut successively
from apex to base.
Third. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of the pre-
liminary cutter and the cutting roll, suspended within the partially formed tube.
Fourth. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of the pre-
liminary cutter, the tube-forming plate, and the cutter roll mounted therein.
Fifth. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of the tube-
forming plate, the cutting roll, the preliminary cutter, and the continuously moving
actuating cylinder, whereby a preliminary central cut is made in the paper before
the complete folding of the tubes, and while in motion.
Sixth. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of the cutting
roll, the preliminary cutter, and the friction pad, whereby the roller is set in motion
before being struck by the knife.
Seventh. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of the tube-

page_text: forming plate, and the guards. which maintain the edges of the paper in their par-
tially folded position.
Eighth. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of the tube-
forming plate and the paste cup mounted on the swinging bracket to adjust it
laterally relatively to the edge of the paper.
Ninth. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of the paste cup
and its escape pipe, forming a guide finger to hold down one edge of the paper and
apply paste thereto.
Tenth. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of the tube-
forming plate, the actuating cylinder, the intermediate paste cup and its feed spout,
which deposits the paste on the edge of the paper just before the completion of the
formation of the tube.
Eleventh. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of the roll or
shaft from which the paper is drawn, the actuating cylinders or feeding mechanism
and the tube-forming plate, across the surface of which the paper web or strip is
drawn and then deflected at an angle of about 45° from its previous line of travel,
whereby the strip is instantly doubled upon itself at the corners of the tube-forming
plate, simply by the strain on the paper.
Twelftli. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of the roll or
shaft from which the paper is drawn, the pasting device, the feeding mechanism,
and the tube-forming plate or shoe, across the surface of which shoe the paper web
or strip is drawn, and then deflected at an angle of about 45° from its previous line
of travel, whereby the strip is drawn forward under tension, its edge pasted, and
the strip then folded and its edges united as set forth.
Thirteenth. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of the
actuating cylinder, the rock shaft carrying the oscillating pins (which perforate the
tubular blank to aid in opening its mouth), and its locking and releasing
devices.
Fourteenth. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of the
actuating cylinder, its oscillating perforating pins and the slotted or toothed guard
plate, which insures the perforation of the paper by the pins.
Fifteenth. The combination, substantially as heréin-before set forth, of the
actuating cylinder and the oscillating transverse cutting knives.
Sixteenth. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of two
cylinders' oscillating knives, mounted in one cylinder, and corresponding grooves or
recesses in the other cylinder for the reception of the knives.
Seventeenth. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of two
cylinders' oscillating knives, their rock shaft and cam, mounted in one cylinder,
and corresponding grooves or recesses in the other cylinder, whereby the oscilla-
tion of the knives is controlled by the action of the cam upon the other
cylinder.
Eighteenth. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of the
cylinder, the oscillating knives and the slitting knives, whereby the blank is cut
longitudinally and transversely on each side of the central seam.
Nineteenth. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of two
cylinders, perforating pins centrally arranged upon one cylinder, and cutting and
slitting knives mounted on the other cylinder, whereby the bag blank is cut on
each side of the central seam, and the opening of the mouth of the blank
facilitated.
Twentieth. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of the two
actuating cylinders, the carrier cylinder, and the interposed break plate, whereby
the unfolding of the tubular blank is prevented.
Twenty-first. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of the
break plate, the carrier cylinder, and the pasting roll.
Twenty-second. The carrier cylinder, constructed substantially as herein-before
set forth, with a positively driven central section, and with independently driven
outer sections moving at a greater velocity.

page_text: Twenty-third. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of the
positively driven central section of the carrier cylinder, its independently driven
outer sections, and the holding and carrying bands moving at a greater speed than
the central section to maintain tension in the blank.
Twenty-fourth. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of the
sectional carrier cylinder, the rotating creasers and severing knife, and the carrier
bands.
Twenty-fifth. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of the
carrier cylinder, the retaining roll, and the rotary creaser and severing knife, whereby
the forward end of the blank is held in contact with the cylinder after the severance
of the preceding blank.
Twenty-sixth. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of the
carrier cylinder, its travelling bands, and the oscillating folding arm, travelling
faster than and overtaking the bag blank to form the first of the final folds.
Twenty-seventh. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of the
carrier cylinder, its travelling bands, the oscillating folder and the folding roller,
which forms the final fold.
Twenty-eighth. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of the
sectional carrier cylinder, the carrier bands, the oscillating folder, the folding roller,
and the compressing roller, whereby the final folds are compressed.
Twenty-ninth. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth, of the
carrier cylinder, its bands, the folding roller, the compressing roller, and the guides,
whereby the finished blank is caused to conform to the surface of the roller after
being compressed.
Thirtieth. The satchel bottom paper bag-forming machine herein-before set forth,
consisting of the combination of the tube-forming preliminary cutting, pasting,
opening, creasing, carrying, final folding and discharging mechanisms, operating
successively as described, whereby the bags are completely formed at one continuous
operation from a paper web.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Broughton Stilwell, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.

page_text: FIG.IO.
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