Year: 1886

page_text: The blanks for the envelopes, having been cut to the required shape by means of
the blank-cutting machinery usually employed for that purpose, are placed in the
machine in a pile which is within vertical guides between which the blanks are
automatically fed up so as to maintain the top of said pile at approximately the
same elevation with reference to the machine. The mechanism whereby this is
accomplished, I designate as the "blank-feeding mechanism." It is located at the
front side of the machine, and embodies some important improvements whereby the
supply of blanks between the guides may be conveniently replenished at the lower
side, while the inachine is taking blanks from the upper side thereof.
The blanks are taken up, one at a time, from the said pile of blanks, by means
of vertically movable pickers, previously made adhesive by the application of a
layer of gum solution, or the like, to their under surfaces. These pickers are
carried in a circuit which, as shown in the drawings, is a circular one, and of
which one point in its circumference coincides with the vertical center of the
blank-feeding mechanism. The said pickers are arranged in their circuit at equal
distances apart, and are intermittently carried forward therein at same distance

page_text: at each revolution of the principal shaft of the machine, thereby all .coming
successively to the first station, which is that of the blank-feeding mechanism, and
each one coming to each station successively in the circuit. The mechanism
whereby the series of pickers are thus operated, I designate as the "picker
mechanism," which includes both that for carrying them forward in their circuit,
and that for operating them vertically as may be required at their respective
stations.
The second station, of the aforesaid picker circuit, is that of the "blank-creasing
mechanism," which is shown situated at the left-hand side of the machine. The
pickers, on taking up a blank, first carry it to this station and present it between
the upper and lower creasing dies, which are then operated to crease said blank in
its folding lines.
The third station of the said circuit is that of the "blank-folding mechanism."
After the blank is creased, it is brought by the pickers to this mechanism and
placed upon one of a series of travelling folding beds, whereon it is to be folded
into a completed envelope. The first part of the operation consists in folding over
the end-flaps and at the same time clamping the partly made envelopes onto the
folding bed. Next, the pickers are lifted off from the gummed edges of the blank,
and are carried forward to the fourth station of their circuit, at which station the
pickers perform no work. During this last forward movement, the pickers receive
a fresh supply of gum, which is applied to their under surfaces by means of a
suitable roller. At the next revolution of the main shaft, the said pickers arrive
again at the first station, to take up another blank and carry it forward as before.
After the blank is clamped to one of the folding beds, these are carried forward
to their circuit and brought to rest with the second bed in the former position of
the first, and the first at the second station of this circuit, which station is that of
the back-flap folding apparatus. This apparatus is now operated to.fold the back
flap and stick it firmly to the previously folded end flaps; and at the same time
another blank is presented onto and clamped to the second folding bed at the first
station.
Next, the series of folding beds are again moved forward as before, that is to
say; through one fourth of a circle and about or exactly simultaneously with the
novement of the pickers in their circuit; and another blank is presented to the
third bed at the first station, the second blank has its back-flap folded at the second
station, and the first bed is brought to the third station which is that of the seal-
flap folding apparatus, which now operates to fold the seal flap and thereby
complete the envelope.
.
The next forward movement of the folding beds brings the first one of them to
the fourth station of their circuit. Here the completed envelope is unclamped and
is transferred by a transfer apparatus into a space between the fingers of an endless
apron which has an intermittent forward movement at each revolution of the main
shaft.
•
After remaining. in this apron a sufficient time for the gum on the seal-flap to
dry, the envelope is brought to the packing box and is allowed to fall out into the
same, forward of an operative packing plate. Here the envelope is driven by said
plate into the back part of said box, and, while in transit, is forced under the
finger of a mechanism. whereby it is counted. The nature of this mechanism is
such that when a predetermined number of envelopes (usually twenty-five of them)
have been successively packed into the box, a notched stop wheel is brought to a
position which permits a bunch-plunger to drive the whole of said number of
envelopes out of said box and through a band carrier standing at the exit of
the box.
The band for inclosing the bunch of envelopes is previously prepared by hand or
otherwise in the form of a tube, which tube is fed into a band-mechanism forming
a part of my improved envelope machine, and whereby it is cut off and placed on
the aforesaid band carrier. This operation is performed by the said mechanism
immediately after the expulsion from the box of one bunch of envelopes, and is so

page_text: timed as to be completed and for the carrier to be returned to its place, before
another bunch is packed ready for banding.
Thus, as will be seen from the foregoing description, my improved envelope
machine is designed to receive the blanks in one part and the tube for bands in
another part thereof, and to manufacture and deliver, completed, the bunches of
envelopes banded ready for packing in boxes for shipment. This result being
accomplished automatically, relieves the operator of the greater part of the labor
heretofore required in attending an envelope machine, thereby effecting an
important economy in the envelope manufacture.
Having described above, in a general way, the method or process whereby the
entire machine operates to make and band the envelopes, I shall now proceed to
the description of the construction and operation of the several mechanisms com-
prised in the machine. In doing this, I wish it to be understood that the necessary
frame work is, as to some part of it, a part of each mechanism carried or supported
thereby or thereon; that each mechanism comprises the cam or other part on the
main shaft wherefrom or whereby it is actuated; and, that such cam or part need
not necessarily be precisely of the description shown and described, but may have
substituted therefor any other well known part adapted for producing the same
effects in the mechanism. Thus, a train of gearing may be substituted for a belt;
a suitably shaped cam for an eccentric; and a grooved or "box-cam"
"for a cam
and spring, in operating a slide or lever, without departing from the spirit and
scope of my invention: This class of changes, substitutions and modifications are,
indeed, so well understood by skilled mechanics and in the Engineering profession
generally, that a further or more particular reference thereto is believed not to be
required; except to state that the same rule applies with equal force to many of
the details of all the mechanisms
Referring to the sheets of drawings annexed hereto, and to the several. Figures
thereof, the same reference characters indicate corresponding parts in all the
corresponding Figures.
Figure 1 is a plan or top view of an Envelope Machine embodying my improve-
ments. In this figure the front and rear sides of the machine are at the right-hand,
and left-hand, respectively. A few details at the rear part of the machine are here
shown broken away, the better to exhibit other parts...
J
Figure 2 is an elevation of the left hand side of the machine the blank-feeding
mechanism being at the front side, which is at the right hand of this figure.
Figure 3 is an elevation of the right-hand side of the machine the blank-feeding
mechanism being here shown on the left-hand, and the band-mechanism at the
right hand, respectively.
Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the machine, showing the envelope counting
mechanism and the band mechanism in the foreground.
Figure 5 is a sectional left-hand side elevation, taken for the most part on a line
at one side of the centre of the machine, and showing the principal parts of the
picker and blank-folding mechanisms, together with some other details.
Figure 6 is a sectional front elevation taken on a line about centrally of the
picker mechanism. In this view the counting and band mechanism which occupy
the back-ground are not shown.
Figure 7 is a rear elevation of the envelope counting and packing and the
band-mechanism. Figure 8 is a top view of the principal parts of the same, certain
details being only partly shown, and other details shown in section. Figure 9 is a
side elevation, partially in section, of the principal details shown in Figs. 7 and 8.
Figure 10 is a plan view of some of the parts in Fig. that are not shown in
Fig. 8. Figures 8 and 9 are drawn in projection with Fig. 7, and Fig. 10, with

page_text: Figure 11 is an enlarged rear elevation, partially in section, of the band
mechanism. Figure 12 is a similar elevation of the right hand side of the same
mechanism, and Fig: 13 an elevation of the left hand side thereof.
Figure 14 is an enlarged top view, partially in section, of the envelope packing
box, and a part of the counting mechanism: Figure 15 is a front elevation
similarly enlarged, of the parts shown in the preceding Figure. Fig. 16 is a
'sectional elevation in line a, a, Fig. 14, showing the parts at the right hand of
that line; some of them being partially broken away. Fig. 17 is a similar view
taken in the line b, b, Fig. 14. In the two last Figures, there is shown the packing
plates in two positions respectively.
Figure 18 shows a vertical section through the band-feeding and band-cutting
apparatus, as seen from the rear of the machine. Figure 19 is a side view of some
of the details shown in Fig. 18. Figure 20 is a vertical section in line c, c,
Fig. 18. Figure 21 is a top view of the central part of the shuttle. Figures 22, 23
and 24 illustrate in connection with Figs. 18 and 19 the several stages of the
operation of cutting off the band: Fig. 25 illustrates the operation of putting the
band on a bunch of envelopes Figs. 26 and 27 are, respectively, a rear and side
elevation of a device used in starting and stopping the operation of band-mechanism.
Figs. 28 and 29 are two views in projection showing the ratchet wheel operating
the band-feeding rolls. Fig. 30 shows two views of a lever constituting a part of
the band cutting apparatus.
Figure 31 is a top view of the blank feeding mechanism, and Fig. 32 is a front
elevation of the same, as it would appear detached from the machine. Figure 33
is a vertical section in line d, d, Figure 31. Figure 34 is a top view of a system
of shafts and gearing operating the plate lifters. Figures 35 and 36 are two Figs.,
illustrating the operations of one of the details. Figure 37 is a perspective view
of a blank-supporting plate. Figure 38 is a view of the underside of one part of
said plate, showing a detent spring attached thereto.
Figure 39 is an end élevation of the large cam (40) which drives the picker
shaft 32. Figure 40 is a plan view of the same cam in connection with its roll turret.
Figure 41 is a perspective view of the same can. Figure 42 is a perspective view
of the picker-cam. Figure 43 is a diagram illustrating the operations of the pickers.
Figure 44 is a plan view of the creasing dies. Figures 45 is a vertical section of
the same in line f, f. Figures 46, 47 and 48 are sectional views illustrating the
operation of said dies. Figure 49 shows an envelope. before, and Fig. 50 after
creasing. Figures 51 and 52 show two modifications in the construction of the
lower creasing die.
Figure 53 is a side view of the blank-picker, showing the details of the preferred
form thereof. Figure 54 is a vertical cross-section of the same. Figure 55 is a
longitudinal section through the friction which drives the band mechanism.
Figures 56, 57, 58 and 59 are four side sectional-elevations showing details of the
folding mechanism at four successive stages of the folding operation. Figures 60
and 61 are two longitudinal vertical sections through the folding turret and some
adjacent details. Figure 62 is an end view of the folding cam shown in the two
preceding Figs. Figure 63 is a perspective view of a part of the endless apron.
Figure 64 is a view, in isometrical projection, of the main frame as seen from the
rear and left side thereof. Figure 65 is a similar view of the same, as seen from
the front and right hand side thereof. Figure 66 is a similar view of the bed, as
seen from the rear and left-hand thereof. Figure 68 is a vertical cross-sectional
view through the gum box.
Figure 69 is a rear elevation of the main shaft 30, showing cams and eccentrics
as assembled thereon. Figures 70 to 78, inclusive, are side views, approximately
correct only, of cams and eccentrics on shaft 30, these parts being situated in about
their working positions relative to the dotted lines h and k.
Figure 79 is a time and motion chart illustrating by the several heavy lines the
relative movements of the parts driven by the respective cams and eccentrics
enumerated in the margin of the chart. Figure 80 is a similar chart for the band'

page_text: mechanism cams: In these two Figures, the diagram lines, 24, read from left to
right and by their height from the base lines, 25, show approximately the relative
strokes and velocities of movement imparted by the respective cams to the several
details actuated thereby. A comparison of the several portions of the charts with
Figs. 70, to 78 inclusive, will make clear their correspondence.
The operative parts of the machine are carried by and upon a suitable frame
which is composed of a number of plates or posts, or other parts, that are
respectively shaped and arranged to carry each its proper portion of the mechanism.
Said frame is or may be a composite structure, being divided into separate pieces
on such lines as will facilitate its fabrication, and the assembling and disassembling
of the several details of the machine. As shown in the annexed drawings, the
frame is composite, and comprises the following principal parts: First, the bed,
consisting of the top plate 2, rear wall 3, right-hand side wall 4, left-hand side.
wall 5, and base-flanges 6; second, the main frame, consisting of the right-hand
side plate 7, the left-hand side plate 8, cross-bar 9, and other details hereinafter
referred to; and, third, the rear-frame, carrying the counting and packing and the
band-mechanism, and consisting of top-plate 11, front plate 12, right-hand wall 13,
and left-hand wall 14. Formed in these parts, or in fixed pieces attached thereto,
are the bearings for the several shafts, levers, and slides, the arrangement of all
which may be understood from the following,
DETAILED DESCRIPTION.
The principal shaft of the machine, which is designated by 30, has its bearings
in walls 4 and 5, and is to be driven continuously by a band on pulley 31. From
this shaft all the other operative parts, except the gum-roll, are driven either
directly or indirectly, by means of cams, eccentrics and a pulley thereon.
The principal shaft of the picker mechanism is the hollow shaft 32, which
carries, at its upper end, the picker turret 33. An intermittent rotary movement
is imparted to shaft 32, always in the same direction, by means of some mechanical
inovement adapted to convert continuous-rotary into intermittent-rotary motion.
For this purpose I have most successfully employed the devices to be next
described At its lower end shaft 32 has a roll turret 34, rigidly fixed thereto.
This turret 34 has a series of stems 35, arranged equidistantly in a plane around
shaft 32, and each provided with a conical roller, 36, which is held in place by a
screw 37, or by a nut or pin or the like. Said stems are adjustably fixed in the
turret 34 by means of the clamp screws 38, which close the slotted hubs 39 of said
turret on to said stems, after the well known mode for securing pulleys to shafting.
This construction, though not necessary, is useful for taking up wear.
The large
cam 40, which runs in continuous engagement with two or more rolls 36, is, in a
sense, of the nature of a worm having a single thread which is circular through
about 180 degrees, and, for the remaining part of its periphery, has an irregular
spiral shape operating to turn said turret, which thus acts the part of a four-
toothed worm wheel. The said cam has two faces 41 and 42, forming opposite
sides of the wide rib 43, which throughout its length is made to fill the space
between two adjacent rolls 36 36, and thus at all times to positively control the
position of the turret. The said cam faces, being inclined, as shown, a close fit of
the rolls 36 thereon may be readily secured by adjusting the stems 35 as above
stated. This will be understood by inspecting Fig. 40, in connection with the
same parts as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. It will be understood that one end of
rib 43 enters between one pair of rolls, just before the other end leaves the
preceding pair; and that the four rolls form, in effect, four pairs; each roll, being
first the following one, and then the leading one, of. the same pair.
The picker turret, 33, carries, fixed therein, a series of vertical guides, 44, 44t
44 and 44 For convenience, these guides are hereinafter designated collectively
as "guides 44", and individually without choice as "guide. 44"; which mode of
designation I shall also adopt with reference to other duplicate parts of the
な

page_text: machine, without further explanation.
Each guide 44 has sliding vertically
thereon a picker arm, 45, which is forced down by a spring 46, re-acting against
a collar, or the like, 47, affixed to the upper end of said guide. The projecting
arm 45 carries a pair of picker stems 48 49, each of which are provided, at their
lower ends, with a suitable picker 50 51, shaped properly for gumming the back-
flap and the seal-flap, respectively; of an envelope blank.
In the principal elevations of the machine, these pickers are represented as solid
flat pieces, this being done to simplify the drawings; but the kind I prefer to use
is better shown in Figures 53 and 54. Stem 48 (or 49) has a bar 52 which
perforated for a series of sliding guides, 53, that have, formed on and around their
enlarged lower ends, the rubber picker face 54. Between bar 52 and face 54, a
set of springs 55 are placed around guides 53, which guides are furnished at their
upper ends with a nut or the like, 56, for properly limiting the downward movement
of the picker face. This mode of constructing the pickers secures in them a very
perfect conformability to the inequalities of the pile of blanks, and thus promotes
the general efficiency of the machine.
:
The means for preventing the rotation of arms 45 on their guides 44, may consist
in a common spline or key and key-way; but I prefer to use therefor the arrange-
ment shown best in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, as follows: The turret 33 has a fixed
guide 58 on either side and parrallel to the guides 44, and arm 45 has on either
side of it a lug, 59, which lugs bear against said side guides, after the manner of
an ordinary engine cross-head.
The vertical reciprocation of arms 45 on their guides I accomplish by means of
a reciprocating apparatus or mechanical movement which consists of the following:
A vertical shaft 60 is placed within and extending through shaft 32, and carries,
affixed to its upper end, the picker-lifting cam, which has a rim 63 working under
a pin, roll, or the like, 61, inwardly-projecting from arm 45. At its lower end, said
shaft 60 has, affixed thereto, a gear, 64, meshing with the segmental gear 65 on
arm 66; which arm is affixed to the sleeve hub 67 that is supported on shaft 71,
and has also an arm 68 operated by eccentric rod 69 from eccentric 70.
Having now described the construction of the picker mechanism, I will next
describe its operation as a whole, referring for this purpose to the perspective view,
of cam 62 in Fig. 42, and to the diagram Fig. 43.
In Fig. 42 the cam is shown having the four rolls 61 resting thereon, which rolls
are there supposed to represent the sliding picker arm; hence in Figs. 42 and 43,
and in this paragraph said rolls have, also the characters designating the said arms.
On cam 62 the arrow A indicates the direction of its backward motion, and
arrow B of its forward motion, which latter corresponds in direction with the
forward movement of turret 33. In Fig. 43 the rim 63 of said cam is supported to
be straightened out, and to have the arms 45 resting thereon at regular distances
apart; arın 45 being at the blank station, arm 451 at the creasing station, arın 4511
at the folding station, and arm 451 at the idle station at the right hand of the
machine. On now rotating shaft 30, cam 40 acts, as described, to turn forward
the picker turret, and at the same time the reciprocating apparatus described turns
forward cam 62; all the arms 45 during this movement resting at about the same
points on said cam (as in the first position Fig. 43) and therefor not having any
vertical movement. On said turret stopping, however, cam 62 begins its backward
stroke, bringing depressions 20, 21 and 22 under arms 45, and 45", as in position
2nd, Fig. 43. This lower one picker on to the blank pile, another to the creasing
lower die, and the next to the folding bed. Cam 62 continues moving back until
said arms are again raised as in position 3rd (same Fig.); when the cain and turret
both go forward again through position 4th to the 5th position, which is the same
as the 1st with the exception that the arms are now all situated one station further
forward. It should be understood that in Figures 42 and 43 the cam 62 is not
supposed to be accurately represented, except as to the general arrangement thereof.
The blank-feeding mechanism, which, as above mentioned, is placed at the front
of the machine, comprises the following: Referring to Figures 31 to 38 inclusive,

page_text: and to the plan and elevations Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, 100 designates the box-
shaped frame work of the mechanism; which framework may be a part of the
frame of the envelope machine, or a separate frame attached thereto. The
top-plate 101 forms the cover of frame 100, and to the top of this cover, the usual
guides are fixed for holding the blanks in proper position laterally. These guides
are four in number, arranged in two pairs, of which one is at the front, marked 102,
and one at the back, marked -103, all being held down by screws, 104. The front
guides each consist of the base 105, a post, 106, rising from said base, a laterally-
projecting arm, 107, and the aforesaid guide, 102, attached to said arm'; these
parts being separate "pieces connected together or made in a single piece, as inay
be preferred. The back guides, 103, rise directly from their bases, 108, and have
in this case, as they usually do in practice, at their upper end a separator device,
which consists of a spring arm or lever, 109, fixed to the top of said guide at 110,
and having a separator point, 111, which rests on the pile of blanks 112. On the
front side, which is at the left hand in Figs. 31 and 33, similar springs 114 are
attached at 115 to arms 107, and have points 116 resting for a very short distance
on the blanks, as well shown in Fig. 31.
The pile of envelope blanks 112 is shown in proper position for the pickers 50 51
to take up blanks therefrom; the pile, as shown, being nearly exhausted. 120 is
one of the blank-supporting plates, shown in position for holding up pile 112, and
near the uppermost point of its vertical travel. 121 is a similar blank-supporting
plate (see dotted lines in Fig. 31), which is shown in position for receiving the pile
of blanks 113. These blank-supporting plates are, respectively, each upheld by a
similar set of vertically-movable rods called plate-lifters, 124 and. 125. Each set
of lifters consists of three rods, arranged in a triangular form, as shown best in
Figs. 31 to 34 inclusive. For communicating a simultaneous and equal vertical
motion to all the lifters in a set, a horizontal rod, 126 for lifters 124; and 127,
for lifters 125, are provided; these rods being arranged to slide in bearings formed
in the frame 100. Underneath, and .at right-angles to rods 126 and 127, are the
revolving shafts 128 and 129, and a fixed shaft, 130, carrying a system of gearing
intermediate to said rods and lifters. Each rod has rack teeth, 131, upon it, which
mesh into gear on shaft 128, and into another on shaft 130. In Fig. 34 a part of
rods 126 and 127 is broken away the better to show the arrangement of the
gearing. Rod 126 meshes into gear 132, which is fixed on shaft 128, and into
gear 133 which revolves loosely on shaft 130. Shaft 128 has two gears, 134
and 135 each of which meshes into rack-teeth on one of the front lifters 124 (see
Fig. 34) and gear 133 has secured thereto a gear 136 which meshes into similar
rack-teeth on the rear lifter 124. Rod 127 meshes into gear 137, (similar to
gear 132) which is loosely fitted on shaft 128, between collars 22 and into
gear 138 (on shaft 130,) which is similar to gear 133. Gear 137 has fixed thereto
a gear 139, which meshes with another and similar one 140, fixed on shaft 129.
This shaft has two gears 141 and 142, fixed thereon, each of which respectively
meshes into rack-teeth on one of the front lifters 125; and gear 138 has
another, 143, (similar to gear 136) which meshes into rack-teeth on the rear
lifter 125.
The relative proportions of the members of these systems of gearing is such that
when either of the rods 126 and 127 are drawn forward, the set of lifters connected
thereto will all be raised up equally. It is desirable also that said rods shall move
somewhat faster than the lifters, so that the operator can control the elevation of
the blank piles with greater ease and accuracy. I do not limit my invention to
such gearing having precisely the arrangement described, for this may be modified
in several ways; but the said arrangement I consider the best one I have thus far
been able to produce.
The rods 126 and 127 have ratchet teeth, 145, on their upper sides, whereby
they are automatically fed forward. For this purpose, a rock-shaft, 146, carried
in brackets 147 147, and having arms 148, is provided with feeding pawls 149,
‘and with holding` or detent pawls 150, which operate in the usual manner. *Said

page_text: shaft.has an oscillating-motion-imparted thereto through arm 151 and pin 152
from the sliding rod 163. The extent of said motion should be sufficient to move
pawl 149 through the distance of one of the teeth 145, and a little in excess, to
ensure certainty of action. The rods 126 and 127, are each provided with a
handle 155 whereby they may be operated by hand. Said rods have been
described as having a horizontal sliding movement, but they may also have, and
as herein shown do have a rotary motion of about 90 degrees, for the purpose of
disengaging pawi 149 from notches 145; handle 155 being then in position 156,
Fig. 36. In order that said rotary motion may not also disengage said rods and
the gearing before mentioned, the rack teeth 131 are made to extend around these
rods somewhere more than one fourth of their circumference, as shown in the
section of rod 126, Figs. 35 and 36. By turning said rod 126 in the direction
there indicated by the arrow, teeth. 145 are turned down to one side, and
surface 144 is brought under the feeding and holding pawls. Then said rod may
be moved by hand forward or backward, and at any point of its stroke, thrown
into engagement with the pawls by simply turning it back to its original position
that is, with handle 155 hanging down as in Figs. 32 and 35. Rod 126 is shown
in the drawings in its extreme forward position. At its back end, teeth 145 are
cut away at 154, so that pawl 149 cannot feed said rod any further; thus,
automatically limiting the feeding up of the blank-supporting plate.
The blank-supporting plates may have any shape to adapt them for being upheld
by the lifters and for holding the pile of blanks; it depending somewhat, of course,
on the shape of the blanks they are to hold. In Figs. 31 and 37, 120 represents a
convenient form for these plates, having fingers 158 for supporting the end flaps 159
of the blanks. Springs 160 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 31 are fixed to the
underside of the plates 120 and 121 to hold them with some little force to their
proper position on the top of the lifters, by clasping the sides of said lifters sub-
stantially as indicated in Fig. 38.
For operating the feeding pawls 149, and for doing this in such a manner as to
keep blank pile 112, at about the same height, one of the inner pickers 50 (see
Figs. 3 and 33) is provided with a catch, 161; and the slide 103 with a spring-
catch 162, operating in the following manner: When picker 50 descends on to the
blank pile, as shown in Fig. 3 and by dotted lines in Fig. 33, the catch 161 pushes
back hook 162 and rises with a blank, without lifting said hook. As this operation
continues, the blank pile is lowered until catch 161 comes down to line 164
(Fig. 33), which allows book 162 to snap over it, and be raised on the return or
upward stroke of the picker, thereby operating the above described pawls, rods,
gearing and plate-lifters, and, through these, feeding up the blank pile to its former
height.
The operation of this blank-feeding mechanism as a whole is as follows: The
blank pile 112 being in' place and fed up as described, the other set of lifters, 125,
are lowered and plate 121 is placed thereon, as in Fig. 32. Another pile of
blanks, 113, is now placed on this plate and pushed back against guides 103. The
operator next draws forward rod 127, thereby operating the gearing to lift pile 113
up to the underside of plate 120, when this plate is drawn out, thereby leaving
the remnant of pile 112 on said pile 113. Rod 126 is then turned to disengage
its feeding pawl, and is slid back, lowering the lifters 124, on which plate 120 is
again placed, (this time below plate 121) ready for similarly feeding up another
pile of blanks. In this manner the supply of blanks is kept continuously replen
ished without interrupting the continuous operation of the envelope machine.
The advantages of this are several first the product of the machine is not lessened
by frequent stoppage to put in blanks; second, the gum is not drying on the
pickers while the machine is so stopped; third, the machine does not run idle,
as some machines do, while putting in blanks, and thereby accumulate too much
gum on the pickers.
The creasing mechanism is situated as before stated at the next station forward
in the picker circuit, being at the left hand hand side of the machine. The

page_text: essential parts of this mechanism are a pair of creasing dies, one upper and one
lower, and of a size corresponding to the folding lines of the blank to be creased.
The creasing dies, I employ in this mechanism, are of the following improved
construction. The upper die designated in a general way by 170, consists in a
plate, 171 (see detailed views Figs. 44 to 48 inclusive); a series of creaser blades 172,
held by screws or the like, 173, to the edges of said plate; a stem 174, whereby
this die is operated; a spring-plate, 175, secured to the lower end of said stem,
and adjustably secured by screws 176 to plate 171; and a bearing point, 177,
supporting the spring-plate directly underneath the stein. By means of this.
construction, the upper die is yieldingly held so that on coming down to the
lower. die it will conform thereto without too nice adjustment; the bearing point.
preventing any great strain on the spring plate.
•
The lower die is a composite one, each side being made separate from the others.
In this, the die proper consists of four bars, 180, so constructed and supported as,
to move downward when struck by the descending upper die, and to have
simultaneously a closing movement derived from said downward movement. This
peculiar action, which is important to the best operation of such dies in envelope
machines, may be readily secured by mounting each of said bars 180 on the upper
edge of the inclined spring 181 that is adjustably secured to shelf 16 by means of
bar 182 and screws 183 184. The bar 180 usually has, in practice, a groove in,
its upper side containing a leather strip, 185; which strip should be rebated as
at 186, to form a ledge or rib 187, against which the creaser blade 172 may
operate.
The mode of operation of these dies, considered by themselves, is illustrated by:
Figs. 46 to 48 inclusive. A sheet of paper 190 is brought by the pickers and
placed over the lower die as in Fig. 46, and resting on bars 180. The upper die is
then brought down on the paper, which is pressed down on said bar by edge 188,.
as in Fig. 47, at a little distance from rib 187. On now continuing the downward
motion of said upper die, the bar 180 is carried down and sidewise, closing the
rib 187 up against the side of the creaser blade, and pressing the paper into the
rebated angle, as in Fig. 48. This operation being simultaneously performed on
the four sides, the blank shown plain in Fig. 49 is creased and folded up as shown
in perspective in Fig. 50.
The rebated strip 185 may be supported by modifications of the devices above
described for that purpose. One such modification is shown in cross-section in
Fig. 51. The said strip is here supported on a swinging wing or plate, 181, which.
is upheld by a spring 192. Another modification is shown in Fig. 52, where said
strip 185 is carried in a bar, 193, which is arranged to slide on an incline 194; a
spring 195, acting to normally hold said bar up to the proper beight.
The proper operation of the upper die 170 is secured by means of the following
apparatus: Said die is carried at the end of the upper arm 196 of a vertically"
reciprocating frame partially shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6. This frame, I make
of a bar of strong and stiff cast-steel in order to secure sufficient rigidity to form.
these parts; upper arm 196, curved as shown in Fig. 1, and passing over the blank
feeding mechanism; upright 197 reaching below said mechanism; the lower,
arm 198 reaching under said mechanism and attached to the vertical slide 199..
This slide is operated through lever 200, pivoted on stud 201 that is fixed in
wall 5, and through eccentric rod 202 (see Fig. 5) from eccentric 203 on. shaft 30.
These parts are so constructed and arranged as to bring the creaser dies together.
at about the middle of the time during which, the pickers are at rest.
The folding mechanism is situated, as before stated, at the third station forward
in the picker circuit, being at the rear side of the machine. One of the principal
parts of this mechanism is one that I have named the "folding turret," and which
is designated in a general way by 210. The construction of the turret, and the
arrangement of the details operating in connection therewith, will be best under-
stood by referring to the illustrations Figs. 56 to 61 inclusive. Said turret is
supported on a turret-shaft, 211 which turns in bearing formed in the main frame.
2. 44
-
--

page_text: This shaft, which is rigidly fixed in the turret, carries on one end, and fixed thereto,
a stop wheel, 212, having four notches, 213, into which a stop, 214, formed on
stop-rod 215, is forced up at proper intervals by a cam, 216, on the main shaft 30.
Said stop-rod may be drawn down by a spring, 217, in case its own weight is not
sufficient.
The folding turret consists of a central disk, 218, and four similar folding-
beds 220, parallel to shaft 211, as shown. At each end of it, each bed 220 has
pivoted therein an end-flap folding wing 221, which has an arm 219 working in
the groove 222 of the concave cams 225; except; that a part of the way said arms
work against the periphery, as in Fig. 60. When arm 219 is on the periphery, the
wing 221 is closed on bed 220, but when the cam turns to bring said arm into the
groove as at 2191, Fig. 61, said wings stand open as there shown. The entire
groove 222 extends through somewhat less than 180 degrees; so that the cam may
operate during the rotation of turret 210, to hold one wing open and three of them
closed; or while said turret is at rest to hold two closed while opening one and
closing another. For this purpose, the cams 225 are given a rotary reciprocating
motion through an are of 90 degrees, by means of eccentrics 226 226, and their
eccentric rods 227 227, which connect with studs 228, one in each cam.
The pair of cams 225 225 operate to turn forward the folding turret by means
of a friction apparatus connected with said turret, as follows: Disk 218 has
holes 229, Fig. 57, for the right and left hand screws 230, Fig. 60. These screws
are tapped into the opposite plates 231, and serve to force said plates apart for the
purpose of pressing the leathers 232 against said cams, to thereby produce the
amount of friction required to turn the turret.
Immediately before the cams 225 start forward, the stop 214 is lowered out of
notch 213, then the cams are turned forward 90 degrees, taking the turret 210
with them, and the stop is again forced up, thereby locking the turret till the time
arrives for repeating that operation.
•
The end-flaps folding wings, being actuated by the cams as described, operate as
follows: The turret 210, on turning forward, carries a folding bed from position D
to position A, and during that movement, the wings pivoted to said bed are held
open as shown in Fig. 61. Next, the pickers 50 51 present a creased blank, 233,
Fig. 56 on to said bed in position between said folding wings By this time, the
cams 225 are on their return stroke, and close the wings over onto the blank,
thereby folding down the end flaps, and securely clamping the whole blank to said
folding bed, which thus far remains in position A.
On the next forward movement of the turret, a second, folding bed is carried
with its wing open from position D to position A; and the bed, before at A, 220,
Fig. 59 is carried forward with its wings still clamping the blank to position B.
During this forward movement, the back-flap 234 strikes the upper edge of back-
flap folding wing, 236, and is thereby turned up simultaneously with the advance
of said wing, toward the folding bed, and is then pressed on to the previously
closed end flaps 237, Fig. 1.
The back-flap folder is a plain plate corresponding in shape to the back flap of
the kind of envelope making by the machine; it is carried at the upper end of an
arm, 237 fixed on a rock shaft, 238, that has another arm 239, operated in one
direction by cam 240, on shaft 30, and in the other by spring 277.
•
The next forward movement of the folding turret brings the seal-flap 235 to
position C, ready to be folded (without sticking it down) by a seal folder which
I construct and operate as follows: This folder consists in a small shaft, 242,
which has a folding wing 243 on one side thereof. Said folder is carried on
bearings 244 244 forming the upper end of the bifurcated arm 245; which arm is
fixed on a shaft, 246, which has another arm, 247 (Fig. 6), operated by a cam, 248,
on shaft 30. On one end, outside of bearing 244, the shaft 242 has fixed thereto a
spur gear 249, meshing with a segment 250, which is formed on or attached to the
upper end of a lever 251, that is pivoted on said shaft 246 and is operated froin
another cam, 252; on shaft 30. The aforesaid cams 248 252; are shaped to operate

page_text: this seal folder as follows: During the turning of the folding-turret, the parts
stand forward (toward the right hand in Figs. 56-59) as in Fig. 59. At the close
of said turret movement, the seal folder, together with segment 250, is thrown to
its position in Fig. 50, where wing 243 stands above the scal-flap 235. Next, the
segment is moved back as in Fig. 57, turning shaft 242, and carrying the wing 243
around against the under side of the folding bed, as there shown. This completes
the folding of the envelopes after which the parts are again thrown forward, as in
Fig. 58, ready for the next movement of the turret.
That movement taking place brings the completed envelope still clamped as
before to position D, and with its seal flap projecting somewhat, as in Fig. 56.
From this position the envelopes (being there released) are taken by a transfer
apparatus which places them in the drying apparatus, which I construct and
arrange as follows:
An endless apron 255, is provided with a series of envelope-holding fingers 254.
For the said apron I prefer to use, and have shown in the drawings, a so called
"rubber belt," it being composed chiefly of cotton duck with rubber cementing it
together. To this belt the fingers, formed in pairs, and provided with pins 256
(see enlarged view Fig. 63), are firmly fastened at regular intervals by rivets or the
like, 257. Owing to the general arrangement and organization of the machine, the
endless apron is supported and guided at three points, as follows: first, by a
pulley, 258, placed at a considerable distance above the machine (usually suspended
from the ceiling) as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3; second, by a shaft, 259,
immediately above the counting and packing mechanism; and, third, by the feed
shaft 260, which turns in bearings forged in walls 7 and 8. Said feed shaft has a
pair of drive-wheels, 261, having notches that receive pins 256 and thus drive the
apron; and a ratchet-wheel, 262 whereby the shaft itself is intermittently rotated
at the proper time. The drive wheels are made of a small diameter for the well
known purpose of opening the apron fingers at 263, and thereby facilitating the
placing of envelopes between them.
The transfer apparatus consists essentially of two elements first, a chute or
trough, 264, placed to receive the envelopes from the folding bed at position D,
and to guide them into the open space 263; and, second, the knock-off, 265, which
at the proper time knocks the envelope from said bed and pushes it along the
chute into said space. This device I arrange and operate as follows; that is to
say The arm 265 is attached to a short shaft 266, supported in a bearing, 269,
formed on wall 7. The outer end of said shaft has fixed thereto an arm 267, that
is connected by rod 268 to a lever, 269, which lever is pivoted in the bed 270 and
is operated by cam 272, having groove 271. This actuating mechanism imparts a
vibrating movement to the knock-off arm 265, from its highest position in Fig. 59
to its lowest one in Fig. 58. That movement is timed in such manner that the
downwardly-projecting knock-off blade 273, starts down just as the folding turret
completes its movement. By this arrangement, said blade gets down to and within.
the seal-flap 235 (see position D, Fig. 56) just as the cams 225 begin to open the
end wings 221, which unclamps the envelope. After this event, the knock-off
carries the envelope down as in Fig. 57 until it is properly placed in the apron, as
at 275, in Fig. 58.
Since the endless apron should be fed along only during the upward stroke of
the knock-off, the ratchet 262 may be conveniently driven by a pawl, 274, con-
nected to a rear-ward extension, 276, of arm 265.
At this point I will make a slight digression to describe the gumming apparatus.
This consists of the gun-box 280, having bearings for the tapering gun-roll 281,
and the ordinary adjustable "doctor" or scraper 282. The whole being set on a
shelf, 283, at such a height that the top of the gum-roll will just touch the pickers
as they swing around over it. The gum-roll should be the frustrum of a cone
whose apex, if continued, would terminate at or near the axis of the picker shaft.
This is the arrangement thereof, shown in Fig. 1, and secures a proper rolling
action of the roll against both pickers 50 and 51. Said roll may be driven by a

page_text: band-284,-running from a counter-shaft above the machine on to pulley 285 fixed
on the roll shaft 266. Shelf 283 may be removably attached to the main frame,
and made adjustable in height, if for any reason this construction is preferred.
The next mechanism in order which is to be described is that for counting the
envelopes and packing them into bunches..
The shaft 259, as before intimated, is immediately above the packing box..
This box is designated by 300, and is located on the top, 11, of the rear frame;
its construction and the arrangement of other details in connection therewith are
best shown in Figures 7 to 9, and 14 to 17 inclusive. The endless apron, 255,
immediately above shaft 259 passes in front of one or more guides, 301, and
between the side guides 302, which prevent the envelope, 303, Fig. 9 from too
soon falling from the apron. When said envelope, however, is carried beyond the
lower end of said guides, it falls as shown at 304 into box 300, and in front of
the packing plate 305. This plate is operated as follows: A rocker arm 306
carries said plate at its upper end and at its lower end is rigidly fixed to rock-
shaft 307 which shaft has an arm 308, which is connected to a rod 309, that is.
driven in one direction by cam 310 on shaft 30, and in the other by spring 311.
The packing plate, in pushing the envelope forward from 304 in Fig. 16, to 312,
Fig. 17, carries it against and past a set of detent hooks, which serve to hold
the envelopes in the packing box, while plate 305 stands in its open position.
The lower detent hooks are designated by 313, and the two upper hooks by 314
and 315 respectively. These hooks are all constructed so as to yield to the passing
envelope, and to afterward return by gravity; but light springs. (not shown) are
sometimes applied to quicken their return.
The power for driving the counting mechanism about to be described is obtained
from arm 306 by means of pawl 316, connected thereto at 317 which pawl. turns
the ratchet wheel 318. The counting mechanism is carried by the packing box 300
as a frame, the construction of which will be readily understood from the
drawings.
Ratchet wheel 318 having a cylindrical projection is made hollow to serve as a
bearing for shaft 319 Figs. 8, 14 and 15. The exterior of said cylinder is clamped
by cap 320, which is lined with a leather friction piece, 321, to hold the ratchet
from turning while the pawl is moving upward. The ends of said ratchet wheel
are clamped between two leather washers 322, through which its motion is com
municated to shaft 319. The said washers are held against said ratchet by
dises 323 and 324, the pressure of which is regulated by nut 325. On the opposite
end of shaft 319, is screwed a collar 326. A spiral spring, 327, is wound around
the shaft 319, and one end firmly secured to said collar 326, while the opposite
end is fastened to disc, 330. The nut 325, is screwed up until the desired friction
is obtained between ratchet 318, and shaft 319 (which friction, however, must be
less than between pawl 316, and cap 320). If now the disc 330 remains stationary
the turning of wheel 318, there is produced a torsional stress in shaft 319, which
is transmitted through said spring to said disc, and is proportional to the friction
on washers 323 324. One of the upper hooks 315, has at its pivoted end a
pallet 331, working into the escapement wheel 332. This escapement wheel
revolves about a stud 333, and is pivoted with a pinion 334, which meshes with
the gear 335, that is fixed to the hub 337, of disc 330; which hub is loosely fitted
on shaft 319.
The envelope in entering the packing box pushes against and lifts book 315, as
shown by dotted lines in Fig. 16. The force of spring 327 being communicated
by disc 330 through gear 335, and pinion 334 to escapement wheel 332, revolves
said wheel through the distance of one tooth, whenever it is allowed to do so by
the moving of the pallet to its said upper position by the incoming envelope, as
before stated.
The packing plate, 305, works between end walls, 336, 337, respectively, of the
box 300; and when standing forward, as in Fig. 17, forms the back wall of a
closed box, which is open at the exit, 338, and at the other end is closed by the

page_text: bunch-plunger, 340. This plunger is operated by the following devices: A con-
necting rod 342 connects said plunger to the end of a lever, 344, which is pivoted
on a vertical stud at 343, in a bracket 345, fixed to the bed. This lever is operated
in one direction by a cam, 341, on shaft 30, and in the other by a stout spring 346.
Cam 341 at each revolution pushes plunger 340 away from dise 330 so that the
friction of the end of the rib 348 (Figs. 14-16) against disc 330 does not prevent
its turning around. The disc 330 has one or more notches 350 cut in its periphery,
and when one of these arrives opposite said rib it allows the rib to pass through,
and thereby the plunger 340 to pass through box 300 to its dotted position 351 in
Fig. 8, at the same time pushing the bunch of envelopes before it.
The size of the
escapement gear wheels 334 and 335 also the number of notches in disc, 330, are
regulated according to the number of envelopes wanted in the bunch, which is
usually twenty-five.
The band mechanism, which automatically prepares a band and pushes it on to
the bunch of envelopes, I arrange and operate as follows: The shaft 30 carries a
pulley 352 from which runs a crossed belt, 353, to pulley 355 on shaft 354; the
longitudinal motion of which shaft is prevented by collars 356. Said shaft has
firmly secured thereto, disc, 357; which transmits power through an ordinary
friction box, 358, having leather discs, 359 with it (see Fig. 55) to gear 360, and
thence through gears 361 and 362 to the toothed ring 363; the gears 361 and 362
being secured to the same sleeve and turning on stud 365. To. the ring 363 is
fastened stud 366 on which is loosely fitted the arm 367, having both an oscillating
and a sliding movement on said stud. One end of this arm has a stud 368, and
the other end the cam roll 369. The stud carries a roll 370, and a circular
cutter 371, which are fixed to each other. Said roll is held laterally against
shuttle, 372 by a spring, 373, which is screwed to ring 363, while spring 374, acts
to slide said arm longitudinally on tlie stud, 366, to press said cutter against the
end of the shuttle, as in Figs. 18 and 19. Shuttle 372, which has a wedge shaped
outer end 381, and which is provided with small rollers 375, is kept in place by
rolls 376, and prevented froin lateral movement by rolls 377. A long paper.
tube, 378, (Fig. 18) of sufficient size to admit of a bunch of envelopes being
slipped in endwise is made in a separate machine, such a machine for instance, as
that part of a paper bag machine in which the tube for bags is made. The said
tube is furnished in a roll 379 which is suitably supported. The tube, 378, passes
on at the end 381, and over the entire length of said shuttle onto the band
carrier 400; the distance beyond the end of the shuttle 380 being the required:
width of band. The cutting off of said tube will be more fully explained hereafter:
Shaft 354, has fastened to its end a gear 382, meshing into a gear, 383, which is
provided with friction box 384, (constructed like friction box 358) for transmitting
motion to shaft 385. On this shaft is placed the spiral blade 386 which is
preferably a short section of a worm having a coarse pitch. This blade acts on
wheel 387 and advances said wheel one tooth at every revolution of the shaft, 385,
the advance taking place while said shaft turns through a small part of a
revolution. This is an old device and will be readily understood without an
elaborate description.
:
Wheel 387 is fitted to shaft, 388, and this transmits motion to lower roll 376
and through said shaft and gears 389 to the upper roll 376 and its shaft. The
shuttle 372, Fig. 18, is held in position vertically and longitudinally by the
pressure of the rolls 376 against rolls 375 with which said shuttle is provided, as
above mentioned; and the paper tube, 378 in passing over said shuttle, also passes
between and is fed by said rolls, at a speed and through a distance depending on'
them.
Shaft 385, carries a cam 391 for regulating the time of action of the circular
cutter 371 by means of the cam lever 390; which lever swings on stud 392 and
has a roll, 393 on one end thereof, whereby it is operated from said cam 391
From a point near the middle of lever 390 an arm 394, Fig. 12 extends downward,

page_text: and-to-its-extremity a-spring 395 is connected so as to keep roll 393 in contact
with cam 391: the tension of said spring is adjusted in the usual manner by means
of the nut or bolt 396.
.
On the outer end of lever 390 there is formed a cam or incline 397 (Fig. 30), for
sliding arm 367 along its stud, for the purpose of carrying the circular cutter away
from the end of shuttle 372 to a position shown in Fig. 23. Lever 390 has also
another cam, 398, Fig. 30, which presses against roller 369, thus revolving arm 367
slightly about stud 366, and thereby moving the cutter cylinder 370 off from
shuttle 372 as shown in Fig. 22. The sliding motion along the stud being the
first to take place, there is no danger of dulling the rolling cutter as there might
be if it were first lifted off.
Immediately above shaft 385, there is a stud or shaft 402 carrying on arm 404,
having roll 403, which arm is operated by a cam, 405, on shaft 385, and on which
the band carrier 400 is formed at the upper end. Shaft 402 carries another
arm 406, to which is attached the band-shifter 408, consisting of a forked shaped
piece one arm of which passes on either side of said band carrier as shown best in
Figs. 11 and 12. The band carrier has two grooves 407 in each side, in which
slide suitable projections 409 on the shifter 408, as shown in the detached views
thereof in Fig. 12. The object of this construction is to get the said four
projections against the edge of the envelope band without giving any opportunity
for this to get under them. Fixed to a sliding rod 410 is an arm 411, the outer
end of which fits a groove 412 in the hub of the shifter arm 406, and, thus acts to
slide said arm longitudinally on said shaft 402 without preventing it from rotating
with the band-carrier. (Both the band carrier 400 and shifter 408 may be made
adjustable on their respective arms, being held in place by screws or the like.
Thus the band shifter is operated in one direction through rod 410 (which rod
receives its motion from the lever cam 420 hereinafter described) being moved in
the other direction by spring 413 on said rod.
Shaft 385 is normally kept from rotation by the lever 414, a separate view of
which is shown in Figs. 26 and 27. This lever is pivoted at 415 and has at its
lower end a hook 416 which engages with another hook, 417, on the side of
cam 405. To the upper end of lever 414 there is pivoted another lever 418, by
means of screw or stud 419. On the right hand end of lever 418 there is a
book 421 engaging with a stop 422 that is fastened to rod 410. Lever 418 is
prevented from rotating too far on its stud by means of stop 423 thereon, and is
pressed against this stop by spring 424. Lever 414 is itself prevented from
swinging beyond cam 405 by stop 425, against which stop, it is pressed by
spring 426. Stop 422, when at rest is in the position indicated by dotted lines in
Fig. 26, and then rod 410 moves to the left hand, said stop presses down the
hook 421 of lever 418, and passes by it, after which lever 418 resumes its original
position as shown by full lines in Fig. 26. Rod 410 now moves to the right to its
former position and stop 422 moves the said levers to the position shown by dotted
lines in said Fig., thus disengaging the hook on cam 405; which cam immediately
begins to turn, while the said levers are returned by the springs to their first
positions, shown in solid lines in Fig. 26, ready to stop cam 405 when it shall have
completed one revolution. This lever and hook mechanism is or may be essentially
the same in construction and operation as the ordinary gong-bell pull now in
cominon use, and hence it will be readily understood from the drawings. The
disengagement of cam 405 allows shaft 385 to revolve and thus motion is
communicated to the machinery operated by said shaft as will hereinafter be
explained.
The rod 410, and through it the band shifter, is operated by the following
devices: The lever 344 has attached to it a roll 430 pressing against which is the
lever-cam 420; which cam is made fust to arm 431 and oscillates on pivot 432.
Shaft 30 carrying cam 341, rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow, and
thus allows lever 344 to be moved by the stout spring 346 to the position shown

page_text: moveinent.
by the dotted lines Fig. 10; which lever at the same time moves cam 420 to the
position also shown in dotted lines in said Fig. ;, the arm 431 at the same time
throwing forward the rod 410 for the purpose explained. The operation in a
general way of this portion of of my improvement is as follows: The envelopes
having accumulated in the packing box 300 until the counter registers the number
required for a bunch, one of the slots 350 in disc 330 comes in line with rib 348
and the plunger pushes the bunch through and out of said box by one continuous
When in its passage, however, the middle of the package reaches the
band carrier 400, the band 380 thereon is pushed off by the band shifter arms 408
which are operated from lever cam 420 through rod 410 as before described (see
Figs. 9, 10 and 25). As the plunger 340 returns to its original position the rod 410
returns with it, and in doing so returns the band shifter also to its original position.
Said rod in returning also pushes the lever 414 off from the stop on cam 405,
and thus sets in motion the mechanism operating shaft 385, which shaft, be it
remembered, derives its motion from shaft 354 through the gears and friction
already described, and carries the said cam for operating the band-carrier. Cam 405
throws the band carrier down to the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 12,
directly in line with the shuttle 372. The paper tube enveloping said shuttle is
pushed forward over the carrier the width of one band beyond the end of the
shuttle, by means of the tube-feeding mechanism before described. The lever 390.
is now moved by cam 391 to the position shown by dotted lines Fig. 12, thereby
allowing spring 373 to revolve cutter arm 367 on its stud until cutter cylinder 370
presses the side of shuttle as shown in Fig. 23, (the paper only being between
them). Next it allows the toothed ring 363 which carries said arm, to rotate, and
at the same time the spring 374 slides the arm on said stud 366, so that the rotary
cutter 371 presses against the end of the shuttle 372, as shown in Figs. 18 and 24.
The same motion of arm 390 which allows the tube cutter to fall into the position
described, also removes the resistence to rotation of ring 363 (by withdrawing
stop 430 on lever 390, from against stud 366. See Fig. 9) which ring is then
revolved by the gearing and friction-box described, until the arm 367, and said
cutter carried thereon, have passed around the shuttle nearly two revolutions;
thereby cutting off a band 380 from the tube 378 of band material, and leaving it
on the band carrier 400, when cam 391 and the spring return the lever to its
original position. At the same time said lever moves the cutter and roll away
from the shuttle as before described, first to the position shown in Fig. 23, and
then to the position shown in Fig. 22. The band carrier now returns (carrying the
band on it,) to its vertical position, where it awaits the operation of lever 344
before again performing its function.
:
Having now described the process of manufacture, and set forth the construction
and arrangement and the operation of the mechanisms and apparatus whereby the
process is carried into effect, the operation of the machine as a whole will be readily
understood. The machine being throughout in proper adjustment, the gum-box is
next supplied with gum of the proper consistency, the band tube is fed into the
band mechanism, and pile of blanks placed on the blank plate ready to be fitted.
The machine being now started, the pickers are carried around in their circuit and
over the gum-roll until their lower faces are thoroughly covered with gum. Then
the blanks are lifted up against the separator points, and the pickers, at each.
revolution of the machine, take up one blank and carry it forward, first to the
creasing dies, and when creased, to the folding mechanism. Here the creased blank
is delivered to the uppermost folding bed, and folded and disposed of, as above?
described in connection with the folding mechanism. While making the circuit, of
the endless apron, the gum on the seal flaps is dried, after which the envelopes are
counted, packed and banded as described in connection with the mechanism specially.
therefor. The bunches being packed in box 300, on passing out thereof are driven
by the plunger with considerable force out through the trough 450 into so:ne
receptacle to be provided for use in carrying them away.

page_text: 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. The combination of a series of traveling pickers; mechanism supporting and
noving said pickers in a circuit; and gum delivering mechanisın, substantially as
described, for depositing gum on said pickers while they are traveling in said
circuit; all substantially as set forth..
2. The combination of a revolving turret; one or more pairs of pickers supported
on said turret; and a conical gum-roll, the apex of which coincides substantially
with the axis of said turret ; all substantially as set forth.
3. The combination of a turret, having pickers arranged in two concentric
circles; and the creasing dies, arranged to be supported and operated between said
circles; all substantially as set forth.
4. The combination of a series of blank-taking traveling pickers; and a series of
blank-receiving traveling folding-beds; arranged and operating substantially as
set forth:
5: The combination, in an envelope machine, of the rock-shaft, 240; arms fixed
to said shaft and provided with bearings for a seal-flap folder; a seal-flap folder
journaled in said bearings; an oscillating arm, 251; said arm and folder being
provided with connecting gearing, as set forth; and the whole combination being
arranged substantially as described.
6. The combination of the revolving folding beds; end-flap folding wings, pivoted
to the ends of said beds; cams 225, having a cam-groove operating said wings; and
mechanism operating said beds and cams; all substantially as set forth.
7. The combination of a series of folding beds; the oscillating seal-flap folder 243;
and mechanism operating said beds, and operating said folder to fold the flaps of
envelope blanks on said beds; all substantially as set forth.
- 8: The combination of a series of folding-beds, adapted to be moved in a circuit ;
end-flap folding wings, moving with said beds in said circuit; a back-flap folder,
arranged to operate upon a folding bed at one point in said circuit; and a seal-flap
folder, arranged to operate upon a folding-bed at another point in the circuit; all
substantially as set forth.
9. The combination, in an envelope machine, of pickers arranged to move in a
circuit; a gum-delivering, a blank-supporting, a blank-creasing, and a blank-folding
mechanism, arranged at stations in said circuit; and means, substantially as
described, for intermittently moving the pickers to each of said mechanisms in
succession; all substantially as set forth.
10. The combination, in an envelope machine, of a folding bed; an end-flap
folding wing, at each end of said bed; a blank picker, constructed to hold an
envelope blank by its side flaps; and mechanism, substantially as described;
operating said carrier and wings, to first present a blank, so held, on to said folding
bed, then to close said wings to fold the end flaps and hold the blank on said
bed, and then to withdraw the pickers from the side flaps; all substantially as
set forth.
11. The combination, in an envelope machine, of devices supporting the blanks;
mechanism to fold envelope blanks; with mechanism arranged between the blank
supporting devices and the folding mechanism, to crease the blanks prior to folding;
and with an intermittently-acting non-retreating, blank-carrying picker to take the
Blank from its supporting devices, and carry it to the creasing dies, and when
creased, to carry it to the folding mechanism; 'all substantially as described.
5
12. In an envelope machine; the combination of pickers arranged to move about
an axis; a gumming, a blank supporting, a blank-creasing and a blank-folding
mechanism, each constructed substantially as described, and arranged in a circle
around said axis; and mechanism, substantially as described, adapted to first pass
said pickers over the gum-delivering mechanisin, next to pass it to, and stop it at, 5

page_text: the blank-supporting mechanism, then to the blank-creasing, and then to the
blank-folding mechanism; all substantially as set forth.
13. The combination of the band carrier; and the band shifter; these being
operated to receive and push off the band, substantially as set forth.
14. The combination of the band-carrier and band-shifter.; mechanism operating
Baid carrier and shifter; and tube-feeding and cutting mechanism for placing a
band onto said carrier; all substantially as set forth.
15. The combination with the packing-box; of mechanism for packing envelopes
into said box; mechanism for feeding and cutting-off bands; a band-carrier and
shifter adapted to receive the band from the feeding and cutting off mechanism,
and to deliver it onto a bunch of envelopes which are passing through said carrier;
and a plunger for putting said bunch out of said box through said carrier; all
substantially as set forth.
16. The combination, in creasing mechanism for envelope blanks, of an upper
die of fixed size; and a lower die consisting of a series of bars, having a downward
and a closing movement; all substantially as set forth.
17. The combination of the upper die; and a lower die, consisting of a series of
rebated bars supported on spring-plates; whereby said bars are caused to have
a closing movement derived from their downward movement; all substantially as
set forth.
18. The combination of a plate, as 120; vertically movable lifters up-holding
said plate; a sliding rod 126, provided with ratchet teeth; means as described for
operating said lifters from said rod; and a ratchet mechanism operating said rod;
all substantially as set forth.
19. The combination of one mechanism, consisting of plate lifters, and devices
substantially as described for operating them; with another and similar mechanism,
consisting of substantially duplicate lifters and devices; said mechanisms being
cach adapted to be operated independently; all substantially as set forth.
20. The improvements operating in connection with the pickers and the blank-
feeding mechanism, whereby the blanks are fed up when the picker descends below
a given point; all substantially as set forth.
21. The improvements operating in connection with the packing box and the
bunch plunger, whereby the envelopes are driven out of said box when a pre-
determined number have been packed into the box; all substantially as set forth.
22. The improvements relating to the picker turret, and to the pickers carried
thereon, whereby said turret is moved forward intermittently, and the pickers
operated vertically, by a reciprocating cam during the pauses of the turret; all
substantially as set forth.
Dated this twenty-ninth day of March 1886