CA1136913A - Continuous enveloper system - Google Patents
Continuous enveloper systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1136913A CA1136913A CA000335921A CA335921A CA1136913A CA 1136913 A CA1136913 A CA 1136913A CA 000335921 A CA000335921 A CA 000335921A CA 335921 A CA335921 A CA 335921A CA 1136913 A CA1136913 A CA 1136913A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- envelope
- blanks
- web
- enveloper
- documents
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H35/00—Delivering articles from cutting or line-perforating machines; Article or web delivery apparatus incorporating cutting or line-perforating devices, e.g. adhesive tape dispensers
- B65H35/10—Delivering articles from cutting or line-perforating machines; Article or web delivery apparatus incorporating cutting or line-perforating devices, e.g. adhesive tape dispensers from or with devices for breaking partially-cut or perforated webs, e.g. bursters
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
- B43M—BUREAU ACCESSORIES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B43M5/00—Devices for closing envelopes
- B43M5/04—Devices for closing envelopes automatic
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B2150/00—Flexible containers made from sheets or blanks, e.g. from flattened tubes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B2160/00—Shape of flexible containers
- B31B2160/10—Shape of flexible containers rectangular and flat, i.e. without structural provision for thickness of contents
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B2170/00—Construction of flexible containers
- B31B2170/20—Construction of flexible containers having multi-layered walls, e.g. laminated or lined
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
- B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
- B65H2701/11—Dimensional aspect of article or web
- B65H2701/112—Section geometry
- B65H2701/1123—Folded article or web
- B65H2701/11231—Fan-folded material or zig-zag or leporello
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An enveloper system is disclosed which fabricates envelopes around a series of continuously moving single or multiple page letters. Very accurate registration or synchronization of the envelope web blank and letter at high speed is achieved by supplying envelope blanks from two separate stacks of envelope blanks to a pair of Bernoulli plates from which the blanks are fed alternately to continuously running take-away rollers. The accuracy of registration or synchronization is achieved by the fact that the alternate feeding takes place initially at only half the speed at which the letters are moving through the system.
An enveloper system is disclosed which fabricates envelopes around a series of continuously moving single or multiple page letters. Very accurate registration or synchronization of the envelope web blank and letter at high speed is achieved by supplying envelope blanks from two separate stacks of envelope blanks to a pair of Bernoulli plates from which the blanks are fed alternately to continuously running take-away rollers. The accuracy of registration or synchronization is achieved by the fact that the alternate feeding takes place initially at only half the speed at which the letters are moving through the system.
Description
~136913 r~his invention pertains to a dual-feed enveloper system that can continuously fabricate and envelope single or multiple page letters therein automatically. It also pertains to a cont-inuous self mailer system wherein the letter becomes a self mailer, if desired.
This invention is also a subsystem of an overall elec-tronic message system. The printing and paper handling equipment, the subject of this invention, both input and output, represent a more gradually changing state of the art than the progress in the electronic fie~ld. The throughput rates, reliability, overall unctions and the ability of the invention to intermit-tantly make an envelope or a self mailer, as desired, is a system that is not available in the market place, yet is necessary if the success of an overall electronic message system is to become viable.
This invention relates to a dual-feed enveloper system for fabricating envelopes and enveloping single or multiple page letters automatically when said letters are received from a scanner that processes electronic messages. The novel approach to continuous enveloping in this instance comprises feeding envelope web blanks alternately from two stacks of fan-folded envelope blanks to feed rollers. The web blanks are maintained under tension to keep the blanks f lat to assist in maintaining synchronization and registration with the incoming letters throughout the system. The web blanks are then advanced over a Bernoulli plate for proper placement upon arrival at burster rollers which separate the web blanks. The web blank speed is continuously synchronized with the speed of the letter speed for merging each envelope with each letter. Each web blank and letter are folded. Each web blank upon folding, envelopes ,~ ~ .;~ - 1 -~' ~136~13 e~c~l ~etter. ~rhe envelope~ are stacked for easy removal or processed o-ilerwise for subsequent delivery.
It is an objection of this invention to provide a continuous enveloper system for fabricating envelopes that sub-stantially concurrently envelope a single or multiple page letter automatically.
It is another object of thi~ invention to provide a continuous self m~iler system wherein a letter becomes a self mailer.
It is a further object of this invention -to provide an enveloper system for fabricating envelopes that substantlally concurrently envelope a single or multiple page lettter auto-matically and at a high rate of speed.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a continuous system for fabricating envelopes for enveloping a single, multiple page letter or other insert received from an electronic message process scanner automatically.
These and other objects of the invention will be better understood and become more apparent with reference to the follow-ing detailed description taken in conjunction with the attacheddrawing, in which:
The Figure is a schematic of the enveloper system of this invention.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of enveloping documents comprising the steps of: providing a flow of documents to be enveloped; providing two sources of envelope webs, alternately feeding the envelope webs from the two sources, alternately bursting the envelope webs to provide envelope blanks, merging the documents with the envelope blanks, and enveloping the documents by enfolding , them in the ~nvelop~ blanks.
Accor~in~3 to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a continuous enve'oper system which comprises: feed-ing envelope web blanks toward continuously, uninterrupted feed roll.ers, tensi.oning the web blanks to keep the web blanks flat for maintaining system synchronization, advancing the web blanks over a Bernoulli plate to insure the lead edge of the web blanks iY properly placed upon arriving at the burster rollers for assisting in controJ.ling the web blanks travel for system syn-chronizing, synchroni~ing the continuous enveloper system bysensing the lead edge of the web blanks and feeding the sensing information to a clutch brake controlling the feed rollers, bursting the envelope web blanks as the lead edge of the web blanks is engaged by burst rollers, activating the adhes.ive on the web blanks for subsequent adherence, merging the web blank with a folded letter for subsequent enveloping; enveloping the folded letter by folding the non longitudinal adhesive con-taining side of the web blanks prior to folding the opposite side of the web blanks, and sealing the envelope by passing through sealing rollers.
Referring to Figure 1, two stacks of fan-folded envelope blanks 122 are fed across two stationary bars 104 to knurled feed rollers 101 and 102. The envelope blanks are drlven against the feed rollers by identical pressure roller assemblies consisting of two D-shaped rollers 103 geared together.
The tension of the driven webs is maintained by the drag supplied by two sets of adjustable brushes 105 which ride against the envelope blanks 122. The feed rollers 101 and 102 are driven alternately on demand by identical clutch/brake units, now shown, supplying blanks at high operating speeds and thereby . ,1~, ~
113tj913 allevi~ltil)g llle e~fect of lag in clutch/brake response time.
The clutch/~)r~ke ~)perdtion is triggered by a photodetector, now ~hown, in tlle mailstream which operates in conjunction with processor control, not shown.
Envelope blanks are fed out alternately alony declcs 123 dn~ 1~4 to take away rollers 107 which run continuously at speeds 1.~7 times faster than web feed. This sp~ed differ-ential is sufficient to draw the unbroken web tightly against blades 106 which burst or separate the we~ into envelope blanks.
In this manner the dual station burster maintains synchronization or registration between the incoming letters and the envelope blanks at high operating speeds, particularly when enveloping a long series of single-page letters is called for. In effect, if a machine operating speed of ten (10) pages per second is set, each web feeds alternately at five (5) pages per second.
Demand feed of either web is topped by a logic system, not shown, which senses the lead edge of the web photo-optically at a point just before the take-away rollers.
The envelope blank, now separated from the web proceeds through the transport 108 where it may be scored. The blank then proceeds into a turn-around transport system 109, 110 and 111 where belt moisteners 112 activate the glue in preparation for folding.
The moistener belts are supplied with water by dual pumps 118 which are connected to a remote reservoir 119 and moistener tanks 113. Water is picked up directly on the belt, providing immediate tanks 113, building up to a pre-determined level while the pumps 118 are operating. The moistener tanks 113 drain completely when the pumps 118 stop, returning accumulated sludge and paper dust to remote reservoir 119.
11369~3 The envelope blank merges with the document between transport 110 and 111 prior to folding. The merged packet, con-sisting of the letter or letter set and the envelope blank enters the plow folding trans~ort 11~ which turns the inner flap of the envelope blank 180 over the letter; the inner flap is then sealed to itself as it passes through two compliant rollers 115. The outer flap of the blank enters plow folding transports 116 which turn the outer flap 180 onto its~lf and the inner flap. Final sealing is done by two compliant rollers 117, com-pleting the cycle of enveloping.
The advantages of the enveloper of this invention produces an envelope which is substantially conventional in appearance, thus giving an envelope made of paper; a stiffer mail-piece which allows better subsequent machine handling, better appearance and better customer acceptability. Moreover, the enveloper of this invention is completely asynchrouous and in-line; therefore, mailpieces not designated for enveloping (that is, self-mailers) can pass directly through the enveloper without the need for complex gating mechanisms.
~ - 5 -A
This invention is also a subsystem of an overall elec-tronic message system. The printing and paper handling equipment, the subject of this invention, both input and output, represent a more gradually changing state of the art than the progress in the electronic fie~ld. The throughput rates, reliability, overall unctions and the ability of the invention to intermit-tantly make an envelope or a self mailer, as desired, is a system that is not available in the market place, yet is necessary if the success of an overall electronic message system is to become viable.
This invention relates to a dual-feed enveloper system for fabricating envelopes and enveloping single or multiple page letters automatically when said letters are received from a scanner that processes electronic messages. The novel approach to continuous enveloping in this instance comprises feeding envelope web blanks alternately from two stacks of fan-folded envelope blanks to feed rollers. The web blanks are maintained under tension to keep the blanks f lat to assist in maintaining synchronization and registration with the incoming letters throughout the system. The web blanks are then advanced over a Bernoulli plate for proper placement upon arrival at burster rollers which separate the web blanks. The web blank speed is continuously synchronized with the speed of the letter speed for merging each envelope with each letter. Each web blank and letter are folded. Each web blank upon folding, envelopes ,~ ~ .;~ - 1 -~' ~136~13 e~c~l ~etter. ~rhe envelope~ are stacked for easy removal or processed o-ilerwise for subsequent delivery.
It is an objection of this invention to provide a continuous enveloper system for fabricating envelopes that sub-stantially concurrently envelope a single or multiple page letter automatically.
It is another object of thi~ invention to provide a continuous self m~iler system wherein a letter becomes a self mailer.
It is a further object of this invention -to provide an enveloper system for fabricating envelopes that substantlally concurrently envelope a single or multiple page lettter auto-matically and at a high rate of speed.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a continuous system for fabricating envelopes for enveloping a single, multiple page letter or other insert received from an electronic message process scanner automatically.
These and other objects of the invention will be better understood and become more apparent with reference to the follow-ing detailed description taken in conjunction with the attacheddrawing, in which:
The Figure is a schematic of the enveloper system of this invention.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of enveloping documents comprising the steps of: providing a flow of documents to be enveloped; providing two sources of envelope webs, alternately feeding the envelope webs from the two sources, alternately bursting the envelope webs to provide envelope blanks, merging the documents with the envelope blanks, and enveloping the documents by enfolding , them in the ~nvelop~ blanks.
Accor~in~3 to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a continuous enve'oper system which comprises: feed-ing envelope web blanks toward continuously, uninterrupted feed roll.ers, tensi.oning the web blanks to keep the web blanks flat for maintaining system synchronization, advancing the web blanks over a Bernoulli plate to insure the lead edge of the web blanks iY properly placed upon arriving at the burster rollers for assisting in controJ.ling the web blanks travel for system syn-chronizing, synchroni~ing the continuous enveloper system bysensing the lead edge of the web blanks and feeding the sensing information to a clutch brake controlling the feed rollers, bursting the envelope web blanks as the lead edge of the web blanks is engaged by burst rollers, activating the adhes.ive on the web blanks for subsequent adherence, merging the web blank with a folded letter for subsequent enveloping; enveloping the folded letter by folding the non longitudinal adhesive con-taining side of the web blanks prior to folding the opposite side of the web blanks, and sealing the envelope by passing through sealing rollers.
Referring to Figure 1, two stacks of fan-folded envelope blanks 122 are fed across two stationary bars 104 to knurled feed rollers 101 and 102. The envelope blanks are drlven against the feed rollers by identical pressure roller assemblies consisting of two D-shaped rollers 103 geared together.
The tension of the driven webs is maintained by the drag supplied by two sets of adjustable brushes 105 which ride against the envelope blanks 122. The feed rollers 101 and 102 are driven alternately on demand by identical clutch/brake units, now shown, supplying blanks at high operating speeds and thereby . ,1~, ~
113tj913 allevi~ltil)g llle e~fect of lag in clutch/brake response time.
The clutch/~)r~ke ~)perdtion is triggered by a photodetector, now ~hown, in tlle mailstream which operates in conjunction with processor control, not shown.
Envelope blanks are fed out alternately alony declcs 123 dn~ 1~4 to take away rollers 107 which run continuously at speeds 1.~7 times faster than web feed. This sp~ed differ-ential is sufficient to draw the unbroken web tightly against blades 106 which burst or separate the we~ into envelope blanks.
In this manner the dual station burster maintains synchronization or registration between the incoming letters and the envelope blanks at high operating speeds, particularly when enveloping a long series of single-page letters is called for. In effect, if a machine operating speed of ten (10) pages per second is set, each web feeds alternately at five (5) pages per second.
Demand feed of either web is topped by a logic system, not shown, which senses the lead edge of the web photo-optically at a point just before the take-away rollers.
The envelope blank, now separated from the web proceeds through the transport 108 where it may be scored. The blank then proceeds into a turn-around transport system 109, 110 and 111 where belt moisteners 112 activate the glue in preparation for folding.
The moistener belts are supplied with water by dual pumps 118 which are connected to a remote reservoir 119 and moistener tanks 113. Water is picked up directly on the belt, providing immediate tanks 113, building up to a pre-determined level while the pumps 118 are operating. The moistener tanks 113 drain completely when the pumps 118 stop, returning accumulated sludge and paper dust to remote reservoir 119.
11369~3 The envelope blank merges with the document between transport 110 and 111 prior to folding. The merged packet, con-sisting of the letter or letter set and the envelope blank enters the plow folding trans~ort 11~ which turns the inner flap of the envelope blank 180 over the letter; the inner flap is then sealed to itself as it passes through two compliant rollers 115. The outer flap of the blank enters plow folding transports 116 which turn the outer flap 180 onto its~lf and the inner flap. Final sealing is done by two compliant rollers 117, com-pleting the cycle of enveloping.
The advantages of the enveloper of this invention produces an envelope which is substantially conventional in appearance, thus giving an envelope made of paper; a stiffer mail-piece which allows better subsequent machine handling, better appearance and better customer acceptability. Moreover, the enveloper of this invention is completely asynchrouous and in-line; therefore, mailpieces not designated for enveloping (that is, self-mailers) can pass directly through the enveloper without the need for complex gating mechanisms.
~ - 5 -A
Claims (3)
1. A method of enveloping documents comprising the steps of:
a) providing a flow of documents to be enveloped;
b) providing two sources of envelope webs;
c) alternately feeding said envelope webs from the two sources;
d) alternately bursting the envelope webs to provide envelope blanks;
e) merging said documents with said envelope blanks;
and, f) enveloping said documents by enfolding them in said envelope blanks.
a) providing a flow of documents to be enveloped;
b) providing two sources of envelope webs;
c) alternately feeding said envelope webs from the two sources;
d) alternately bursting the envelope webs to provide envelope blanks;
e) merging said documents with said envelope blanks;
and, f) enveloping said documents by enfolding them in said envelope blanks.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said envel-ope webs are fed from the two alternate sources at an initial speed that is substantially half the speed of the document flow.
3. The method according to claim 2 including the step of activating an adhesive to seal the envelope blank contain-ing the enfolded document.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US94599278A | 1978-09-26 | 1978-09-26 | |
| US945,992 | 1986-12-24 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1136913A true CA1136913A (en) | 1982-12-07 |
Family
ID=25483802
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000335921A Expired CA1136913A (en) | 1978-09-26 | 1979-09-19 | Continuous enveloper system |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0020463A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1136913A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1980000826A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2102001A (en) * | 1934-07-16 | 1937-12-14 | Us Envelope Co | Manufacture of dry-sealing envelopes |
| US3628304A (en) * | 1969-12-01 | 1971-12-21 | Smithe Machine Co Inc F L | Method of forming envelopes having inserts therein from a moving blank web |
| US3593485A (en) * | 1969-12-01 | 1971-07-20 | Smithe Machine Co Inc F L | Method of forming envelopes having inserts therein from a moving blank web |
| US3847318A (en) * | 1971-01-04 | 1974-11-12 | Standard Register Co | Burster apparatus |
| US3856196A (en) * | 1973-01-26 | 1974-12-24 | Moore Business Forms Inc | Capstan detacher |
| US4091596A (en) * | 1976-05-25 | 1978-05-30 | Enmail Machine Corporation | Method of and apparatus for manufacturing envelopes |
-
1979
- 1979-09-19 CA CA000335921A patent/CA1136913A/en not_active Expired
- 1979-09-25 WO PCT/US1979/000773 patent/WO1980000826A1/en unknown
-
1980
- 1980-05-07 EP EP79901274A patent/EP0020463A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1980000826A1 (en) | 1980-05-01 |
| EP0020463A1 (en) | 1981-01-07 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |