EP0020463A1 - Continuous enveloper system - Google Patents

Continuous enveloper system

Info

Publication number
EP0020463A1
EP0020463A1 EP79901274A EP79901274A EP0020463A1 EP 0020463 A1 EP0020463 A1 EP 0020463A1 EP 79901274 A EP79901274 A EP 79901274A EP 79901274 A EP79901274 A EP 79901274A EP 0020463 A1 EP0020463 A1 EP 0020463A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
continuous
enveloper
web
blanks
web blanks
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP79901274A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Gerald C. Freeman
Donald J Illk
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
US Postal Service (USPS)
Original Assignee
US Postal Service (USPS)
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by US Postal Service (USPS) filed Critical US Postal Service (USPS)
Publication of EP0020463A1 publication Critical patent/EP0020463A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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

Definitions

  • This invention pertains to an enveloper system that can continuously fabricate and envelope single or -multiple page letters automatically. It also pertains to a continuous self mailer system wherein the letter becomes a self mailer, if desired.
  • This invention is also a subsystem of an overall electronic 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 field.
  • the throughput rates, reliability, overall functions and the ability of the invention to intermittently 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 continuous enveloper system for first fabricating envelopes and then using said envelopes for enveloping a single or multiple page letter automatically when said letter is received from a scanner that processes electronic messages.
  • the novel approach to continuous envelop ⁇ ing in this instance comprises feeding envelope web blanks continuously to continuous and uninterrupted feed rollers. The web blanks are maintained under
  • the Figure is a schematic of the enveloper system which will be described in explaining the invention.
  • 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 driven 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, not shown, supplying blanks at high operat- ing speeds and thereby alleviating the effect of lag in clutch/brake response time.
  • the clutch/ brake operation is triggered by a photodetector,
  • Envelope blanks are fed out along decks 123 and 124 to take away rollers 107 which run continuously at speeds 1.57 times, faster than web feed. This speed differential is sufficient to draw the unbroken web tightly against blades 106 which burst or separate the web. In this manner the dual station burster maintains synchronization at high operating speeds, particularly when envel ⁇ oping 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 mois- teners 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 immed ⁇ iate tanks 113, building up to a pre-determined level while the pumps 118 are operating.
  • the mois ⁇ tener tanks 113 drain completely when the pumps 118 stop, returning accumulated sludge and paper dust to remote reservoir 119.
  • the envelope blank merges with the " document between transport 110 and 111 prior to folding.
  • the enveloper of this inven ⁇ tion produces an envelope which is substantially conventional in appearance, thus giving an envel- ope made of paper; a stiffer mail-piece which allows better subsequent machine handling, better appearance and better customer acceptability. More ⁇ over, the enveloper of this invention is completely asynchronous 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.

Abstract

Systeme d'enveloppement continu pour la fabrication en continu d'enveloppes et l'enveloppement automatique subsequent d'une lettre a une ou plusieurs pages. L'enveloppe ainsi fabriquee est egalement un pli auto-collant. Le systeme est mis en oeuvre en amenant une bande de flans d'enveloppes (122) au travers de rouleaux d'alimentation continus et interrompus (101, 102), la mise sous tension de ladite bande de flans lorsqu'elle est passee sur une plaque de Bernouilli (123) (124) pour le placement convenable de la bande de flans lors de leur arrivee sur des rouleaux d'eclatement (107) qui separent chaque piece de flan, la synchronisation de la vitesse desdites pieces de flans avec la vitesse d'une ou de plusieurs pages pliees d'une lettre pour permettre l'assemblage des pieces de flans avec la lettre pliee et le collage de l'enveloppe contenant la lettre pliee. D'autres equipements de manutention d'impression et de papier peuvent etre rajoutes si desire ou necessaire.Continuous wrapping system for the continuous production of envelopes and the subsequent automatic wrapping of a letter on one or more pages. The envelope thus produced is also a self-adhesive ply. The system is implemented by bringing a strip of blanks of envelopes (122) through continuous and interrupted feed rollers (101, 102), tensioning said strip of blanks when it is passed over a Bernouilli plate (123) (124) for the proper placement of the blank strip when they arrive on bursting rollers (107) which separate each blank piece, synchronizing the speed of said blank pieces with the speed one or more folded pages of a letter to allow the assembly of the blank pieces with the folded letter and the bonding of the envelope containing the folded letter. Other print and paper handling equipment can be added if desired or necessary.

Description

Description
Continuous Enveloper System
Technical Field
This invention pertains to an enveloper system that can continuously fabricate and envelope single or -multiple page letters automatically. It also pertains to a continuous self mailer system wherein the letter becomes a self mailer, if desired.
This invention is also a subsystem of an overall electronic 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 field. The throughput rates, reliability, overall functions and the ability of the invention to intermittently 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,
Disclosure of Invention
This invention relates to a continuous enveloper system for first fabricating envelopes and then using said envelopes for enveloping a single or multiple page letter automatically when said letter is received from a scanner that processes electronic messages. The novel approach to continuous envelop¬ ing in this instance comprises feeding envelope web blanks continuously to continuous and uninterrupted feed rollers. The web blanks are maintained under
0MPI_ */1Λ. WIPO tension to keep the blanks flat to assist in maintaining synchronization 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 each letter. The envelopes are stacked for easy removal or processed otherwise for subsequent delivery.
Brief Description of the Drawing
The Figure is a schematic of the enveloper system which will be described in explaining the invention.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
Referring to the Figure, 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 driven 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, not shown, supplying blanks at high operat- ing speeds and thereby alleviating the effect of lag in clutch/brake response time. The clutch/ brake operation is triggered by a photodetector,
OMPI
A m iFO not shown, in the mailstream which operates in conjunction with processor control, not shown.
Envelope blanks are fed out along decks 123 and 124 to take away rollers 107 which run continuously at speeds 1.57 times, faster than web feed. This speed differential is sufficient to draw the unbroken web tightly against blades 106 which burst or separate the web. In this manner the dual station burster maintains synchronization at high operating speeds, particularly when envel¬ oping 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 mois- teners 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 immed¬ iate tanks 113, building up to a pre-determined level while the pumps 118 are operating. The mois¬ tener tanks 113 drain completely when the pumps 118 stop, returning accumulated sludge and paper dust to remote reservoir 119.
The envelope blank merges with the "document between transport 110 and 111 prior to folding. The
_.0MPI_ ,AΛ. WiPO Λ» merged packet, consisting of the letter or letter set and the envelope blank enters the plow folding transport 114 which turns the inner flap of the envelope blank 130° 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 trans¬ ports 116 which turn the outer flap 180° onto itself and the inner flap. Final sealing is done by two compliant rollers 117, completing the cycle of enveloping.
The advantages of the enveloper of this inven¬ tion produces an envelope which is substantially conventional in appearance, thus giving an envel- ope made of paper; a stiffer mail-piece which allows better subsequent machine handling, better appearance and better customer acceptability. More¬ over, the enveloper of this invention is completely asynchronous 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.

Claims

Clai s
1. A continuous enveloper system which com¬ prises:
(a) feeding envelope web blanks toward con¬ tinuously, uninterrupted feed rollers, . (b) tensioning said web blanks to keep said web blanks flat for maintaining system syn¬ chronization,
(c) advancing said web blanks over a Bernoulli plate to insure the lead edge of said web blanks is properly placed upon arriving at the burster rollers for assisting in controlling said web blanks travel for system synchronizing,
(d) synchronizing said continuous enveloper system by sensing the lead edge of the web blanks and feeding said sensing information to a clutch brake controlling said feed rollers,
(e) bursting said envelope web blanks as the lead edge of said web blanks is engaged by burst rollers, (f) activating the adhesive on said web blanks for subsequent adherence,
(g) merging said web blank with a folded letter for subsequent enveloping,
.(h) enveloping said folded letter by folding the non-longitudinal adhesive containing side of said web blanks prior to folding the opposite side of said web blanks, and •
(i) sealing said envelope by passing through sealing rollers.
2. A continuous enveloper system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said folded letter com¬ prises a single o.r multiple number of pages.
-BUREAU
OMPI
,. IPO
3. A continuous enveloper system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said feeding of envel¬ ope web blanks toward continuously, uninter¬ rupted feed rollers is at a predetermined rate,
4. A continuous enveloper system in accordance .with claim 3 wherein said predetermined rate is an adjustable rate.
5'. A continuous enveloper system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said bursting of said envelope web blanks is carried out by main¬ taining a speed differential between said feed rollers and said burst rollers.
6. A continuous enveloper system in accordance with claim 5 wherein synchronization is ain- tained by synchronizing said burst rollers speed with said folded letter speed.
7. A continuous enveloper system in accordance with claim 6 wherein all processing is con¬ trolled by a processor as described in the specification.
EP79901274A 1978-09-26 1980-05-07 Continuous enveloper system Withdrawn EP0020463A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US94599278A 1978-09-26 1978-09-26
US945992 2007-11-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0020463A1 true EP0020463A1 (en) 1981-01-07

Family

ID=25483802

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP79901274A Withdrawn EP0020463A1 (en) 1978-09-26 1980-05-07 Continuous enveloper system

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0020463A1 (en)
CA (1) CA1136913A (en)
WO (1) WO1980000826A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO8000826A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1980000826A1 (en) 1980-05-01
CA1136913A (en) 1982-12-07

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): DE FR GB

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19801217

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: FREEMAN, GERALD C.

Inventor name: ILLK, DONALD, J