EP0317929B1 - Envelope-stuffing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to automatic mail processing machines and relates more particularly to a device for inserting envelopes in envelopes, for such machines.

In automatic mail processing machines, an envelope destacker at the exit of an envelope store ensures that the envelopes are removed from the store one by one. A device for transferring empty envelopes ensures the transfer of the separate envelopes to a station for inserting folds in said envelopes.

At the insertion station, successive envelopes are stopped and kept open. The folds to be put in envelopes, which can be in the form of single sheets or bundles are, after suitable folding in a folder and optionally prior or subsequent assembly in bundles in a collator, delivered successively to the machine.

A fold transfer device or insertion device proper, ensures the transfer of the successive folds it receives and their insertion in the respective envelopes at the insertion station. A loaded envelope ejection device ensures the evacuation of each loaded envelope to allow a new insertion.

Mechanisms control these different devices in synchronism. To meet current requirements, these control mechanisms must allow high insertion rates with high operating reliability of the devices.

Document FR 84 14141 of the applicant is already known, having as its title "Device for inserting a bundle in an envelope", a device ensuring the insertion of each ply it receives in the envelope then present at the loading station. .

In this known device, a path for supplying separate folds to be successively put in an envelope feeds a fixed fold entry station; this path for supplying the folds consists of a fixed fold receiving platform, extending the path for supplying the folds and arranged at a distance and substantially opposite the insertion station. A serving tray, mounted movable back and forth and said carriage, ensures the transfer of successive folds from the fixed entry station to the insertion station, and their insertion into the envelopes. It is driven in a forward and return stroke between two limit positions, called the rest position for which it is under the entry station and the working position for which it is partially engaged, with the fold it carries, in the envelope present at the insertion station. Retractable push fingers are linked to the carriage, they form a stop for the fold that they push during the outward stroke of the carriage and obstacle cleared for the next fold to be placed in an envelope during the return stroke of the carriage.

These retractable fingers are mounted on parallel support arms carried by the carriage and extending between the levels of the entry station and the carriage. They are linked to the support arms by individual joints, with possible longitudinal play on the support arms. They are also coupled to the carriage and associated with means ensuring their translation according to said longitudinal clearance on their support arm, in one direction and the other, from the race going to the racing back and vice versa, and their simultaneous positioning raised or in the erased position, either as a stop for the fold being inserted or as an obstacle erased for the next fold to be wrapped, for the concerned stroke of the carriage.

Such an insertion device with retractable push fingers, put in the raised position for the outward travel of the carriage, allows a secure grip of the fold present at the entry station which is to be inserted in an envelope. These same push fingers, put in the erased position for the return stroke of the carriage, allow the arrival of a new fold on the entry station during the transfer of the previous fold and the return stroke of the carriage. They thus help to obtain a very high insertion rate. By cons, they increase the complexity of the insertion device and its control mechanisms and therefore seriously increase the cost of the fold insertion device.

The object of the present invention is to simplify such an insertion device and consequently to reduce its cost, without however lose the advantages relating to the high insertion rates possible with high operating reliability.

• un poste fixe d'insertion proprement dit, alimenté en enveloppes vides séparées les unes des autres,
• un poste fixe d'entrée de plis, à plateau fixe d'entrée, distant du poste d'insertion et alimenté en plis séparés les uns des autres,
• un plateau de transfert et d'insertion des plis, dit chariot, entraîné en translation selon une course aller depuis une première position, pour laquelle il est escamoté sous le plateau fixe d'entrée, jusqu'à une deuxième position, pour laquelle il est au moins partiellement engagé dans l'enveloppe présente au poste d'insertion, et selon une course inverse de retour et équipé de doigts poussoirs à moyens avant de préhension du pli présent au poste d'entrée, venant en saillie au dessus du niveau du poste d'entrée, pour retenir le pli par ses moyens de préhension et le pousser pendant ladite course aller,

ledit dispositif étant caractérisé en ce que lesdits doigts poussoirs et lesdits moyens avant de préhension du pli sont fixes relativement entre eux et sont fixes relativement au chariot, avec lesdits moyens avant de préhension affleurant juste au dessus du niveau du poste d'entrée pour leur libre passage sous un pli en attente sur le poste d'entrée lors de la course retour du chariot, et en ce qu'il comporte, en outre, des doigts rabatteurs montés au dessus du poste d'entrée et commandés dans une position rabattue contre le poste d'entrée, au moins pendant le début de ladite course aller du chariot, pour forcer le pli sous lesdits moyens de préhension en assurant la prise du pli par lesdits moyens de préhension de chaque doigt poussoir, et dans une position effacée au dessus du poste d'entrée, pendant le reste de la course aller et la course retour du chariot, pour la libre alimentation du poste d'entrée.It therefore relates to a device for inserting folds in envelopes comprising:

• a fixed insertion station proper, supplied with empty envelopes separated from each other,
• a fixed fold entry station, with a fixed entry tray, remote from the insertion station and supplied with folds separated from each other,
• a ply transfer and insertion plate, known as a carriage, driven in translation according to a forward stroke from a first position, for which it is retracted under the fixed input plate, to a second position, for which it is at least partially engaged in the envelope present at the insertion station, and in a reverse return stroke and fitted with medium push fingers before gripping the fold present at the entry station, projecting above the level of the station input, to hold the fold by its gripping means and push it during said outward stroke,

said device being characterized in that said push fingers and said means before gripping the fold are fixed relatively to each other and are fixed relative to the carriage, with said means before gripping flush just above the level of the entry station for their free passage under a fold waiting on the entry station during the return stroke of the carriage, and in that it further comprises folding fingers mounted above the entry station and controlled in a folded position against the entry station, at least during the start of said outward stroke of the carriage, to force the fold under said gripping means by ensuring the gripping of the fold by said gripping means of each push finger, and in a position erased above the entry station, during the rest of the outward and return travel of the carriage, for the free supply of the entry station.

According to another characteristic, the device further comprises ply retaining fingers mounted at the front of the entry station, and a set of levers coupling the retaining fingers and the folding fingers to a means for simultaneously controlling the placing of the fingers. retainer in an erased position above the entry station when the folding fingers are not erased and vice versa.

According to another characteristic, said retaining fingers are adjustable at the front of said input plate and this input plate is itself adjustable transversely to said retaining fingers.

• La figure 1 est une vue schématique d'ensemble d'une machine de traitement automatique de courrier, dans laquelle rentre le dispositif d'insertion de plis sous enveloppes selon la présente invention ;
• Les figures 2 et 3 sont deux vues très schématiques du dispositif d'insertion selon la figure 1, montrant sa structure d'ensemble ;
• La figure 4 est une vue partielle en coupe du dispositif insertion de plis sous d'enveloppes selon la figure 1, donnée à échelle agrandie par rapport à la figure 1 ;
• La figure 5 est une vue partielle de dessus du dispositif d'insertion, selon la figure 4, donnée avec ses éléments en position de transfert d'un pli pour son chargement ;
• La figure 6 est une vue à l'échelle agrandie du dispositif de commande de la machine de la figure 1 ;
• Les figures 7 et 8 sont des vues schématiques montrant d'autres éléments non illustrés dans les figures 4 et 5 mais appartenant au dispositif d'insertion, dans deux positions que peuvent prendre ces éléments au cours du fonctionnement du dispositif d'insertion.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge clearly from the description given below of a preferred embodiment which is illustrated in the attached drawings. In these drawings:

• Figure 1 is a schematic overview of an automatic mail processing machine, into which the device for inserting envelopes in envelopes according to the present invention;
• Figures 2 and 3 are two very schematic views of the insertion device according to Figure 1, showing its overall structure;
• FIG. 4 is a partial view in section of the device for inserting plies under envelopes according to FIG. 1, given on an enlarged scale compared to FIG. 1;
• Figure 5 is a partial top view of the insertion device, according to Figure 4, given with its elements in the transfer position of a fold for loading;
• Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the control device of the machine of Figure 1;
• Figures 7 and 8 are schematic views showing other elements not illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 but belonging to the insertion device, in two positions that can take these elements during the operation of the insertion device.

In Figure 1, there is given a schematic elevation view of an automatic mail processing machine in which the device for inserting envelopes under envelopes according to the present invention. The overall constitution of this machine is described with reference to this figure 1.

• un poste d'insertion de plis sous enveloppes 1,
• un dispositif de transfert d'enveloppes vides 2, alimentant en enveloppes vides le poste d'insertion,
• un dispositif de transfert de plis 3, assurant le transfert et l'insertion des plis dans les enveloppes successives présentes au poste d'insertion et dit dispositif d'insertion,
• un dispositif d'éjection des enveloppes chargées 4, évacuant les enveloppes successives chargées au poste d'insertion,
• un ensemble de commande 5 desdits dispositifs 2, 3 et 4, selon des séquences de commande définies relativement entre elles au cours de chacun des cycles successifs d'insertion de la machine.

The machine includes:

• a station for inserting folds in envelopes 1,
• a device for transferring empty envelopes 2, supplying the insertion station with empty envelopes,
• a fold transfer device 3, ensuring the transfer and insertion of the folds into the successive envelopes present at the insertion station and said insertion device,
• a device for ejecting loaded envelopes 4, evacuating successive envelopes loaded at the insertion station,
• a control assembly 5 of said devices 2, 3 and 4, according to control sequences defined relatively to each other during each of the successive cycles of insertion of the machine.

The pleat insertion station 1 is illustrated by a simple straight line segment, in phantom, substantially tangent to two rollers 20 and 40 or two sets of rollers, not belonging to this station itself but arranged side by side under the entry to the integration station plan. These rollers will be specified below, during the description of the devices 2 and 4 to which they actually belong. This line segment defines the plan for inserting folds into envelopes.

The device for transferring empty envelopes 2 is as such a known general organization, which conforms to that described in patent application FR-86 07472 of the applicant, having the title "Device for opening envelopes ". A brief description of this device is simply incorporated in the context of this machine.

This empty envelope transfer device 2 feeds the insertion station and ensures the opening of the flaps of the envelopes transferred to the insertion station. It comprises a chute 21 for the arrival of empty envelopes, which is substantially horizontal, supplied by empty envelopes separated from one another. These separate empty envelopes come from a folder mounted on the outlet of envelopes from a store, which are not illustrated. They are routed along this chute 21 which couples the aforementioned destacker to the transfer device 2. In the chute 21, the envelopes are received with their upper edge, to which the flap is attached, at the bottom of the chute.

This device 2 comprises a controlled drive roller, called an extraction roller, 22 and an associated extraction extraction roller 23, arranged above of the chute 21, to receive between them the lower edge or lower part of the successive envelopes present in the chute and routed to their level. It further comprises a controlled output drive roller, which is the aforementioned roller 20 mounted at the entrance to the insertion station 1. This outlet roller 20 is mounted above the rollers 22 and 23, in coming to give the envelope leaving the device 2 a suitable curvature for its entry into the insertion station; it is in practice associated with a pressure roller, not illustrated for reasons of overload.

In this device for transferring empty envelopes 2, the extraction counter roller 23 is carried on a pivoting arm 24 controlled according to the double arrow 24F by an electromagnet not shown, between a rest position distant from the extraction roller 22 and an extraction position for which it is in pressure against the extraction roller. In the rest position of the extraction counter roller, the central axis of the chute is substantially tangent to this extraction counter roller; in the extraction position of the extraction counter roller the median axis of the chute comes to cut its periphery so as to give a curve to the envelope taken between the rollers 22, 23. A pallet 26 mounted under the roller extraction ensures the retention of the half-opened envelope flap and its unfolding and complete opening, during the extraction of the envelope from the chute 21. The chute 21 is U-shaped, with one of its legs truncated . The back of the envelope with the half-open flap faces the largest leg of the chute. This chute makes it possible to favor the curve given to the envelope, as soon as it escapes the smallest leg of the chute, and the yawning of its flap.

A motor 27 drives the extraction and output rollers 22 and 20, as well as the roller 40; the links in dashed lines 28 illustrate the couplings between the motor 27 and the rollers 22 and 20 and the roller 40. This motor is controlled from the control assembly 5 by an electronic control, as will be explained below.

The device 3 for inserting the folds in an envelope is supplied with folds separated from each other by a path for feeding the folds, defined by two sets of endless belts or bands 30A and 30B. The belts are mounted tensioned between guide rollers, the only pair of end rollers of which, at the exit from the feed path, has been referenced by 31A, 31B. These two references are also used to designate the exit from the path for separate folds.

This path for bringing the folds is itself supplied by a folder itself optionally coupled to an upstream or downstream collator, which have not been illustrated. The folds thus delivered, which are to be inserted in envelopes, consist of single folded sheets or of multiple sheets folded before or after assembly.

This device 3 comprises a fixed fold entry station constituted by a fixed fold receiving tray 32, mounted under the outlet 31A, 31B which it extends towards the insertion station; this fixed plate 32 is slightly above the plane of the insertion station 1 and is distant from this station.

The device 3 also includes a serving tray 33, located substantially in the plane of the insertion station, ensuring the transfer and insertion of the folds in envelopes. This serving plate 33 is mounted, below the fixed plate, in a moving carriage back and forth according to arrow 33F. It is driven, by a control lever 34 which is coupled to it, between a first limit position, for which it is practically retracted under the fixed plate 32, and a second limit position, for which it is partially in the insertion station 1 and is inserted into the envelope then present in this item. The first position corresponds substantially to that in which it has been shown in solid lines, the second position is sketched in phantom.

This serving plate 33 or carriage carries a pair of push fingers 35, directly integral with the plate 33, fixed and projecting on this plate. The push fingers 35 also project slightly above the plane of the fixed plate 32 which has at their effect, along its length, two windows not shown in Figure 1, which are open at each end of the fixed plate. These push fingers 35 each have a front spout 35A under which the folds are put to be taken and pushed by the fingers 35 during the movement of the carriage 33 illustrated by the arrow 33F towards the insertion station. The spout 35A of each push finger is fixed and comes from a profile given to each finger; it is just above the level of the fixed plate 32.

The device 3 furthermore, mounted above the fixed plate 32, folds retaining fingers 36, at the front of the fixed plate 32, and folding fingers 37 behind the fixed plate and just downstream of exit 31A, 31B of the ply feed path. These fingers 36 and 37 are coupled by a set of levers, shown diagrammatically by a dashed line connection and designated under the general reference 38. This set of levers 38 is itself coupled to a control electromagnet not illustrated, thus acting as symbolized by the arrow 39F, to simultaneously rotate the retaining fingers 36 and the folding fingers 37, at the same time and in the same direction from their normal position in the absence of control. Thus, as shown, in this normal position the retaining fingers 36 are in the transverse obstacle position in front of the fixed plate 32 and the folding fingers 37 in the erased position above the fixed plate for the free arrival of the passing fold under the folding fingers and its retention on the fixed plate 32. They thus remain except during the transfer of the fold from the fixed plate 32 to the carriage. This set of levers 38 and the control of the fingers 36 and 37 will be specified below.

The device for ejecting loaded envelopes 4 comprises the aforementioned roller 40 mounted with the roller 20 under the entry to the insertion station, which is the ejection drive roller. This roller 40, like the roller 20, is in practice constituted by a set of rollers mounted on the same shaft. The ejection device 4 further comprises a mechanism for bending the envelope to be evacuated from the insertion station, not globally referenced, a chute for receiving the envelope 41 and a guide 42 between the roller 40 and the chute 41 .

The guide 42 is mounted inclined under the insertion station and provides coupling between the insertion station, or more precisely its casing entry at the level of the roller 40, and the chute 41, when the cambering mechanism acts on the 'envelope. This chute 41, also under the insertion station, is horizontal and extends parallel and at a short distance from the chute 21 belonging to the device for transferring empty envelopes 2. The loaded envelopes evacuated from the insertion station are received with their lower edge, or foot, coming at the bottom of the trough 41. This trough 41 is, like the trough 21, profiled in U, it has one of its truncated legs, and is equipped over its length with rollers not shown which ensure the drive of the loaded envelopes it receives, in the opposite direction to the drive of the empty envelopes in the chute 21.

The troughs 21 and 41 are both adjustable in level opposite the plan of the insertion station 1 to take account of the type of envelopes to be loaded. A double arrow associated with the chutes but not referenced illustrates their possible height adjustment.

The mechanism for bending loaded envelopes comprises a roller 43 associated with the ejection roller 40 and pivoting camber fingers 44.

Individual L-shaped levers, articulated on the same fixed axis 45 and similar to the only of these illustrated levers 145, control the elements of the cambering mechanism. The articulation axis 45 passes through them substantially at the junction between the legs of their L-shaped profile. The counter-roller 43 is mounted at the end of the large leg of its L-shaped lever. The cambering fingers 44 are articulated on a fixed axis 44A and also coupled individually, at the end of the large leg of their lever by a stud 44B, for their control.

These levers such as 145 are controlled around the articulation axis 45 simultaneously by a control lever 46. This control lever 46 is itself controlled by two other levers, mounted integral on an axis 47 and designated together under the reference 147, which couple the control lever 46 to a control rod 48. This rod 48 is actuated by the control mechanism 5.

The lever 46 is profiled substantially in an inverted U shape. It receives in abutment in its end part which is at the end of the device 4, one of the ends of the levers 147 coupling it to the connecting rod 48. It also receives, in abutment in its opposite end part which is internal in device 4, the small legs of the L-shaped levers such as 145 for their control.

The ejection device 4 is carried by the hinge pin 47 and on a support pin 49, on which it is normally locked and unlockable by manual control. This ejection device 4 is not described in more detail below. The precise arrangement of its elements and their control means are described more fully in the patent application entitled "Device for ejecting loaded envelopes and insertion machine by applying" of the same date of filing of the plaintiff.

In FIG. 1, the axis 49 has been shown twice, in the terminal parts opposite the ejection device 4 and the pleat insertion device 3. In practice, it is a single and same axis, but the device for inserting the plies also supported by this axis has been shifted to the right of FIG. 1 for the sake of clarity in this FIG. 1.

The machine further comprises lugs 6, known as non-return lugs of the fold inserted in the envelope present at the insertion station 1. These non-return lugs belong strictly speaking to the insertion device 3 but are mounted, for their control, as if they belonged to the ejection device 4, by being pivoted like the cambering elements by the control coming from the connecting rod 48 and transmitted from the lever 46 to individual L-shaped levers, such as 145, at end of the large jambs from which they are attached.

These non-return tabs 6 are above the insertion station 1; they are opposite the envelope entry of this insertion station and at the end of the insertion device 3.

The machine illustrated in FIG. 1, comprises, in addition to the devices 2, 3 and 4 and the non-return lugs 6 mounted in the device 4, opening fingers 7 of the body of the envelope present at the insertion station.

These opening fingers 7 like the non-return tabs 6 belong to the insertion device 3. They are mounted in front of the retaining fingers 36 while being just in front of the envelope entry of the station d 'insertion. They are formed at the end of individual supports 8 coupled at their other end by a hooking lug 8A to the same actuation lever 9.

The control assembly 5 essentially comprises a motor shaft 50, with cams, driven along the arrow 50A by a control motor 51. This shaft 50 carries a first cam 52 assigned to control the ejection device 4 and called the cam 'ejection. A so-called ejection roller 53 carried by an articulated lever 54 bears on the ejection cam 52. This lever 54 articulated around a fixed axis 54A is also coupled to the connecting rod 48 for controlling the ejection device that she commands.

This same shaft 50 carries a second cam 55 assigned to control the opening fingers 7 and called the opening cam of the body of the envelope. A roller said to control the opening 56, bearing on the opening cam 55, is carried by a support lever 57. This lever 57 is coupled to the lever 9 on a fixed hinge pin 57A which it controls for the actuation of the opening fingers 7.

The shaft 50 also controls a rod-crank system, the crank 58 of which forms a flywheel wedged on the shaft and drives the rod 59. This rod 59 is itself articulated on the lever 34 for controlling the carriage 33 for its training back and forth. This lever 34 is coupled by one of its ends to the carriage and by its other end on a fixed hinge pin 34A. It is articulated substantially in its middle on the connecting rod 59 by a joint 34B.

With regard to this carriage drive command, the substantially extreme positions taken by this lever 34 for controlling the carriage 33 have been identified in P1 and P2 and in P3 and P4 two particular intermediate positions.

This same shaft 50 further carries a disk 60 for coding the angular position of the shaft.

A photoelectric sensor illustrated at 62 gives this angular position. This disc 60 has a plurality of identical and regularly spaced openings which are detected by the sensor 62 to give successive angular positions of the shaft 50 and a single larger opening also detected by the sensor to give a reference position. These openings are not referenced in FIG. 1, they are specified below. The sensor 62 is coupled to a counter 65.

Figures 2 and 3 are two schematic views of the insertion device 3 of Figure 1 given to show its overall structure. The elements already cited with reference to FIG. 1 are identified there by the same references.

Figures 2 and 3 show that the insertion device 3 is mounted in a frame 70 in which it is, for part of its elements, pivoting. This chassis is open at its upper part; it extends to the left of FIGS. 2 and 3 and also receives the ejection device 4 from the machine according to FIG. 1.

In the chassis 70, the device 3 is organized into two so-called sub-assemblies, upper part 3A and lower part 3B of the device 3, with the upper part 3A pivoting according to the arrow 3F on the support axis 49 in the chassis 70. The upper belts 30A which guide and drive the folds on the path of arrival of the folds, the retaining fingers and reel 36 and 37 and their set of control levers 38 belong to the upper part 3A. The lower belts 30B of the fold path, the fixed plate 32 as well as the equipped carriage, not shown, belong to the lower part 3B and are mounted directly in the chassis 70.

The upper part 3A is locked on the lower part 3B in FIG. 2 and open in FIG. 3. It is mounted on two flanges 71, which are both visible in FIG. 5. These flanges 71 are made integral one of the other by spacer axes such as 72. These flanges 71 are pivotally mounted on the axis 49 which passes through one of their ends; they carry another support pin 73 coming to lock in two stirrup lugs 74, attached to the side walls of the chassis to receive the pin 73.

This support axis 73 freely crosses the flanges, substantially at their other end. A handle 75 is integral with the axis 73; it can be actuated according to arrow 75F to drive the axis 73 in rotation on itself against the action of a return spring 76, and allow the axis 73 to be unlocked from its lugs 74. For the blocking and unlocking of the support pin 73 on its hooking lugs 74, this pin has at each of its ends a flat, not referenced, for clearing the support pin 73 from its latching tabs. 74 during the simple actuation in rotation of this axis 73.

This structure of the device 3 in two parts 3A and 3B, with the part 3A unlockable and opening on the part 3B mounted in the chassis, gives possible access in the path for supplying the folds and to the fixed input tray. This access allows you to remove any accidental jam that may occur during operation of the machine.

The structure of the insertion device 3, in particular that of the upper part 3A, is specified with reference to the two views given in FIGS. 4 and 5 in which appears in detail in particular all of the levers 38 for controlling the retaining fingers 36 and folding fingers 37. In FIG. 4, which corresponds to a sectional view along the line IV-IV of FIG. 5, the retaining fingers 36 and the folding fingers 37 have been shown in solid lines in their normal position in the absence of any command which is transmitted to them and in dotted lines in their fold transfer position in response to the command which is transmitted to them through all of the levers 38; in FIG. 5, these fingers have only been shown in this second position for transferring the present fold, designated by 80, for reasons of clarity.

The retaining fingers 36 and the folding fingers 37 are controlled in their transfer position by an electromagnet 39, shown in FIG. 4 only, when this electromagnet is itself even activated. The set of levers 38 ensures the coupling between the electromagnet and the retaining fingers and the folding fingers for the simultaneous transmission of this command or their return to the normal position.

The retaining fingers 36 have a linear profile and have a terminal tab 36A serving for their attachment to one and the other of the two ends of a support axis 81. This support axis 81 passes through the two flanges 71, the two fingers restraint he wears are outside the two flanges. This support pin 81 is also mounted adjustable relative to the front of the fixed plate 32, as will be seen below. A lever 82, said lever for the retaining fingers, has one of its ends integral with the support axis 81, for pivoting the retaining fingers, according to the double arrow 36F in FIG. 4.

The folding fingers 37 have a profile in the shape of a curved tab and have, laterally on one or their two edges, a terminal lug 37A used for their attachment to a support axis 83. This axis 83 is mounted through the two flanges 71 , it has a folding finger, at each of its ends, coming outside of the two flanges, and a third wider folding finger on its middle part, between the two flanges. A lever 84, called the lever of the folding fingers, has one of its ends articulated at 84A on one of the two latching ears of the central folding finger, for the pivoting of the three folding fingers, according to the double arrow 37F of the figure 4.

An electromagnet link, 85, is articulated by one of its ends 85A on the end piece 39A of the electromagnet 39. it is coupled, by an articulation 85B at its other end, to a first lever 87, in a substantially central region thereof.

This first control lever 87 is pivotally mounted by one of its ends around a fixed support axis 87A carried by one of the flanges 71; it is opposite articulated on one of the ends of a coupling beam 88, by an articulation 88A. The lever 82 of the retaining fingers has its second end coupled to the beam 88, by a roller 82B carried by the lever 82 and retained in the beam 88. This beam 88 has, for this purpose, a U-shaped profile, visible opposite the partial section of this profile shown in Figure 4 at the 82B roller that it receives. A second control lever, 89, has one of its ends articulated on the second end 88B of the beam 88. Like the first control lever 87, it is mounted by its other end pivoting about a fixed axis 89A. The lever 84 of the folding fingers has its second end coupled, by an articulation 84B, to this second control lever, in an intermediate zone thereof.

In this set of levers, the electromagnet link 85 and the beam 88 extend substantially along the length of the part 3A, above and in front of the fixed plate 32, being at different levels. The first and the second control lever, 87 and 89, extend substantially along the height of the part 3A, at least in the absence of control from the electromagnet. A spring 86 anchored on a middle part of the link 85 and on the end of the flanges, which is closed by an attached plate 90, urges all of the levers, with the first control lever 87 being brought into abutment against the plate 90, in the absence of control of the electromagnet. The profile given to this control lever 87 allows it to escape from the support axis 49.

The control exerted by the electromagnet is illustrated by arrow 39F, in FIG. 4. It is transmitted by all of the levers, to cause the retaining fingers 36 to pass from their position of transverse obstacle to the front. of the fixed plate in an erased position and simultaneously the folding fingers 37 from their raised position above the fixed plate in a folded position. This command allows on the one hand the free transfer of the fold 80, then present on the fixed plate 32, to the carriage 33 and on the other hand the insertion of this fold under the front spout 35A of the pushing fingers then advancing with the carriage 33 These fingers return to their normal position, shown in solid lines in this figure 4, as soon as the fold has been completely transferred to the carriage 33, for free arrival of the next fold on the fixed plate under the folding fingers, and its retention on this fixed plate by the retaining fingers.

The retaining fingers 36 are made adjustable at the front of the fixed plate 32 by actuation of a knurled button 91 situated in front of the closure plate 90 between the flanges 71. With reference to FIG. 5, it can be seen that this knurled button 91 ensures the control of a target 92 extending longitudinally in the space between the flanges 71. This screw 92 carries a support profile 93, occupying substantially the width of the space between the flanges 71, through which the support pin 81 of the retaining fingers. Although not illustrated, it will be understood that this support axis 81, movable with the support profile 93 controlled according to arrow 93F, moves in correspondence in two longitudinal slots provided in the flanges. This possible adjustment of the position of the retaining fingers 36 at the front of the fixed plate 32 makes it possible to process folds having different formats.

In addition to the retaining fingers 36, which are adjustable as a function of one of the dimensions of the pleats, in FIG. 5 it can also be seen, as regards the lower part 3B of the device 3, that the fixed plate 32 is also rendered adjustable to adapt to the other dimension of the folds, so as to accept folds of different possible formats.

This fixed plate 32 is formed at the front of the outlet 31A-31B of the path for supplying the folds. It has a central part, bearing its reference 32. This central part belongs to a plate 35 profiled according to the path of the folds, which is mounted between the two belts 30B of the lower part 3B and held by lateral tabs 95A in particular on the axes of the rollers, such as the axis 31C of the end rollers 31B at the end of the path. At the level of the rollers 31B, the plate 95 is bent then bent at a right angle to extend at the front and below the outlet 31A-31B by forming the central part of the fixed plate. A lateral recess made at each roller 31B makes it possible to define each of the windows 32A for passage of the push fingers 35, over the length of the fixed plate 32 when the carriage 33 is controlled. The fixed plate 32 also comprises, laterally on its central part, two angled profiles 96 which are associated with this central part to limit the width of the resulting entry plate. These two profiles 96 are carried by the axis 31C of the end rollers of the part 3B, on which they are sliding according to arrow 96F, and by the same threaded rod 97 whose threads are in reverse pitch for the control in opposite direction of the profiles on this rod. A knurled button 98 allows actuation of the rod 97 and therefore the adjustment of the spacing of the profiles 96.

Thus, at each change of fold format to be inserted in an envelope, the retaining fingers 36 are adjusted in position at the front of the fixed plate and the two lateral profiles 96 adjusted in spacing, according to the dimensions of the new format.

The fold transfer and insertion carriage 33 is also adjustable in length and in width to adapt to the various fold formats. Its arrangement allowing these adjustments conforms to that described in the aforementioned document FR-A-84 14 141 and is therefore no longer described below.

So that the folds, received on the fixed plate 32 and transferred to the carriage 33 then with the latter towards the insertion station, are kept substantially flat, two vertical guides 99 (FIG. 5) are provided mounted on the outer sides flanges 71. These guides 99 come opposite the fixed plate 32, a relatively short distance from this plate, and project beyond the front of this plate. They are worn on the one hand on the axis 83 carrying the folding fingers 37, on which they are free, and on the other hand on a retaining pin 99A fixed on the corresponding flange 71.

The controls of the insertion device 3 and of the other devices entering the machine illustrated in FIG. 1 are provided by the control assembly 5 shown in more detail in FIG. 6.

In this FIG. 6, the elements already mentioned during the description of FIG. 1 are identified by the same references. They are simply specified below.

The ejection cam 52 mounted on the motor shaft 50 has its periphery, against which the control roller 53 is kept under pressure, which essentially has three distinct parts successive noted 101, 102 and 103, each occupying substantially a sector of approximately 120 °. Part 101 is circular and is the most prominent peripheral part. The part 103 forms a flat on the ejection cam and is the least protruding. The part 102 is intermediate and is itself in two parts of length close to one another, it has on the side of the part 101 a substantially linear portion 102A and on the side of the part 103 a substantially circular portion 102B. Part 101 is said to be of rest, part 103 is said to be ejection and part 102 for transition between the two parts 101 and 103, opposite the commands which they make it possible to transmit to the ejection device by the roller 53, the lever 54 and the connecting rod 48.

The flywheel 58 is rotatable with the shaft 50 which drives it; the connecting rod 59 - lever 34 system transforms the rotary movement of the flywheel 58 into an alternating movement transmitted to the trolley of the ply insertion device 3, giving the trolley a variable speed, along its travel going towards the insertion station , or return.

The opening cam of the body of the envelopes 55, mounted on the motor shaft 50, has its periphery against which the control roller 56 is kept under pressure which has two parts 105 and 106 both semi-circular but of different rays. The part 105 is of significantly greater length than the other 106 but is on the other hand of smaller radius than that of the latter 106. These parts 105 and 106 are separated by substantially linear transitions for a quick change of control. Part 105 is said to be of rest part 106 is said to be opening the body of the envelopes, opposite the commands which they make it possible to transmit to the opening fingers, by the roller 56 and the control lever 9.

To take account of different possible formats of plies to be loaded into corresponding envelopes also of different formats, this control lever 9 can also be pivotally actuated from an auxiliary cam 55A, similar to cam 55 and also mounted on the tree 50 but leading to a slight advance of the command which it can transmit to the lever 9. This auxiliary cam has its associated roller 56A selectively actuated by pressure against the cam 55A or retracted in front of the cam by an electromagnet control assigned for this purpose, not illustrated. This roller 56A being in the retracted position, only the cam 55 is active on the lever 9, when the roller 56A is however under pressure on its cam 55A, the two cams 55 and 55A are active on the lever 9: the start of their combined action is given by cam 55A and the end by cam 55. Advantageously, these two cams 55 and 55A are mounted on either side of the coding disc 60.

The coding disc 60, also mounted on the motor shaft 50 which drives it with the cams 52, 55 and 55A, allows relative positioning of the cams and of the flywheel 58 very precise for the progress over time of the mechanical controls which arise. It also makes it possible, from all of the control sequences defined relatively to each other for each insertion cycle, to control the sequence of sequences from mechanical controls relative to the sequence of sequences from electronic commands, these latter commands being given by the sensor. 62 and the counter 65, from the coding disc 60 of the control mechanism 5.

This disc 60 has for this purpose a series of small openings such as 61A, formed with regular pitch, in the vicinity and on almost all of its periphery with the exception of a small interval which is free from it. The disc 60 is shown with 55 small openings 61A and with this small interval corresponding to 5 missing openings. The sensor 62 is a double sensor, with two emitting cells with which two receiving cells are associated, respectively. One of the sensors, 62A, of this double sensor, is mounted to the right of the small openings 61A. It was noted, on the periphery of the disc and facing these openings, by H1 and H 55 the extreme clock signals during the detection of the 55 successive small openings 61A illustrated, as they pass in front of the sensor 62A during the rotation of the disk 60 with the shaft 50 on one revolution. This sensor 62A is coupled to a counting input 65A of the counter 65.

This disc 60 also has a long opening 61B, which is formed slightly more inside the disc than the small openings 61A and which extends at least in part opposite the gap free of openings 61A. The second sensor 62B of the double sensor 62 is mounted to detect this longer opening 61B.

The second sensor 62B of the double sensor 62 gives a clock signal denoted HO which translates an angular reference or rest position, for the machine, at each passage of the long opening 61B in front of the sensor 62B. This second sensor is coupled to a reset input 65B of the counter 65. This clock signal Ho corresponds to a small number of signals such as H1, H2, H3 ... H55, it has a duration of between 2 and 5 of these latter signals, to allow a sufficient stop range to be given to the shaft 50, when the machine stops.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, advantageously the longest opening 61B extends opposite the terminal opening 61A giving rise to the signal H55 and extends with regard to a part of the interval free of openings 61A; this part corresponds here to 3 of the 5 missing openings. The sensor 62B is angularly offset from the sensor 62A, in a corresponding manner, that is to say 2 steps from the clock H1 to H55. This offset catches up with the non-centering of the longest opening 61B over the entire gap free of openings 61A. Above all, it allows easy mounting of the two sensors and the use of optical fibers 63A and 63B coupling the two remote sensor cells of the coding disc 60 to the emitter cells to detect the passage of these openings, avoiding interference between one any of the emitting cells and the fiber associated with the other emitting cell.

Because of this arrangement, when the sensor 62A gives rise to the clock signal H55, the longest opening 61B has not yet arrived at the right of the sensor 62B; as soon as this long opening 61B is in line with the sensor 62B, the counter 65 is reset to zero. On the other hand, when the sensor 62A gives rise to the clock signal H1, the long opening 61B has escaped from its sensor 62B, this signal H1 then the following H2 ... until H 55 are therefore recorded in counter 65.

The essential sequences of the operation of the machine are specified below, with respect to the clock signals delivered by the sensor 62 and the associated counter 65, which are indicated below for an insertion cycle carried out for a complete revolution of the motor shaft 50.

- Sequence 1 - called advance sequence of the carriage 33:

• . une première sous séquence de transfert du pli du plateau fixe d'entrée 32 au chariot 33 issue de la commande électronique donnée par le capteur 62 et le compteur 65, qui a lieu de HO à H14 pour lesquels les doigts de retenue 36 sont effacés et les doigts rabatteurs 37 rabattus.
• . une deuxième sous-séquence d'ouverture du corps de l'enveloppe, issue de la commande mécanique donnée à partir de la came 55, ou des cames 55 et 55A, qui a lieu de H8 à H21 pour les enveloppes de petit format et de H5 à H21 pour les enveloppes de grand format.

This sequence corresponds to the clock signals going from Ho to H28, with the beginning of insertion of the fold in the envelope which takes place at H14 and the insertion at the bottom of the fold in the envelope at H28, which are provided by the commands. mechanical transmitted to the lever 34 by the rod-crank system 59, 58. During this sequence 1, the following two sub-sequences also take place:

• . a first sub-sequence for transferring the fold from the fixed input tray 32 to the carriage 33 originating from the electronic control given by the sensor 62 and the counter 65, which takes place from HO to H14 for which the retaining fingers 36 are erased and the folding fingers 37 folded.
• . a second sub-sequence for opening the body of the envelope, resulting from the mechanical command given from cam 55, or from cams 55 and 55A, which takes place from H8 to H21 for small-format envelopes and H5 to H21 for large format envelopes.

- Sequence 2 - so-called fold retention sequence in the envelope present at the insertion station:

This sequence comes from the mechanical command given by the cam 52 and extends from the signal H24 to H54. During this sequence the non-return tabs 6 are in the low position.

- Sequence 3 - called return sequence of carriage 33:

This sequence extends from signal H28 to signal Ho, with complete exit of the carriage from the envelope from H42. It comes from mechanical control given by the crank-rod 59-58.

- Sequence 4 - called ejection sequence which extends from H41 to H5 and breaks down into two sub-sequences:

• . A first so-called cambering sequence gives a rapid descent, from H41 to H44, of the elements for cambering the envelope, which is followed by a downward maintenance of these elements from H44 to H53 and then their ascent from H53 to Ho. This first sub-sequence comes from the mechanical control given by the cam 52.
• . A second so-called transfer and ejection sub-sequence, with drive control of the drive rollers 20 and 40, both of the empty envelope transfer device and of the loaded envelope ejection device. This sub-sequence comes from electronic control given by the sensor 62 and the counter 65 and extends from the signal H45 to the signal H5 for small envelopes and from H47 to H5 for large envelopes.

The insertion cycles take place one after the other with their essential sequences which overlap or overlap each other. When the machine starts they are preceded by an initialization cycle, bringing an empty envelope to the insertion station and a fold on the fixed input tray and during which the parameters related to the format of the folds then concerned are taken into account. . During a general stop command, there is an actual stop of the machine in its reference position translated by the appearance of the signal HO.

Figures 7 and 8 are given in addition to Figures 4 and 5 to illustrate the operation of the device 3 for inserting envelopes in envelopes during the advance sequence of the carriage 33 and to show the operation of opening the body. of the envelope.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, an empty envelope 110 has been shown maintained at the insertion station by its open flap 111 taken between the output roller 20 and its counter roller illustrated in 20A of the device for transferring empty envelopes 2 (FIG. 1). The envelope 110 is stopped, the rollers 20 and 40 no longer being driven, the carriage 33 has started its advance according to arrow 33F towards the envelope 110. The envelope 110 is considered to be small in size to receive a fold of small format.

FIGS. 7 and 8 correspond to two operating phases situated between the clock signals H5 and H20 given by the coding disc, the sensor 62 and the counter 65 of the control assembly of FIG. 6, and more precisely just before and after the H8 signal, respectively.

In FIG. 7 and opposite FIG. 6, it can be deduced that the roller 56 arrives at the end of its travel against the part 105 of the opening cam of the body of the envelope 55; the lever 9 then keeps the opening fingers 7 recessed in front of the body of the envelope. A fan, represented at 115 in FIG. 7 but not in the preceding figures to avoid overloads, which is mounted in the upper part 3A of the device 3 and oriented to blow obliquely on the body of the envelope in its junction zone with the flap 111, therefore contributes to the upcoming opening of the body of the envelope.

In Figure 8 we showed the fingers 7 inserted into the body of the envelope and ensuring its opening. With reference to FIG. 6, it can be deduced therefrom that the roller 56 is after the signal H8, against the part 106 of the cam 55 for opening the body of the envelope; the lever 9 has then pivoted relative to its previous position and driven the opening fingers in the body of the envelope which they keep open. Keeping the body of the envelope open lasts as long as the roller 56 remains on the part 106 of the cam 55, until the clock signal H21, for which the carriage 33 is already partially engaged in the envelope.

• sa simplicité de réalisation avec des doigts poussoirs fixes sur le chariot et présentant un bec de préhension également fixe, profilé à l'avant de chacun d'eux et ne venant que faiblement en saillie au dessus du plateau d'entrée fixe ; ceci permet, sans escamotage des doigts poussoirs, leur retour à l'arrière du plateau fixe d'entrée, sans gène excessive pour le pli en attente de l'opération suivante d'insertion, tandis que la prise du pli à insérer est assurée de manière certaine par les doigts rabatteurs, normalement effacés, qui sont alors commandés, montés couplés aux doigts de retenue du pli pour leur commande inverse simultanée,
• l'adaptation aisée du plateau fixe d'entrée et des doigts de retenue, comme du chariot, aux différents formats possibles des plis,
• la structure ouvrante du dispositif d'insertion 3, qui donne un accès aisé à l'intérieur du dispositif, en cas de bourrages accidentels,
• la fiabilité de commande du dispositif d'insertion avec les autres dispositifs rentrant la machine dont les séquences des cycles successifs d'insertion, quelles soient issues de commande mécanique ou électronique, sont définies avec précision relativement entre elles et donnent lieu à des commandes spécifiques déclenchées en regard des positions angulaires successives d'un même arbre moteur de commande, ces positions angulaires successives étant détectées à chaque rotation sur un tour complet de cet arbre moteur, relativement à une position angulaire de référence également détectée pour chaque tour complet de l'arbre, soit pour chaque cycle,
• la possibilité d'adapter aisément la cadence des cycles d'insertion aux besoins d'utilisation de la machine, par un changement correspondant de la vitesse dudit arbre moteur,

   La présente invention a été décrite en regard du mode de réalisation illustré dans les dessins ci-annexés. Il est évident que l'on pourra y apporter des modifications de détail et/ou remplacer certains moyens par d'autre équivalents, sans pour autant sortir du cadre de la présente invention.Among the main advantages of the insertion device according to the present application, there may be mentioned:

• its simplicity of embodiment with fixed push fingers on the carriage and having a gripping spout also fixed, profiled at the front of each of them and coming only slightly protruding above the fixed input plate; this allows, without retracting the pushing fingers, their return to the rear of the fixed input tray, without excessive discomfort for the fold awaiting the next insertion operation, while taking the fold to be inserted is ensured sure by the folding fingers, normally erased, which are then ordered, mounted coupled to the fold retaining fingers for their simultaneous reverse control,
• easy adaptation of the fixed input tray and retaining fingers, like the carriage, to the different possible fold formats,
• the opening structure of the insertion device 3, which gives easy access to the interior of the device, in the event of accidental jams,
• the reliability of control of the insertion device with the other devices entering the machine, the sequences of the successive insertion cycles, regardless of whether they come from mechanical or electronic control, are defined with relative precision and give rise to specific commands triggered with respect to the successive angular positions of the same drive motor shaft, these successive angular positions being detected at each rotation over a complete revolution of this motor shaft, relative to a reference angular position also detected for each complete revolution of the shaft , or for each cycle,
• the possibility of easily adapting the rate of the insertion cycles to the needs of use of the machine, by a corresponding change in the speed of said motor shaft,

The present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is obvious that it will be possible to make modifications to it in detail and / or to replace certain means by other equivalents, without going beyond the ambit of the present invention.

Claims (17)

1. A device for inserting sheets into envelopes, the device comprising:

   - a fixed insertion station per se, fed with empty envelopes which are separate from one another;

   - a fixed sheet inlet station including a fixed inlet tray, placed at a distance from the insertion station and fed with sheets which are separate from one another;

   - a sheet transfer and insertion tray referred to as a "carriage" which is driven in translation along a "go" stroke from a first position in whioch it is retracted beneath the fixed inlet tray to a second position in which it is at least partially engaged in the envelope present in the insertion station, and also along an opposite or "return" stroke, said carriage being fitted with pusher fingers having forwardly-directed sheet grasping means for grasping the sheet present in the inlet station, said fingers projecting above the level of the inlet station in order to retain the sheet by their grasping means and to push it during said go stroke,

   characterized in that said pusher fingers (35) and said front sheet grasping means (35A) are fixed relative to each other and are fixed relative to the carriage (33), with said forwardly-directed grasping means being flush just above the level of the inlet station in order to leave them free to pass beneath a sheet waiting in the inlet station during the return stroke of the carriage, and in that it further comprises holding-down fingers (37) mounted above the inlet station and controlled to take up a holding-down position against the inlet station at least during the beginning of said carriage go stroke in order to force the sheet beneath said grasping means, thereby ensuring that the sheet is taken by said grasping means of each pusher finger, and also having a retracted position above the inlet station during the remainder of the go stroke and during the return stroke of the carriage in order to leave the inlet station free to be fed with a new sheet.
2. A device according to claim 1, further including sheet retaining fingers for retaining the sheet present in the inlet station, said fingers being put into an obstacle position at the front of the inlet station for retaining a sheet and also in a retracted position for allowing a sheet to be transferred, characterized in that said retaining fingers (36) and said holding-down fingers (37) are coupled to each other by a set of levers (38) for controlling them simultaneously so that the retaining fingers are retracted while the holding-down fingers are not, and vice-versa.
3. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that it further includes sheet anti-return lugs (6) mounted above said insertion station (1) and put either into a low position against an envelope which is present substantially level with the junction zone between the envelope body and its flap, at least during the beginning of the carriage return stroke, in order to retain the sheet engaged with the carriage in the envelope, or else into a raised position, at least during the engagement of the carriage with the sheet in the envelope.
4. A device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said retaining fingers (36) are mounted on a common shaft (81) carried by a support (93) which is adjustable relative to the front of said inlet station (32) by means of a manual control (91, 92) connected to the support (93).
5. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said inlet station (32) comprises a fixed central tray (32) and two side plates (96) which have an angle profile and which are mounted to be simultaneously adjustable towards and away from each other relative to said central tray by means of a manual control (97, 98) which is linked to said plate.
6. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that it further includes a control assembly (5) mounted on a common drive shaft (50) with respect to which the control sequences of said device within an insertion cycle are defined relative to each other for each complete rotation of said drive shaft (50).
7. A device according to claim 6, characterized in that said control assembly (5) includes on the one hand a flywheel-forming crank (58) fixed on said driver shaft (50), and a link (59) actuated by the crank and coupled to said carriage (33) in order to drive it, and on the other hand a coding disk (60) for encoding successive angular positions of the drive shaft (50) which positions are detected by an associated sensor (62).
8. A device according to claim 7, characterized in that said control assembly further includes a first cam (52) having at least two distinct peripheral portions (101, 102, 103) which serve to control a link (48) for actuating said sheet anti-return lugs (6) to which it is coupled in order to move them between a high position and a low position.
9. A device according to claim 8 and further including means for opening the body of the envelope present in the insertion station, characterized in that said opening means comprise opening fingers (7) which are retractively mounted in front of the body of the envelope present in said insertion station, and in that said control assembly (5) further includes a second cam (55) mounted on said drive shaft (50) and having two peripheral portions (105, 106) which serve to control a lever (9) for actuating said opening fingers (7) respectively between a retracted position and a non-retracted position in which they are engaged in said envelope.
10. A device according to claim 9, characterized in that said control assembly (5) further includes an auxiliary cam (55A) carried by said drive shaft (50) and analogous to said second cam (55), and which is angularly offset relative thereto by a small advance, and which is mounted to be selectively coupled or not coupled to said lever (9) for actuating the opening fingers (7) in order to control said opening fingers by said auxiliary cam (55A) to assume their non-retracted position, and to control the return of said opening fingers to their retracted position by said second cam (55), in the event that said auxiliary cam (55A) is coupled to said lever (9) for actuating the opening fingers.
11. A device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that said opening means include a fan (115) mounted at the front of and above the body of the envelope present in the insertion station, and blowing across the body of the envelope in its junction zone with the flap of the envelope.
12. A device according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the coding disk (60) has a non-looped series of first openings (61A) distributed at a regular pitch around its periphery and defining a gap in which said first openings are missing.
13. A device according to claim 12, characterized in that said coding disk (60) also has a second opening (61B) which is radially offset relative to said series of first openings (61A) and which is at least partially in front of said gap from which said first openings are missing, and said sensor (62) is a duplicate sensor (62A, 62B) provided for detecting the passage of said first openings (61A) and of the second openings (61B) respectively.
14. A device according to claim 13, characterized in that said duplicate sensor (62A, 62B) is connected to a counter (65) and in that said first detected openings (61A) are provided for delivering a sequence of clock signals (H1 to H55), and said second opening (61B) is provided for delivering a reference signal (H0) for resetting said sequence of clock signals (H1 to H55) to zero.
15. A device according to claim 14, characterized in that the individual sensors (62A, 62B) of the duplicate sensor include optical fibers (63A, 63B) respectively coupled to two emitting cells in order to remotely detect said openings.
16. A device according to claim 15, characterized in that said second opening (61B) is at least twice as long as said first opening (61A) and extends at least partially in front of said terminal first opening giving rise to the last signal (H55) of the sequence, and said individual sensors are angularly offset from each other in order to detect said first and second openings.
17. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 16, characterized in that it comprises two portions, the one referred to as bottom portion (3B) mounted directly on a chassis (70) to which said carriage (33), said fixed inlet tray (32) and a feed path (30B, 95) for feeding the fixed inlet tray with separate sheets belong, whereas the other portion, referred to as top portion (3A) is carried by cheek pieces (71) which are mounted, on the one hand, pivotingly at one of their ends about a shaft (49) in said chassis (70), and on the other hand, locked by an unlockable manual control (75, 73) substantially at the other of their ends to said chassis, the top portion including the means (30B) for guiding said sheets along said feed path, said retaining fingers (36), said holding-down fingers (37), and said set of levers (38) coupling said retaining fingers and said holding-down fingers.

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