EP0352687B1 - Device for inserting folded matter into envelopes - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to devices for inserting pleats in envelopes.

Such devices are already known. They are used as office machines to ensure the mailing in envelopes, or come into larger facilities ensuring the automatic processing of large volumes of mail and comprising, in addition, in particular a folder and / or collator and a device for closing loaded envelopes.

In the devices for inserting folds into envelopes, the empty envelopes are presented successively in a loading position facing a fold transfer path. Each envelope is kept in this loading position for the duration of the insertion of the fold into the envelope. Means for supplying and holding each empty envelope in the loading position are mounted on an envelope path; these means may include a set of rollers and a set of associated pressure counter-rollers, receiving the envelopes between them and arranged at the end of the fold transfer path. The set of rollers, when driven, and the set of pressure counter rollers contribute to bringing each envelope into the loading position, driving the body of the envelope until the line of junction between the body of the envelope and the previously unfolded flap is received between them. The set of rollers then no longer being driven, the envelope is stopped and maintained in the loading position facing the fold transfer path.

Opening fingers of the envelope body are used to ensure the opening of the envelope body maintained in the loading position, in order to facilitate the insertion of the fold. These fingers are mounted at the front of the loading position and are normally erased. For the insertion of the fold, they are actuated in the open position of the body of the envelope, by being partially inserted into the body of the envelope. In addition, the aforementioned set of counter-rollers is advantageously mounted retractable opposite the set of rollers, it is put in the retracted position as soon as the set of rollers is no longer driven, to allow actuation in the open position of the fingers.

In known insertion devices, various specific mechanisms are also assigned to the fold insertion operation proper. They are intended in particular to allow insertion at the bottom of the fold in the envelope. An example of such a mechanism is described in particular in French patent application FR-A-2 570 331 filed by the applicant. This mechanism comprises an insertion plate mounted in a carriage driven back and forth alternately. This insertion plate receives the fold to be inserted from the fold transfer path, is inserted with the fold which it retains in the envelope and is withdrawn from the envelope by releasing the fold which it has accompanied completely in the envelope. The use of such a mechanism and its control make the devices relatively bulky. Their realization and assembly are often not easy, given that it is desirable to house them in a minimum space to reduce as much as possible the size of the device.

In patent GB-2,183,214, the insertion device comprises a table receiving each envelope of an inclined ramp coupled to one of its edges and receiving each fold to be loaded from another inclined ramp. The ramp of the folds ends above the table, where the envelope is stopped with its flap open; it has a terminal set of rollers which cooperates with a set of protruding rollers across the table. The table swivels around its edge coupled to the ramp of the envelopes.

On the part of the table, upstream of the folds of the ramp, two pairs of rollers ensure the advance of each envelope. The first of these two pairs of rollers gives the camber the camber; a pivoting lever between these two pairs of rollers retains the envelope flap arriving ajar against it. In the loading position, the envelope has its open flap remaining just behind the exit of the folds of their ramp. The table is tilted to insert the fold into the envelope.

GB-1 237 872 describes an insertion machine, in which the insertion station is defined by a swivel plate at the end of the path of empty envelopes and of a path of folds to be loaded. This plate is substantially in the extension of the path of the envelopes, to receive an envelope to be loaded, the flap of which has previously been opened by a pivoting knife and moistened during its advance on the path, a fold coming to be inserted in the present envelope. It is tilted to eject the loaded envelope and close it between two rollers.

The present invention aims in particular to allow the proper insertion of the folds in envelopes using a very simple mechanism and does not have the drawbacks of space and the aforementioned assembly difficulties.

• un premier jeu de galets et un premier jeu associé de contre-galets assurant l'amenée et la présentation d'une enveloppe dans une position définie dite de chargement, en regard d'un chemin de plis,
• des galets d'avance des plis sur le chemin des plis pour l'avance d'un pli vers l'enveloppe en position de chargement
• des moyens d'actionnement du premier jeu de contre-galets d'une position de pression à une position rétractée quand l'enveloppe est dans ladite position de chargement, et
• des moyens d'ouverture du corps des enveloppes, commandés d'une position effacée à une position d'ouverture quand l'enveloppe est dans ladite position de chargement,

ledit dispositif étant caractérisé en ce que ledit premier jeu de contre-galets est couplé à travers un mécanisme à roue libre auxdits galets d'avance des plis, pour son entraînement avec eux, lesdits galets d'avance étant eux-mêmes montés à une distance desdits premiers jeux de contre-galets inférieure à la longueur des plis à insérer dans les enveloppes, la trajectoire d'entraînement des plis étant sensiblement horizontale, et en ce qu'il comporte en outre des premiers moyens pour assurer une détection d'insertion partielle du pli dans l'enveloppe correspondant à l'échappement du pli des galets d'avance, couplés auxdits moyens d'actionnement du premier jeu de contre-galets et commandant la mise en position de pression de ces derniers pour assurer l'insertion à fond du pli dans l'enveloppe.Its subject is a device for inserting folds into envelopes comprising:

• a first set of rollers and a first associated set of counter-rollers ensuring the supply and presentation of an envelope in a defined so-called loading position, facing a fold path,
• rolls of advance of the folds on the fold path for advancing a fold towards the envelope in the loading position
• means for actuating the first set of counter rollers from a pressure position to a retracted position when the envelope is in said loading position, and
• means for opening the body of the envelopes, controlled from a retracted position to an open position when the envelope is in said loading position,

said device being characterized in that said first set of counter rollers is coupled through a freewheel mechanism to said rollers for advancing the plies, for its drive with them, said feed rollers being themselves mounted at a distance of said first sets of counter rollers less than the length of the pleats to be inserted in the envelopes, the fold drive path being substantially horizontal, and in that it further comprises first means for ensuring detection of partial insertion of the fold into the envelope corresponding to the escape of the fold from the rollers of advance, coupled to said means for actuating the first set of counter rollers and controlling the setting of the pressure position of the latter to ensure the insertion of the fold as far as possible into the envelope.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the means for advancing the folds comprise a pair of second sets of pressure rollers, mounted on the exit from the folds path, and coupled to said first sets of rollers and counter-rollers by a plate fixed fold guide.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the first set of counter rollers is carried by a pair of arms mounted articulated on the axis of one of the second sets of rollers.

The pair of arms carries a control spacer axis resiliently urged to bear on a control cam having on its periphery two profiles centered substantially opposite one another, for maintaining the first set of counter rollers in pressure position, and alternated with two second profiles to maintain the first set of counter rollers in the retracted position.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly during the description given below with regard to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the attached drawing.

In the drawing, the single figure is a partial elevation view which schematically shows the insertion device according to the invention.

In this figure, there is illustrated in 1 a path of empty envelopes which are to be loaded and in 2 a path of the folds. The arrow 1A translates the advance of each envelope over path 1 and arrow 2 In advance of each fold on path 2.

The advance of the successive envelopes on the path 1 allows their presentation in a defined loading position, facing the path of the folds 2. A first set of rollers 3 and a first associated set of pressure counter-rollers 4 define at the end of the path 1 the loading position. They are mounted opposite the fold path 2. The first set of rollers 3 driven in rotation according to arrow 3A and its set of counter-rollers 4 under pressure allow each envelope to be brought into its loading position. The first set of rollers 3 is stopped when the envelope arrives with its junction line between its body and its flap, previously unfolded, situated between it and the first set of counter-rollers 4. A second pair of sets of rollers 5 and 6, in pressure against each other, located upstream of the sets of rollers and counter-rollers 3, 4 on the path 1, ensures the maintenance of the envelope flap previously unfolded. These sets of rollers and counter-rollers 3, 4 and upstream rollers 5, 6 thus allow the presentation of each envelope in the loading position and its maintenance in this position during the loading operation.

A motor 7, known as the envelope motor, ensures the advance of the envelopes on path 1 until they are put in the loading position. It drives the sets of rollers 3 and 5. It ensures after loading, the ejection of each envelope.

The fold path 2 is equipped with its own means for advancing folds on this path. These means for advancing the folds in particular comprise a third pair of sets of rollers 8 and 9 in pressure located at the outlet of the folds path 2. Elastic means not shown ensure the pressure of the set of rollers 8 against the set of rollers 9.

This third pair of sets of rollers 8 and 9 is mounted at a distance from the sets of rollers and counter-rollers 3, 4 less than the length of the folds. The sets of rollers 8 and 9 thus directly ensure the partial insertion of each ply into the envelope presented in its loading position. A fixed guide plate 10 is mounted between the set of rollers 8 and the set of counter-rollers 4, for guiding each ply during its insertion. A counter plate 11 between the set of rollers 9 and the set of rollers 3 is associated with it.

The sets of rollers 8 and 9 are both illustrated driven. Arrows 8A and 9A translate their rotational drive. As a variant, only one of these sets of rollers and then in this case the set of lower rollers 8 can be driven. A motor 12, called the fold motor, is coupled to the set of rollers 8 and, optionally, to the set of rollers 9.

For the operation of inserting a fold into an envelope presented in its loading position, the set of counter rollers 4 is mounted slightly retractable opposite the set of rollers 3. In addition, fingers 13 for opening the body of the envelope are associated with these sets of rollers and counter-rollers 3 and 4. These fingers 13 are mounted normally erased at the front of the rollers and counter-rollers 3 and 4, under the guide plate 10 of the folds. They are actuated according to arrow 13A, when the counter rollers 4 are retracted, taking an open position to be inserted between the rollers 3 and the counter rollers 4 and in the body of the envelope.

A cam 14 is assigned to control the counter rollers 4 in their pressure position against the rollers 3 and in their retracted position. Another cam 15 is assigned to control the fingers 13 in their retracted position at the front of the rollers 3 and counter rollers 4 and in their open position. These two cams are mounted on the same control motor shaft 16. It is driven by its own control circuit 17 with stepping motor, according to arrow 16A, ensuring the advance of the cams in synchronism with the different stages of an insertion cycle.

A pair of arms 20 pivotally mounted actuates the set of counter rollers 4 which it carries. Each of these arms carries a roller 21 bearing on the cam 14. In a comparable manner a pair of articulated levers 22 ensures actuation of the fingers 13. Each of these levers carries a roller 23 bearing on the cam 15. Each of the cams 14 and 15 is constituted by a double cam, for the pair of arms 20, as for the pair of levers 22. The axis of articulation of the arms 20 has been designated by 20A and by that of the levers 22 by 22A.

The set of counter-rollers 4 is coupled to the set of rollers 8 in advance of the folds. A belt transmission 25, simply primed to avoid unnecessary overloads in the figure, couples the set of rollers 8 to a freewheel mechanism 26 mounted on the axis of the set of counter-rollers 4. Tensioning rollers not shown are associated to the belt 25 for its constant tension, this regardless of whether the set of counter-rollers 4 is in the retracted position or in the pressure position opposite the set of rollers 3. An arrow 4A illustrates the rotation drive of the set of counter-rollers 4, either by friction against the set of rollers 3 driven, or either by coupling with the set of rollers 8.

In addition, the pair of arms 20 carrying the set of counter rollers 4 has its axis of articulation 20A directly defined by the axis of the set of rollers 8 in advance of the folds. This pair of arms 20 extends laterally on either side of the fold guide plate 10; it mechanically couples the set of counter rollers 4 and the set of rollers for advancing the folds, with a pivoting of the first on the axis of the second.

Opposite the axis 20A, each arm 20 forms an end shoulder not referenced. A control axis 30 is mounted as a spacer axis between the pair of arms 20 and passes through the shoulder of each of these arms. This axis 30 extends on the outside of the lateral flanges, such as the flange 31 of the machine; each of its ends carries the aforementioned roller 21 bearing on the cam 14. A small window 31A, substantially vertical, is provided in each of the flanges 31 to allow the sliding of the control pin 30 during the command from the cam 14. The arrow 20F shows diagrammatically the pivoting of the pair of arms 20 around its axis of articulation 20A.

The control shaft 30 is resiliently biased towards its low position in the window 31A for the support of the rollers 21 on the cam 14. For this purpose, each arm 20 has, near the sliding window 31A for the axis 30, a projecting finger 32 transverse to its shoulder. A pin spring 33 is mounted on the finger 32, it has a terminal strand which forms a support stop on the control pin 30 while its other opposite terminal strand is anchored on the edge of the support arm 20.

This spring therefore ensures the support of the roller 21 on the cam 14, but also an elastic pressure of the set of counter rollers 4 on the set of rollers 3 to take account of a variable thickness of the folds.

With regard to the mechanical coupling and the coupling in drive between the set of counter-rollers 4 and the set of rollers 8 in advance of the folds, the cam 14 has on its periphery two profiles 14A and 14C, centered in a substantially opposite manner, of setting and holding the set of counter rollers 4 in the pressure position, which are alternated with two other sections 14B and 14D setting and maintaining the set of counter rollers 4 in the retracted position. Comparatively cam 15 does has on its periphery that a section 15A for placing the fingers 13 in the erased position and that a section 15B for placing these fingers 13 in the open position.

These sections of the cams 14 and 15 correspond to specific angular sectors with regard to the controls that they provide. Profiles 14A, 14B and 14D correspond to angular sectors close to 60 ° each and profile 14C to an angular sector close to 180 °. Profile 15A corresponds to an angular sector close to 240 ° and profile 15B to a neighboring sector of 120 °. These cams are also wedged relative to each other so that the roller 21 has just come to bear on the profile 14A when the roller 23 is located substantially three-quarters of the length of the profile 15A. This relative position of the cams, which is that illustrated, corresponds to a reference position known as the rest of the motor shaft 16; it is given by a disc 18 with a notch 18A with which is associated a detector mounted in an optical fork and shown diagrammatically at 19. This detector 19 provides the drive stop control for the shaft 16 of the cams 14 and 15.

A detection lever 35 is assigned to the detection of each ply during its insertion. This lever is articulated around an axis 35A. It has one of its ends 35B mounted as an obstacle at the front of the set of rollers 3 and of the set of counter-rollers 4, through the guide plate 10. It has its opposite end 35C which forms a detection flag. An optical detector, shown diagrammatically at 36, detects the flag 35C and indicates the presence or absence of a fold being inserted under its end 35B. This detector assembly 35, 36 makes it possible, from this detection of the presence of a fold, to determine the instant of partial insertion of this fold in the envelope, taking into account the known advance of this fold, then the instant fully inserted. This instant of insertion at the bottom of the fold is preferably given by the return in obstacle of the end 35B of the lever 35, this return being always detected by the flag 35C and the detector 36. This detection assembly 35-36 controls the circuit 17 and it also controls the motor of the folds 12, through a selected time delay or a counter counting down from unit displacements in advance of the fold, not shown, that it triggers, to stop this motor 12 when the fold is fully inserted into the envelope.

In operation, the drive shaft 16 of the cams 14 and 15 is rotated, from its rest position given by the disc 18 and the associated detector 19, when an envelope advances towards the loading position. The envelope having arrived in the loading position, the motor 7 is stopped and the envelope is thus maintained for the insertion of a fold. During the time required for this loading position and slightly beyond this time, the roller 21 rests on the profile 14A while the roller 23 is on the profile 15A. As soon as the envelope is placed in the loading position, the roller 21 passes over the profile 14B and the roller 23 over the profile 15B. Via the profile 14B, the set of counter rollers 4 passes into the retracted position; by the section 15B the fingers 13 pass into the open position of the body of the envelope.

The folds motor 12 is driven, apart from a time delay, as soon as the envelope has arrived in its loading position. It ensures the advance of the fold on the path 2, upstream of the set of rollers 8 and 9, and then, by the set of rollers 8 and 9, the advance of the fold on the guide plate 10 and between the rollers 3 and the counter-rollers 4, then in the envelope. During this advance, the roller 21 rests on the profile 14B; the counter rollers 4 are driven with the feed rollers 8 but are retracted; they have no effect on the fold.

As soon as the fold is partially engaged in the envelope and escapes practically, if not completely, from the feed rollers 8 and 9, the roller 21 passes over the profile 14C and the counter rollers 4 pass into the pressure position. These driven counter rollers 4 then ensure the end of insertion fully into the envelope.

During the advance of the fold on the guide plate 10, the detector assembly 35, 36 has detected the presence of the fold during insertion. From this instant, it allows the control circuit 17 to determine the instant of partial insertion of this fold into the envelope. The detector assembly 35, 36 also makes it possible, when the fold arrives at the bottom of the envelope, to stop the motor 12 and thereby stop the counter-rollers 4.

Once the fold has been fully inserted into the envelope and the motor 12 has been stopped, the loaded envelope is ejected according to the arrow 1B, by restarting the motor 7 of the envelopes while the profile 14C still maintains the set of counter rollers 4 in the pressure position.

During this ejection of the loaded envelope, the roller 21 passes over the profile 14D and the set of counter-rollers 4 returns to the retracted position. This allows processing of the loaded envelope during its ejection, during which each envelope can be driven in reverse, in the opposite direction to the arrow 1B, while the set of counter-rollers 4 must remain without effect. After this treatment, the loaded envelope is again driven along arrow 1B and the roller 21 passes over the profile 14A for the return of the set of counter-rollers in the pressure position.

The control circuit 17 of the shaft 16, with a controlled stepping motor, ensures the control of the advance of the cams in synchronism with the different stages of an insertion cycle. The arrival of the shaft 16 in its reference position, detected by the detector 19, causes its drive to stop. He will again be trained on a full turn for a new insertion cycle.

The essential advantages of this insertion device according to the present invention lie in the simplicity of the insertion mechanism and its control, their ease of assembly and their very small footprint. This mechanism and its control are also very robust and reliable. The mechanism is of low inertia.

Claims (8)

1. A machine for inserting mail into envelopes, the machine comprising:

   - a first set of wheels (3) and an associated first set of backing wheels (4) for bringing an envelope to a defined "filling" position and presenting it facing a mail path (2);

   - mail advance wheels (8, 9) on the mail path (2) for advancing an item of mail towards the envelope in the filling position;

   - means (14, 20) for actuating the first set of backing wheels (4) from a presser position to a retracted position when the envelope is in said filling position; and

   - envelope body opening means (13) controlled to move from a retracted position to an opening position when the envelope is in said filling position;

   said machine being characterized in that said first set of backing wheels (4) is coupled via a freewheel mechanism (26) to said mail advance means (8, 9) in order to be driven therewith, said advance wheels (8, 9) themselves being mounted at a distance from said first set of backing wheels (4) which is less than the length of the items of mail to be inserted in the envelopes, the mail path being substantially horizontal, in that it also includes first detector means (17, 35, 36) for detecting partial insertion of an item of mail into the corresponding envelope, when the item of mail has got rid of the drive wheels (8, 9), said detection means being coupled to said means (14, 20) for actuating the first set of backing wheels (4) to return them to their presser position, thereby ensuring that the item of mail is fully inserted into the envelope.
2. A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it further includes second detection means (35, 36) for detecting that an item of mail has been fully inserted into an envelope and coupled to said advance wheels (8, 9) in order to stop their drive and stop the drive of the first set of backing wheels (4).
3. A machine according to claim 2, characterized in that said advance wheels include a pair of second sets of presser wheels (8, 9) mounted on the outlet from the mail path, with at least one of said sets being coupled to a mail motor (12), and in that it further includes a fixed mail guide plate (10) between said first sets of wheels and backing wheels (3, 4) and said second set of wheels (8, 9).
4. A machine according to claim 3, characterized in that said means for actuating the first set of backing wheels (4) include a pair of arms (20) carrying said set of backing wheels and hinged about the axis (20A) of one of the second sets of wheels (8).
5. A machine according to claim 4, characterized in that said means for actuating the first set of backing wheels (4) further includes a cam (14) whose periphery has two first substantially opposite control profiles (14A, 14C) for putting the first set of backing wheels into the presser position, alternating with two second control profiles (14B, 14D) for putting the first set of backing wheels into the retracted position, one of said first profiles (14C) being used for keeping the first set of backing wheels in the presser position from said partial insertion of the item of mail into the envelope at least until it is fully inserted into the envelope.
6. A machine according to claim 5, characterized in that said first and second detection means for detecting partial and full insertion of an item of mail into an envelope comprise a detection lever (35) constituting an obstacle (35B) which is retractable by the item of mail while it is being inserted via said guide plate (10) and in front of said first and second sets of wheels and backing wheels (3, 4), and an associated optical detector (36) coupled to a control circuit (17) for controlling said cam (14) and, via a time delay circuit, to said mail motor (12) for putting the first set of backing wheels into the presser position as soon as partial insertion occurs, and for stopping the mail motor as soon as full insertion has been achieved.
7. A machine according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said pair of arms (20) carries a control shaft (30) mounted as a spacer shaft between said arms, with each of its ends supporting a respective wheel (21) engaging said cam (14).
8. A machine according to claim 7, characterized in that said control shaft (30) is urged resiliently towards said cam (14) by a hairpin spring (33) carried by said arms (20) and having one of its terminal arms constituting a thrust abutment on said control shaft (30).

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