FR2629759A1 - DEVICE TRANSPORTING ENVELOPES - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an envelope conveyor device for driving an envelope in an enveloping machine. This device comprises a driven roller 54, an idle roller 72 which takes up and loses contact with the driven roller and a clamp 70 for immobilizing the envelope. An actuator 73, 514 causes the engagement and loss of contact between the rollers as well as the clamping and releasing of the clamping means. The actuator is movable between a transport position (rollers in contact and clamping means released) and an enveloping position (rollers not in contact and clamping means tight).

Description

Envelope conveying device

  The present invention relates to an envelope conveying device including, but not limited to, folding-wrapping machines. The Applicant has felt the need for a wrapper machine under envelope for compact tabletop

  which can be used in either automatic or semi-

  automatic and which allows the wrapping of additional documents by way of a platter second "inset" (the word "inset" here designating a document or a set of documents to put in an envelope). Examples of arrangements previously proposed are

  described in US-A-4,471,598 and GB-A-2,183,214.

  According to the present invention, there is provided an envelope conveying device for feeding an envelope into an encasing apparatus, said conveyor device comprising a driven roller, an idler roller movably mounted with respect to the driven roller. to be able to take and lose contact with him, a means of pinching clean to immobilize the envelope by pinching and a means of actuating clean to ensure the contact and out of contact of said rolls and the setting in action and out of action of the clamping means, said actuating means being movable between a transport position in which said rollers are in contact and said clamping means is out of action and a wrapping position in which said rollers are not in position; contact and said means of

pinch is out of action.

  Preferably, the pinching means is constituted by two spaced pinch fingers located upstream of said rollers and movable to pinch an envelope

against a transport bridge.

  Preferably, guiding surface means are provided downstream of the rollers for making an envelope gripped by the clamping means take a profile such that its front (that is to say the face bearing the address) is concave. around a horizontal axis, to facilitate the insertion of an insert. Means with surface of

  guidance may be guide rollers.

  A folding-wrapping machine will now be described by way of non-limiting example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the folding-wrapping machine with removal of various elements for clarity, indicating the main driving rollers and the driving paths of the inserts and envelopes in the machine; Figure 2 is a schematic side view similar to Figure 1, but showing the main transmission trains, the supply trays primary and secondary inserts and the first and second reversible loop forming ducts; Fig. 3 is a simplified block diagram of the control system of the folding-wrapping machine according to Figs. 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a view of the control panel of the folding-wrapping machine according to Figures 2 and 3; Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the second insert tray and associated equipment; Figure 6 is a schematic side view showing a partially folded primary insert held stationary for insertion of the second insert; Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the double / second inset detection device; FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the double / second inset detection device of which it represents the adjustment arm; Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of a reversible loop forming chute; Fig. 10 is a schematic view showing the location of the microswitch which detects the presence and orientation of the loop forming chute according to Fig. 8; Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the opening mechanism of the envelope and drive mouth; Figure 12 is a schematic view of the linkages of the mechanism shown in Figure 11; Fig. 13 is a schematic perspective view of the friction plate and wetting system; Fig. 14 is a sectional view showing parts of the system according to Fig. 13; and FIG. 15 is a detailed view of the felt container of the system according to FIGS. 13 and 14. The folding-wrapping machine, shown here by way of example, can be used in an automatic mode in which sheets are automatically fed into the machine, folded and inserted in an envelope, or in a semi-automatic mode in which the sheets are manually fed into the machine to be folded and inserted into an envelope. Whatever the mode, the machine allows the enveloping of documents by way of a tray (manual) second insert. The machine

  can also be used in a folding mode only.

  Reference will firstly be made to FIGS. 1 and 2. The machine comprises two lateral frame members 10 between which the main driving rollers of the machine are supported. Each frame member 10 supports a locking plate 11 having separate locking portions 12, 14 for respectively supporting a primary feed tray 16

  in the automatic feed and semi feed position

  automatic. When in the automatic feed position (high position in FIG. 2), the primary feed tray 16 is located in the up position according to FIG. 2 close to a separator roller 18 and cooperates therewith in known manner to successively direct sheets stacked on the primary feed tray 16 to the line of cooperation between the drive rollers 20,22. The separator is entralné via a clutch (not shown) controlled by the control of the machine (not shown in Figures 1 and 2). When the primary feed tray 16 is put into semi-automatic mode for manual wrapping (low position in Figure 2), it is spaced from the separator roller 18 and oriented along the tangent common to the driving rollers 20 and 22. At each locking portion 12, 14 is associated a microswitch 15, 17 respectively (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) which detects the presence of the primary feed plate 16 and signals it to the machine control 25 (no

  shown in Figures 1 and 2).

  Referring to FIG. 2, it will be noted that the driving roller 20 is driven, but that the driving roller 22 is biased by a spring tending to apply it against the driven driving roller 20. After passing between the driving rollers 20, 22, an insert is presented to a first reversible loop formation chute 24 which is removably and reversibly placed between two locking plates 26 located

  each on one side of one of the frame members 10.

  As will be discussed below in more detail, the reversible loop formation chute 24 may be located between the locking plates 26 so as to have a deflector section 28 at an advancing edge (as shown in FIG. in Figure 1), or to present therein the open end 30 of loop forming chute. Two microswitches 29, 31 (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) detect the presence (microswitch 29) and the orientation (microswitch 31) of the loop formation chute 24 and send appropriate signals to the control of the machine. . When the first loop forming chute 24 occupies the position shown in FIG. 2, the leading edge of a scrolling inset between the rollers 20 and 22 is deflected towards the line of cooperation between the rollers 22 and 32, the roll 32 being trained. If the chute 24 is reversed, the leading edge of the insert passes through the open end 30 of the chute 24 until reaching the end or a stop thereof, after which the continuation of the training of the inset means that the middle or rear section of the latter forms a loop and is folded into

  scrolling between the rollers 22 and 32.

  After having crossed the rollers 22 and 32, the insert (in the folded or unfolded state according to the position of the first loop forming chute 24) is presented to a second reversible loop forming chute 34, of the same shape. than the first loop forming chute and supported between locking plates 36 fixed to the frame members 10. Microswitches 35 and 37 (not shown in Figures 1 and 2) respectively detect the presence and orientation of the second chute In the position shown in FIG. 2, the leading edge of the insert passes through the open end 36 of the chute 34 until it reaches the stop thereof, and then forms a loop to be folded. by passing between the driving rollers 32 and 38. If the second loop forming chute 34 is interposed in its other angular position, a primary insert moving between the rollers 22 and 32 is deflected by its deflector section 35, so that the leading edge of the primary insert (folded or not folded according to the orientation of the first loop forming chute 24) is directed to pass between the

rolls 32 and 38.

  The driving roller 38 is biased by a spring tending to apply it against the driving roller 32 and the movement which it describes while moving away from the driving roller 32 is detected by a double detector device and a second inset detector 39 (no shown in Figures 1 and 2) which will be described in more detail below). In short, the device 39 sends to the control 25 of the machine a first signal when a normal inset is introduced between the rollers 32 and 38 and a second signal when two or more inserts are introduced between these rollers. The first action of

2629759 '

  detection is necessary when a second insert is to be joined, because this signal makes stop by the machine control the progression of the primary insert between the rollers 32 and 38 until the second inset has been arranged in the fold leading from the primary insert. The second detection action is necessary to signal that more than one insert has arrived and to stop the machine by the machine control 25 as well as to signal on the control panel 47 (not shown on

  Figures 1 and 2) the appearance of a double inset.

  Above the second loop forming chute 34, a second insert tray 40 is hinged to the frame member 10. The tray 40 assists the operator to manually insert a second insert into the fold leading of an insert primary when the latter is immobile and that

  its leading edge is gripped between the rollers 32 and 38.

  The structure and operation of the second insert tray will be described in more detail below. Briefly, the second insert tray 40 is pivotable to a limited extent around its drive section (ie left in FIG. 2 ) and is biased counterclockwise by a spring 42. A microswitch 43 (not shown in Figures 1 and 2) detects the deflection of the plate second inset 40 and reports it to the control 25 of the machine. This control is arranged so that, when the machine is in second inset mode and the primary insert is held between the rollers 32 and 38, the release of the second insert tray from its downwardly deflected position signals to the control 25 of the machine having to continue driving the rollers 32 and 38 and the other rollers that bring the insert into the envelope after a short time, prefixed. After leaving the rollers 32 and 38, the insert (folded or not, with or without secondary insert) meets a deflector plate 44 (see Figure 1) articulated at 46 on the frame members 10. The plate 44 deviates when it is encountered by the insert and activates a beam detector 45 (not shown in FIG.

Figures 1 and 2).

  The deflector plate 44 causes the insert to be inserted

  between rollers 50 and 52, the first of which is driven.

  After having crossed the rollers 50 and 52, the insert is pressed against a driving roller 54 by two fingers, spring steel, spaced 56 placed on the lower edge

  of the deflector plate 44. The description given up to

  present indicates how the inset reaches the point where it enters the envelope. We will now describe the

  supply path of the envelope at the same point.

  As seen in FIG. 1, an envelope hopper 58 is removably attached to the frame by an arrangement of pins and slots. A separator roller 60 driven via a clutch (not shown) and a pre-feed roller (not shown) cooperate with the hopper 58 in a known manner to successively drive the envelopes from the hopper, flaps of above and back. The envelopes are scrolled on a bridge 62 in front of a flap checker 64 which verifies that the flap of the envelope is open. The passage of the envelope in front of the flap checker is detected by a through beam detector 63 (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) which is associated with the flap checker and sends a signal to the control of the machine. When the machine is in the folding mode, the machine control 25 causes an inset to be taken from the primary feed tray 16 by the separator roller 18, entrained by means of a clutch mechanism (not shown ), and brought by the train of

  rollers 20, 22, 32, 38, 50, 52, with the driving roller 54.

  Said roller train 20, 22, 32, 38, 50 and 52 is driven directly from the motor of the machine which is associated with the roller 20. The clutch mechanism is actuated according to signals emitted by the control unit 25. the machine. After scrolling under the flap checker 64, the envelope is inserted between the rollers 66 and 68, the first of which is conducted. From there, the envelope will scroll under two spaced apart fingers 70 which are hinged to the frame and press on the upper surface of the envelope, maintaining the flap thereof open during insertion

of the insert in the envelope.

  After passing under the fingers 70, the envelope is inserted between the driving rollers 54 and led 72. The driven roller 72 is spaced from the roller 54, in order to interrupt the movement of the envelope, by the arrangement solenoid actuator 73 of a mechanism for opening the envelope mouth and for driving the envelope (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), which will be described in more detail below. The mechanism causes the spacing of the roller 72 at the same time as the support of the fingers 70 against the flap of an envelope to maintain the envelope in the fully open position during insertion of the insert. The spacing of the roller 72 and the support from the top to the bottom of the fingers is provided by the machine control 25 when the presence of an envelope is detected by an envelope end detector 74 which is attached to an arm 76 mounted on a cross member 78 connecting the frame members 10. The arm is adjusted to one or the other of the different lengths of envelope so that, during operation of the machine, a given envelope is brought to s' stop while its mouth is in the desired position for inset insertion (that is, while the mouth of the envelope is located near or immediately downstream of the contact of the roller 54 and the

  fingers 56 of the deflector plate 44).

  Beyond the rollers 72 is a lower roller 80 which is entrained from the roller 72 by means of a driven O-ring (not shown) and an upper roller 82, hinged by two rods 84 on the shaft of the roller 54. Near the lower roller 80, the bridge 62 is bent down and near the upper roller 82, it is bent upwards so as to be inclined upwards on the horizontal. Because of the locations of the rollers 54, 72 and the offset between the rollers 80 and 82, together with the profile presented by the bridge 62 in the region concerned, the envelope is flexed so that its front is concave, the Applicant having discovered that this increases the size of the mouth of the envelope before insertion of the insert. The envelope is stopped ready to receive the insert (which has described the paper path defined by the rollers 20, 22, 32, 38, 50 and 52), the fingers 70 holding the flap open and the mouth open maximum because of the above-mentioned arrangement. The driving roller 54 then cooperates with the fingers 56 provided on the lower end of the deflector plate 44 to

insert the inset into the envelope.

  Two smoothing fingers 86 are mounted adjustable on a D-section rod 88 and each of them has a stop screw or the like (not shown), so that the locations of the smoothing fingers can be adjusted transversely. and lock the fingers. The rod is immobilized angularly in the respective ends of two rods 90 each provided at one end of the rod. The other ends of the two rods 90 have oblong bores which surround the axis of the roller 50. The elongation direction is generally vertical in Figure 1. It follows that the rod 88 is likely to make a movement pivoting simple about the axis of the roller 50 and a tilting movement about an axis perpendicular to the previous (and parallel to the direction of movement of an insert below the fingers 86). Because the slots are oblong only vertically, the smoothing fingers 86 are maintained substantially at the same longitudinal location with respect to an insert, so that when an insert scrolls under the fingers 86, its leading edge passes to the same moment under the two fingers. The fingers 86 press down under the effect of gravity and ensure that when an insert scrolls beneath them, the outer outer corners of the insert are pressed against the envelope in order to have less tendency to cling to the mouth of the envelope during insertion. The smoothing fingers 86 are adjusted, prior to the operation of the folding-wrapping machine, so as to press the longitudinally outer edges of the insert. Because of their mounting mode, the fingers 86 both apply substantially the same downward force to the associated edge of the inset, regardless of their relative positions. It seems that this form of independent suspension ensures a better ability to avoid clashes and jams that the arrangements

previously proposed.

  Once the inset is inserted into the envelope, the deflector plate 44 returns to its rest position and, in doing so, releases the associated through beam detector 45, which signals the machine control 25 to have to re-establish contact with the roller. 72 and to erase the fingers 70 upwards to allow the next envelope to pass unhindered. In addition, the deflector plate 44 signals to the control of the machine to have to lift by an operating member 87 (not shown in Figures 1

  and 2) the friction plate 88 prior to sealing.

  When re-applying the roller 72 against the roller 54, the packed envelope is driven to the mechanism of

sealing of the machine.

  The envelope runs along the inclined section of the bridge and, when the fold made between the flap and the casing body passes a microswitch 90 placed below the bridge, there is sent to the machine control 25 a signal that attracts by the plate actuator 87 the friction plate 89 on the back of the flap, thereby moistening the

  eraser worn by the flap. A more complete description

  The scanning plate and associated equipment will be given below. The envelope, always back up and folded back, passes, after passing the microswitch 90, between rollers 92 and 94, then 96 and 98 (the rollers 92 and 96 being led) to be deflected by a plate of end 100 provided with an adjustable stop 102. After crossing the rollers 96 and 98, the rear edge and the flap of the envelope fall from top to bottom to be inserted from top to bottom by the rollers 98 and 104 between the rollers 106 and 108, the first of which is conducted and the second solicited by a

apply it against the roller 106.

  It is conceivable that the path described by the envelope to the end plate 100 and back implies that it enters between the rollers 98 and 104, then 106 and 108, flap at the head, and that the rollers 98 and 98 108

  ensure the closure and sealing of the envelope.

  After having crossed the rollers 106 and 108, the envelope is evacuated from the machine through a chute

evacuation 110.

  After describing the basic elements of the folding and wrapping machine, the control functions of the machine will now be described in more detail.

machine and its various parts.

  For this, reference is made to FIG. 3. The control of the machine consists of a microprocessor which controls the operation of the machine. The operator's commands are entered by means of a control panel 112 (shown in detail in FIG. 4) which includes a four-digit liquid crystal display 114 for displaying, with the possibility of resetting, the account. of operations completed and by means of "mode" and "verification" specifiers 116 respectively provided on the right and left sides of the display. Table 112 also includes buttons and control 118 for programming the folding machine and putting in

  envelope for the execution of the desired operations.

  In "Auto" mode (chosen by pressing the "Auto" control button), insets arrive, automatically and successively, from the primary feed tray 16 and are inserted into envelopes successively supplied from the envelope hopper 58. Folding and wrapping starts with the activation of the envelope supply transmission clutch 119 intended to cause the casing separator roller 60 to bring a casing into position prior to the insertion of a casing. insert. The appropriate position is detected by the end of an envelope detector 74, after which the machine control 25 interrupts the driving of the envelope by means of the solenoid 73 operating mechanism. shell end 74 also indicates to the machine control 25 having to actuate the friction plate actuator 87 to lift the friction plate 88 prior to the arrival of the next envelope. In the folding modes, when an envelope passes the flap checker 64 toward the insertion position, the associated microswitch 63 sends a signal to the machine control that causes the inset separator roller 18 to arrive. an insert of the primary feed tray 16 to be folded as necessary by the loop forming chutes 24 and 34 and inserted into the envelope. Once the inset inserted, the microswitch 45 associated with the deflector plate 44 sends to the machine control 25 a signal that reactivates the drive transmission of the envelope

  packed with the solenoid actuating mechanism 73.

  The envelope then passes over the microswitch which detects its trailing edge and sends to the machine control a signal actuating the friction plate actuator 87 to cause the friction plate 88 to fall in order to wet the flap of the machine. 'envelope. The envelope then climbs the end plate 100 to describe a three-point turn in order to scroll, folded overhead, between the sealing rolls 98, 104, 106 and 108. Crossing the envelope of the fold detector 90 additionally initiates, by the machine control 25, the

  next folding and wrapping sequence.

  In the "Second inset" mode (selected by pressing the "second inset" control button), the scrolling of the second inset is stopped by stopping the motor, operated when the inset is in the partially folded state. between the rollers 32 and 38 as detected by the dual / second inset detector 39 and the drive is restored only when the microswitch 43 associated with the second inset tray 40 has been depressed and released. A preset time is introduced by the control of the machine before releasing the microswitch 43 restarting the engine. The delay may typically be about one second. Otherwise,

  the sequence is the same as in "Auto" mode.

  In "No Sealing" mode (selected by depressing the "No Sealing" button), the friction plate actuator 87 clears from bottom to top the friction plate 88 of the envelope path, so that the flap of the envelope it's not wet. The envelopes thus leave the envelope-wrapping machine without having been sealed. Moreover, the sequence is

  overall the same as in "Auto mode".

  In "No Fold" mode, there is no need to press a command button. In fact, the machine control automatically sets the machine to "No bend" mode when both loop forming chute position detectors 31 and 37 signal that the first and second loop forming chutes 24 and 34 are both in motion. position "Without folding", that is to say that they both have their deflector plates 28,37 to an incoming insert. In addition to displaying "Without folding" by means of the appropriate specifier 116, the machine control also changes the order of arrival of the inset and the envelope. In normal folding mode (single, double, or U), the progress of the inset through the machine is slowed down by each folding action. In this mode of operation, actuation of the inset separator drive clutch 122 to feed an inset from the primary feed tray is initiated when the machine control 25 receives of the crossing beam detector 63 a signifying signal

  the envelope has scrolled under the flap checker 64.

  The time taken for the envelope to pass from the flap checker to the insertion location of the insert is not greater than the time taken by an insert to arrive from the primary feed tray 16, to undergo the desired folding and reach the insertion location. On the other hand, in the "No Fold" mode, the inset scrolls faster through the machine and thus the machine control 25 does not actuate the inset separator drive clutch 122 until the envelope is in the desired position for insertion of the insert, this position being detected by the end of the envelope detector 74. Once the envelope is filled, the succession

  is the same as in "Auto" mode.

  In the "Fold only" mode, established by pressing the "Fold only" control button, the envelope drive rollers 54, 72, 80 and 82 and the friction arm 88 are out of action, but otherwise the

  sequence is generally the same as in "Auto" mode. It is conceivable that the modes listed above are not mutually exclusive

  necessarily one another. For example, the folding and wrapping machine can operate in "Auto" + "Second Inset" + "No Sealing" modes in combination, or in "Auto" + "No Sealing" + "No Fold" modes in combination . Note, however, that in the "second inset" mode, a fold must be made at the second loop forming chute 34 so that the second insert is received inside the fold of the primary insert, this for facilitate the insertion of folded inserts into an envelope. The "Verifiers" or Fault Signals 116 will now be described. The "No Envelopes" signalator is illuminated if the flap check microswitch 63 is not actuated after a pre-fixed delay after the beginning of the cycle. . The "No inserts" signal indicator is illuminated if the double / second inserter detection device 39 does not indicate the presence of an inset after a prefixed time after the beginning of the cycle. The timing, detection and display for the indications "No envelopes" and "No inserts" are

  controlled by the control 25 of the machine.

  The "Double detection" signal indicator lights up if the dual detection / second insert-39 device signals the

  detection of a duplicate at the control of the machine.

  The "Lockout" signal indicator lights up if one or more of the primary feed tray 16, the first loop-forming chute 24 and the second loop-forming chute 34 do not occupy their position, or one of them their correct positions, which detects lock microswitches 15, 17, 59, 29 and 31 respectively. In addition to activating the "Lockout" signal, the machine control interrupts the drive of the machine rollers.

security reasons.

  Depressing the "Squeeze" button advances the rolls of the machine by a prefixed amount, typically 90. This measure is intended to make it possible to easily remedy any jams occurring in the machine while minimizing the risk for the operator to be injured by clothing attraction.

  or hair inside the machine.

  Pressing the "stop" button stops

operation of the machine.

  Pushing the "Env." Button causes the envelope hopper 58 to be fed to the insertion location and the depression of the "first insert" button causes the arrival of a first insert at the insertion location, after verification of the

  presence of an envelope at the insertion location.

  We will now describe in more detail various

  aspects of the embodiment chosen by way of example.

  It should be understood that these aspects could find other applications in paper handling devices and that their use is not limited to

  folding and wrapping machines.

Tray with second insert

  We will now give a description more

  the second inset plate 40 and the associated equipment with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The second inset plate 40 is hinged to the frame members 10 by journals 200 (only one of which can be seen in FIGS. ) and is capable of limited pivotal movement between limits fixed by two stops 202, 204. A typical range of angular movement is 3. The inset plate 40 is urged anti-clockwise by the return spring 42 tending to apply it against the stop 202 and a microswitch 43 detects the movement that it describes between

limits.

  When the wrapping-wrapping machine is in the "2nd inset" mode, the partially folded primary insert stops, the leading fold being clamped between the rollers 32 and 38, as shown in FIG. 6, and the stub leading from the inset lying in the chute of

  folding the second loop forming chute 34.

  The continuation of the scrolling of the inset Il and its folding around the second inset 12 take place once the

  microswitch 43 released after depression.

  An advantage of this arrangement is to give the operator all the time he needs to have the second insert I2 right in the fold

  leading from the insert held between the rollers 32 and 38.

  It is especially important for the operator to feel comfortable with the machine so that it can be properly positioned to reduce the risk of jamming or improper training. The second insert tray thus plays two roles: it serves as a guide to bring the second insert 12 inside the first insert Il and also serves the control key operator to signal to the control 25 of the machine have to continue the folding and wrapping operation. It will be understood that in certain applications the operator may prefer not to use the plate as a guide, but to bring the second insert directly inside the fold leading to the first insert II, then to lightly shock the tray with the second insert 40 to provoke the continuation of the folding and wrapping operation. In one embodiment, when the microswitch 43 is released, the machine control 25 introduces a prefixed delay before recommencing the folding and wrapping operation. In another embodiment, the machine control 25 can check whether a further depression of the platen occurs during another prefixed time. If the second insert tray is depressed during this time, the machine control still interrupts the folding and wrapping operation until the tray is released for

  a longer time than the one prefixed.

  Double / 2nd inset detection device The second detecting device / 2nd inset 39 will now be described in more detail with particular reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 shows the driven roller 32 and the movable roller 38 pressed against him. The insert device has an interception plate 302 having a journal 304, by which it is hinged to frame member 10, and a slightly oversized hole 305 threaded on the axis of the movable roll 38. When the roll 38 departs of the roller 32, the interception plate 302 is caused to describe in the anti-clockwise direction a movement of magnitude proportional to the spacing "s" between the rollers 32 and 38. Two optical detectors for passing beams are provided: a detector adjustable top optics 306 and a lower optical detector 308, fixedly mounted to the chassis. The lower optical detector 308 is positioned in the manufacture of the folding-enveloping machine so that in use, any inset scrolling between the rollers 32 and 38 causes the interceptive plate to clear the path serving the detector. lower optical 308, causing a signal to be sent to the machine control 25. When the folding-wrapping machine is in "2nd inset" mode, the signal emitted by the upper optical detector 306 is interrupted by the control of the machine, driving the folding mechanism (rollers 20, 22, 32, 38, 50 and 52) by setting

stopping the engine.

  The adjustable detector 306 is mounted on one end of an adjustment arm 310 (see FIG. 8) which has at its other end a hinge hole 312 through which it is hinged to the journal 304 of the interception plate 302. The arm 310 has a slot 314 which cooperates with a fixed pin to limit the freedom of angular movement of the adjustment arm. The end of the arm, adjacent to the optical detector 306, is provided with a U-shaped plastic or rubber 315 which cooperates with a fluted or ribbed shaft 316 mounted journaling in the frame and which passes through the envelope of the folding machine placed in an envelope to carry a setting button 318 located outside thereof. By rotating the knob, the arm 310 is driven around the journal 304 to bring the optical detector 306 to

  the desired location. If you try to adjust the bottom

  Beyond one of its limit positions, the 316 tree patina

  simply against the rubber profile 315.

  The arm 310 'is adjusted so that the interception plate 302 is detected by the detector 306 upon the arrival of a double inset. The signal is sent to the machine control which interrupts the operation of the machine and triggers a "Double detection" signal. In order to adjust the arm 310 to the appropriate location, the operator brings the detector to the end of the low stroke, by turning the knob 318, then press the control button "1st inset" to get an insert. When the insert reaches the rollers 32 and 38, the machine stops because the pickup plate 302 is detected by the detector 30E because it is placed at the bottom. The operator then moves the detector up to just past the plate

  interception 302 and the machine starts working again.

  The plate is then properly adjusted.

  This arrangement allows quick, easy and efficient adjustment of the double detection mechanism from outside the machine casing without having to remove side panels etc. In addition, the operator does not have to see the mobile detector 306 to adjust it to

good position.

  Reversible loop forming chutes The structure and operation of the first and second loop forming chutes 24 and 34 will now be described in detail. The first and the second. second loop forming troughs have the same shape and each comprise spaced upper and lower plates 402, 404 open at one end 406 to define a loop forming trough and carrying at their other end an integral deflector plate 408. An element of adjustable stop 410 is provided to allow to adjust as necessary the active length of the loop forming chute and thus the length of the fold. The skilled artisan understands that because of the reversible fold forming troughs, the folding-wrapping machine can provide no creases at all, a single fold, a double fold, or a U-fold. Loop formation has two pairs of lock pieces 412, 414 which allow the looping chute to be positioned in the respective lock plates 26 by directing either the open end 406 or the baffle plate 408 to the incoming insert. Interlocking microswitches 29 and 31 are associated with each locking plate 36 and respectively indicate the absence of either one of the first and second loop forming channels. The locking pieces 414 adjacent to the open end 406 of each loop forming chute have a recess 415 and the microswitch 31, 37 of the locking piece adjacent to the one in question sends to the machine control 25 a signal which indicates this one the orientation of each loop formation chute. If the machine control determines that the loop-forming troughs are both oriented with their deflector plate towards the incoming inserts, it lights up the "No wrinkle" alarm and ensures a change of order. arrival of the insert and

  the envelope, as explained above.

  An advantage of this arrangement is that the baffle plate and the loop forming chute are integral and therefore there are fewer parts

  spare parts likely to be lost in service.

  In addition, the control of the machine automatically detects when the machine is in "fold-free" mode and ensures the necessary adjustment of the order of arrival of the envelope and the insert. The operator therefore does not have to remember having to adjust any button or make other adjustments for the "No crease" mode and this reduces operator strain and improves

helpfulness "of the machine.

  Opening mechanism of the envelope mouth and drive. The operation and structure of the opening mechanism of the casing and drive mouth will now be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 shows rollers 54 and 72, the first of which is driven. The roller 72 is entralné by contact with the driven roller 54 and journalled on a shaft 500 attached to an eccentric shaft 510 which is hinged to the frame side members 10. At one end, the eccentric shaft 510 is attached to a transverse arm 512. By angular displacement of the transverse arm 512, the roller 72 takes and loses contact with the roller 54. The transverse arm 512 is articulated on one end 513 of a rod 514 whose other end is hinged to a fixed element of the structure. The armature of an operating solenoid 73 is connected to the rod 514 to move it and the associated roller between the contact position and the non-contact position respectively indicated in phantom and solid lines in FIG. that the roller 72 is erased below the level of the

  surrounding bridge 62 when in erasure position.

  A shaft 516 is articulated in the frame members 10

  and supports two spaced envelope holding fingers 70.

  At one end the shaft 516 carries a transverse arm 518 which is connected by an excess stroke spring 520 to an end 513 of the rod 514. During the extension and retraction of the solenoid armature, the fingers of envelope retainers 70 are respectively raised to lift the bridge 62 and pressed up and down against it. The excess travel spring ensures that the frame of the operating solenoid 73 can retract fully regardless of the orientation of the fingers 70. The operating solenoid 73 comprises a compression spring (not shown) requesting

  the armature to its extended position.

  In operation, when the envelope end detector 74 detects the end of an envelope, a signal is sent to the machine control 25 which excites the operating solenoid 73 to retract the armature,

  thus rotating the rod 514 in the anti-direction

  time (in Figures 11 and 12). This effect rotates the shafts 500 and 510 about 90 in a clockwise direction, moving the roller 72 away from the driven roller 54, so that movement of the envelope is interrupted. At the same time, the shaft 516 rotates clockwise, so that the envelope retaining fingers 70 move downward to pinch the rear section of the envelope against the

bridge 62.

  It can be seen that a single operating solenoid ensures both the interruption of the entrainment of the envelope and the pinching thereof before the insertion of

the insert to put in envelope.

  Once the inset has been inserted into the envelope, the microswitch 45 associated with the deflector plate 44 sends to the machine control 25 a signal which de-energizes the operating solenoid 73 so that the roller 72 returns against the driven roller 54 and that the envelope retaining fingers 70 diverge from the bottom to the top of the bridge 62. Humidizing and rubbing plate system Referring to FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, the friction plate 88 is articulated at 600 on the lateral frame members 10 and carries at one end a wiper pad 602 of liquid-retaining material such as felt. An operating arm 604 connects the friction plate 88 to an operating solenoid 87. The friction plate 88, the wiper pad 602 and the arm 604 are arranged to be balanced around the point 600. In the rest position of the solenoid of operation 87, the wiper pad rests, in liquid transmission contact against a felt container 606; when actuated, the actuating solenoid lifts the friction plate of the felt container 606 to allow an envelope of

  pass between the latter and the friction pad 86.

  The felt container 606 is constituted by a housing 608 of generally rectangular shape, open at the top, having a water inlet 610 in its bottom wall. A liquid-retaining material 612 is housed in the housing 608 and is surmounted by a grid 614 which prevents it from protruding. As seen in Figure 15, gutters 616 are provided on either side of the housing 608 to collect the liquid

  possibly spread over the edge of housing 608.

  the felt container 606 is mounted between the

  frame 10 below the wiper pad 88.

  A flexible tube 618 interconnects the felt container 606 and a reservoir 620. The reservoir is generally rectangular in shape and has at one end a window 622 which protrudes through the envelope of the machine to allow the operator to see what is left of water in the tank. In its upper wall, the reservoir 620 has a filler pipe 624. The lower end 625 of the filler pipe protrudes downwardly from the upper wall of the reservoir to limit the upper level reached by

the water in the tank.

  In use, the reservoir is placed on the side of the machine, its pipe 624 protruding through the casing of the machine and the main part of the tank being roughly the same level as the felt tank 606. The water present in the tank 620 reaches the felt tank 606 by a tube 618 and saturates the material it contains. When the wiper pad 602 is in contact with the upper surface of the material in the felt container 606, water passes through

  capillary in the wiper pad 602.

  One advantage of this arrangement over prior arrangements is that the operation of the tank is not based on the principle of gravity feeding. It is therefore possible to refuel by spilling little or no liquid. We can also transport the machine with a lower risk

to spread liquid.

Claims (6)

  1.- Apparatus conveying envelopes for the supply of an envelope in a casing apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a driven roller (54), a crazy roller (72) mounted to move relative to the roller conducted so as to be able to take and lose contact with it, a pinching means (70) capable of pinching the envelope and an actuating means (73, 514) capable of bringing said contacts into contact and out of contact with each other; rollers as well as the actuation and out of action of the clamping means, the actuating means being movable between a transport position in which said rollers are in contact and said clamping means is out of action and a position of wrapped in which said rollers are not in contact and said means for pinch is out of action.   2. Apparatus conveying envelopes according to claim 1, characterized in that one (72) of said rollers is mounted on an eccentric axis (500), so that by rotating this eccentric axis is brought the roller ( 72) to take and lose contact with the said other roll (54).   3. Apparatus conveying envelopes according to claim 2, characterized in that said clamping means comprises fingers (70) which can take and loose contact with the envelope by rotation to pinch and relicher and that a transmission means (520) is provided for transmitting the rotation of said fingers to said eccentric axis.   4.- envelope conveying device according to claim 3, characterized in that the means of   transmission is constituted by a spring (520).   5.- Apparatus conveying envelopes according to one   Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a means for   guide surface is provided downstream of the rollers to make a pinch envelope take, by the pinching means, a profile such that its front (that is to say, its face bearing the address) is concave around a axis   horizontal, to facilitate the insertion of an insert.   6. An envelope conveying device according to claim 5, characterized in that the guide surface means is in the form of guide rollers. (80, 82).