US3618483A

US3618483A - Apparatus for regulating window patch length on envelope and bag machinery

Info

Publication number: US3618483A
Application number: US29529A
Authority: US
Inventors: Herbert W Helm
Original assignee: FL Smithe Machine Co Inc
Current assignee: FL Smithe Machine Co Inc; F L SMITH MACHINE CO Inc
Priority date: 1970-04-17
Filing date: 1970-04-17
Publication date: 1971-11-09
Anticipated expiration: 1988-11-09
Also published as: CA944599A; DE2116114A1

Abstract

WINDOW PATH CUTTING APPARATUS INCLUDES A PAIR OF WEB PULL ROLLS AND VACUUM ROLL. THE VACUUM ROLLS HAS A SERIES OF SUCTION PORTS ALONG THE PERIPHERY AND A PATCH CUTTING KNIFE BLADE EXTENDING RADIALLY OUTWARDLY THEREFROM. THE PATCH CUTTING KNIFE BLADE ON THE VACUUM ROLL SEVERS WINDOW PATCHES FROM A WEB WHEN IT MOVES INTO CUTTING RELATION WITH A FIXED PATCH CUTTING KNIFE BLADE POSITIONED ADJACENT TO THE VACUUM ROLL AS THE VACUUM ROLL ROTATES RELATIVE TO THE FIXED KNIFE BLADE. THE WEB PULL ROLLS ARE DRIVINGLY CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER FOR ROTATION AT SUBSTANTIAL LY THE SAME PERIPHERY SPEED AND ARE SPRING LOADED TO FRICTIONALLY ENGAGE THE PATCH MATERIAL THEREBETWEEN. THE WEB PULL ROLLS ARE CONNECTED TO AND DRIVEN BY A VARIABLE SPEED DRIVE MECHANISM. THE VARIABLE SPEED DRIVE MECHANISM IS IN TURN DRIVINGLY CONNECTED TO A PORTION OF THE ENVELOPE MACHINE AND IS DRIVEN AT MACHINE SPEED IN FIXED RATIO WITH THE MAIN DRIVE SHAFT AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE ENVELOPE MACHINE. THE VARIABLE SPEED DRIVE MECHANISM CONTROLS THE PERIPHERAL SPEED OF THE WEB PULL ROLLS AND THUS, CONTROLS THE LENGTH OF THE WINDOW PATCH CUT BY THE PATCH CUTTER KNIFE, BLADES. AN INCREASE IN THE SPEED OF THE WEB PULL ROLLS INCREASES THE LENGTH OF THE PATCH CUT AND CONVERSELY, A DECREASE IN THE SPEED OF THE WEB PULL ROLLS REDUCES THE LENGTH OF THE WINDOW PATCH. THE SPEED OF THE WEB PULL ROLLS CAN BE INCREASED OR DECREASED WHILE THE ENVELOPE MACHINE IS RUNNING. THE VACUUM ROLL IS DRIVEN AT MACHINE SPEED AND THE UNSEVERED END OF THE WINDOW PATCH MATERIAL SLIDES ON THE SURFACE OF THE VACUUM ROLL UNTIL A PORTION IS CUT BY THE CUTTING KNIVES.

Description

1 3,618,483 APEARATUS FOR REGULATING WINDOW PATCH LENGTH ON ENVELOPE Nov. 9, 1971 H. w. HELM AND BAG MACHINERY Filed April 17, 1970 United States Patent US. Cl. 93-61 A 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Window patch cutting apparatus includes a pair of web pull rolls and a vacuum roll. The vacuum roll has a series of suction ports along the periphery and a patch cutting knife blade extending radially outwardly therefrom. The patch cutting knife blade on the vacuum roll severs window patches from a web when it moves into cutting relation with a fixed patch cutting knife blade positioned adjacent to the vacuum roll as the vacuum roll rotates relative to the fixed knife blade. The web pull rolls are drivingly connected to each other for rotation at substantially the same periphery speed and are spring loaded to frictionally engage the patch material therebetween. The web pull rolls are connected to and driven by a variable speed drive mechanism. The variable speed drive mechanism is in turn drivingly connected to a portion of the envelope machine and is driven at machine speed in fixed ratio with the main drive shaft and other components of the envelope machine. The variable speed drive mechanism controls the peripheral speed of the web pull rolls and thus, controls the length of the window patch cut by the patch cutter knife, blades. An increase in the speed of the web pull rolls increases the length of the patch cut and conversely, a decrease in the speed of the web pull rolls reduces the length of the window patch. The speed of the web pull rolls can be increased or decreased while the envelope machine is running. The vacuum roll is driven at machine speed and the unsevered end of the window patch material slides on the surface of the vacuum roll until a portion is cut by the cutting knives.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the invention This invention relates generally to apparatus employed for making envelopes and bags and more particularly to apparatus for regulating the length of a patch of window material for an envelope or a bag.

(2) Description of the prior art The window patch length in known envelope and bag making machinery is determined by the ratio of the gears or sprockets between the web pull rolls and a driven shaft that rotates at machine speed in a fixed ratio with the main drive shaft and other components of the envelope or bag making machine. In order to change the window patch length, it is necessary to change the gear ratio between the machine shaft and the web pull rolls. The change in ratio changes the peripheral velocity of the web rolls and the relative rate at which the web of patch material is fed to the patch cutter. The knives of the patch cutter move into cutting relation at preselected constant intervals determined by the speed of the vacuum roll. By changing the gearing to reduce the speed of the web pull rolls relative to the envelope machine speed, the length of the patch is proportionately reduced. The converse occurs when the peripheral velocity of the web pinch rolls is increased. U.S. Pats. 3,431,820; 3,416,414; 2,986,- 976; 2,209,348 and 2,996,962 disclose apparatus for cutting envelope patch material and positioning the patch Patented Nov. 9, 1971 material in overlying relation with the window of an envelope blank.

The known method and apparatus for regulating window patch length by changing the gears and/or sprockets between the web pull rolls and a machine shaft have several substantial disadvantages. The time required to change from one patch length to another is substantial because several machine components must be removed and replaced by other machine components of different ratios. After installation, the components must be readjusted and properly timed. An inventory of a substantial number of gears or sprockets is necessary to cover a relatively broad range of patch lengths that are now required for envelopes having windows of different lengths. Further, there is no assurance with the inventory of different ratio gears or sprockets that a combination is present to provide an unconventional window length. The mechanical gear connection is relatively inflexible and the patch length can not be varied to suit particular gumming conditions while the machine is running. It is necessary to stop the machine and make the time consuming sprocket or gear change. There is a need, therefore, for apparatus to quickly and effectively change the length of the window patch severed by the patch cutter and positioned on the window of an envelope blank.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The hereinafter described invention relates to apparatus for severing window patches from a supply web and includes a pair of web pull rolls and a rotatable patch transfer means for transferring the severed patches. A cutting means is associated with the patch transfer means and cuts patches from the web. The rotatable patch transfer means is driven at a predetermined fixed selected speed and the web pull rolls are connected to the output shaft of a variable speed drive mechanism. The input shaft of the variable speed drive mechanism is connected to a machine shaft that rotates in a fixed ratio with the envelope machine main drive shaft. With this arrangement, the speed of rotation of the variable speed output shaft is controlled to thereby control the peripheral speed of the web pull rolls which, in turn, controls the length of the patch material secured to the web patch transfer apparatus and severed by the patch cutter knives.

Accordingly, the principal object of the invention is to provide window patch cutting apparatus in which the length of the patch severed from the web can be changed without replacement of gears, sprockets and the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus for changing the length of the window patch while the machine is running.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will be more completely disclosed and described in the following specification, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The figure is a schematic view in side elevation illustrating schematically the components of the window patch severing apparatus and the manner in which the components are driven.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS This invention may be employed with apparatus similar to that illustrated in US. Pats. 2,209,348; 2,996,962; 3,416,414 and 3,431,830. Detailed descriptions of patch severing apparatus and the manner in which the apparatus is mounted in the frame of an envelope machine is shown and described in the prior art including the above patents.

The present invention will be described as it relates to 3 apparatus disclosed in the above-enumerated patents and the patents are incorporated by reference, herein.

Referring to the drawing, there is schematically illustrated, patch severing apparatus generally designated by the numeral that includes a reel 12 for a Web of win dow patch material 14. Patch transfer apparatus generally indicated by the numeral 16 includes a vacuum roll 18 mounted on a shaft 20. The shaft 20 is suitably supported in the envelope machine frame (not shown). The vacuum roll 18 has a series of rows of suction ports 22 that open onto the roll periphery 24. The rows of suction ports 22 are connected to longitudinally extending vacuum passageways 26 which are connected through suitable valve means to a vacuum pump or similar device to provide a reduced pressure at the suction ports 22 when the suction ports are in preselected angular positions relative to the other components of the envelope machine.

The vacuum roll 18 has a longitudinally extending slotted portion 28 in which there is suitably mounted a knife blade 30 that forms a portion of the window patch severing mechanism. Positioned adjacent to the vacuum roll 18 is a second or backing knife blade 32 that is adjustably mounted in a support 34. The knife blade 32 extends longitudinally relative to the vacuum roll 18 and is movable radially toward and away from the knife blade 30 by means of adjustment mechanism 36. With this arrangement, the

knife blades

30 and 32, when adjusted and in the position illustrated in the drawing, are arranged to sever a window patch from the web of window patch material.

A shaft member 38 is schematically illustrated in the drawing and designates either the envelope machine main drive shaft or a shaft drivingly connected to the envelope machine drive shaft. For convenience, the shaft 38 will hereinafter be referred to as the envelope machine main drive shaft, although it should be understood that the shaft 38 may be a shaft of one of the other envelope machine components that is in turn, directly connected to the envelope machine main drive shaft.

The main drive shaft 38 rotates at a fixed speed so that the remaining components of the envelope machine connected thereto are arranged to operate in timed relation to each other. Thus, the printing, panel cutting, patch gumming and patch applying to the envelope is in timed relation for the cutting, gumming and applying operations to be accomplished while an envelope blank is properly positioned relative to the component for cutting, gumming or applying patch material. The drive shaft 38 is connected to the vacuum roll shaft 20 by suitable shafting and gearing. The drive connection between the drive shaft 38 and the vacuum roll shaft 20 is schematically indicated by the dash-dot line 40. With this arrangement, the vacuum roll 18 is driven by the envelope machine main drive shaft in a fixed speed ratio relative thereto. The speed or peripheral velocity of the vacuum roll 18 is thus tied into the remainder of the envelope machine for timed operation therewith to position window patches over the window panels formed in the envelope blanks.

Positioned adjacent to the vacuum rolls are a pair of

web pull rolls

42 and 44. The

web pull rolls

42 and 44 have

peripheral surfaces

46 and 48 that are in abutting relation to each other and are arranged to frictionally engage the web of Window patch material 14 therebetween. The

web pull rolls

42 and 44 are preferably geared to each other and further include a resilient device to urge the peripheral surfaces into abutting relation. An idler roll 50 is positioned between the

web pull rolls

42 and 44 and the web reel 12. The web of window patch material 14 is threaded around the periphery of the idler roll 50 and between the

Web pull rolls

42 and 44, The unsevered end 52 of the web 14 is positioned in overlying relation with the suction ports 22 of the vacuum roll 18.

A variable speed drive generally designated by the numeral 54 is positioned between the main drive shaft 38 and the drive for the

web pull rolls

42 and 44. The variable speed drive 54 is preferably a P.I.V. gear type variable speed drive manufactured by the Link Belt Company. A suitable P.I.V. variable speed drive is described in Kents Mechanical Engineers Handbook, 11th Edition, Section 24, beginning on page 72. Briefly, a suitable P.I.V. variable speed gear drive includes pairs of conical discs mounted on shafts that serve as input and output shafts. The conical discs have radial teeth formed in their conical faces and the conical discs are arranged to move axially toward and away from each other on their respective shafts. An endless chain is reeved between the conical discs and has portions engaging the radial slots thereon. Movement of the pairs of discs toward and away from each other changes the speed ratio between the input and output shafts. Thus, for example, movement of the discs on the input shaft in one direction and corresponding movement of the discs on the output shaft in the opposite direction, will provide a change in the speed ratio of the input and output shafts. It should be understood that although the P.I.V. gear variable speed drive is preferred, other types of variable speed drives, as for example, the Reeves variable speed transmission or the Graham variable speed transmission could also be used. It is preferred, however, that the input and output shafts of the variable speed drive be mechanically connected to each other to eliminate undesired speed variations therebetween.

The variable speed drive 54 has an input shaft 56 and an output shaft 58. A sprocket 60 is connected to the input shaft 56 and a sprocket 62 is connected to the drive shaft 38. An endless chain 64 is reeved about the sprockets 60 and 62 so that the input shaft 56 of the variable speed drive 54 is driven at a fixed ratio to the machine drive shaft 38. Thus, the variable speed input shaft 56 is directly connected to the envelope machine drive shaft 38 in a manner similar to the shaft 20 of vacuum roll 18.

The web pull roll 44 has a sprocket 64 secured thereto for rotation therewith and the output shaft 58 of variable speed drive 54 has a sprocket 66 mounted thereon, An endless chain 68 is reeved about the sprockets 64 and 66 so that the web pull rolls 42 and 44 are driven at a fixed ratio to the speed of the output shaft 58. An adjusting knob 70 is provided on the variable speed drive to increase or decrease the differential in speed between the input and output shafts of variable speed drive 54.

The above patch severing apparatus 10 is arranged to sever window patches of variable length even while the envelope machine is running and operates in the following manner. The web of patch material 14 mounted on the reel 12 is threaded around the idler roll 50 and between the web pull rolls 42 and 44. The unsevered end 52 of web 14 is in overlying relation with the vacuum roll periphery 24 and with the suction ports 22 in the vacuum roll 18. The web 14 is frictionally engaged by the

peripheral surfaces

46 and 48 of web pull rolls 42 and 44 and is engaged by suction to the surface 24 of vacuum roll 18.

The vacuum roll 18 is driven at a fixed ratio to the drive shaft 38 and thus, rotates in timed relation with the other components of the envelope machine and the

knives

30 and 32 of the patch severing apparatus are in cutting relation to each other at predetermined fixed time intervals. Thus, the length of the web that has passed beneath the knife blade 32 determines the length of the patch severed thereby when the vacuum roll 18 rotates to a position as illustrated in the drawing. The web pull rolls 42 and 44 pull the web 14 off of the reel 12 and supply the web to the vacuum roll 18 and the patch severing knife blades. Thus, the relative speed of the web pull rolls 42 and 44 determines the length of the web 14 fed to the patch severing apparatus during the interval of time required for the vacuum roll to cornplete a revolution and position the knives in cutting relation.

The speed of the web pull rolls 42 and 44 can be varied by changing the ratio between the variable speed drive input shaft 56 and output shaft 58. Since the input shaft 56 is rotating at a fixed speed, the speed of the output shaft 58 can be increased or decreased relative thereto. Where it is desired to increase the window patch length, the knob 70 is rotated to increase the output speed of the output shaft 58 so that the speed of the web pull rolls 42 and 44 is proportionately increased through the sprockets 60 and 62 and the endless chain 68. The increase in speed of the web pull rolls 42 and 44 supplies a greater length of window patch web 14 to the vacuum roll 18 between the time intervals at which the web end portion is severed by the cutting knives and 32. Conversely, the length of the patch can be reduced by reducing the speed of the variable speed output shaft 58 and thus, the web pull rolls 42 and 44 so that a shorter length of web 14 is supplied to the surface of vacuum roll 18 during the time required for a revolution of the vacuum roll 18 and the severing of the window patch from the web.

With the above arrangement, it will be apparent that the patch length adjustment can be made by merely turning a calibrated dial and any desired patch length can thus be programmed, either manually or automatically, into the machine within a very short time. One of the substantial advantages of the above described window patch severing apparatus is the fine adjustment of the patch length that can be made while the machine is in operation for carefully controlled edge gumming of the window patch.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, the principle, preferred construction and mode of operation of the invention have been illustrated and described. However, it should be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

I claim:

1. Apparatus in an envelope machine for severing window patches of variable length from a web of patch material while the envelope machine is running comprismg:

a rotatable patch transfer means operable to engage and transfer a window patch severed from a web of window patch material,

cutting means operable to sever lengths of window patch material from said web,

means to actuate said cutting means at preselected fixed time intervals,

a pair of web pull rolls positioned in abutting relation with each other and operable to feed the web of window patch material to said cutting means and said patch transfer means,

a variable drive mechanism having an input shaft and an output shaft,

said input shaft drivingly connected to said envelope machine drive shaft so that said input shaft is driven at a fixed ratio relative to said envelope machine drive shaft,

said output shaft drivingly connected to said pair of web pull rolls so that said web pull rolls are driven at a fixed ratio to the speed of said output shaft, and

said variable speed drive mechanism operable to change the speed of said output shaft while said input shaft speed remains substantially constant to thereby change the length of said patch material fed to said cutting means between actuations of said cutting means to thereby change the length of the patch severed from said web of window patch material.

2. Apparatus in an envelope machine for severing window patches of variable length as set forth in claim 1 in which said rotatable patch transfer means includes a vacuum roll having a plurality of suction ports on the periphery thereof, said vacuum roll arranged to engage the severed window patches and transfer said window patches.

3. Apparatus in an envelope machine for severing window patches of variable length as set forth in claim 2 in which said cutting means includes a first knife blade secured to said vacuum roll and terminating adjacent the periphery thereof and a second knife blade positioned in parallel overlying relation to said vacuum roll, said knife blades operable to sever patch material positioned therebetween.

4. Apparatus in an envelope machine for severing window patches of variable length as set forth in claim 2 which includes means drivingly connecting said vacuum roll to said envelope making machine drive shaft so that said vacuum roll is driven at a fixed ratio relative to said envelope machine drive shaft.

5. Apparatus in an envelope machine for severing window patches of variable length as set forth in claim 4 in which said vacuum roll is arranged to rotate relative to the end portion of said unsevered web of window patch material positioned thereon so that said unsevered end portion of said web slides on said vacuum roll until said cutting means severs a length of said window patch material from said web.

6. Apparatus in an envelope machine for severing Window patches of variable length as set forth in claim 1 in which said web pull rolls are connected to each other for timed rotation relative to each other.

7. Apparatus in an envelope machine for severing window patches of variable length as set forth in claim 1 which includes:

means to rotatably mount said web of window patch material adjacent to said web pull rolls. 8. Apparatus in an envelope machine for severing window patches of variable length as set forth in claim 1 which includes:

a sprocket on said variable speed drive input shaft, a sprocket on a shaft drivingly connected to said main drive shaft, r f 1 an endless chain reeved about said sprockets and arranged to rotate said input shaft at a fixed ratio with said main drive shaft.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,833,011 11/1931 Aldrich 53-389 3,276,183 10/1966 Carlisle 93-34 X 3,294,301 12/1966 Richter 93-34 X 3,400,641 9/1968 Stemmler 93-61 A 3,408,908 11/1968 Berkowitz 93-61 A 3,412,655 11/1968 Kranz 93-61 A 3,431,830 3/1969 Stovall 93-61 A 3,435,739 4/1969 Neunkirchen. 93-61 A 3,438,310 4/1969 Woodruif 93-1 G 3,468,227 9/1969 Volks 93-61 A 3,490,196 1/ 1970 Sorensen 53-389 X WAYNE A. MORSE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

53-389; 93-1 G, 35 M W, 58.4