US3641883A - Method and apparatus for folding a closure flap of an envelope - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for folding a closure flap of an envelope Download PDF

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Publication number
US3641883A
US3641883A US35190A US3641883DA US3641883A US 3641883 A US3641883 A US 3641883A US 35190 A US35190 A US 35190A US 3641883D A US3641883D A US 3641883DA US 3641883 A US3641883 A US 3641883A
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Prior art keywords
cylinder
envelope
closure flap
seal fold
transfer
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US35190A
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English (en)
Inventor
Eliot S Smithe
Herbert W Helm
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FL Smithe Machine Co Inc
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FL Smithe Machine Co Inc
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
    • B43M—BUREAU ACCESSORIES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B43M5/00—Devices for closing envelopes
    • B43M5/04—Devices for closing envelopes automatic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
    • B65H29/24—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by air blast or suction apparatus
    • B65H29/241—Suction devices
    • B65H29/243—Suction rollers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
    • B65H29/38—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by movable piling or advancing arms, frames, plates, or like members with which the articles are maintained in face contact
    • B65H29/40—Members rotated about an axis perpendicular to direction of article movement, e.g. star-wheels formed by S-shaped members
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B2150/00—Flexible containers made from sheets or blanks, e.g. from flattened tubes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B2160/00—Shape of flexible containers
    • B31B2160/10—Shape of flexible containers rectangular and flat, i.e. without structural provision for thickness of contents
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B70/00—Making flexible containers, e.g. envelopes or bags
    • B31B70/26—Folding sheets, blanks or webs
    • B31B70/261—Folding sheets, blanks or webs involving transversely folding, i.e. along a line perpendicular to the direction of movement

Definitions

  • the delivery cylinder engages 52 us. Cl ..93/62, 270/68 the body emebpe and transfers the B3, 21/26 a collecting device.
  • the seal fold cylinder rotates at the same [51] C] peripheral speed as the transfer cylinder in a direction op- [58] FieldoiSearch ..93/62,61;2'.
  • closure flaps may be folded forwardly in overlying relation with Primary Examiner Bemard Stickney the opening in the envelope, rearwardly into overlying relation Attorney-Stanley J. Price, Jr. with the front surface of the envelope, or the envelope may be transferred through the folding device with the closure flap in 57] ABSTRACT an open unfolded position.
  • Closure flap folding apparatus includes a transfer cylinder 12 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures I L3 a l4 L l v ,8 26 44 42 4 24 I 6 a is l a PATENTEDFEB 15 1912 3.641 .883
  • This invention relates to a method and apparatus for folding closure flaps and more particularly to a method and apparatus for folding closure flaps with a plurality of rotary cylinders.
  • Envelopeand bagmaking machines include apparatus for folding the closure flap after the side and bottom flaps of the envelope blank have been folded and adhesively secured to the envelope body portion.
  • the conventional known closure flap folding devices include belts, pressure rollers and the like which exert compressive forces on the folded envelope while conveying the envelope through the closure flap folding portion of the machine.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 3,097,758 illustrates a typical pair of pressure rollers for engaging the envelope blank therebetween prior to the folding operation.
  • the known flap-folding apparatus is designed for a single type of fold as, for example, the normal forward fold of the closure flap and is not readily convertible to apparatus for providing a reverse fold of the closure flap or for permitting the envelopes to be conveyed therethrough without folding the closure flap.
  • apparatus may be easily converted to provide normal or reverse folds of the closure flap or to deliver the envelopes with the closure flaps in an open, unfolded condition.
  • a rotary cylindrical envelope closure flap folding device that does not exert squeezing pressure forces on the envelope.
  • This invention relates to apparatus for folding the closure flap of an envelope which comprises a transfer cylinder with vacuum ports extending longitudinally along a portion of the cylinder periphery.
  • a delivery cylinder is positioned in spaced parallel relation to the transfer cylinder and has a plurality of vacuum ports extending longitudinally along a portion of the cylinder periphery.
  • the delivery cylinder and transfer cylinder rotate in the same direction at substantially the same angular velocity.
  • a seal fold cylinder is positioned parallel to and between the delivery cylinder and the transfer cylinder.
  • the seal fold cylinder has a diameter smaller than the transfer cylinder and vacuum ports extend longitudinally along a portion of the cylinder periphery.
  • the seal fold cylinder vacuum ports are arranged to engage a portion of an envelope by suction while the envelope is engaged to the transfer cylinder by suction and to convey the envelope from the transfer cylinder to the delivery cylinder through a suitable guide means or folding device.
  • the method for folding an envelope closure flap includes engaging the leading edge of the envelope by suction on the periphery of a transfer cylinder.
  • the transfer cylinder is rotated to a position where the envelope leading edge is adjacent to the buckle plate portion ofa folding mechanism.
  • the closure flap of the envelope is engaged by suction to the periphery of a seal fold cylinder positioned adjacent to the transfer cylinder.
  • the seal fold cylinder is rotated in a direction opposite to the transfer cylinder while the closure flap portion of the envelope is engaged to the periphery of the seal fold cylinder to thereby fold the closure flap into overlying relation with the rear surface of the envelope.
  • the body portion of the envelope is engaged by suction onto the periphery of a delivery cylinder that is positioned adjacent to the seal fold cylinder and rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of the seal fold cylinder.
  • the suction on the seal fold cylinder is released to permit the delivery cylinder to transfer the envelope with the closure flap folded into overlying relation with the rear surface of the envelope.
  • the principal object of this invention is to provide a rotary closure flap folding apparatus that eliminates belts, pressure rollers and the like.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide closure flap folding apparatus that may be easily converted from normal forward fold apparatus to reverse fold apparatus.
  • FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are schematic illustrations in elevation illustrating sequentially the manner in which the closure flap of an envelope is folded with the apparatus illustrated.
  • FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are similar to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C illustrating sequentially the manner in which a reverse fold is applied to a closure flap of an envelope with the apparatus illustrated.
  • FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are also similar to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C and illustrate the manner of delivering envelopes in an unfolded, open seal condition.
  • FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate the sequential steps for folding outside side seam envelopes immediately before applying a normal fold to the closure flap.
  • FIG. 5 is a top plan view partially in section of the seal fold apparatus illustrated schematically in FIGS. 1-3 inclusive. Portions of the cylinders are in section to illustrate the valving mechanism to provide a suction in the vacuum ports.
  • FIG. 6 is a view in section taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 7 is a view in section illustrating in detail a suitable blocking valve for applying a suction to the vacuum ports of the seal fold cylinder.
  • FIG. 8 is a view in section taken along the line VIIl-VlIl of FIG. 5 illustrating the valve ports for the seal fold cylinder.
  • FIG. 9 is a view in section taken along the line IXIX of FIG. 5 illustrating the valving for the vacuum ports along the periphery of the cylinder.
  • Schematically illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 is the conduit connecting the valve ports of the delivery cylinder and the seal fold cylinder.
  • closure flap folding apparatus generally designated by the numeral 10 that includes a bottom flap folding cylinder 12 and a transfer cylinder 14 positioned in parallel relation to each other.
  • the cylinders 12 and 14 are suitably mounted in a frame member and drivingly connected to each other by gearing, as later explained in reference to FIG. 5.
  • the bottom flap folding cylinder 12 has a series of vacuum ports 16 opening into the periphery of the cylinder and extending longitudinally therealong.
  • the ports 16 are connected to a passageway 18 within the cylinder and the passageway is in turn connected through suitable valving to a source of suction or reduced pressure.
  • the transfer cylinder 14 similarly has pairs of spaced vacuum ports 20 and 22 opening into the cylinder periphery and extending longitudinally thereon. Passageways 24 and 26 connect the respective vacuum ports 20 and 22 to a vacuum source through suitable valving, as later explained.
  • the bottom flap folding cylinder 12 is arranged to rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 and cylinder 14 is arranged to rotate in a counterclockwise direction and to engage and transfer an envelope blank from the bottom flap folding cylinder 12 to the remaining portion of the closure flap folding apparatus 10.
  • a delivery cylinder 28 is also mounted in the machine frame in parallel spaced relation to the transfer cylinder 14 and has a series of longitudinally extending vacuum ports 30, 32, 34 and 36 opening into and extending around the periphery of the cylinder.
  • the vacuum ports 30, 32, 34 and 36 are connected respectively to passageways 38, 40, 42, and 44 that are in turn connected to a source of suction through valving, as later explained, to progressively apply and withdraw suction to the periphery of the cylinder 28 through the longitudinally extending parallel rows of respective ports 30, 32, 34 and 36.
  • a seal fold cylinder 46 is rotatably mounted in the machine frame and is positioned between the transfer cylinder 14 and the delivery cylinder 28.
  • the seal fold cylinder 46 has a single row of vacuum ports 48 along the periphery that are arranged to engage a portion of the envelope blank and transfer the envelope blank to the delivery cylinder 28.
  • the seal fold cylinder 46 and delivery cylinder 28 are drivingly connected in timed relation so that the angular velocity of the seal fold cylinder 46 is an exact multiple of the angular velocity of the delivery cylinder 28 as for example for each revolution of the delivery cylinder 28 the seal fold cylinder revolves four times.
  • Bleeder valves and vacuum valves are associated with the seal fold cylinder 46 to apply a suction through the vacuum ports 48 during one portion of the revolution of the seal fold cylinder 46 and to terminate the vacuum or suction during the remaining three revolutions of the cylinder 46.
  • the delivery cylinder 28 rotates in a counterclockwise direction, the same direction as the transfer cylinder 14.
  • the seal fold cylinder 46 rotates in a clockwise direction, opposite to that of the delivery cylinder 28.
  • a buckle plate generally designated by the numeral 50 is positioned above the seal fold cylinder 46 and has a longitudinal slot 52 and guide portion 54.
  • the slot 52 has an end wall 56 against which the envelope blank abuts when the envelope reverses direction.
  • a suitable guide bracket 58 is positioned beneath the cylinders 14 and 28 and a conventional delivery spiral is rotatably positioned at the downstream end from the delivery cylinder 28.
  • the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C fold the closure flap 62 of an envelope generally designated by the numeral 64 that has a rear surface 66 (FIG. 1A) and a front surface 68 (FlG. 1C).
  • FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C folds the closure flap 62 in overlying relation with the rear surface 66 of the envelope in the following manner.
  • the top surface 68 of the envelope 64 is engaged by suction through vacuum ports 16 to the periphery of the bottom flap fold cylinder.
  • the undersurface 66 of the envelope is moved into overlying relation with the vacuum ports and 22 on the transfer cylinder 14.
  • Suction is applied through the ports 20 and 22 to engage the envelope to the periphery of transfer cylinder 14.
  • the bottom flap fold cylinder 12 and transfer cylinder 14 are so timed that the front edge or base of the envelope opposite the closure flap 62 is in overlying relation with the vacuum ports 20 so that the closure flap 62 is not engaged to the cylinder 14 by suction.
  • Rotation of the transfer cylinder 14 rotates the transfer cylinder in a counterclockwise direction to a location where the front edge of the envelope 64 is disengaged from the transfer cylinder 14 and is conveyed upwardly in the slot 52 of buckle plate 50.
  • the closure flap 62 is in overlying relation with the vacuum ports 48 on the seal fold cylinder 46.
  • Suction is applied through vacuum ports 48 in the seal fold cylinder 46 to engage the closure flap 62.
  • Rotation of the seal fold cylinder 46 in a clockwise direction folds the closure flap 62 along a score line, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • the delivery cylinder 28 rotates in timed relation with the transfer cylinder 14 and seal fold cylinder 46 to move the vacuum ports 30, 32, 34 and 36 into progressive overlying relation with portions of the envelope front surface 68 and move the envelope 64 downwardly in the slot 52 and between the transfer cylinder 28 and seal fold cylinder 46 with the folded closure flap 62 forming the leading edge of the envelope 64.
  • the envelope is transferred by the delivery cylinder 28 to a conventional delivery spiral 60 where the envelope is transferred into an arcuate receiving slot 70 for delivery to a stack 72.
  • FIGS. 1A, 1B and IC has been modified to reverse the seal fold rather than provide the normal fold previously described. Because substantially all of the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C is the same as that illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, similar numerals will designate similar parts.
  • the buckle plate 50 and the guide bracket 58 are removed and another guide bracket 74 is positioned in place of buckle plate 50.
  • the timing of the transfer cylinder 14 and the position of the vacuum ports 20 and 22 relative to the envelope 64 is modified so that the closure flap portion 62 of the envelope is engaged by vacuum through ports 20 and 22 to the periphery of transfer cylinder 14.
  • the remaining portion of the envelope 64 hangs downwardly from the transfer cylinder 14 upon rotation as illustrated in FlG. 2A.
  • the envelope 64 Upon rotation of the transfer cylinder 14 the envelope 64 is moved upwardly toward the seal fold cylinder 46. Vacuum through ports 48 in seal fold cylinder 46 engages the rear surface 66 of envelope 64 and transfers the envelope 64 to the delivery cylinder 28, as illustrated in FlGS. 2B and 2C. ln FlG. 2B the closure flap 62 is bent rearwardly over the front surface 68 of envelope 64 and the envelope rear surface 66 is engaged by the vacuum ports 48 on the seal fold cylinder 46 adjacent the score line for the closure flap 62.
  • Rotation of the seal fold cylinder 46 transfers the envelope 64 to the delivery cylinder 28 where the envelope front surface 68 with the closure flap 62 folded rearwardly thereon is engaged by vacuum through the ports 30, 32, 34 and 36.
  • the envelope with the rearwardly folded closure flap 62 is then transferred to a delivery spiral 60 and from the delivery spiral to a stack 72, as previously described.
  • FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C may be employed to transfer the envelopes through the folding apparatus without folding the closure flap 62 either in the normal seal fold or the reverse seal fold.
  • the undersurface 66 of the envelope 64 is engaged adjacent the edge opposite the closure flap 62 by the suction ports 20 and 22 of the transfer cylinder 14 and rotated toward the guide member 74 positioned above the seal fold cylinder 46.
  • FlG. 38 when the envelope 64 is disengaged from the periphery of transfer cylinder 14 it is engaged to the periphery of seal fold cylinder 46 by means of suction through the vacuum ports 48.
  • the seal fold cylinder 48 serves as a transfer cylinder and transfers the leading edge of the envelope 64 opposite the clo sure flap 62 to the delivery cylinder 28 where the undersurface of the envelope is engaged to the periphery of delivery cylinder 28 by suction through vacuum ports 30, 32, 34 and 36. Rotation of the delivery cylinder 28 with the envelope secured thereto in a counterclockwise direction then transfers the envelope into a slot '70 of delivery spiral 60 from which it is positioned in a stack 72 with the closure flaps 62 in an open position.
  • FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C there is illustrated seal fold apparatus suitable for use with envelopes that includes a side flap folding apparatus in lieu of the transfer cylinder previously described.
  • the seal fold apparatus generally designated by the numeral has a bottom flap fold cylinder 12 with a pressure roller 76 positioned in abutting relation therewith. Endless driven tapes or belts 78 are positioned around rollers 80 and 82 and have a tensioning drive roll 84. A pair of plowshare side flap fold devices 86 are positioned above the tapes 78.
  • the seal fold cylinder 46 has vacuum ports 48, as previously described, and the buckle plate 50 is positioned above the seal fold cylinder 46 and adjacent to the transfer cylinder 28.
  • the envelope blank 88 having a body portion 90 with a front flap 92 and a pair of side flaps 94 and 96 and a rear closure flap 98 has the front flap 92 bent rearwardly over the body portion and folded thereon as it is transferred from the bottom flap folding cylinder 12 onto the belts 78.
  • the plowshares 86 fold the side flaps 94 and 96 into overlying relation with the bottom flap 92 to form an outside side seam type envelope.
  • the belts 78 transfer the envelope upwardly into the slot 52 of the buckle plate 50 and the closure flap 98 is engaged to the periphery of seal fold cylinder 46 by suction through the vacuum ports 48.
  • the seal fold cylinder 46 rotates in a clockwise direction and the delivery cylinder 28 rotates in a counterclockwise direction.
  • the envelope body portion is engaged to the periphery of the delivery cylinder by suction through vacuum ports 30, 32, 34 and 36 and rotation of the seal fold cylinder 46 in a direction opposite to the delivery cylinder 28 with the envelope therebetween folds the closure flap 48 into overlying relation with the side flaps 94 and 96 and bottom flap 92.
  • the envelope is transferred in a similar manner to the spiral 60 as was discussed in reference to FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 5 is a top plan view with the direction of travel of the sheets being indicated by the arrows and extending from the bottom toward the top of the sheet.
  • the cylinders of the seal fold apparatus are rotatably journaled in the envelope machine side frames 100 and 102.
  • the bottom flap fold cylinder 12 has a main shaft 104 that is journaled in the side frames for rotation therein.
  • Gearing 106 on drive shaft 108 is in meshing relation with a gear 110 on the bottom flap fold cylinder 104 to provide rotation thereto.
  • the suction passageway 18 within the cylinder 12 has vacuum ports 16 connected thereto.
  • a valve generally designated by the numeral 112 has a stationary por tion or stator 114 and a rotatable portion or rotor 116.
  • the valve 112 is arranged to open and close the passageway 18 in preselected portions of each revolution of the bottom flap fold cylinder 12 to thereby apply and remove negative suction pressure to the periphery of the cylinder 12.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates the bottom flap fold cylinder in section with the suction passageway 18 and the vacuum ports 16.
  • the transfer cylinder 14 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 118 that is suitably journaled in bearings in subframe members 120.
  • a spur gear 122 on shaft 118 meshes with a spur gear 124 on shaft 104 of bottom flap fold cylinder 12 so that the transfer cylinder 14 is driven in timed relation with the bottom flap fold cylinder 12.
  • the transfer cylinder 14 has a rotary valve generally designated by the numeral 126 that has a stator portion 128 and a rotor portion 130.
  • the inlet 132 to the stator 128 supplies a suction to the pairs of vacuum ports 20 and 22 during a preselected portion of each revolution of the transfer cylinder 14, as previously described.
  • the location at which the arcuate opening 134 in the rotor is subjected to the vacuum through opening 132 may be changed by rotating the fixed stator 128 of valve 126.
  • FIG. 7 there is illustrated one manner'of applying suction to the vacuum ports 48 of the seal fold cylinder 46 through an axial passageway 138 in the seal fold cylinder 46 (FIG. 8).
  • a valve generally designated by the numeral 140 has a rotor portion 142 that may be suitably secured to a rotating portion of any one of cylinders 12, 14 or 28.
  • the rotor has an arcuate opening 144 therein and a stator 146 is positioned in overlying relation therewith.
  • the stator has a first opening or port 148 connected to a source of vacuum such as a conventional vacuum pump (not shown) and a second port 150 suitably connected by a conduit 152 to the seal fold cylinder valve.
  • suction is applied through the seal fold cylinder vacuum ports for about one-fourth of a revolution of the cylinder to which the valve 140 is connected. Throughout the other three-fourths of a revolution, the valve port 148 is closed by the rotor 142 so that suction is not applied to the vacuum ports 48 of the seal fold cylinder 46. Since the seal fold cylinder rotates at an exact multiple of the angular velocity of the other cylinder, suction is applied through the valve ports 48 of the seal fold cylinder 46 during one of the revolutions of the seal fold cylinder 46 and suction is not present during several subsequent revolutions of the seal fold cylinder 46, depending on the multiple in the angular velocity between the respective cylinder.
  • the above valve mechanism provides a means for periodically applying a suction through valve ports 48 in the seal fold cylinder.
  • the delivery cylinder 28 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 154 and is drivingly connected through gearing 156 and 158 to the shaft 160 of seal fold cylinder 46.
  • the seal fold cylinder 46 and delivery cylinder 28 are suitably journaled in hearings in subframes 162 and 164.
  • the delivery cylinder is, in turn, connected by gearing 166 and 168 to a drive shaft of the envelope machine.
  • the delivery cylinder 28 has a plurality of rows of vacuum ports 30, 32, 34 and 36 arranged in spaced relation along the periphery of the cylinder.
  • the vacuum ports 30, 32, 34 and .36 open into longitudinal passageways.
  • a valve member generally designated by the numeral 170 has a rotor portion 172 and a stator portion 174.
  • the stator 174 and rotor 172 are illustrated in FIG. 9.
  • the rotor 172 has a plurality of apertures 176 that are connected to underlying passageways 38, 40, 42 and 44 in the delivery cylinder 28. Although there are a greater number of apertures 176 illustrated in FIG. 9 than the passageways 38, 40, 42 and 44 illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, it should be understood a fewer number of passageways and vacuum ports are illustrated in schematic drawings 14 for clarity and ease in understanding the operation of the envelopefolding apparatus.
  • the rotor 172 in addition to apertures 176, has an arcuate slotted portion 178.
  • the stator 174 has an arcuate slotted portion 180 on the same radius as the apertures 176 and a radially inwardly extending portion 182 that has a portion on the same radius as the slot 178 in the rotor portion 172.
  • the stator has a port 184 connected to a suitable source of vacuum and opening into slotted portion 180.
  • the stator has a second port 186 that is connected by means of a conduit 188 diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9.
  • a shutoff valve 190 is positioned in the conduit 183.
  • H6. 9 applies vacuum to both the delivery cylinder 28 and the seal fold cylinder 46 and is preferred. Where, however, it is desired to use separate valves for controlling the vacuum applied by the delivery cylinder 28 and the seal fold cylinder 46, a valve similar to that illustrated in FIG. 7 may be connected to any of the other cylinders and used to control the periodic suction applied through the row of valve ports 48 in the seal fold cylinder 46.
  • H0. 8 illustrates an adjusting mechanism for the valve on the seal fold cylinder 46.
  • the cylinder 46 has a stator portion 192 with a port 194 to which the conduit 188 is connected.
  • the port 194 is connected to an arcuate slotted portion 196.
  • the seal fold cylinder 46 extends through the sleevelike stator portion 192 and has an axial passageway 138 with a radial passageway 198 that opens into the arcuate passageway 196 of stator 192.
  • An adjusting screw 200 is suitably secured to the subframe and is arranged to rotate the stator 192 relative to the cylinder 46.
  • Apparatus for folding the closure flap of an envelope comprising,
  • a transfer device having means to engage and convey an envelope thereon
  • a delivery cylinder positioned in spaced relation to said transfer device, said delivery cylinder having a plurality of suction devices extending longitudinally along the periphery of said cylinder,
  • seal fold cylinder positioned parallel to said delivery cylinder and between said delivery cylinder and said transfer device, said seal fold cylinder having a diameter smaller than said delivery cylinder, said seal fold cylinder having suction devices extending longitudinally along the periphery of said cylinder,
  • said seal fold cylinder suction devices arranged to engage a surface of an envelope while said envelope is engaged by said transfer device and transfer said envelope to said delivery cylinder
  • said delivery cylinder suction devices arranged to engage a surface of said envelope and transfer said envelope away from said seal fold cylinder.
  • said transfer device includes a transfer cylinder positioned in spaced parallel relation to said delivery cylinder,
  • said means to engage an envelope including suction devices extending longitudinally along the periphery of said transfer cylinder.
  • said buckle plate having an elongated slot therein
  • said buckle plate arranged to receive and support an envelope while said seal fold cylinder engages the closure flap portion of said envelope and upon rotation of said seal fold cylinder folds said closure flap into overlying relation with the rear surface of said envelope.
  • Apparatus for folding the closure flap of an envelope as set forth in claim 1 comprising,
  • a guide bracket positioned above said seal fold cylinder, said guide bracket arranged to guide said envelope while said envelope is engaged to said seal fold cylinder.
  • Apparatus for folding the closure flap of an envelope as set forth in claim 1 which includes,
  • Apparatus for folding the closure flap of an envelope as set forth in claim 2 which includes,
  • Apparatus for folding the closure flap of an envelope as set forth in claim 2 which includes,
  • valve means associated with said seal fold cylinder and one of said other cylinders
  • valve means operable to apply a suction periodically through said vacuum ports on said cylinder periphery dependent upon the relative number of revolutions of said seal fold cylinder to said other cylinder.
  • suction is applied through said vacuum ports on said seal fold cylinder periphery during every fourth revolution of said seal fold cylinder.
  • said suction devices on said delivery cylinder include a plurality of parallel spaced rows of vacuum ports extending longitudinally along the periphery of said delivery cylinder, and
  • valve means associated with said delivery cylinder and operable to progressively apply suction through said spaced rows of valve ports in said delivery cylinder periphery.
  • said other valve means includes conduit means connected to vacuum ports in said seal fold cylinder, and
  • a method for folding a closure flap of an envelope comprising,
  • a method for folding a closure flap of an envelope comprising,

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)
  • Folding Of Thin Sheet-Like Materials, Special Discharging Devices, And Others (AREA)
US35190A 1970-05-06 1970-05-06 Method and apparatus for folding a closure flap of an envelope Expired - Lifetime US3641883A (en)

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4138933A (en) * 1977-05-19 1979-02-13 F. L. Smithe Machine Company, Inc. Apparatus for gumming and folding open end envelopes
US4202150A (en) * 1973-05-25 1980-05-13 Ab Sture Ljungdahl Device for producing envelopes in a continuous operation
US4504260A (en) * 1982-11-08 1985-03-12 Champion International Corporation Method and apparatus for scoring and folding envelopes
US5125885A (en) * 1990-09-28 1992-06-30 National Service Industries, Inc. Bonded envelope stack and method and apparatus for making same
US5524876A (en) * 1994-12-22 1996-06-11 F. L. Smithe Machine Company, Inc. Method and apparatus for delivering and stacking envelopes in an envelope machine
GB2345024A (en) * 1998-12-23 2000-06-28 Printed Forms Equip Pressure sealing apparatus, machine and method
US6095961A (en) * 1998-05-14 2000-08-01 F. L. Smithe Machine Company, Inc. Radial aligner and folding mechanism

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3088382A (en) * 1959-07-01 1963-05-07 Berkley Machine Co Flap folding apparatus
US3116668A (en) * 1960-11-15 1964-01-07 Smithe Machine Co Inc F L Rotary envelope machine

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3088382A (en) * 1959-07-01 1963-05-07 Berkley Machine Co Flap folding apparatus
US3116668A (en) * 1960-11-15 1964-01-07 Smithe Machine Co Inc F L Rotary envelope machine

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4202150A (en) * 1973-05-25 1980-05-13 Ab Sture Ljungdahl Device for producing envelopes in a continuous operation
US4138933A (en) * 1977-05-19 1979-02-13 F. L. Smithe Machine Company, Inc. Apparatus for gumming and folding open end envelopes
US4504260A (en) * 1982-11-08 1985-03-12 Champion International Corporation Method and apparatus for scoring and folding envelopes
US5125885A (en) * 1990-09-28 1992-06-30 National Service Industries, Inc. Bonded envelope stack and method and apparatus for making same
US5524876A (en) * 1994-12-22 1996-06-11 F. L. Smithe Machine Company, Inc. Method and apparatus for delivering and stacking envelopes in an envelope machine
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DE2122493A1 (de) 1971-11-25
CA945415A (en) 1974-04-16

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