GB597714A - Envelope stuffing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

597,714. Feeding sheets. THOMPSON, R. H. Aug. 24, 1945, No. 21707. [Class 100 (i)] [Also in Group XVII] In a machine for inserting folded letters or circulars into envelopes, the letters &c. are fed from two or more adjustable magazines arranged upon a slotted table 10 along a central guideway of which can slide a block 22 fitted with a ram 20 of length greater than the longest folded side of letters A, B, each of which is folded to form three flaps a, a<1>, a<2>; or b, b<1>, b<2>, the longer sides a<2>, b<2>, being adapted to rest on ledges 26 connected to the front sides of the magazines. The sides 27 of the magazines are adjustably connected to the table 10, and the rear side is adjustable longitudinally and is fitted with scraper fingers 42 to prevent double feed. The lowest letter rests on blocks 39 with inclined parts 40 to facilitate the separation of the letter which is effected by the combined action of fingers 33, Fig. 2, which are carried by pivoted arms operable by a sliding bar 74 connected by a link to a crosshead which is pressed towards the right, Fig. 2, by springs 80 and is moved to the left by the action of a stirrup 17 connected to the block 22 which carries the ram 20. A pin 92 on an endless chain 94 engages the stirrup 17 and reciprocates the block 22 and ram 20 which is moved so as to pass between the folds a<2>, a : and b<2>, b, after the folds a<2>, b have been lifted by the fingers 33 to facilitate insertion of the ram. The magazine ends 35 are slotted to permit passage of the ram with the folded letters. The movement of the bars 74 is limited in the forward direction by a dash-pot device, and slots 32 are provided in the table 20 to permit of movement of the fingers 33. In a modification of the means for actuating the fingers 233, Fig. 6, they are carried by arms 272 controlled by pins 275 on eccentrics 273a, and the arms 272 are provided with pins engaged in slots 271. The pins pass close to the ends of the ledges 226 and their tips move in an arcuate path indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 6. The evelopes C are arranged in a magazine with the front c uppermost and the flap c<2> resting on a ledge. A set of fingers 33 opens the envelope far enough for the ram 20 bearing the letter A nested in letter B to be inserted completely into the envelope C, and the whole package is moved past a spring- controlled stripping member 65 from which the stuffed envelope falls into a receiver, and the ram 20 is then moved back to its starting position.