US3683757A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Running feedback adjustment of envelope making machines
Assignee: Berkley Machine Co
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Filing: 1971-05-24
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1991-05-24
Abstract
Abstract The envelope making machine is provided with a multiplicity of envelope blank proximity devices which read the instantaneous position of respective blanks at important locations along the path of travel. Blank position signals are analyzed and, if a discrepancy with desired position appears, adjusting mechanisms located upstream from the sensing devices are actuated to correct succeeding blanks. Among the adjusting mechanisms disclosed are phase shifting differential transmissions connected between the machine drive train and the respective blank advancing members, and correcting drivers which include expandable and steerable driving tires for correcting blank lateral shift, skew and lead errors.
Inventors
- 👤 James W Lenk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 23:15
CPC Classifications
B; B31; B31B; B31B70/00; B31B70/006; B31B2150/00; B31B2160/00; B31B2160/10; B31B2160/104
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A repeating cycle envelope making machine for continuously producing envelopes from blanks, said machine having blank advancing members defining a path of travel for said blanks and operating mechanisms spaced along said path for successively operating on said blanks and driving means for driving said advancing members and operating mechanisms in synchronized relation, means for adjusting said machine comprising: a. signal pulse producing means associated with a portion of said driving means and creating signal pulses related to rotary positions of said driving means, b. a plurality of position sensing readers spaced along said path and operably connected to said pulse producing means, said readers being operable upon actuation in response to said signal pulses to produce signals indicating the presence and absence of a blank surface adjacent thereto, and c. adjusting means operably associated with said readers and spaced along said path upstream from respective readers and adapted to modify the position thereon of respective blanks in response to predetermined signals from said readers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A repeating cycle envelope making machine for continuously producing envelopes from blanks, said machine having blank advancing members defining a path of travel for said blanks and operating mechanisms spaced along said path for successively operating on said blanks and driving means for driving said advancing members and operating mechanisms in synchronized relation, means for adjusting said machine comprising: a. signal pulse producing means associated with a portion of said driving means and creating signal pulses related to rotary positions of said driving means, b. a plurality of position sensing readers spaced along said path and operably connected to said pulse producing means, said readers being operable upon actuation in response to said signal pulses to produce signals indicating the presence and absence of a blank surface adjacent thereto, and c. adjusting means operably associated with said readers and spaced along said path upstream from respective readers and adapted to modify the position thereon of respective blanks in response to predetermined signals from said readers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The envelope making machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said adjusting means includes a remotely controlled phase shifting differential transmission operably connected between said driving means and an operating mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The envelope making machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said adjusting means includes a remotely controlled phase shifting differential transmission operably connected between said driving means and an advancing member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The envelope making machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said adjusting means includes a pair of opposed remotely operable steering devices respectively having a rotating driving member urged against said blanks.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The envelope making machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein: a. said rotary driving members include tires adapted to expand and contract in peripheral diameter under remote control.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The envelope making machine as set fortH in claim 1 wherein: a. said position sensing readers comprise a pair of spaced apart sensing elements located generally longitudinally of said path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The envelope making machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said position sensing readers comprise a short duration light source directed toward the apparent instantaneous position of a blank surface in said path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The envelope making machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. one of said blank advancing members is a rotary feed cylinder, and b. at least one of said position sensing readers is located in association with said feed cylinder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The envelope making machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. one of said operating mechanisms is a window gum applying member, and b. at least one of said position sensing readers is located closely upstream in said path of travel to said window gum applying member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The envelope making machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. one of said operating mechanisms is a blank decollating member, and b. at least one of said position sensing readers is located closely upstream in said path of travel to said blank decollating member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The envelope making machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. one of said operating mechanisms is a flap scoring member, and b. at least one of said position sensing readers is located closely upstream in said path of travel to said flap scoring member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
The envelope making machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. one of said operating mechanisms is a bottom flap folding member, and b. at least one of said position sensing readers is located closely upstream in said path of travel to said bottom flap folding member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The envelope making machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. one of said operating mechanisms is a top flap folding member, and b. at least one of said position sensing readers is located closely upstream in said path of travel to said top flap folding member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |