US3745894A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flap folding apparatus
Assignee: FL Smithe Machine Co Inc
•
Filing: 1971-08-24
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1991-08-24
Abstract
Abstract A machine for making envelopes and the like includes apparatus for folding both a top closure flap and a second latex fold flap in the bottom flap portion of the envelope blank. A feed roll feeds the envelope blank with the closure flap trailing onto a closure flap cylinder. The body of the envelope blank is conveyed along the surface of a folding cylinder onto support slats until the envelope blank front edge engages a stop member. The closure flap is engaged by vacuum on the closure flap cylinder and the latex fold flap is engaged by a second flap cylinder. A cam actuated tucker engages the bottom flap adjacent the score line for the latex fold flap and urges the envelope blank downwardly on the support slats. The rotating folding cylinder engages the body portion of the envelope blank and conveys the envelope blank toward a delivery device. Both the closure flap and the latex fold flap are engaged by the respective closure flap cylinders and are folded along the score lines by rotation of the respective flap cylinders in a direction opposite to the folding cylinder. Both of the flaps are creased along the fold line by the closure flap cylinder. The envelope blank is then transferred from the folding cylinder to a suitable spiral delivery.
Inventors
- 👤 H Helm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:24
CPC Classifications
B; B31; B31B; B31B70/00; B31B70/26; B31B70/261; B31B2150/00; B31B2160/00; B31B2160/10; B31B2160/102; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S493/00; Y10S493/916; Y10S493/917
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
Apparatus for folding the closure flap and the latex fold flap of an envelope blank comprising, a folding cylinder arranged to rotate in a first direction, means on said folding cylinder to engage the body portion of an envelope blank, a closure flap cylinder positioned adjacent to said folding cylinder and arranged to rotate in a direction opposite to said folding cylinder, means on said closure flap cylinder to engage the closure flap of an envelope blank, a latex fold flap cylinder positioned adjacent to said folding cylinder and above said closure flap cylinder, said latex fold flap cylinder arranged to rotate in a direction opposite to said folding cylinder, means on said latex fold flap cylinder to engage the latex fold flap, and said closure flap cylinder and said latex flap cylinder arranged to engage the respective closure flap and latex fold flap while the envelope blank body portion is engaged to the surface of said folding cylinder so that upon rotation of said folding cylinder, closure flap cylinder and latex flap cylinder, said envelope blank is conveyed on said folding cylinder and the closure flap and latex fold flap of said envelope blank are folded.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
Apparatus for folding the closure flap and the latex fold flap of an envelope blank comprising, a folding cylinder arranged to rotate in a first direction, means on said folding cylinder to engage the body portion of an envelope blank, a closure flap cylinder positioned adjacent to said folding cylinder and arranged to rotate in a direction opposite to said folding cylinder, means on said closure flap cylinder to engage the closure flap of an envelope blank, a latex fold flap cylinder positioned adjacent to said folding cylinder and above said closure flap cylinder, said latex fold flap cylinder arranged to rotate in a direction opposite to said folding cylinder, means on said latex fold flap cylinder to engage the latex fold flap, and said closure flap cylinder and said latex flap cylinder arranged to engage the respective closure flap and latex fold flap while the envelope blank body portion is engaged to the surface of said folding cylinder so that upon rotation of said folding cylinder, closure flap cylinder and latex flap cylinder, said envelope blank is conveyed on said folding cylinder and the closure flap and latex fold flap of said envelope blank are folded.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for folding the closure flap and the latex fold flap of an envelope blank as set forth in claim 1 which includes, a guide plate positioned between said closure flap cylinder and said latex fold flap cylinder and adjacent to said folding cylinder, said guide plate arranged to urge said latex fold flap toward the envelope blank bottom flap after said latex fold flap is disengaged from said latex fold flap cylinder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus for folding the closure flap and the latex fold flap of an envelope blank as set forth in claim 1 which includes, a support member positioned tangent to the periphery of said folding cylinder, said support member arranged to receive envelope blanks and position said envelope blanks for engagement by said folding cylinder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus for folding the closure flap and the latex fold flap of an envelope blank as set forth in claim 1 which includes, means to urge the envelope blank against the surface of the folding cylinder and disengage the latex fold flap from said latex fold flap cylinder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus for folding the closure flap and the latex fold flap of an envelope blank as set forth in claim 1 which includes, a tucker device positioned adjacent to said folding cylinder, said tucker device arranged to engage the envelope blank adjacent the score line for the latex fold flap and move with the envelope blank as the envelope blank is conveyed by the rotation of said folding cylinder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus for folding the closure flap and the latex fold flap of an envelope blank as set forth in claim 5 in which said tucker device includes, a tucker rod movable toward and away from said latex fold flap cylinder, and cam means operable upon rotation to move said tucker rod.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus for folding the closure flap and the latex fold flap of an envelope blank as set forth in claim 1 which includes, a feed roll positioned adjacent to said folding cylinder with said closure flap cylinder positioned therebetween, said feed roll arranged to convey envelope blanks with the closure flap trailing onto the surface of said folding cylinder, said feed roll arranged to rotate in said first direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus for folding the closure flap and the latex fold flap of an envelope blank as set forth in claim 1 whiCh includes suction means on said latex fold flap cylinder operable to engage the upper portion of the bottom flap of an envelope blank to the surface of said latex fold flap cylinder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus for folding the closure flap and latex fold flap of an envelope blank as set forth in claim 1 in which, said closure flap cylinder is positioned closely adjacent to said folding cylinder so that said closure flap and latex fold flap are creased on respective fold lines between the nip of said closure flap cylinder and folding cylinder.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3643555A
Cited
US3668982A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |