Method and apparatus for making envelope assemblies

Claim 3

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second portion is made narrower by trimming flanking regions of said sheet material just prior to said first-mentioned folding step.

Claim 4

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second portion is prefolded upon itself and is then made narrower by trimming flanking regions of said sheet material just prior to said first-mentioned folding step without trimming said yet unfolded first portion of said sheet material.

Claim 5

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein adhesive is applied to said first portion in the region where said first portion is wider than said second portion following said first folding step and prior to said subsequent folding step.

Claim 6

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein adhesive is earlier applied to the wider regions of said first portion prior to said folding to achieve superimposed relationship, dried and later activated following said severing to effect said joinder.

Claim 7

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second portion is prefolded upon itself prior to said first-mentioned folding step and wherein said second portion is itself separated into two parts at the time of said severing.

Claim 8

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said severing is carried out while said superimposed portions are restrained within a buckle plate folder.

Claim 9

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said severing is carried out while said superimposed portions are restrained within a knife-folding unit.

Claim 10

A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said second portion overlies said first portion at the line along which said subsequent folding takes place.

Claim 11

Apparatus for producing units including an envelope and a separate enclosure contained therewithin, both of which are formed from the same sheet material, said apparatus comprising means for providing sheet material having first and second portions wherein said second portion is narrower than said first portion, means for folding said sheet material so that said second portion and said first portion are superimposed one upon the other without making any adhesive interconnections therebetween, and buckle-plate folder means for severing said sheet material along the folded edge common to said first and second portions to separate said portions from each other while maintaining said separated portions in said superimposed relationship without any adhesive interconnections therebetween and for subsequently folding said first portion about said severed second portion to envelop same while continuing to maintain said portions in said superimposed relationship while the wider regions of said first portion are being bonded to each other to create an envelope from said first portion which contains said second portion, said buckle-plate folder means including three rollers arranged adjacent one another to provide an entry nip and an exit nip, including a buckle-plate having stop means at the end thereof into which said sheet material travels after passing through said entry nip and before passing through said exit nip, and also including reciprocating knife means spaced from said stop means and located between said stop means and said rollers, whereby the severing of the folded edge is carried out by said reciprocating knife while said sheet material is in said buckle-plate and whereby the subsequent folding of said severed second portion and said first portion takes place in said exit nip of said rollers.

Claim 12

Apparatus for producing units including an envelope and a separate enclosure contained therewithin, both of which are formed from the same sheet material, said apparatus comprising means for providing sheet material having first and second portions wherein said second portion is narrower than said first portion, means for folding said sheet material so that said second portion and said first portion are superimposed one upon the other without making any adhesive interconnections therebetween, and buckle-plate folder means for severing said sheet material along the folded edge common to said first and second portions to separate said portions from each other while maintaining said separated portions in said superimposed relationship without any adhesive interconnections therebetween and for subsequently folding said first portion about said severed second portion to envelop same while continuing to maintain said portions in said superimposed relationship while the wider regions of said first portion are being bonded to each other to create an envelope from said first portion which contains said second portion, said buckle-plate folder means including three rollers arranged adjacent one another to provide an entry nip and an exit nip, including a buckle-plate having stop means at the end thereof into which said sheet material travels after passing through said entry nip and before passing through said exit nip, and also including reciprocating knife means spaced from said stop means and located between said stop means and said rollers, whereby the severing of the folded edge is carried out by said reciprocating knife while said sheet material is in said buckle-plate and whereby the subsequent folding of said severed second portion and said first portion takes place in said exit nip of said rollers.

Claim 13

Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein cutting means is provided for narrowing said second portion by removing flanking pieces of said sheet material prior to manipulation of said sheet material by said first-mentioned folding means.

Claim 14

Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein means for applying adhesive to said first portion in the region where said first portion is wider than said second portion is provided at a location generally adjacent said second-mentioned folding means.