US 3,936,993 A · Envelope filling machine

Abstract

An envelope filling machine including conveyor apparatus for transporting individual envelopes from a feed station to a filling station for receiving an insert therein. Positioned intermediate the feed and the filling stations there is provided a spreading device for opening the mouth of the envelope and a dampener device for moistening the gummed flap of the envelope. The conveyor apparatus is arranged to transport an envelope to the filling station in a feeding direction in a first transport plane and, in response to completion of an envelope stuffing operation, the conveyor apparatus is pivoted into a second transport plane inclined downwardly towards the feed station. A drive means is provided for driving the conveyor apparatus in the feeding direction to advance the envelope to the filling station and, alternately, driving the conveyor means in the opposite direction, in response to movement of the conveyor apparatus to the inclined position, for transporting the stuffed envelope from the filling to a discharge station.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A conveyor apparatus for transporting an envelope from a feed station to a filling station of an envelope stuffing machine and for transporting a stuffed envelope from the filling station to a discharge station, comprising:

a support plate movable between a first and a second transport plane for supporting the envelope in its transport to and from the filling station;
conveyor means including an endless belt having an upper run thereof overlying the support plate for advancing the envelope from a first end of the first transport plane to a second end thereof at the filling station, and for advancing the stuffed envelope from the second end to a first end of the second transport plane;
mounting means for supporting the support plate for controlled pivotable movement between the first and the second transport planes;
means for moving the support plate from the first to the second transport plane in response to the presence of a stuffed envelope at the second end of the first transport plane;
retainer means mounted on the support plate and movable therewith between an inactive position and an active position for holding the stuffed envelope against the conveyor means during movement of the support plate from the first to the second transport plane;
and
drive means for driving the conveyor means in one direction when the support plate is in the first transport plane and for driving the conveyor means in an opposite direction in response to movement of the support plate to the second transport plane.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Envelope filling machine

Life of this patent

Envelope filling machine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13