Method and apparatus for making envelope assemblies
AssigneeCompak Systems, Inc.
InventorsJohn K. Volkert, Robert B. Volkert
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An envelope contains a separate enclosure that is formed from the same sheet material. Sheet material having a first portion and a narrower second portion is folded so portions are superimposed one upon the other. At some time, adhesive is applied to the wider regions of the first portion. By severing the sheet material along the edge common to the first and second portions while maintaining their superimposed relationship, they are separated and then subsequently folded so the first portion envelops the second portion, and the envelope is produced as a result of the adhesive. The severing is carried out while the superimposed portions are suitably restrained, e.g., within a buckle plate folder or within a knife-folding unit or between a pair of moving belts.
Claims12
A method of producing an envelope containing a separate enclosure both of which are formed from the same sheet material, said method comprising
- providing sheet material having first and second portions with said second portion being narrower than said first portion,
- 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 moving said sheet material with said fold being formed at the leading edge of said sheet material,
- maintaining said first and second portions in substantially continuous motion from the time of said folding and then changing their direction of movement at least once,
- at a moment when said portions change their direction of movement separating said second portion from said first portion by severing said sheet material along the leading edge which is common to said first and second portions while maintaining said portions in said superimposed relationship without any adhesive interconnections therebetween and
- at said moment beginning folding said first portion about said separated second portion to envelop same while continuing to maintain said portions in said superimposed relationship and completing the folding and forming of the envelope by joining the folded wider regions of said first portion in surface contact with each other.
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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.