Background of the Invention
[0001] The present invention is directed to a machine for inserting materials into envelopes,
and more particularly to a semi-automatic machine for assisting an operator in placing
materials into envelopes.
[0002] There are many commercial environments where thousands of mail pieces must be processed
each day. For example, banks, utility companies and the like must prepare extremely
large numbers of mail pieces to be sent out to their customers on a daily basis. The
preparation of the mailing pieces usually includes the placing of materials in the
form of, for example, cancelled checks or bills for customers into envelopes. While
it may appear that the opening of an envelope and the placing of materials therein
is a simple matter, this procedure is-in actuality laborious and time-consuming, costing
such businesses thousands of dollars each year.
[0003] To reduce the cost of preparing such mailings, various forms of fully automatic "envelope
stuffing" machines have been developed. These machines are very complicated and expensive,
costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, and as has been found in practice, can only
be economically employed for very large mail-processing workloads. Hence, such machines
are suitable only for very large banks, utility companies, or the like.
[0004] There are many businesses, on the other hand, which must prepare mailings which are
too small in number to substantiate, economically, the utilization of a fully automatic
machine, but which are too large in number to economically employ the required personnel
for manual mail preparation. Such may be the case in small banks or rural utility
companies for example. Hence, there is a need in the art for a machine which is inexpensive
in comparison to the cost of fully automatic envelope stuffing machines, but which
will enable mail preparation by relatively few operators at a rate which satisfies
mail preparation workloads that are too small to justify a fully automatic machine
and too large to justify the employ of manual personnel.
[0005] It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved
semi-automatic mail inserting machine for assisting an operator in placing materials
to be mailed into envelopes.
[0006] The invention provides an improved semi-automatic insertion machine for assisting
an operator in the placing of materials into envelopes of the type having a body and
an adjacent seal flap prefolded in an unsealed closed position over the body. The
machine comprises a plurality of process stations, conveying means for transporting
a plurality of envelopes in succession to each of the process stations, envelope storing
means adjacent the conveying means for maintaining a plurality of envelopes to be
processsed in a ready condition, and envelope transferrring means for transferring
the envelopes one at a time in succession from the envelope storing means to the conveying
means. The machine also includes envelope flap unfolding means at a first one of the
process stations for bending the flap of each envelope from its prefolded unsealed
closed position to a position substantially in line with its body, and envelope opening
means at a second one of the process stations for disposing each envelope in an opened
condition to facilitate the placing of materials therein by an operator.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0007] While the features of the invention believed to be novel are set forth with particularity
in theappended claims, the further objects and advantages thereof may best be appreciated
by making reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein the several figures of which like reference numerals indicate identical
elements and wherein:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a semi-automatic mail insertion machine embodying
the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of Fig. 9, illustrating particular
details of the envelope storing means and the envelope feed means of the machine of
Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a partial top plan view illustrating the manner of operation of the envelope
flap unfolding means of the machine of Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is a partial side view of the envelope flap unfolding means of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a side view, primarily in diagrammatic form, illustrating the envelope opening
means of the machine of Fig. 1;
Fig. 7 is a partial perspective view of a criss-cross aperture provided in a top plate
of the machine of Fig. 1 which facilitates the weighing of the processed envelopes;
Fig. 8 is a side-view partially in cross-section of a weighing apparatus which may
be employed for weighing the processed envelopes and which may be utilized in the
machine of Fig. 1;
Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic side view illustrating the operation of the machine of Fig.
1, and illustrating the condition of the envelopes at each stage of the process performed
on the envelopes by the machine;
Figs. 9a and 9b illustrate in more specific detail a particular aspect of the envelope
feed means of the machine of Fig. 1; and
Fig. 10 is a graphical representation of the machine timing for each process performed
on the envelopes by the machine.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment
[0008] Referring now to Fig. 1, the machine 10 there illustranet and which embodies the
present invention, includes a substantially horizontal frame 11 which is supported
by a pair of pendant legs 12,13. On top- of the frame 11 is an upper horizontally
disposed surface 14 upon which . envelopes and materials to be inserted therein may
be placed for convenient access. A lower horizontal surface 15 is provided to form
a work surface for the operator. Within the work surface 15 is a push or press arm
16 which is depressed by the operator to cause the machine to sequence for processing
the envelopes in a manner to be described subsequently. Between the horizontal surfaces
14 and 15 is located a conveying means which includes a substantially horizontal top
plate 17. The conveying means also comprises a pair of belts 20 and 21 which are caused
to travel along the conveyor top surface 17 by rotating wheels 22 and 23.
[0009] An envelope storing means in the form of an envelope hopper or stacker 25 is disposed
adjacent to the conveying means and more particularly above the conveyor. An envelope
feed means to be described hereinafter is located beneath the conveyor top surface
and transfers the bottom envelope of the envelope stack 26 one at a time in succession
upon each depression of the press bar 16. Of course, a foot pedal or other actuating
device may be utilized as well in serving the function of press bar 16.
[0010] The machine 10 is particularly adapted for processing envelopes of the kind which
have a body comprising a pair of side walls or panels and an adjacent seal flap adjoining
one of the sidewalls and prefolded in an unsealed closed position, over the body.
For processing envelopes of this kind to facilitate the insertion of materials herein,
the machine 10 includes along the horizontal conveyor a plurality of processing staticns.
A first processing station 30 unfolds the prefolded unsealed envelope flaps to dispose
the envelope flaps in a substantially in line orientation with respect to the envelope
bodies. A second processing station 35 is also provided along the horizontal conveyor
which opens the envelopes and presents the envelopes to the operator in an opened
condition in manner which facilitates the ready insertion of materials into the envelopes.
A third processing station 45 may be provided to faciliate weighing of the processed
envelopes to facilitate sorting of the processed envelopes by weight, for example,
or can be utilized as an idle station for conveniently discarding defective envelopes
or the like.
[0011] The envelope storing means or hopper 25 includes a horizontal support for the envelopes
which comprises a substantially U-shaped member 50 and a coacting member 51. Along
the members 50 and 51 are a plurality of support posts 52 which extend upwardly from
the members 50 and 51 and which define a confinement boundary for the envelopes 26.
As can be seen in Figs. 2, 3 and 9, the envelope feed means beneath the top plate
of a conveyor includes a pair of suction cups 55 and 56 which are arranged for reciprocating
movement and which are also coupled to a source of negative pressure by a line 57.
Referring particularly to FIG. 9, the suction cups 55 and 56 are caused to reciprocate
upwardly and downwardly by a mechanism which includes a cam 58, a link 59, a yoke
shaped coupling member 60, and a vertical rod 61. The vertical rod 61 as best seen
in FIG. 9a, is coupled to the yoke member 60 by a collar 62 which receives the rod
61 through a pair of slots 63 in the coupling member 60. As the cam 58 rotates, the
link member 51 will pivot about a pivot point 64 to cause the coupling member 60 to
reciprocate upwardly and downwardly. Because the rod 61 is confined on the coupling
member 60 by the collar 62, the rod in turn will reciprocate in movement and cause
the suction cups 55 and 56 to reciprocate upwardly and downwardly. As the suction
cups move upward towards the stack of envelopes, the source of negative pressure is
actuated to cause the suction cups 55 and 56 to grip the bottom envelope of the stack
26 and carry it downwardly into engagement with the conveyor belts 20 and 21. After
bringing the bottom envelope into engagement with the conveyor, the suction cups 55
and 56 will retract into a pair of apertures 70 and 71 within the conveyor top plate
17 where they will remain until the next envelope is to be transferred from the stack
26 to the conveyor belts.
[0012] Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be seen that the members 50 and 51 of the
envelope storing means include an elongated lip portion 75 and 76 having an inclined
surface which aids the suction cups in pulling the bottom envelope from the stack.
After the envelope is transferred from the stack to the conveyor belts 20 and 21,
a pair of idler pressure rollers schematically illustrated at 77 and 78 are brought
into engagement with the envelope to releaseably hold the envelope in engagement with
the conveyor belt 20 immediately prior to and during the transportation of the envelope
from the feed station to the envelope flap unfolding station.
[0013] The horizontal bottom support for the envelope stack 26 which comprises the members
50 and 51 maybe adjusted to accommodate envelopes of many different sizes. To that
end, it can be seen that the substantially U-shaped member 50 includes a bore 80 which
receives an elongated threaded member 81 having an end knob 82. The threaded member
81 extends through the bore 80 and into a threaded bore 83 of member 51. Also, guide
rod 85 extends from the substantially U-shaped member 50 to and through a second bore
89 of the member 51. As a result, as the knob 82 is turned, the spacing between the
envelope support lips 76 and 75 may be varied to accommodate many different size envelopes.
[0014] After an envelope is fed to the conveyor in the manner previously described, upon
depression of the press bar 16, the conveyor belts 20 and 21 will increment causing
the envelope to travel from the feed station to the first processing station which
unfolds the pre-folded unsealed flap of the envelope. To that end, the flap unfolding
processing station includes a pair of pressure rollers 31 and 32, a deflection post
33, and a straightener post 34. The rollers 31 and 32 are vertically disposed with
respect to the horizontal belts and are mounted to shafts fixed to a vertical panel
41 of the machine. Referring specifically to FIGS. 4 and 5, the body 90 of the envelope
comprising side panels 91 and 92 is captured between . the pressure rollers 31 and
32 and the conveyor belt 20. The flap 93 of the envelope which adjoins the envelope
sidewall 92 and which was pre-folded over the envelope body is deflected to a partially
unfolded position by the deflection post 33. The deflection post 33 engages the external
surface 94 of the flap 93 causing the envelope sidewall 92 to bend at 95 around the
corner 96 of the conveyor top plate 17. As a result, the flap 93 is partially unfolded
as illustrated in FIG. 5 and is ready to be received by the straightener bar 34.
[0015] The straightener bar 34 engages the internal surface 97 of the flap 93 and is disposed
at an angle both vertically and horizontally with respect to the corner edge 96 of
the conveyor top plate 17. As a result, the straightener bar 34 will cause the envelope
flap 93 to further unfold and pass underneath the straightener bar 34 as the envelope
travels from the flap unfolding processing station 30 to the envelope opening processing
station 35.
[0016] The envelope opening processing station 35 includes a guide plate 36, a suction cup
37, an arm 38 connected to the suction cup 37, and a pair of pressure rollers 39 mounted
on shafts which extend through a pair of slots 40 of the vertical panel 41 of the
machine. Likewise, the arm 38 extends through a slot 42 of the vertical panel 41.
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, it can be seen that the bottom surface 100 of the guide
plate 36 at its end 101 is spaced slightly above the upper surface of the conveyor
belts 20 and 21. As a result, when the envelope 26 is transported from the unfolding
processing station 30 to the envelope opening process station 35, the envelope flap
93 passes beneath the guide plate 36. After the conveyor has incremented and the flap
93 is fully beneath the guide plate 36, the conveyor stops and the . arm 38 lowers
so that the suction cup 37 grips the side panel 91 of the envelope which is opposite
the flap 93 and its adjoining side panel 92. As in the case of the suction cups 55
and 56 of the conveyor feed station, the suction cup 37 is coupled to a source of
negative pressure through the arm 38. It reciprocates in an upward and downward direction
by the arm 38 being pivoted at a,pivot point 110. Pivotal action of the arm 38 is
pfforded by a reciprocating linkage 111 which is coupled to the arm 38 by a pair of
collars 112 and 113.. The collars are secured to the linkage 111 by set screws 114
and 115 and may be positioned along the linkage for adjusting the degree of travel
of the arm 38 and the suction cup 37. Just prior to the suction cup 37 being lowered,
the negative air pressure is administered to the arm 38 so that by the time the suction
cup 37 engages the panel 91 of the envelope 26, it will grip the envelope panel 91.
As the arm 38 moves the suction cup 37 upwardly, the suction cup will cause the panel
91 to raise.
[0018] A pressure pad 120 is provided and also is arranged for reciprocal movement. The
pressure pad 120, prior to the raising of the suction cup 37, is caused to move upwardly
and confine the flap 93 between the pressure pad 120 and the bottom surface 100 of
the guide plate 36. As a result, as the suction cup 37 raises and causes the envelope
panel 91 to in turn raise, the envelope will open due to the fact that the flap 93
is confined in a substantially horizontal position in line with its adjoining panel
92. The pressure rollers 39 although not engaged with the envelope as the envelope
is opened, is spaced just above the envelope so that the end of the envelope opposite
the flap 93 will not rise up as the envelope is opened by the suction cup 37.
[0019] After the envelope is opened, it is presented to the operator in a manner which facilitates
the ready insertion of materials into the envelope. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the
guide plate 36 is positioned so that the operator may place the materials to be inserted
into the envelope on the guide plate and merely pushes the materials along the guide
plate and into the envelope. The guide plate 36 is provided with a curved side portion
121 to further aid in the guiding of the materials into the envelope 26.
[0020] After the materials are inserted into the envelope, the operator then depresses the
press bar 16 which causes a solenoid to act to release the air pressure within the
arm 38 and suction cup 37. As a result, the envelope panels 91 and 92 will rapidly
collapse to ready the envelope for further transportation to the next process- ing
station. Also, as the press bar 16 is depressed, the pressure roller 39 will be caused
to pivot about a pivot point 122 by a linkage 123 to cause the envelope to engage
the conveyor to assure transportation of the envelope from the envelope opening station
to the next processing station. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the link 123 has a pair
of collars 124 and 125 which include set screws 126 and 127 which provide an adjustment
for the degree of travel of the pressure roller 39. Because the pressure rollers are
pivotal above the pivot point 122, they releaseably hold the envelope into engagement
with the conveyor and may be readily moved out of the way during the envelope opening
process.
[0021] After the envelope has been opened and the materials inserted therein, it is transported
to the third processing station 45 which may be an idle station as previously described
or may be a station which provides an ancillary function which contributes to the
efficiency of the mail preparation process afforded by the machine of the present
invention. Specifically, the third processing station may be of the type which weighs
the processed envelopes to facilitate sorting of the processed envelopes by weight.
To that end, reference may be made to FIGS. 7 and 8, which illustrate such a weighing
mechanism. In FIG. 7, it can be seen that between the conveyor-belts 20 and 21, a
criss-cross aperture 130 is provided within the conveyor top plate 17. Through the
criss-cross aperture 130 a weighing platform may be raised to engage the envelopes.
[0022] FIG. 8 shows the weighing apparatus prior to engagement of the platform 131 with
an envelope 26. The weighing apparatus includes the platform 131, a rod 132 coupled
to the platform 131, a guide 133 for the rod 132, a first arm 134, a second arm 135,
a pivot 136, and a spring 139. The first arm 134 and second arm 135 are independently
pivotal about the pivot 136 but are coupled tog:ther by the spring 139 which extends
between.the first member 134 and an extension 137 of the second member 135. A rotating
eccentric cam 138 is provided which, when rotated, deflects the first arm 134 to place
the spring 139 under tension. This causes the second arm 135 to pivot about the pivot
point 136 and to in turn cause the rod 132 to rise vertically for engaging the platform
131 with the envelope 26. If the envelope 26 weighs more than a predetermined weight,
determined by the tension of spring 139, the platform will not be able to rise up
a sufficient distance so as to cause a pair of contacts 140 and 141 to make contact.
However, if the envelope is below a certain weight, the platform will be caused to
rise up a sufficient distance so that the contacts 140 and 141 will engage. These
contacts may be utilized in an indicating system for turning on a light or a buzzer
for example to indicate that the envelope is below a predetermined weight for sorting
purposes. The tension of spring 139 may be adjusted for different predetermined envelope
weights to be detected by the turning of a threaded member 142 arranged to vary the
spring tension in a known manner.
[0023] The operation of the machine will now be summarized by making reference to FIGS.
1, 9 and 10. Assuming that a plurality of envelopes 26 have been placed into the hopper
25 for ready use, and assuming .that sufficient envelopes have been processed so that
there is an envelope at each of the processing stations, the machine will be in a
condition such that a first envelope 151 will be resting on the conveyor at the feed
station, a second envelope 152 will be partially opened at the unfolding station,
a third envelope 153 will be at the envelope opening station and have materials inserted
therein, and a fourth envelope 154 will be at the weighing station and has been weighed.
When the operator depresses the press bar 16 at to, the suction cup 37 holding envelope
153 open will release the envelope through the termination of the air suction therethrough
by a fast-acting solenoid in a time indicated by the arrow 160. Simultaneously, the
pressure pad 120 (FIG. 6) will release the flap of the envelope during the time indicated
by arrow 161. These functions are accomplished at t
1 at which time the conveyor is caused to increment for a time indicated by arrow 162.
The conveyor is energized for a sufficient time to cause each of the envelopes to
be aligned with its next respective process- ing station. At this time, t
2 the conveyor stops. At t
2, the feed means at the feed station will feed a new envelope onto the conveyor by
the raising of the suction cups 55 and 56 into engagement with the bottom envelope
of the stack 26. The air suction through the suction cups 55 and 56 is initiated immediately
prior to the engagement of the suction cups with the bottom envelope. The suction
cups 55 and 56 are then caused to move downwardly in a manner previously described
to place the envelope onto the conveyor. The envelope is thereby placed onto the conveyor
and is ready for processing during the time period indicated by the arrow 163, which
terminates at t
4 the ending of the processing cycle. Also at t
2 the envelope just conveyed to the opening station is caused to be opened during a
time indicated by the arrow 164 which terminates at't
3. During the time period indicated by the arrow 164, the arm 38 and suction cup 37
are lowered into engagement with the envelope with negative air pressure being initiated
immediately prior to the suction cup 37 engaging the envelope. The suction cup 37,
after gripping the envelope is then caused to move upwardly to open the envelope and
present it to the operator in a condition to facilitate the ready insertion of the
materials into the envelope. This function is completed by t
3. The time period between t
3 and t
41 indicated by arrow 165, is provided to give the operator time to place the materials
into the envelope. If the operator is operating the machine at maximum efficiency,
he will be afforded the time period indicated by the arrow 165 for accomplishing that
function. However, it is to be understood that the operator could take a longer period
of time to insert the materials into the envelope before the press bar to initiate
a new cycle.
[0024] Lastly, at t
2, the weighing station is caused to weigh the envelope just conveyed to it during
the time period indicated by the arrow 166. During this time period, the cam 138 (FIG.
8) is caused to rotate in the direction indicated to place the spring 139 under tension
to cause the platform 131 to rise up in the manner previously described for weighing
the envelope above the platform. After the envelope has been weighed and responsive
to the indication provided by the indicating means coupled to the contacts 140 and
141, the operator can then take the envelope just weighed and send it down a discharge
ramp 155 for placing of the envelopes into suitable postage machines which are well
known in the art. These postal machines are adapted to reclose the flaps of the enve-
lopes, seal the envelopes, and place the appropriate amount of postage onto the envelopes.
[0025] From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention provides a new and
improved apparatus for processing mail pieces. More particularly, the present invention
provides a semi-automatic mail insertion machine which assists an operator in the
placing of materials into envelopes for mailing. The machine of the present invention
presents each of the envelopes to be processed to the operator in an open 'condition
in a manner which facilitates the ready placement of the materials into the envelopes.
The machine also automatically unfolds the prefolded envelope flaps and presents the
opened envelopes to the operator in rapid succession under control by the operator.
As a result, large numbers of mailing pieces may be processed without the need of
employing a fully automatic envelope stuffing machine which, as previously explained,
are very expensive and complicated. Hence, the semi-automatic mail insertion machine
of the present invention provides a better solution to the problem. Specifically,
the machine of the present invention provides sufficient assistance to an operator
so that mail processing workloads which are too large to be handled by manual personnel,
but which are too small to substantiate investment of a fully automatic machine may
be satisfied.
[0026] While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described,
modifications may be made, and it is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of
the invention.
1. A semi-automatic insertion machine for assisting an operator in the placing of
materials into envelopes (26) of-the type having a body (90) and an adjacent seal
flap (93) prefolded in an unsealed closed position over said body; the machine characterized
by a plurality of process stations (30, 35, and 45) conveying means (20, 21) for transporting
a plurality of envelopes in succession to each of said process stations (30, 35, and
45) , envelope storing means (25) adjacent said conveying means (20, 21) for maintaining
a plurality of envelopes (26) to be processed in a ready condition, envelope transferring
means (55, 56) for transferring the envelopes one at a time in succession from said
envelope storing means (25) to said conveying means (20, 21), envelope flap unfolding
means (33, 34) at a first one of said process stations (30) for bending the flap (93)
of each envelope (26) from its prefolded unsealed closed position to a position substantially
in line with its body (90), and envelope opening means (38) at a second one of said
process stations (35) for disposing each envelope in an opened condition to facilitate
the placing of materials therein by an operator.
2. A machine as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said conveying means
(20, 22) is arranged to transport the envelopes (26) in a substantially horizontal
orientation to each of said process stations (30, 35, 45).
3. A machine as defined in claim 2 further characterized in that said conveying means
(20, 21) comprises a pair of traveling conveyor belts arranged to support the envelopes
in said substantially horizontal orientation and to incrementally transport the envelopes
(26) in succession to said process stations (30, 35, 45).
4. A machine as defined in claim 2 further characterized in that said conveying means
includes means (39, 40) for releasably holding the envelopes in engagement therewith.
5. A machine as defined in claim 4 further characterized in that said means (39, 40)
for releasably holding the envelopes in engagement with said conveying means (20,
21) comprises a pair of rollers (39, 40) located at one of said processing stations
(35), said rollers (39, 40) being arranged for reciprocating movement for being spaced
from the envelopes (26) during processing and for engaging the envelopes (26)- during
transportation of the envelopes by said conveying means (20, 21).
6. A machine as defined in claim 5 further characterized in that said conveying means
comprises a'substantially horizontal top plate (17) and a pair of traveling belts
(20, 21) arranged along said top plate and arranged for supporting the envelopes in
said substantially horizontal orientation and wherein said rollers (39, 40) are adapted
to engage the envelopes and force the envelopes into firm engagement with one of said
belts (20, 21).
7. A machine as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said envelope flap
unfolding means comprises first means (33) for partially unfolding the envelope flaps
(93) and second means (34) for bending the envelope flaps (93) from the partially
unfolded position to said position substantially in line with the envelope bodies
(90).
8. A machine as defined in claim 7 further characterized in that said second means
(34) is arranged to act upon the envelope flaps (93) subsequent to said first means
(33) engaging the envelope flaps (93).
9. A machine as defined in claim 7 further characterized in that said conveying means
(20, 21) includes a substantially horizontal top surface (17) and is arranged to transport
the envelopes in a substantially horizontal orientation along said top surface (17),
wherein said first means (33) comprises a deflection member adapted to engage the
external surface (94) of the envelope flaps (93) for bending the flaps to the partially
unfolded position and wherein said second means (34) comprises a straightener member
arranged to subsequently engage the internal surface (97) of the partially unfolded
envelope flaps (93) to further bend the flaps to said position substantially in line
with said envelope bodies (90).
10. A machine as defined in claim 9 further characterized in that said envelope flap
unfolding means (33, 34) further comprises pressure means (31, 32) disposed to engage
the envelope bodies (90) and hold the envelope bodies against said conveying means
top surface (17) as said deflection member and said straightener member act upon the
envelope flaps.
11. A machine as defined in claim 10 further characterized in that said pressure means
comprises at least one pressure roller (31) vertically disposed with respect to said
conveying means top surface (17).
12. A machine as defined in claim 11 further characterized in that said pressure means
comprises a pair of said pressure rollers (31, 32).
13. A machine as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that the envelopes to
be processed are of the type having a pair of sidewalls (91, 92) to define said envelope
bodies (90), the envelope flaps (93) are carried by one of the sidewalls (92), and
wherein said envelope opening means (35) comprises means (100) for 5 constricting the unfolded envelope flaps (93) and means (38) for pulling the envelope'sidewalls
(91) opposite the envelope flaps (93) away from the envelope flaps (93) and adjoining
sidewalls (92) to thereby dispose the envelopes (26) in an opened condition.
14. A machine as defined in claim 13 further characterized in that said conveying
means (20, 21) comprises a substantially horizontal top plate (17) and is adapted
to transport the envelopes along said top plate (17) in a substantially horizontal
orientation and wherein said envelope flap constricting means (100) includes a guide
plate (36) for supporting the materials to be placed into the envelopes, said guide
plate having an edge (101) adjacent to said top plate (17) and being adapted to receive
the unfolded flap (93) thereunder to restrict the flaps (93) and adjoining sidewalls
(92) against movement in the direction of displacement of the opposite sidewalls (91).
15. A machine as defined in claim 14 further characterized in that said flap constricting
means (100) further comprises a moveable pressure pad (120) beneath said guide plate
(36), said pressure pad (120) being adapted to engage the envelope flaps (93) and
confine the envelope flaps (93) between said guide plate (36) and said pressure pad
(120) as said envelopes are opened.
16. A machine as defined in claim 14 further characterized in that said envelope sidewall
pulling means (38) comprises a reciprocating arm arranged to engage and pull the horizontally
disposed envelope body sidewalls (91) opposite the envelope flaps (93) and adjoining
sidewalls (92) in a substantially vertical direction for opening the envelopes.
5 17. A machine as defined in claim 16 further characterized in that said reciprocating
arm (38) includes a cup member (37) at its end which engages the envelope sidewalls
(91), and wherein said cup member (37) is coupled to a source of negative pressure
to enable the engagement of said arm (38) with the envelope sidewalls (92) by air
suction through said cup member (37).
18. A machine as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that a third one (45)
of said process stations includes means (131) for weighing the envelopes and materials
placed therein to facilitate the sorting of the processed envelopes by weight.
19. A machine as defined in claim 18 further characterized in that said weighing means
(131) is arranged to provide an indicating signal responsive to the processed envelopes
weighing more than a predetermined weight.
20. A semi-automatic insertion machine for assisting an operator in the placing of
materials into envelopes (26) of the type having a body (90) comprising a pair of
sidewalls (91, 92) and an adjacent seal flap (93) adjoining one of said sidewalls
(92) and prefolded in an unsealed closed position over said body (90); the machine
characterized by a plurality of processing stations (30, 35, and 45), a horizontal
conveyor (20, 21) for transporting a plurality of envelopes (26) in a substantially
horizontal orientation in succession to each of said processing stations (30, 35,
45), envelope stacking means (25) above said conveyor (20, 21) for maintaining a plurality
of envelopes (26) to be processed in a ready condition, envelope feed means (55, 56)
for transferring the stacked envelopes (26) one at a time in succession from said
stacking means (25) to said conveyor (20, 21), envelope flap unfolding means at a
first one of said processing stations (30) including first means (33) for partially
unfolding the prefolded envelope flaps (93) and second means (34) for bending the
partially unfolded flaps (93) to a position substantially in line with the envelope
bodies (90), and envelope opening means at a second one of said processing stations
35, said envelope opening means including flap constricting means (100) for maintaining
the envelope flaps (93) in an unfolded substantially horizontal position substantially
in line with their adjoining body sidewalls (92) and a reciprocating means (38) arranged
to engage and pull the other envelope body sidewalls (91) away from the constricted
flaps (93) and adjoining sidewalls (92) by a distance sufficient to open the envelopes
(26) to facilitate the placing of materials therein by an operator.