US2730989A - Adhesive applying apparatus for envelope making machines - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 17, 1956 L. c. PEARCE 2,730,989

ADHESIVE APPLYING APPARATUS FOR ENVELOPE MAKING MACHINES Filed NOV. 16, 1953 2 Shets-Sheet l INVENTOR- LEVV/S C p.541? CE L. C. PEARCE Jan. 17, 1956 ADHESIVE APPLYING APPARATUS FOR ENVELOPE MAKING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 16, 1953 INVENTOR. LA W/J C PEARCE flrrafn/irs United States ADHESIVE APPLYING FOR ENVELOPE MAKING MACHINES Lewis C. Pearce, 'Berea, Ohioyassignorto Pearce Development Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of-Ohio Application November 16, 1953, Serial No. 392,207 Claims. (or. r le-221 This invention relates to a novel form of adhesive applying means, and more 'particularly'to a novel form 'of adhesive applying means particularly adapted for applying mating strips or spots of adhesive, for example latex, to the backs and flaps of envelopes.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an adhesive applying mechanism'wh'erein the adhesive supply noule floats on a film of adhesive onthe surface of the applicator roller.

Another object of the invention is to provide an' adhesive applying mechanism for applying mating spots orstrips of adhesive to the flaps and backs of envelopes, wherein the adhesive supplying-nozzle floats on a'film of adhesiv on the surface of the applicator'r'oller.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view embodying the principles of my invention showing the manner-in which the envelopes are conveyed vpast the adhesive applying and drying stations.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2--2 of Fig. '1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken onli'ne 3-- 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a partial view similar-to that shown in Fig. 2 drawn to an enlarged scale and showing the nozzle in section.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein isimjilar reference numerals are used to designate similariparts through out the various views, letter A generally indicatestthe loading zone where the envelopes to :be gummedare stacked. B generally indicates the gumming station and C generally indicates the drying station.

The various elements and assemblies are supported on a frame generally indicated at 10. An operatorstplatform 12 is located adjacent .one end'of the frame 10. Closely adjacent to the operators-platform at :the loading station Ais a stack of envelopes 17 having their flaps :18 in extended or open position. The envelopes are fed progressively forward one at a time-; fr om the bottom of said stack (by a machine not shown) to be engaged between two sets of opposed conveyor tapes, only the upper set 15 being shown in Fig. 1. The upper set :of tapes 15 is trained over a drive roller 16 mounted in frame 10 and arr idler roller 17 supported on two'arms extending outwardly from the end of the frame. One of these arms is shown at '18. The lower setof tapes is trained over a drive roller (not shown) located vertically below the drive roller 16 in opposed relation thereto and over an idler roller 19 supported on the-arms 18in thesame hori zontal plane as the corresponding drive roller. The enve'lopes, after passing the idler roller 19, no longer being supported by the bottom set of conveyor tapes, drop onto a conveyor belt 20 which travels at right angles to the direction of travel of .the conveyor tapes 15. The tenvelopes fall on the conveyor belt20 inpartial overlapping relation with only the gummed portiohsthereof exposed. a

In this condition, they pass through the drying station C wherein they are subjected tothe drying action of "a forced drying mechanism, illustrated herein by way of example as a battery cf infrared'lam'ps'21.

The envelopes are passed -fhrough the-adhesive applying station 'B by means of conveyor tapes 15 and pass under two adhesive applying rollers 22 and 23 which'print strips of adhesive 24 and 25, respectively, on the backs and flaps of theenvelo'pes. As best shown in Fig. 3, the adhesive applying rollers 22 and'23 are driven for rotation by means of a shaft 26, which is geared to the mechanism for driving the conveyor tapes 15, having fixedly mounted thereon two gears 27 and 28. The gear 27 meshes with a gear 29 mounted on a shaft '30 which also supports the adhesive applying roller '22. Similarly, the gear 28 meshes with 'a gearSl mounted on a shaft 32 which supports the adhesive applying roller'23. The rollers 22 and 23 are each adjustable on their respective shafts 30 and 32, whereby the spacing of the rollers withrespect to the envelopes may be changed. The shaft 30 is rotatably supported in one end of an arm 33, the other end of which is rotatably mounted on the shaft 26. Similarly, shaft 32 is rotatably mounted'in one end of an arm 34 which also is rotatably mounted on shaft 26. Thus, the arms with the rollers mounted on their ends are adapted to pivot toward and away from the path of the envelopes about the shaft 26.

Two arms 35 and 36 are each pivotally supported on one of their ends on a shaft 39 mounted in the frame of the machine with its axis parallel to the axes of rotat-ion of rollers 22 and 23. The arm 35 supports on its other end an adhesive applying nozzle 37 for applying adhesive to the surface of the adhesive applying roller 22, and, similarly, the arm 36 supports on its other end an adhesive applying nozzle 38 for applying adhesive to'the surface of the adhesive applying roller 23. The adhesive applying nozzles 37 and 38 are supplied with fluid control valves 40 and l under the control of hand wheels 42 and 43, respectively. The adhesive is supplied to said ported by a vertical member 49 suitably attached to any convenient portion of the frame 10 of the machine.

Mounted on a shaft 501:, having its axis parallel to the axes of rotation of the adhesive applying rolls and located therebelow is aback-up roller 50. 'Roller 50 is in opposed relation to the adhesive applying rollers 22 and 23 and carries on its periphery back-up pads such as indicated at 51. Said back-up pads are arranged on roller Si? in the desired pattern of adhesive on the envelopes, it being evident that the adhesive applying rollers will only apply adhesive in the area containing back-up pads 51. An adjustable weight 52 is pivotally mounted at one of its ends on the shaft 26. The opposite end of the weight 52 is formed as .a sector gear '53. The sector gear 53 meshes with a gear-'54 fixed to the shaft 39. The weight 52 tends to rotate clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 2, and thus tends to "rotate the shaft 39 and the nozzle supporting arms 35 and 36 fixed thereto counterclockwise to move the nozzles 37 and 38 toward their associated applicator rollers. The weight 52 is adjustable in that additionalweightzmay be added thereto, or taken therefrom, to regulate the pressure 'ur'ging'the nozzles 37 and 38 toward their associated applicator rollers 22 and 23.

The operation of the device is as follows: The operator stacks the envelopes 13' at the loading station A, from which the envelopes are fed progressively one at a time from the bottom of the stack of envelopes (by a mechanism not shown) between the upper and lower sets of tapes 15. "The tapes carry the envelopes past the gumming stationwhereinthe envelopes .pass between said applicator rollers 22 and 23, and the back-up roller 59, and the adhesive is applied "to the envelopes. After the envelopes pass the idler "roller 19 for the lower set of tapes, they drop onto the conveyor 20. Since the previous envelope has moved toward the right in the view seen in Fig. 1, the envelope will drop in partial overlapping relation thereto, leaving exposed only the portion of the previous envelope which has the adhesive applied thereto. The envelopes are carried by the conveyor 29, while in said partial overlapping relation, under the infrared drying lamps 21 and then to a packing device or other handling equipment.

in the operation of the adhesive applying mechanism, the adhesive is supplied from a tank 46 under pressure through hoses 44 and 45 to the nozzles 37 and 38. It will be noted that due to the pivotal arrangement of the arm 36 supporting the nozzle 38, the axis of the nozzle 33 is inclined to a. radius of the applicator roller 23 in such manner that the trailing of the nozzle 'is closer to the surface of the applicator roller than the leading edge thereof, whereby any excess of adhesive clinging to the surface of the roller 23 is adapted to flow back into the nozzle and will not be scraped off the roller by the leading edge of the nozzle.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes may pivotal movement about an axis parallel to but spaced from the axis of rotation of said roller, the axis of the nozzles being inclined to the radius of said roller drawn through the point of contact between said nozzle and the periphery of said roller in such manner that the trailing edge of the'nozzle is closer to the surface of the roller than the leading edge, whereby said nozzle tends to float on the film of the adhesive on the surface of the roller.

2. In an adhesive applying device, an applicator roller, a nozzle for applying adhesive to the surface of said roller, means supporting said nozzle for unrestricted 'pivotal movement about an axis parallel to but spaced from the axis of rotation of said roller, the axis of the nozzle being inclined to the radius of said roller drawn through the point of contact between said nozzle and the periphery of said roller in such a manner that the trailing edge of the nozzle is closer to the surface of the roller than the leading edge, whereby said nozzle tends to float on the film of adhesive on the surface of the roller, and means applying a weight to the nozzle to control the thiclo ness of the layer of adhesive on the surface of the roller.

3. in an adhesive applying device, an applicator roller, a nozzle for applying adhesive to the surface of said roller, means for pivotally mounting said nozzle for unrestricted pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the roller, the axis of the nozzle being inclined to a radius of the roller in such a manner that the trailing edge of the nozzle is closer to the surface of the roller than the leading edge, whereby said nozzle tends to float on the film of adhesive on the surface of the roller, and means for supplying adhesive under pressure to said nozzle.

4. In an adhesive applying device, an applicator roller, a nozzle for applying adhesive to the surface of said roller, means for pivotally mounting said nozzle for unrestricted pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the roller, the axis of the nozzle being inclined to a radius of the roller in such a mannor that the trailing edge of the nozzle is closer to the surface of the roller than the leading edge, whereby said nozzle tends to float on the film of adhesive on the surface of the roller, and means for supplying adhesive v 4 under pressure to said nozzle, and means for applying a weight to the nozzle to control the thickness of the adhesive on the surface of the roller.

5. In an adhesive applying device, an applicator roller, a nozzle for applying adhesive to the surface of said roller, means for pivotally mounting saidnozzle for unrestricted pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the roller, the axis of said nozzle being inclined to a radius of the roller in such a mannet that the trailing edge of the nozzle is closer to the surface of the roller than the leading edge, whereby said nozzle tends to float on the film of adhesive on the surface of the roller, means for supplying adhesive under pressure to said nozzle, means for controlling the rate of flow of adhesive to said nozzle.

6. in an adhesive applying device, an applicator roller, a nozzle for applying adhesive to the surface of said roller, means for pivotally mounting said nozzle for unrestricted pivotal rnovement about an axis parallel'to the axis of rotation of the roller, the axis of said nozzle being inclined to a radius of the roller in such a manner that the trailing edge of the nozzle is closer tothc surface of the roller than the leading edge, whereby said nozzle tends to float on the film of adhesive on the surface of the roller, means for supplying adhesive under pressure to said nozzle, means for controlling the rate of flow of adhesive to said nozzle, and means for applying a weight to the nozzle to control the thickness of the adhesive on the surface of the roller.

7. In a device for applying adhesive to mating areas of the body and flap portions of an envelope, a pair of adhesive applying rollers, a pair of backup rollers in opposed relation to said adhesive applying rollers, first conveyor means to move the envelopes sideways between said pairs of rollers, second conveyor means running at right angles to said first conveyor means upon which said envelopes are deposited as they leave said first eonveyor means, the second conveyor means running at a speed relative to the speed of said first conveyor means,

enabling the envelopes to be deposited thereon in overlapping spread relation with only the gummed portions thereof exposed, and means mounted above said second conveyor means for drying the adhesive strips on said envelopes, and means for applying a film of adhesive to the surfaces of said adhesive applying rollers.

8 In a device for applying adhesive to mating areas of the body and flap portions of an envelope, a pair of adhesive applying rollers, a pair of back-up rollers in opposed relation to said adhesive applying rollers, a first conveyor means to move the envelopes sideways between said pairs of rollers, a second conveyor means running at right angles to said first conveyor means upon which said envelopes are deposited as they leave said first con veyor means, the second conveyor means running at a speed relative to the speed of said first conveyor means, enabling the envelopes to be deposited thereon in overlapping spread relation with only the gummed portions thereof exposed, means mounted above said second conveyor means for drying the adhesive strips on said en velopes, a pair of nozzles-for applying adhesive to the surfaces of said adhesive applying rollers, means supporting said nozzles for unrestricted pivotal movement about an axis parallel to but spaced from the axis of rotation of said rollers, the axis of said nozzles being inclined to the radius of said rollers drawn through the point of contact between each of said nozzles and the periphery of its associated roller in such manner that the trailing edges of the nozzles are closer to the surfaces of said adhesive applying rollers than the leading edges, whereby said nozzles tend to float'on the adhesive filrn on the surface of said adhesive rollers.

' 9. In a device for applying adhesive to mating areas of the body and flap portions of an envelope, a pair of adhesive applying rollers, a pair of back-up rollers in opposed relation to said adhesive applying rollers, a first conveyor means to move the envelopes sideways between said pairs of rollers, a second conveyor means running at right angles to said first conveyor means upon which said envelopes are deposited as they leave said first conveyor means, the second conveyor means running at a speed relative to the speed of said first conveyor means, enabling the envelopes to be deposited thereon in overlapping spread relation with only the gummed portions thereof exposed, means mounted above said second conveyor means for drying the adhesive strips on said envelopes, a pair of nozzles for applying adhesive to the surfaces of said adhesive rollers, means for pivotally mounting said nozzles for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the axes of rotation of the adhesive applying rollers, the axes of the nozzles being inclined to the radius of said adhesive applying rollers drawn through the point of contact between each of said nozzles and the periphery of its associated roller in such a manner that the trailing edge of the nozzles are closer to the surfaces of said adhesive applying rollers than the leading edges, whereby said nozzles tend to float on the film of adhesive on said surfaces, and means for applying weight to said nozzles to control the thickness of the adhesive on said surfaces.

10. In a device for applying adhesive to mating areas of the body and flap portions of an envelope, a pair of adhesive applying rollers, a pair of back-up rollers in opposed relation to said adhesive applying rollers, a first conveyor means to move the envelopes sideways between said pairs of rollers, a second conveyor means running at right angles to said first conveyor means upon which said envelopes are deposited as they leave said first conveyor means, the second conveyor means running at a speed relative to the speed of said first conveyor means, enabling the envelopes to be deposited thereon in overlapping spread relation with only the gummed portions thereof exposed, means mounted above said second conveyor means for drying the adhesive strips on said envelopes, a pair of nozzles for applying adhesive to the surfaces of said adhesive applying rollers, means for pivotally mounting said nozzles for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the axes of rotation of the adhesive applying rollers, the axes of said nozzles being inclined to the radius of the rollers drawn through the point of contact between each of said nozzles and the periphery of its associated roller in such a manner that the trailing edges of the nozzles are closer to the surfaces of the rollers than the leading edges, whereby said nozzles tend to float on the film of adhesive on the surfaces of the rollers, means for supplying adhesive under pressure to said nozzles, means for controlling the rate of flow of adhesive to said nozzles, and means for applying weight to the nozzles to control the thickness of the adhesive on the surfaces of the rollers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,273,021 Cox, Ir Feb. 17, 1942 2,549,579 Dearsley Apr. 17, 1951 2,649,758 Cowgill Aug. 25, 1953

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