GB1435196A - Flap turning and sealing system for postage meter mailing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

1435196 Moistening and sealing envelope flaps PITNEY-BOWES Inc 8 May 1973 [12 May 1972] 21784/73 Heading B8C A moistening device for moistening the gummed area of envelope flaps by wiping contact with a moistened wick 20 exposed at a moistening station as the envelopes pass in succession therethrough includes a reservoir 27 for containing moistening liquid up to a level not higher than the moistening station; a wick support arm 18 integral with the reservoir and extending upwardly toward the moistening station; the wick 20, formed of hydrophilic open cell foam material, extending through the support arm 18 with one end of the wick in the reservoir below the intended liquid level therein and its other end projecting beyond the end of the supporting arm 18 remote from the reservoir ; and a flap moistener wick holder 70 made of spring material for locating said end portion of the wick at the moistening station. According to the invention also the wick holder 70 has a cross-section in the form of a J defining an elongated opening through which a corresponding elongated side edge portion of the wick is exposed at the moistening station, the long leg of the J-shaped wick holder being divided into a plurality of individual spring fingers 72 pressing against the wick to urge a portion of it at the moistening station to project through the elongated opening defined by the J shape of the wick holder. As shown envelopes from a stack E are fed, in the direction of the arrow 10, beneath a guide 26 and along the deck 4 of a postage meter mailing machine towards a postage meter section by means of an endless feed belt 12. A deflector 16 on a flap-turner member 32 guides each envelope flap underneath the lower edge 17 of the arm 18 and between an upward pressureapplying moistener shroud 22 and the wick 20. The envelope flap passes through an opening 9 in the deck 4 for passage between a pressure plate 28 and an impression feed plate 30. The moistener shroud 22, carried by the flap-turner 32, presents, at 82, Fig. 7, a mid-scetion, converse, surface toward the wick 20 and then curves sharply upward to provide a downstream end section 89 which is parallel to the plate 4. The wick holder 70, made, e.g. of stainless steel, has projections 76 on its lower face which dig into the wick 20. Openings 60, 62 in the support arm 18 provide access for fitting and adjusting the wick. To accommodate the flaps at the correct angle the shroud 22 and the arm 18 are inclined downwardly from the member 32 at an angle of from 8 to 20 degrees with respect to the deck 4 and toward the reservoir 27, the latter being carried by a guide 64 and being either filled with, or connected to, a source of, water. The flap moistener is secured by screws 66, 68 in a guide 64.