GB531974A - Improvements in or relating to machines for sealing envelopes and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

531,974. Closing envelopes. INTERNATIONAL COIN COUNTING MACHINE CO., Ltd., and RAND, L. A. July 14, 1939, No. 20556. [Class 94 (i)] A machine for moistening and sealing the flaps of envelopes comprises presser feet that press on a feed belt, and a resilient member that presses on a fixed lower member, for preventing the passage of more than one envelope at a time to the moistening and sealing devices. The moistening device can be converted to permit removal of a water reservoir. The envelopes are piloted with their flaps upwards in a hopper 1, Figs. 1 and 2, having one side wall, 6, adjustable to suit envelopes of different widths. The bottom envelope is fed under the rear wall 3 by conveyer belts 8, 9 preferably of rubber with curved surfaces, and the envelope is pressed against the belts by resiliently-mounted presser feet 21. A stripper 25, Fig. 4, of resilient material is mounted between the pressers 21 and rests on a lower member having two ribs 27, 28, preferably highly polished, which provide spaced contacts with the stripper. This arrangement prevents the feeding forwards of more than one envelope at a time. The envelope is transferred to a belt 29, Figs. 1 and 2, which support the flap edge, the other edge being supported by rubber covered rollers 33, 34. The roller 34 is of somewhat greater diameter and tends to turn the envelope towards the sealing device and ensure even closing of the flap. A spring-loaded plate 35 that presses the envelope on to the belt 29 has an inclined face that causes the flap of the envelope to open slightly. The flap opening and moistening device is hinged to one end of an arm 36, Figs. 1 and 5, the other end of which is pivoted at 37 to the side of the machine. The arm 36 carries a plate 35, Fig. 1, which passes beneath the flap and raises it so that it passes into a slot 40, Fig. 5, between the moistening device and a cover plate. A roller 41, Figs. 1 and 2, presses the flap on to the body of the envelope. The moistening device comprises a shallow tray 44, Fig. 5, having in its upper surface a slot or a felt pad 43 which is supplied with water from a reservoir 45. This reservoir is connected to the tray by a tube 48 the lower end of which is adjusted to determine the level of the water in the tray and keep it constant. By turning the arm 36 through an angle of 180 degrees, the reservoir can be removed and replaced. The water can be heated by an electric heater 49, as described in Specification 532,021.