GB931621A - Improvements relating to envelope-closing machines - Google Patents

Abstract

931,621. Feeding sheets. BAFRA MASCHINEN G.m.b.H. Jan. 29, 1960 [April 23, 1959], No. 3354/60. Class 100 (1). [Also in Group XVII] An apparatus for sealing envelopes by folding down their flaps into contact with a glue moistening device is arranged to operate in combination with franking means to which it may feed envelopes in spaced formation. Envelopes to be sealed are stacked with their closure flaps 21 vertical in a magazine, one side 13 of which is adjustable for different sizes. They are fed forward by belts 6 protruding through a plate 8 supporting the magazine and pivoted at one end so that a cam 10 operating on a roller 11 at the other, may raise it clear of the belts to stop the feed. Rubber plates 17 lie on the belts 6 and allow only one envelope at a time to pass. Each envelope is passed by a belt 24 and with its flap still vertical, beneath a plate 27 and a plough 38 then folds the flap on to a brush 37 moistened from a tank 34. The envelope is fed between rollers 22, 40 to complete the seal. The envelope may pass to a franking machine 41 of known kind in which case the cam 11 is permitted to oscillate the magazine to give a spaced feed. For sealing only, however, the cam is moved clear of the roller 11 to give a continuous feed. Means may be provided to interrupt the feed if the franking machine should cease operation. The apparatus may forward cards or printed matter, the closing means then being inoperative.