US1732639A - Moistening device - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 22, 1929. 'r. R. GAUTIER MOISTENTNG DEVICE Original Filed Dec. 5. 1924 s w'a fl 3 i Patented Oct. 22, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TREVOR R. GAU'IIER, OF NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO NASHUA GUMMED 6c COATED PAPER COMPANY, 013 NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, A CORPORATION 01 MASSACHUSETTS MOISTENING DEVICE Original application filed December 5, 1924, Serial N'o. 754,125. Divided and this application filed Serial No. 39,275.

My invention aims to provide an improved moistening mechanism or device for moistening adhesive or gummed stickers, labels, sealing tape or other strip material, and while of general use in such connection, it is more par ticularly related to strip serving and like ma chines. This application is a division of my copending application, Serial No. 754,125,

filed December 5, 192 1, which latter application is, with respect to certain common subject matter, a continuation of my copending applications Serial N0. 64:3,907, filed June 7, 1923, and Serial No. 7 1 1,592, filed May 20, 1924-.

In the accompanying drawings disclosing one illustrative embodiment of my invention Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a strip serving machine with which the moistening device of my invention may be employed;

Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively longitiidinal and transverse vertical sections through the moistener embodying one form of my invention.

The device of my invention is generally useful for moistening adhesive or gummed strips such as labels, stickers, sealing tape or other strip material, and is not restricted to use with strip serving or like machines of any particular type. Moreover, in certain instances the moistening device herein disclosed may be useful apart from other apparatus, the strip to be moistened being passed through it manually, but it particularly cooperates with machines for serving strips of adhesive tape and. hereinis illustrated in that connection. The strip serving machine shown is of the general type disclosed in my said copending applications, and in certain respects the moistening means of my invention is peculiarly adapted for use with mechanism of said type.

ings, the housing or frame of the machine is indicated at 1, comprising suitably connected side castings. Desirably said housing is provided with feet 1 preferably rubber-shod, as indicated at 5.

The supply or roll 6 of gummed or adhesive strip material such as tape is received within the rear portion of the housing between its June side walls. Although my invention is applicable to use with ungummed strips fed from a supply past a suitable gum or adhesive applying device, desirably the strip of material to be moistened is previously gummed. The strip may be of any suitable Width and the strip roll 6 is held in proper position for feeding by any suitable means, preferably such disclosed in my said copending applications, including a plate engageable with the side face of the roll and carried by a spindle 8 adjustably extending through a boss 10 in the wall of the housing.

l Vhile any suitable form of feeding means may be employed I have herein disclosed means similar to that of my said copending applications, with which my moistener particularly cooperates. Referring to Fig. 1, a feed lever is pivoted at 16 upon a hub projecting from the housing, a spring 17 tending to maintain said lever in its raised position substantially as shown. At its forward end said lever is provided with a finger piece 18 andis guided for vertical movement in a slotted member 19, the slot of said member being of sufficient length to permit the full movement of the lever desired in feeding a maximum length of strip or tape. The length of strip to be fed may be regulated, said guide 19 beingformed with a plurality of notches 20, 20 any one of which is adapted to receive the stop member 21, the lower end of which projects into the path of the lever 15 to limit its downward movement. In addition, a lever lock and automatic release may be provided if desired, such as fully shown and described in my said copending application, Serial No. 714,592, whereby the op erative may draw off any desired length of strip in excess of that normally fed by the maximum movement of the feed lever. Referring more particularly to the draw- Said lever 15 carries a rack 23 meshing with a pinion 2 1 on the adjacent end of the shaft 25 of the feed roll, as fully shown in said copending application, Serial No. 754,125, and not necessary to illustrate further herein. Desirably the construction is such as to permit a slight non-feeding clown- .ward movement of the lever from its top position, any suitable lost motion or like confeed lever and cooperating with the fixed blade to sever thestrip. The strip is suitably guided from its imtial position in the roll or package 6 through thefeeding means and between the said blades to the moistening means preferably in the manner fully shown and described in said copending application, Serial No. 643,907. Desirablyaremovable cover 59 is provided for the upper parts of the feeding and severing portions of the mechanism.

The; moistening device, which, as above stated,'is adapted for general use and is not limited to use in strip serving machines of anyparticular type, includes a receptacle, or

reservoir 60" to'receive a supply of moistening fluid. Saidreservoir and associated parts ".Df the moistening device may be removed from the machine as a unit, it being provided "with lateral guides or flanges 61 62 which are'received upon ribs upon the inner faces of opposite side walls of the machine hous- "ing. The reservoir may thus readily be placed in its position upon the machine or removed therefrom. I v The mo stening element herein. consists, as also in said copending, application, Ser1al No. 754,125, of a reversed or inverted brush (i l-positioned in the reservoir with the free or moisture-applying ends 65 of its bristles extending upwardly above the level of the liquid and, the lower portions of the bristles iand theback 66 of the brush submerged therein. The brushior brushes, if more than one-be employed, may be positioned at any desired: point longitudinally of the reservoir,

that is, along the path of the strip to be moistened. In some instances it is desirable to, placethe brush at the forward end of the reservoir, as herein illustrated, althoughv the brush and its operating mechanism of the present form are equally adaptable for different positioning of the brush as, for example, at the rear of the reservoir.

The strip, tape, label or the like is fed pastthe severing device and across the upper or moistening end 65 of said brush 64. Directly above the brush there is positioned a guide member or plate 67 extendingtransversely of the reservoir and secured in this instance to a removable cover 74; having depending flanges 75, 76, best seen in Fig. 3, respectively received on lateral ribs 77, 78

upon the reservoir. Said cover forms a guide for the strip to conduct it to the brush, the portion of said cover adjacent the brush preferably terminating within the side walls of the reservoir as a slightly springy lip 79. The construction of the moistening device may be such that it may be inserted either end foremost in the strip serving machine, thereby varying the position of the moistening element or brush with respect to the severing means. For convenience in filling, a lip 80 may be formed on an end wall of the reservoir.

The brush is supported in the reservoir for vertical movement, being floated or yieldingly held in position with the moistening ends (35 of the hairs or bristles in contact with the lower face of said plate 67. The strip to be moistened is fed past the severing mechanism and between said ends 65 of the bristles and the plate 67. Being yieldingly supported the brush readily permits the. tape to pass in contact therewith and at the same time deposits the desired amount of moisture uniformly over the gummed surface of the strip.

As herein illustrated, the means whereby the brush is floated up against the overlying plate or guide (37 includes a pivoted memher or lever 81 to one end of which the back (33' of the brush is connected. Said lever is fulcrumed as at 82 upon a cross bar 83 supported in opposed recesses 84, 85 formed in the side walls of the reservoir. At the end of said lever; opposite to that at which the brushis connected is secured a counterweight 86. Through the medium of said pivoted and weighted lever the brush is yieldingly urged upwardly so that the free ends of its bristles are normally in contact with the lower face of the plate 67. Any wear at the moisture-applying ends of the brush is thus automatically compensated for.

From the foregoing it will be understood that my invention includes in a moistening device one or more brushes having their lower portions submerged in the liquid of the reservoir and yieldingly supported with the moisture applying ends of their bristles above the level of the liquid and normally in contact with the adjacent face of a guide member or plate between which and the bristles the strip to be moistened is passed. Claims directed broadly to a floated or yieldingly supported brush are contained in my said copending application, Serial N o. 714,- 592. In that embodiment of my invention herein disclosed and claimed the brush is floated or yieldably supported in the reservoir by counterweighting means and suitable connections, whereby it may yield downwardly or away from the plate to the required extent and the hairs or bristles of the brush may be flexed by the passing strip, the gummed surface of which will receive sufficient moisture to cause it to adhere satisfactorily when applied.

My invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiment shown and described herein, its scope being set forth in the following claim:

A device for moistening adhesive or gummed strips comprising, in combination, a reservoir constructed and arranged for 10 support in the path of a strip fed by a strip serving machine, an inverted brush in the reservoir with its free end adapted to project into moistening relation with a strip as fed, a vertically rockable lever in the reser- 15 voir, a horizontal cross-bar on which said lever is roc-kably supported, and opposed interior recesses on the side Walls of the reservoir for removably positioning said cross bar, said lever being attached at one end to 29 the base of the brush and having at its other end a counterweight.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

TREVOR R. GAUTIER.

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