US1799820A

US1799820A - Envelope-sealing machine

Info

Publication number: US1799820A
Application number: US107759A
Authority: US
Inventors: Arthur J Keiser
Original assignee: BIRCHER CO Inc
Current assignee: BIRCHER CO Inc
Priority date: 1926-05-08
Filing date: 1926-05-08
Publication date: 1931-04-07
Anticipated expiration: 1948-04-07

Description

April 7, 1931- A. J. KEISER 1,799,820

ENVELOPE SEALING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet l mv NTOR ATTORNEY- April 7, 1931. A. J. KEISER ENVELOPE SEALING MACHINE Filed May 8, 192 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEwR ATTORNEYS APril 1931- A. J. KEISER I 1,799,820

ENVELOPE SEALING MACHINE Filed May 8, 192 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS April 7, 1931.

A. J. KEISER ENVELOPE SEALI NG MACHINE Filed May 8, 192

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 lNVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 7, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTHUR :r. nurses, or. nocnnsrnn, NEW vonx, Assmnoa ro 'rnn 3m co., rue,

or nocnnsrna, new YORK L ncaaommea may a,

The present invention relates. to envelope sealing machines. An object of the invention isto provide means for distort ng the flap of an envelope to lift the flap with reference to the body of the envelope so that a moistening device may pass between the fla and the body of the envelope. Another a n further object of the invention is to provide a feeding means for carrying an envelope past a moistening device, there being arranged to one side of the feeding means a space or depression in which the body of the envelope may drop'in order to separate the body of the envelope'from the flap.so that the moistening device may be passed between the flap and the body of the envelope. Still another and further object of the invention is to provide a feeding element for carrying an envelo e past a moistener, said feeding element being arranged to one side of a space to which the body of the envelope may drop and there being provided a separator deflected downwardly over the space so as to press the body of the envelope down into the space and deflect the flap of the envelope over the moistenin device as the envelope moves under the action of the feeding member. Still another object of the invention is to provide a sealing element which impinges the flap of the envelope at spaced points after the flap has been moistened, so as to cause the flap to adhere to the body of the envelope. Still another object of the invention is to provide a feeding mechanism which will cause the envelope to maintain a straight line of movement after passing the moistening device. Another and further object of the invention is to provide a moistening device which is definitely held against movement toward the feeding means beyond a certain point, but which is adapted to yield away from the feeding means to accommodate thick envelopes. Still another, object of the invention is to provide a moistening device which is adjustable with reference to the feeding means so that different sized spaces between the feeding means and the moistening device may be obtained. Still another object of the invention is to provide in combination 1928. Serial No. 107,759.

with a feeding and a moistening device a separating tongue extending rearwardly from the moistening device and deflected downwardly, said moistening device being ad ustable to shift the deflected end of the tongue toward and from the flap edge of an and in which the feeding means is yieldable in order to accommodate envelopes of different thicknesses. v

To these and other ends, the invention consists of certain parts and.combinations of parts, all of which will be hereinafter described, the novel features being pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

be accommodated. Still another "ob- Fig. 1 is a plan view of a machine constructed in accordance with this invention, with parts broken away and the receiving chute removed;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the machine with parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is another plan view showin the receiving chute in position and enve opes being fed through the machine;

Fig. 4 is a view of the side of the machine opposite that shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an end view of the machine;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section through the machine on the line 6-6, Fig. 1;

gig. 7 is a section on the line 77, Fig. 1; an

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the manner in which the envelopes have their flaps distorted before being passed ozer the moistening device.

Referring more particularlyto the illustrated embodiment of the invention, 1 indicates the base frame which, in this instance,

is of hollow formation having a top portion 2 formed integrally therewith, said frame being provided with an opening extending from one end to the other which is substantially closed by a removable cover plate 3 secured in place by screws 4. This cover plate at the intake end of the machine is in a plane with the top portion 2 and near the center has a downwardly deflected portion 5 which leads to an inclined portion 6. This inclined portion 6 declines laterally with reference to the feed through the machine,-

its inner and outer edges being substantially parallel with said feed, but in different horizontal planes.

The envelopes 7 to be fed through the machine are arranged in a stacker at the intake end of the machine. In this instance, this stacker is formed by two

vertical plates

8 and 9, the plate 8 being rigidly secured by screws 10 substantially aligned with the inner edge of the top portion 2 of the base 1, while the plate 9 is parallel with the plate 8 and is adjustable toward and from the plate 8 to accommodate in the stacker envelopes of different widths. Between the two vertical walls of the stacking device a bottom plate 11 is arranged which has its lower end in an inclined plane with reference to the removable cover plate 3, beneath it, being secured at its forward end at 12 to the removable cover plate and havin its central portion supported in an inclined position by a bracket 12 which is secured to the bottom wall 11. Also secured to the bottom wall 11 is a guide 13 which receives a guiding member 14 projecting laterally from the wall 9 and frictionally engaging the walls of the guide 13 to hold the wall or plate 9 different distances from the plate 8 to accommodate envelopes of different widths. Supported by the wall 8 is the front wall 15 of the stacker. This front wall is vertically arranged except that its lower end 16 is defiected forwardly in the direction of the feed, the lower edge of the lower end being spaced from the bottom wall 11 in order to provide a discharge opening through which the envelopes may move from the stacker under the action of feeding devices to be described.

In order that the envelopes may be held in an inclined position within the stacker, with their forward ends lower than their rear ends, an inclined shelf 17 is arranged above the bottom wall 11 and is adjustable over said bottom wall in the direction of feed of the envelopes. This adjustment is secured by supporting the inclined shelf on a supporting member 18 which has a guide extension 19 at its lower end operating in a guide member 20 on the under side of the bottom wall 11 of the stacker. By adjusting this inclined shelf 17 backward and forward, the inclination of the envelopes may be changed and, at the same time, envelopes of different lengths may be held at the proper angles within the stacker.

For feeding the envelo es from the stacker, there is em loyed a eeding mechanism comprising, in t is instance, a shaft 21 which is supported by the base member 1 below the inclined bottom wall of the stacker, said bottom wall having an opening 22 directly above the shaft and in advance of the vertical end wall 15. On this shaft 21 is supported a wheel 23 having a periphery 24 of rubber or other material having a high coeflicient of friction. The shaft also supports a grooved pulley 25 around which passes a belt 26 which also passes about a grooved pulle 27 on a shaft 28 in advance of the stacker. 27 is smaller in diameter than the pul ey 25 and has its shaft in a horizontal plane below the shaft 21 of the pulley 25 so that the effective portion of the feeding belt 26 travels forwardly in a downward direction, the plane of travel being substantially parallel with the bottom 11 of the stacker, but the recessed end being in a slightly higher plane than the bottom of the stacker so that the effective portion of the belt 26 is in a position to enga the forward edges of the envelopes in t e stacker to move such envelopes out of the stacker and forwardly therefrom. By having the wheel 23 to one side of the feeding belt 26, a straight ull is obtained on the bottom of the enve ope so that it is maintained in a straight line while moving from the stacking device. The vertical plane of the endless belt is spaced from the vertical plane of the wall 8 of the stacker so that the envelope is engaged at one side of its longitudinal edge while the

walls

8 and 9 of the stacker act as a guide, both being extended forwardly beyond the front vertical wall 15 and preferably to a point beyond the axis of the shaft 28 and the pulley 27. Even after the forward ends of the envelopes pass from these walls 8, the guiding action of the walls is continued until the envelopes pass out between the walls. After an envelope is withdrawn from the stacker by the feeding belt e ulley' 26, it passes to another feeding device which discharge end of the feeding belt 26. The

belt 29 has its effective portion passing horizontally to a pulley 31. The advantage for having the feeding device 29 travel faster than the feeding device or belt 26 is that the envelopes in some instances pass from the stacker in slightly overlapping relation, one

in advance of another and when the feeding device 29 is reached, the lower envelope is given a greater speed and withdrawn from under the next envelope so that it travels b itself or singly while moving with the fee j ing device 29. r

While the envelope is travelling with the feedin belt 29, it is moistened, tlns moistening being effected by a moistening mechanism comprising, in this instance, an arm 32 having one end free and' lying over the feed-.

ing device 29, the feeding device lying in a vertical plane on the inner side of the feeding device 26 with its receiving end close to the guide plate 8. At the time that the moistening device operates on the envelope and while the belt or feeding device 29 is moving the same, the opposite ends of the envelope drops into the depression formed at edge before the moisteningdevice is reached,

thus tending to separate the body of the envelope from the flap. This separation is increased by a means to be hereinafter described so that the moistening device is insured of being passed between the uppermost face of the body of the envelope and the underface of the flap of the envelope. In order to still further insure this separation, a separating blade or fin 33 which preferably projects rearwardly from the moistening de vice has its free. end deflected upwardly at 34. This fin also has a downwardly deflecting portion 35 on the side toward the feeding belt, the edge 36 of this downwardly deflected portion being inclined to the direction of travel of the envelope. The main part of this downwardly deflected portion 35.

operates in a plane slightly below the upper surface of the feeding belt 29 and to one side of the latter, so that it tends to engage the uppermost face of the envelope to oneside of the pointed forward end of the flap and depress the envelope body downwardly with reference to' the flap so as to facilitate the entrance or the guiding of the fin 33 between the flap and the body of the envelope. An additional finger 37 may be provided on the moistening arm 32 to one side of the guiding fin 33 for the purpose of holding down the edge of the envelope opposite the flap edge, in order that the latter may not accidentally cooperate with the moistening arm 32.

With the end in view of still further-separating the forward end of the flap from the adjacent face of the body of the envelope and, at the same time to assist in the separation of the envelopes as they pass from the stacking device, there is employed a rotary member having a central cylindrical periphery 38 which cooperates with the feeding belt 26 in immediate proximity to the outlet from the stacker, so that this rotarydportion 38 will press on the envelope imme ately after it as been dragged from the stacker by the feeding belt 26 and hold the envelope in feeding relation to the belt 26. This member also has two cylindrical portions 39 and 40.which have greater diameters than the cylindrical portion 38 and cooperate with the upper face of the flap of the envelope on opposite sides of the cylindrical portion 38. The portion 39 has a metallic milled or knurled surface,

while the portion 40 has a frictional produc-,

ing surface preferably formed by a rubber rlng.

The combined distorting or separating member has its periphery moving in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the belt 26,and the knurled or milled surface 39 acts onthe envelopes after they pass from the stack to kick back or retard the envelopes so that they pass from the combined separating and distorting device one in advance of the other, but, in some instances, in slightly overlapping relation. The central portion of this combined retarding and distorting device cooperates with the belt 26 and assists said belt in the feeding of the envelope notwithstanding the fact that the parts are rotating in opposite directions, due to the fact that it imposes a pressure on the flap to hold it against the feeding belt 26. The friction producing portion 40 operates between the feeding belt and the wall 8 and has nothing opposing it on the under side of the envelope so that it produces a dragging or drawing action on the flap, causing the forward end of the flap to be pulled or distorted upwardly with reference to the adjacent face of the body of the envelope, as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawing, thus further insuring the separation of the flap from the body of the envelope when the envelope .reaches the separator in front of the moistening device. In other words, when the forward end of the flap reaches the separator, the distorting device is still acting on the rear end of the flap. At the same time, the edge of the envelope opposite theflap has dropped into the depression in the top of the main frame, so that this dropping of the edge of the envelope with the distorting of the flap by the distorting device and the pressing down of the bottom of the envelope by the separator positively insures the separation of the flap from the body of the envelope.

The moistening neans, in this instance, consists of a glass or transparent cylindrical tube 41 having its ends engaged by two

heads

42 and 43 which are connected by tie bolts 44. The head 43 has a depending tubular portion 45, the upper end of which is formed with a seat 46 for a ball valve 47. This depending tubular portion is removably fitted in a sleeve 48, which projects upwardly from the top of a container 49, the latter having a pin 50" i the container 41 enter the container 49. The

container 49 has a plate 50 depending therefrom. This plate is supported, in this instance, on three pins 51 projected laterally from the side of the base frame. Each of these pins is surrounded by a helical spring 52 cooperating with one side of the plate 50 and carries an adjusting nut 53 cooperating with the outer side of the plate 5Q. The moistening arm 32 is of hollow formation and extends laterally from the container 49, its free end being held in slightly spaced relation to the feeding belt 29. The moistening arm 32 has a longitudinally extending slot 54 and extending through the arm and exposed through this slot is a wick of any suitable material which has its inner end depending into the container 49 so that by capillary action, water from the container 49 may keep that portion of the wick exposed through the slot 54 in a moist condition. By adjusting the lower nut 53, the container may swing on the upper screws to shift the position of the free end of the arm with reference to the feeding belt 29 and by adjusting either of the nuts 53 of the two upper screws, the angle of the arm with reference to the line of travel of the envelopes may be changed. The lower sprlng 52 will in the event of the passage of extremely large envelopes between the moistemng arm and the belt yield, but, in most instances, the belt 29, which is yieldable, yields to accommodate envelopes of different sizes.

The pulley 31 is arranged beyond the vertical plane of the moistening device, so as to carry the envelopes beyond said moistening device. In this instance,'this pulley 3i is arranged to one side of a smooth cylindrical drum 55, the drum being greater in diameter than the pulley so that the effective portion of the belt 29 passing over the pulley is substantially in a plane with the surface of the drum. The opposite end of the drum is reduced and on this reduced portion is fitted. a yielding ring 56, the periphery of which is substantially in a plane with the surface of the drum 55. This yielding ring picks up theenvelopes which have dropped into the depressed portion in the top of the frame of themachine after the envelope has passed beneath the moistening device, and working in cooperation with the drum and feeding belt feeds the envelopes to a suitable receiving means.

For effecting the sealing of the envelope and, at the same time, to assist in the feeding of the envelope from the machine into a receiving hopper 57, there is provided, in this instance, two milled

cylindrical rollers

58 and 59, the former of which lies directly above the yielding ring 56 while the latter lies directly above the pulley 31 so as tocooperate with the portion of the belt 29 travelling over the pulley. These two cylindrical milled surfaces are, in this instance, connected by a connecting piece 60 which has two surfaces 61 connecting the milled ortions 58 and 59 in the plane of the peripheries of said milled portions and at two diametrically opposite points. This sealing and feeding device turns, in this instance, on a shaft 62 which is supported by an arm 63 from a stationary or non-rotatin spindle 64 eccentric to the axis of turning o the combined sealing and feeding member. This arrangement permits the combined feeding and sealing device to rise and fall to accommodate envelopes of different thicknesses while, at the same time, to have a tendency to move toward the envelope under the action of gravity. The shaft 62 forming the axis of rotation of the combined sealing and feeding device or member, as shown in Fig. 5, is arranged at a slight angle to the horizontal with its end adjacent the feeding belt 29 in a slightly lower plane thanthe outer end, thus causing the milled surface 59 to exert greater pressure on the envelope than does the milled surface 58. The' shaft 62 is also arranged at a slight angle to a transverse vertical plane through the machine, its end adjacent the belt 29 being slightly in advance of the end adjacent the ring 56.

Owing to the fact that the center of an envelope is, in most instances, thicker than the flap edge, if equal pressure were applied at both points, then the tendency wouldbe to shift the envelope after it passes from the moistening device in one direction and that direction being toward the edge opposite the flap edge. As a consequence the flap with the kicking of the envelope sidewise towards its edge opposite the flap edge will become creased and be laid upon the body of the 7 envelope in an improper manner, part of the flap being projected beyond the edge of the envelope due to such distortion. The double angular arrangement of the shaft of the combined sealing and feeding element tends to straighten the envelope so that the envelope passes from the combined sealing and feeding element in a straight line with its flap laid properly upon the envelope. After the envelope passes the combined sealing and feeding device, it is given two or more taps on its moistening flap at separated points and this forces the flap into intimate contact with the envelope at these points, at the same time, the other portions of the flap are drawn into engagement with the envelope. Furthermore, the moistening liquid which has been applied to the flap is retained by the flap and is not squeezed out as would be the case if the envelopes were passed between two rollers. As a result when the envelopes areput together in a stack, there is no adhesive to ooze out beyond the edges of the flaps which would tend to cause the envelopes to stick one to the other. The machine may be driven in any suitable manner. In this instance, a motor 65 is arran within the base frame 1 and has-a sha 66 extending to the exterior of the frame .where it is rovided with a small pulley 67 about whic an endless drive belt 68 asses. This drive belt also passesabout a arge pulley 69 on the shaft 28 which suports the

pulleys

27 and 30 so that the two

eed belts

26 and 29 respectively driven by said pulleys are turned both in the same direction but at different speeds. Arranged on the shaft 28 is also a sprocket wheel 69 about which a sprocket chain70 passes, said chain extending upwardly through an opening in the top of the casing and passing about a sprocket wheel 71 on the shaft 72 which supports the envelope distorting member38, 39 and 40, causing said member to have its periphery rotated in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the effective portion of the belt 26. This shaft 72 may be supported on an arm 73 which is mounted to swing upon the shaft 28. A spring 77 secured'at one end to the main frame and at the other end to the arm acts on said arm in,

a direction to hold the combined separating I and distorting

device

38, 39 and 40 toward the feeding belt 26. Preferably. the arm 73 carried an adjusting screw 78 which is adapted to cooperate with a stop 79 in order to limit .the movement of the separating and distorting member toward the belt. Bel ow the belt 26 and opposite the combined separating and distorting member isarranged an idler 80 which turns on a stationary shaft 81. This idler acts to prevent the distortion of the feeding belt 26 by the combined separating and distorting

members

38, 39 and 40. This arrangement permits the combined separating and distorting element to adapt itself 0 envelopes of different thicknesses, without, at the same time, destroying the line of feed of the envelopes. That portion of the sprocket chain operating above the bed 2 may be enclosed within a housing 74 which is remov-.

ably secured by screws to the top of the base frame 1, while the belt 68 and the pulleys over which it asses are enclosed by a removable housing I 6 secured to the side of the base frame 1.

The operation of the invention will be un derstood from the foregoing description, but it may be summarized as follows:

The envelopes are placed in the feedimg.

stacker, their forward ends resting against the partition 15 and the rear ends resting on the adjustable inclined support 17, the lowermost envelopein the stack resting at its forward end against the rear portion of the feeding belt 26. When the machine is opervances under the action of the feeding belt 26, it is caught by the feeding belt 29 which has a and a vances the envelope ahead of and sepaeater speed than the feeding belt 26v rates it from the,next following envelope.

J ust about the time that the envelope is picked up by the feeding belt 29, the ed e thereof opposite the flap edge drops into the pocket or recess formed in the top of the main frame to one side of the feedin belt. Before the envelope is released by the dlstorting device and while its flap is-deflected or distorted upwardl under the action of the distorting device, t e forward end of the flap is passed, above the se arating device 33 which directs the flap o the envelo e above the moistening device 32 and the b0 y of the envelope below such moistenin device. The separating device together wit the moistening device cooperates with the body of the envelope in order to hold the latter toward the feeding belt 29 'so that the latter exercises its feeding action on the envelope, carrying the latter past the moistening device. After is received by the combined feeding and sealing device which not only feeds the envelope into the hopper 57 but through the portions 61 raps or hits the flap of the envelope on the outer face at spaced points causing the flap of the envelope not only to adhere at these points, but also at the points between the impact points, due to the fact that these intermediate polnts are drawn into intimate contact with the main body of the envelope at the same time that the impact points engage the envelope. The combined feeder and sealer is so arranged that it tends to cause the envelope to travel in a straight path into the receiving hopper.

By mounting the separator 33 on the moistening arm so that it may be adjusted through the nuts 53 it is possible to shift the deflected portion 35 toward and from the flap edge of an envelope passing through the machine and in. this way adapt the machine to envelopes having flaps of different widths and forms.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: i

1. The combination with feeding means for moving envelopes, of a moistening device to which the envelopes are moved by the feeding means, said moistening device being constructed and arranged to pass between the of the envelope before it reaches the moistenmg device under theaction of the feeding means to distort the fla in order to separate the latter from the b0 y of the envelope so that the moistenin device can readily pass between the body 0 the envelo e and the flap.

2. The combmation with ceding means for feeding envelopes one at a time, of a moistening device to which the envelopes are fed by the feeding means and which is constructed and arranged to pass between the body of an envelope and the flap of the latter, and means for producing a dragging action on the flap as the latter is moved by the feeding means to cause the flap to be distorted with reference to the body of the envelope in order to insure the passage of the moistening device between the flap and the body of the envelo 3. 1%: combination with feeding means for feeding envelopes one at a time, of a moistening device to which the envelopes are fed by the feeding means and which is constructed and arranged to pass between the body of an envelope and the fla of the latter, and means for producing a ragging action on the flap as the latter is moved by the feeding means to cause the flap to be distorted with reference to the body of the envelope in order to insure the passage of the moistenin device between the flap and the body of the envelope, said dragging means embodying a roller havin its periphery rotating in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the feeding means.

4. The combination with a feeding belt of a width narrower than the envelope to be fed through the machine and positioned to engage the envelope passing through the machine at a point in spaced relation to both longitudinal edges of said envelope, of a moistening device to which the envelope is fed by the feeding belt, said moistening device being constructed and arranged to pass between the body of the envelo e and the flap of the, latter, and a dragging evice arranged to engage with the flap of the envelope on the feeding belt before the envelope reaches the moistenin device to distort the flap with reference to tie body of the envelope in order to insure the passage of the moistening device between the flap and the body of the envelope.

5. The combination with a feeding belt of a width narrower than the envelope to be fed through the machine and positioned to engage the envelope passing through the machine at a point in spaced relation to both longitudinal edges of said envelope, of a moistening device to which the envelope is fed by the feeding belt, said moistening device being constructed and arranged to pass between the body of the envelope and the flap of the latter, and a dra ging device arranged to engage the flaps of t e envelope on the feeding belt to one side of the latter before the envelope reaches the moistenin device to distort the flap with reference to t e body of the envelope in order to insure the passage of the moistening device between the flap and the body of the envelope, said dragging device being in the form of a roller having its periphery rotating in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the feeding belt, said periphery being formed of material having a high coeflicient of friction.

' 6. The combination with a feeding means embodying an endless belt, of a stacker from which the envelopes are fed by the feeding belt, a moistenin device to which the envelopes are fed b the feeding means, said moistening device being constructed and arranged to pass between the body of the envelope and the flap, and a combined retarder and dragging element operating on the envelopes after they pass from the stacker to separate the envelopes so that they pass one at a time to the moistening device and to engage with the flap of each envelope in order to distort the same so as to insure the passage of the moistening device between the flap and the body of the envelope.

7 The combination with a feeding means embodying an endless belt, of a stacker from which the envelopes are fed by the feeding belt a moistening device to which the envelopes are fed by the feeding means, said moistening device being constructed and arranged to pass between the body of the envelope and the flap, and a combined retarder and dragging element operating on the envelopes after they pass from the stacker to separate the envelopes so that they pass one at a time to the moistening device and to engage with the flap of each envelope in order to distort the same so as to insure the passage of the moistening device between the flap and the body of the envelope, said combined separator and dragging element having its periphery rotating in a direction opposite the direction of movement of said feeding belt.

8. The combination with a stacker having a discharge opening, of a feeding means for moving the envelopes from the stacker and through the machine embodying an endless belt of less width than the envelopes and arranged to operate on an envelope in s aced relation to two longitudinal edges 0 said envelope, a moistening device constructed and arranged to pass between the flap and the body of the'envelope moved by said feeding means, and a rotary member operating on the envelopes as they pass from the stacker, said rotary member having its periphery r0- tating in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said feeding belt and having two peripheral portions engaging the envelope on opposite sides of the feeding belt, one of said peripheral portions being milled and the other of said peripheral portions bein e cient of friction and being positioned to engage the flap of the envelope to produce a draggin action on the fla which will separate the orward end of t e flap from the body of the envelope to permit the moistening device to pass between the flap and the body of the envelope.

9. The combination with a feeding mechanism having a feeding element of less width than the envelopes fed thereby and arranged to cooperate w1th an envelope near the ap edge thereof, of a moistening device arranged to pass between the flap and the body of an envelope travellin with said feeding element, and means providing a space to one side of the feeding element in which the body of an envelope may drop in'order to siparate the body of the envelo e from the ap to facilitate the passage 0 the moistening device between the flap and the body of the envelope.

10. The combination with a stacker, of a feedin mechanism embodying a feeding element or moving the envelopes from the stacker and a feeding element of less width than the envelopes arranged to engage the envelopes adjacent their flap edges, and a moistening device for passing between the flap and the body of an envelope on said last mentioned feeding device, and means for providing a space to one side of the last named feeding device in which the body of the envelope may drop in order to facilitate the passage of the moistening device between the flap and the body.

11. The combination with an endless feeding element, of a moistening device arranged to pass between the flap and the body of an envelopewhile the latter is moved by the feeding element, and means for supporting said moistening device in spaced relation to the feeding element, said means having resilient devices therein, permitting the moistening device to move away from the feeding element but holding said moistening device with resilient pressure toward the feeding element.

12. The combination with a yielding feeding element, of a moistening device arranged to pass between the flap and the body of an envelope while the latter is moved by the feeding element, and means for resiliently supporting the moistening device in spaced relation to the feeding element, the feeding element yieldin to accommodate envelopes of different thic esses.

13. The combination with an endless feeding element and two pulleys about which said endless feeding element passes, of a moistening device arranged to pass between the flap and the body of the envelope, while the latter is moved by the feeding element, and means resiliently holding said moistening device in spaced relation to thefeeding element at a formed of material having a high 00-- point between the two pulleys so that the endless feeding element may y1eld to permit envelopes of different sizes to pass through the space between the moistening device and the endless feedin element.

14. The combination with a feeding mechanism having a feedin element of less width than the envelope fe thereby and arran ed to cooperate with an envelope near the ap edge thereof, of a moistening device arranged to pass between the flap and the body of the envelope travelling with said feeding element, means providing a space to one side of the feeding element in which the body of an envelope may drop in order to separate the body of the envelope from the flap t0 facilitate the passage of a moistening device between the flap and the body of the envelope, and a separator having a portion deflected downwardly to one side of a feeding element over said space to cooperate with the body of the envelope to move the latter downwardly before the envelope reaches the moisening device and with the flap to move the latter upwardly to cause the flap to pass over the moistening device.

15. The combination with a feeding mechanism having a feeding element of less width than the envelopes fed thereby and arranged to cooperate with the envelope near the flap edgeihereof, of means providing a space to one side of the feeding element in which the body of the envelope may drop, a moistening device supported at one side of the space, extending across the space to pass between the flap and the body of the envelope travelling with said feedmg element, and means arranged beyond the moistening device to pick up the body of theenvelope from the space to feed the envelope from the machine.

16. The combination with a feeding element, of a moistening device arranged to pass between the flap and the body of an envelope travelling with said feeding element, and a movable means cooperating with the flap of the envelope at spaced points after the flap has passed the moistening device-in order to press the flap into engagement with the body of the envelope. v

17. The combination with a feeding element, of a moistening device arranged to pass between the flap and the body of an envelope travelling with said feeding element, and a movable means cooperating with the flap of the envelope at spaced points after the flap has passed the moistening device in order to press the flap into engagement with the body of the envelope, said means comprising a rotary member having spaced impact surfaces.

toward and from the feeding device, an adjusting meansfor moving the arm on its fulcrum to 'vary the distance between the moistening device and the feeding element, anda yieldin device which permits the movement of t e arm away from a feeding element.

19. The combination with a feeding element, of a moistening arm arranged to pass ment, and resilient means opposing the move-,

ment of themoistening device away from the feeding element.

21. The combination with a feeding element of less width than the envelope fed therebyand arranged to cooperate with an envelope near the flap edge thereof, of means providing a space to one side of the feeding element in which the body of an envelope may drop while being moved by the feeding element, a moistening device arranged to pass between the flap and the body of the envelope travelling with said feeding element, a separator extending rearwardly from the moistening device and having a portion extending downwardly therefrom to one side of the feeding element and over the space in order to deflect the body of the envelope downwardly below the moistening device and the flap of the envelope upwardly above the moistening device, and means for supporting said arm so that it may be shifted to vary the distance between the downwardly de fleeting portion of the separator and the feeding element in order to accommodate said separator to envelopes having flaps of different formation.

22. The combination with a moistening device, of a feeding member for moving an envelope past the moistening device and means cooperatin with the flap side of the envelope after t e latter has passed the moistening device to press the flap at se arated points in order to cause adhesion etween the flap and the body of the envelo e.

23. The combination with a moistening evice, of a feeding member for moving the envelope past the moistening device, and a member having spaced portions for engaging the flap of the envelope after the latter has passed the moistening device to press the ap against the body of the envelope.

24, The combination with an endless feedin element of less width than the envelope fe thereby and arranged to cooperate with the underside of an envelope near the flap edge thereof, of means providing a space at one side of the feeding element into which the body of an envelope may be dropped while being moved by the feeding element, a moistening device arranged to pass between the flap and the body of the envelo travelling with said endless feeding e ement, a rotary feeding member arranged at one side of the endless feeding element to lift the body of the envelope from the space after the moistening device has been passed, and a rotary member cooperating with the upper surface of the envelope while it is on the two feeding elements and after it has passed the moistening device to hold the envelopes in engagement with the two feeding elements.

25. The combination with an endless feeding element of less width than the envelope fed thereby and arranged to cooperate with the underside of an envelope near the flap edge thereof, of means providing a space at one side of the feeding element into which the body of an envelope may be dropped while being moved by the feeding element, a moistening device arranged to pass between the flap and the body of the envelope travelling with said endless feeding element, a rotary feeding member arranged at one side of the endless feeding element to lift the body of the envelope from the space after the moistening device has been passed, and a rotary member cooperating with the upper surface of the envelope while it is on the two feeding elements and after it has passed the moistening device, said rotary element being mounted to turn about an axis which is slightly inclined to the plane of travel of the body of the envelope and also slightly inclined to a transverse plane through the machine so that said roller tends to straighten the course of the envelope.

26. In an envelope sealing machine, the combination with a guide, of a feeding device arranged on one side of an envelope and movable to carry the envelope along the so as to produce a dragging action on the flap of the envelope.

27. In an envelope sealing machine, the combination with a feeding mechanism, of

a moistening device having a finger arranged topass between the envelope flap and the body of the envelope, and supporting means for the moistener adjustable to permit the moistening device to move in the direction of the line of feed of the envelopes to shift the position of the flap separating finger.

28. In an envelope sealing machine, the combination with a feeding mechanism, of a flap se arator for passing between the flap and the ody of the envelope moved by the feeding mechanism, and supporting means for the fla separator adjustable toward and from the eedmg mechanism and also lon itudinally of the feeding movement to shift the flap separator to the desired position.

29. In an envelope sealing machine, the combination with a feeding mechanism, of a flap separator for passing between the flap and the body of the envelope moved by the feeding mechanism, and supporting means for the fla separator adjustable toward and from the eeding mechanism and also longitudinally of the feeding movement to shift the flap separator to the desired position, said supporting means havin its point of adjustment situated at that si e of the envelopes opposite-the flap separator.

- ing the latter at one side of the envelope moved by the feeding mechanism, and three independently adjustable suspendin devices arranged in the form of a triang e and.

on which the support is adjustably and loosee -si of an envelope may drop in order to sepa-' 1y fulcrumed so that the adjustment of any one suspension device causes the movement of the support on all of the suspension devices. v

31. The combination with a feeding mechanism having a feeding element of less width than the envelope fed thereby and arranged to cooperate with an envelope near the flap d(ge thereof, means providing a space to one e of the feeding element in which the body rate the body of the envelope from the flap, and a separator having a portion deflected downwardly to one side of a feeding element over said space to cooperate with the body of the envelope to move the latter downwardlg h 32. e combination with a feeding mechanism having a feeding element of less width than the envelope fed thereby and arran ed to cooperate with an envelopene'ar the ap edge thereof, of a flap separator arranged to pass between the flap and the body of an envelope. travelling w1th said feeding element, and means providing a space to one side of the feeding element in which thebody of an envelope may drop in order to separate the body of the envelope from the flap to facilitate the passage of the flap separator between the flap and the body of the envelope.

33. The combination with afeeding element, of a flap separator arranged to pass between the flap and body of .an envelope travelling with said feeding element, and amovable means cooperating w1th the flap of the envelope at spaced points after the flap has passed the flap separator in order to press the flap into engagement with the bod of the envelope.

34. The combination with a feeding mechanism, of a flap separator for moving the flap of an envelope moved by the feeding mechanism, a support for the flap separator of the horizontal= plane of the flap separator and being adjustable horizontally, two of said suspension devices being arranged in a single horizontal plane and the third being arranged in a different horizontal plane and in a vertical plane between the two first mentioned suspension devices.

35. The combination with a feeding mechanism, of a flap separator for moving the flap of an envelope moved by the feeding mechanism, a support for the flap separator, and three suspension devices arranged in a tri-. angle and each having the support for the flap separator fulcrumed thereon.

36. The combination with a feeding mechanism, of a flap separator for moving the flap of an envelope moved by the feeding mechanism, a support for the flap separator, three suspension devices arranged in a-triangle and each having the support for the flap separator fulcrumed thereon, and resilient means opposing such fulcruming action.

37. The combination w1th a feeding mechanism, of a flap separator for moving the flap of an envelope moved by the feeding mechanism, a support for the flap separator, and

means for suspendingthe support for movement toward and from the envelopes on the feeding mechanism andalso in the direction of the line of feed of the envelopes by sald feeding mechanism,'said means being adjust-' able to roperly position the flap separator with re erence to feeding mechanism, and said means having resilient means therein for resiliently holding the flap separator in its adjusted position. ARTHUR J. KEISER.