US3811407A - Flap turning and sealing system for postage meter mailing machine - Google Patents

Flap turning and sealing system for postage meter mailing machine Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3811407A
US3811407A US00252849A US25284972A US3811407A US 3811407 A US3811407 A US 3811407A US 00252849 A US00252849 A US 00252849A US 25284972 A US25284972 A US 25284972A US 3811407 A US3811407 A US 3811407A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
wick
flap
support arm
section
envelope
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00252849A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
R Lupkas
D Grimaldi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Pitney Bowes Inc
Original Assignee
Pitney Bowes Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Pitney Bowes Inc filed Critical Pitney Bowes Inc
Priority to US00252849A priority Critical patent/US3811407A/en
Priority to GB2178473A priority patent/GB1435196A/en
Priority to CA170,864A priority patent/CA990695A/en
Priority to AT415373A priority patent/ATA415373A/de
Priority to FR7317187A priority patent/FR2195532B3/fr
Priority to FR7317167A priority patent/FR2184106B1/fr
Priority to BE131019A priority patent/BE799421A/xx
Priority to CH672473A priority patent/CH553670A/xx
Priority to DE2324182A priority patent/DE2324182A1/de
Priority to BR3502/73A priority patent/BR7303502D0/pt
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3811407A publication Critical patent/US3811407A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
    • B43M—BUREAU ACCESSORIES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B43M5/00—Devices for closing envelopes
    • B43M5/04—Devices for closing envelopes automatic
    • B43M5/042—Devices for closing envelopes automatic for envelopes with only one flap

Definitions

  • a moistening device for a postage meter mailing machine comprising a water reservoir and a wick support arm.
  • the wick support arm extends from an upper section of the reservoir in a direction which is at least at a slight angle with respect to a horizontal plane, such as the deck of the mailing machine.
  • a spring like member is provided around the wick in the exposed region so as to apply a downward pressure on the wick, thereby forcing the wick against the envelope which is simultaneously being forced upwardly by a spring like member positioned below the envelope.
  • SHEET 3 (1F 4 FLAP TURNING AND SEALING SYSTEM FOR POSTAGE METER MAILING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.
  • This invention relates to devices for moistening the gummed closure flaps of envelopes, and more generally to the preparation of envelopes for mailing.
  • U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,167,257 and 2,167,252 disclose systems in which surface tension and/or capillary forces are relied on to maintain the desired liquid flow.
  • the width of the capillary slot is critical. Too wide a slot can result in dripping, while too narrow a slot can prevent fluid flow.
  • the moistening blade can be made with an adjustable section, so that the slot width can be carefully controlled. However, providing the moisture blade with the proper adjustment as well as the materials and machining costs which must go into a device of this type, render the device undesirably costly.
  • postage meter mailing machines generally are designed to handle envelopes in two conditions, namely with the flap in a closed position and with the flap in an open, or flapped" position.
  • a moistening device may enter between the flap and envelope body and make contact with the inner gummed surface of the flap and moisten it for sealing. Separation of the flap is attained by a device called a flap stripper.
  • Another aspect of the envelope handling system is the provision of simple and convenient means for applying pressure to the letter so that it properly follows the guide surfaces which it engages, whether the letter be of normal thickness or thinner than normal.
  • a plurality of fingers can be mounted on a shaft which extends transversely to the direction of travel of the letter.
  • the fingers are yieldingly urged against the body of the letter as it advances.
  • the flap of the letter is moistened by an applicator mounted on the delivering end of the flap stripper plate over which the body of the letter rides. Pressure is applied to the applicator, to press it against the flap, through the medium of the letter passing over the plate.
  • an additional spring operated finger is mounted on the transverse shaft carrying the other fingers and this additional finger is extended to engage the portion of the letter on the plate at a point substantially over the applicator.
  • the moisture applying means includes a water reservoir and a wick support arm, which extends from the water reservoir.
  • a wick is positioned in the moisture applying means with one end in the reservoir and the other end extending through the wick support arm.
  • the wick support arm has an elongated open edge section so that the wick has an elongated exposed section.
  • a flap moistener wick holder made of spring steel or similar metal, partially encloses the end of the wick'in the wick support arm.
  • the flap moistener wick holder is an elongated member having a cross-section in the configuration of a .I, so as to provide an elongated open section corresponding to the elongated open section of the wick support arm.
  • the wick support arm and the flap moistener wick holder cooperate to expose an elongated section of the wick.
  • the moisture applying means is positioned below a deck on which the main body of the envelope travels as the flap travels below the deck.
  • a spring like member is positioned proximate. the open section of the elongated opensection of the wick and is contoured such that it forces the flap of the envelope which passes between the spring like member and the wick, into firm contact with the wick. A wiping action of the gummed region of the flap against the wick is thus produced.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a postage meter mailing machine employing the features of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly in section, showing the moisture applying section of the postage meter mailing machine of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken along lines 33 of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a moisture applying device in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a plan view of the wick and wick holder portion of the moisture applying device of FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 6 is a side view of the wick and wick holder of FIG. 5, viewed along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5;
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 7.
  • FIG. 1 shows an overall view of a postage meter mailing machine with a stack of envelopes in position for being processed through the machine.
  • the flap turning, moistening and sealing mechanism can be employed in conjunction with most types of postage meter mailing machines, as for example, the machine described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,438,172.
  • an envelope is carried through the postage meter mailing machine in the direction indicated by the arrow 10, along the deck 4, to the postage meter section of the machine where postage is applied to the envelope.
  • the envelopes pass through a section in which moisture is applied to the ground surface of the flap and the flap is sealed shut.
  • FIG. 3 The sealing mechanism is shown in more detail in FIG. 3, wherein it can be seen that an envelope E is moved in the direction of the arrow 10, by the rotating lower feed belt mechanism indicated generally as 12, in FIG. 2.
  • the envelopes travel in succession, on the deck 4, which extends from a region in which the envelopes are stacked, past the moistening and sealing region, to the postage meter shown in FIG. 1, where the proper postage is imprinted on the envelope.
  • the flap travels along the path indicated by the arrows 14, in FIG. 3.
  • the moistening deflector member I6 guides the flap underneath the lower edge 17, of the arm 18, of the flap moistener applicator 27, so that the flap passes between the moistener shroud 22 and wick 20.
  • the flap then passes through the opening 9 in the deck 4, and is sealed as it passes, in the closed position, between the pressure plate 28 and the impression bracket feed plate 30.
  • the lead edge 21, of the envelope E is initially guided in its travel by the upwardly curved section 24, of the envelope positioning member 26, more commonly known as a letter ski.
  • the upward pressure applying moistener shroud 22 is designed such that the gummed region of a flap is pressed against the moisture applying wick, with substantially the same force irrespective of whether the envelope is of the thin and/or light weight, air mail type, or of the heavy and/or thick Kraft paper type.
  • the spring like moistener shroud 22 is carried by a flap turner 32, and is provided with a complex shape so the gummed region of the flap firmly against the wick 20. A scrubbing or wiping action is essential for the adequate wetting of the gummed region.
  • the moisture shroud as evident from FIG. 3, has an upstream section which presents a convex surface towards the wick 20.
  • the shroud then curves sharply upward toward the deck 4, immediately downstream of the flap moistener arm 18.
  • the shroud 22 then curves and lies substantially parallel to the deck 4. It should be noted that the foregoing relationships are based on a view of the moistening system longitudinal to the direction of travel of the envelope, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Viewing the shroud transverse to the aforenoted view, it is seen that the moistener shroud slopes gently downward and away from the, deck 4, looking from the folded edge 40, of the flap, toward the open edge 42 of the flap.
  • the distance between both the moistener shroud 22 and the arm 18, of the flap moistener applicator 27, increase slightly with respect to the plane of the deck 4, in the direction of the open edge of the flap.
  • the inclination of the flap moistener arm with respect to the deck 4, and the corresponding inclination of the moistener shroud serve to achieve the optimum positioning of the flap F, during the moistening operation.
  • the moistener shroud 22, and the arm 18, are preferably at an angle of from 8 to 25 with respect to the deck 4,
  • the moistener shroud 22 can be seen in FIG. 7, to include a first section 80 which is provided with attachment means, for attaching the moistener shroud to the flap turner 32, a. second section 32 which serves to force the flap F against the wick 20 and a third section 84 which acts as a spring to maintain the flap F under constant pressure against the wick 20.
  • the wick 20 is carried by a flap moistener 27 which includes a water reservoir 54 and a wick supporting arm 18.
  • the reservoir 54 can be a large water storage unit capable of storing a requisite quanitity of water, or preferably, can be connected to a main supply of water (not shown) at some convenient, remote location.
  • the wick is preferably a hydrophilic, synthetic resilient open cell foam material, such as polyurethane foam. The polyurethane foam is most conveniently disposed of when the flap contacting surface or the edge 50, has been worn down excessively.
  • the positioning of the flap moistener in the postage meter machine housing is facilitated by means of a moistener guide 64 FIG. 2.
  • the flap moistener 27 FIG. 2 can he slid in place and then by means of a few screws 66 and 68 firmly held in place.
  • the application of the critical amount of downward pressure by the wick against the gummed surface of the flap in order to achieve the essential double action of the moistener shroud 22 and the wick, is controlled by the spring like member 70.
  • the flap moistener wick holder 70 is made of a highly resilient metal, such as stainless steel, and as shown in FIG. 6, is provided with a plurality of finger like sections 72, each of which can operate independently to press down on the wick. The fingers serve to maintain a constant and uniform pressure regardless of the size or shape of the envelope.
  • flap moistener wick holder 70 can be seen to be similiar to a J in cross section, with the fingers 72 being formed in the long leg of the J.
  • the long leg of the J has its outer section bent slightly downward so that the fingers 72 are actually inclined toward the wick.
  • a plurality of sharp upward projections 76 are provided so that the wick is, in effect, locked to the flap moistener wick holder. It should be noted in FIG. 4, that the flap moistener wick holder is dimensioned such that it fits smoothly but firmly within the arm 18 of the flap moistener. In the region of the wick which is exposed to the gummed region of the flap, the arm 18 can be seen to have a J cross-section similiar to that of the flap moistener flap holder.
  • FIG. 8 shows the envelope E being carried along the deck 4, by the lower feed belt 12.
  • the flap F can be seen to be firmly wedged between the moistener shroud 22 and the wick 20.
  • the principal wear on the wick can be seen to be concentrated at the corner 50, as the gummed surface of the wick moves against this surface.
  • a moistening device for a postage meter mailing machine comprising, a liquid reservoir having an integrally extending wick support arm, said wick support arm extending outwardly from said liquid reservoir, and containing a wick having one end in said reservoir and its other end extending through an elongated open edge section of said wick support arm, said open edge section exposing an elongated edge section of said wick, said wick being supported at its section in the wick support arm, by a flap moistener wick holder, said flap moistener wick holder being made of spring metal and being an elongated member having a cross-section in the configuration of a J, and providing an elongated open section, said wick holder being positioned in said wick support arm, such that the elongated open section of said wick holder corresponds tothe elongated open edge section of said wick support arm, said wick support arm and flap moistener wick holder cooperating to expose an elongated section of said wick,
  • a short leg of the J-shaped flap moistener wick holder includes a plurality of projections which extend into said wick, thereby locking the work into place within said flap moistener wick holder.
  • said moisture applying means comprising, a liquid reservoir having an integrally extending wick support arm, said wick support arm extending from said water reservoir, and containing a wick having one end in said reservoir and its other end extending through an elongated open edge section, of said wick support arm, said open edge section exposing an elongated edge section of said wick, said wick being supported at its section in the wick support arm, by a flap moistener wick holder, said flap moistener wick holder being made of spring metal and being an elongated member having a cross-section in the configuration of a J and providing an elongated open section, said wick holder being positioned in said wick support arm, such that the elongated open section of said wick support arm corresponds to the elongated open section of said wick holder, said wick support arm and said flap moistener wick holder cooperating to expose an elongated section of said wick, a
  • a short leg of the J-shaped flap moistener wick holder includes a plurality of projections which extend into said wick, thereby locking said wick into place within said flap moistener wick holder.
  • a spring like member is positioned proximate said elongated open edge section of said wick support arm for forcing the flap of an envelope passing between said spring like member and the exposed section of said wick in the elongated open section of said wick support arm, into firm contact with the wick, thereby providing a wiping action of the gummed region of the flap against the wick.
  • the spring like member has a convex region, said convex region being in close proximity to the wick and serving to guide the flap into close contact with the wick.

Landscapes

  • Folding Of Thin Sheet-Like Materials, Special Discharging Devices, And Others (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Materials Using Thermal Means (AREA)
  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)
US00252849A 1972-05-11 1972-05-12 Flap turning and sealing system for postage meter mailing machine Expired - Lifetime US3811407A (en)

Priority Applications (10)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00252849A US3811407A (en) 1972-05-12 1972-05-12 Flap turning and sealing system for postage meter mailing machine
GB2178473A GB1435196A (en) 1972-05-12 1973-05-08 Flap turning and sealing system for postage meter mailing machine
CA170,864A CA990695A (en) 1972-05-12 1973-05-09 Flap turning and sealing system for postage meter mailing machine
FR7317187A FR2195532B3 (enExample) 1972-05-12 1973-05-11
AT415373A ATA415373A (de) 1972-05-12 1973-05-11 Vorrichtung zum anfeuchten von briefumschlag- klappen an einer freistempeleinrichtung
FR7317167A FR2184106B1 (enExample) 1972-05-11 1973-05-11
BE131019A BE799421A (fr) 1972-05-12 1973-05-11 Systeme de rabattement et de fermeture de patte pour machines a affranchir le courrier,
CH672473A CH553670A (de) 1972-05-12 1973-05-11 Vorrichtung zum befeuchten des gummierten randstreifens der schliessklappe einer briefhuelle, insbesondere in einer frankiermaschine.
DE2324182A DE2324182A1 (de) 1972-05-12 1973-05-12 Befeuchtungsvorrichtung fuer eine frankiermaschine
BR3502/73A BR7303502D0 (pt) 1972-05-12 1973-05-14 Dispositivo umedecedor e outros dispositivos para maquina de selar

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00252849A US3811407A (en) 1972-05-12 1972-05-12 Flap turning and sealing system for postage meter mailing machine

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3811407A true US3811407A (en) 1974-05-21

Family

ID=22957810

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00252849A Expired - Lifetime US3811407A (en) 1972-05-11 1972-05-12 Flap turning and sealing system for postage meter mailing machine

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US3811407A (enExample)
AT (1) ATA415373A (enExample)
BE (1) BE799421A (enExample)
BR (1) BR7303502D0 (enExample)
CA (1) CA990695A (enExample)
CH (1) CH553670A (enExample)
DE (1) DE2324182A1 (enExample)
FR (1) FR2195532B3 (enExample)
GB (1) GB1435196A (enExample)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3965851A (en) * 1974-07-19 1976-06-29 Champion International Corporation Apparatus for applying sealing material to envelopes
US3981270A (en) * 1975-03-10 1976-09-21 Pitney-Bowes, Inc. Endless belt envelope flap moistening system
DE2609536A1 (de) * 1975-03-10 1976-09-30 Pitney Bowes Vorrichtung zum anfeuchten der gummierten klappen von briefumschlaegen
US4903633A (en) * 1989-05-19 1990-02-27 Pitney Bowes Inc. Fluid supply apparatus
US4948453A (en) * 1989-05-19 1990-08-14 Pitney Bowes Inc. Mailing machine base with a removably mounted fluid supply
US4950349A (en) * 1987-12-11 1990-08-21 Societe Anonyme Dite : Smh Alcatel Envelope flap folding device
GB2233583A (en) * 1989-07-03 1991-01-16 Pitney Bowes Inc Wicking apparatus for moistening envelope flaps.
USD320157S (en) 1989-05-19 1991-09-24 Pitney Bowes Inc. Fluid supply container
GB2243562A (en) * 1990-05-03 1991-11-06 Pitney Bowes Plc Envelope sealing device.
US5746881A (en) * 1995-10-26 1998-05-05 Pitney Bowes Inc. Moistener for a postage meter
US6923863B1 (en) 2003-06-16 2005-08-02 Amf Bowling Products Inc. Apparatus and method for bowling lane maintenance

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2652308B1 (fr) 1989-09-28 1991-11-29 Alcatel Satmam Ensemble de mouillage d'articles et dispositif de mouillage en faisant application.
DE19836236A1 (de) 1998-08-05 2000-02-10 Francotyp Postalia Gmbh Vorrichtung zum Befeuchten der Leimkante von Umschlagklappen von Briefumschlägen
DE19900686C2 (de) 1999-01-05 2002-10-24 Francotyp Postalia Ag Anordnung zum Schließen von Briefumschlägen

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1987813A (en) * 1929-01-21 1935-01-15 Nat Postal Meter Company Envelope moistener
US2345335A (en) * 1941-05-20 1944-03-28 Ford Frank Ronald Duplicating machine
US2944511A (en) * 1958-04-21 1960-07-12 Pitney Bowes Inc Letter flap moistener
US3000349A (en) * 1958-08-13 1961-09-19 Ritzerfeld Wilhelm Duplicator moistening device
US3334610A (en) * 1964-08-01 1967-08-08 Telefonbau Und Normelzeit G M Letter sealing device for joint use with postage meters
US3353513A (en) * 1964-06-24 1967-11-21 Telefonbau & Normalzeit Gmbh Envelope closing devices

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1987813A (en) * 1929-01-21 1935-01-15 Nat Postal Meter Company Envelope moistener
US2345335A (en) * 1941-05-20 1944-03-28 Ford Frank Ronald Duplicating machine
US2944511A (en) * 1958-04-21 1960-07-12 Pitney Bowes Inc Letter flap moistener
US3000349A (en) * 1958-08-13 1961-09-19 Ritzerfeld Wilhelm Duplicator moistening device
US3353513A (en) * 1964-06-24 1967-11-21 Telefonbau & Normalzeit Gmbh Envelope closing devices
US3334610A (en) * 1964-08-01 1967-08-08 Telefonbau Und Normelzeit G M Letter sealing device for joint use with postage meters

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3965851A (en) * 1974-07-19 1976-06-29 Champion International Corporation Apparatus for applying sealing material to envelopes
US3981270A (en) * 1975-03-10 1976-09-21 Pitney-Bowes, Inc. Endless belt envelope flap moistening system
DE2609536A1 (de) * 1975-03-10 1976-09-30 Pitney Bowes Vorrichtung zum anfeuchten der gummierten klappen von briefumschlaegen
US4950349A (en) * 1987-12-11 1990-08-21 Societe Anonyme Dite : Smh Alcatel Envelope flap folding device
USD320157S (en) 1989-05-19 1991-09-24 Pitney Bowes Inc. Fluid supply container
US4903633A (en) * 1989-05-19 1990-02-27 Pitney Bowes Inc. Fluid supply apparatus
US4948453A (en) * 1989-05-19 1990-08-14 Pitney Bowes Inc. Mailing machine base with a removably mounted fluid supply
GB2233583A (en) * 1989-07-03 1991-01-16 Pitney Bowes Inc Wicking apparatus for moistening envelope flaps.
GB2243562A (en) * 1990-05-03 1991-11-06 Pitney Bowes Plc Envelope sealing device.
US5209806A (en) * 1990-05-03 1993-05-11 Pitney Bowes Plc Envelope sealing device
GB2243562B (en) * 1990-05-03 1993-08-25 Pitney Bowes Plc Envelope sealing device
US5746881A (en) * 1995-10-26 1998-05-05 Pitney Bowes Inc. Moistener for a postage meter
US6923863B1 (en) 2003-06-16 2005-08-02 Amf Bowling Products Inc. Apparatus and method for bowling lane maintenance
US20050255248A1 (en) * 2003-06-16 2005-11-17 Amf Bowling Product Llc Apparatus and method for bowling lane maintenance
US7175881B2 (en) 2003-06-16 2007-02-13 Qubicaamf Worldwide, Llc Apparatus and method for bowling lane maintenance

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2195532A1 (enExample) 1974-03-08
BR7303502D0 (pt) 1974-07-25
CA990695A (en) 1976-06-08
GB1435196A (en) 1976-05-12
BE799421A (fr) 1973-11-12
CH553670A (de) 1974-09-13
DE2324182A1 (de) 1973-11-22
FR2195532B3 (enExample) 1975-10-24
ATA415373A (de) 1980-03-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3811407A (en) Flap turning and sealing system for postage meter mailing machine
US5527418A (en) Apparatus for folding and sealing a one piece mailer
US2944511A (en) Letter flap moistener
US6041569A (en) Mailing machine having envelope closing and sealing device
US5840123A (en) Mailing system moistener apparatus with recirculating excess moistening fluid
US2933061A (en) Coating device
US5022953A (en) Moisture applying apparatus having a removable moisture applicator
US4995934A (en) Wicking apparatus for envelopes
US5217551A (en) Mailing machine including a process for selectively moistening envelopes fed thereto
US5385627A (en) Mailing machine including mailpiece guiding apparatus
US5809752A (en) Sealing device for a mailing machine
US2368520A (en) Moistening device
JPS5927720B2 (ja) 封筒のフラツプへの給湿システム
US3510037A (en) Device for feeding pressure sensitive tape without coil
US4903633A (en) Fluid supply apparatus
US5104470A (en) Method for moistening envelopes
US3413954A (en) Moistening device
US6990789B2 (en) Adjustable stripper blade/moistener system for a mailing system
US2302261A (en) Table for envelope-treating machines
US2349564A (en) Moistening device for gummed objects
US5525185A (en) Belt cartridge flap moistening apparatus
US3948216A (en) Removable liquid reservoir assembly for use in a postage meter mailing machine
US3353513A (en) Envelope closing devices
US2323004A (en) Envelope and stamp moistener
US1894427A (en) Envelope moistener