US888460A - Envelop-sealing machine. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED MAY 26,1908.

' T. P. BOWES'.

ENVELOP SEALING MACHINE.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 25, 1897.

fiz z 62 for No. 888,460. PATENTED MAY 26, 1908. T. F. BOWES. BNVELOP SEALING MACHINE.

-APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 25, 1897.

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No. 888,460. PATENTED MAY 26, 1908.

T. F. BOWES.

- ENVELOP SEALING MACHINE.

AIiPLIGAIION FILED MAR. 26, 1897.

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HOMAS F. BOWES, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, OF PART TO WAYLAND B. AUGIR, "TRUSTEE, AND JULIA LYON, OF

MINNEAPOLIS, lllINNESOlAi.

ENVELOP-SEALING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 2c, 1908.

Application filed March 25, 1897. Serial No; 629,275.

annoyance and discomfort experienced in moistening and sealing envelops by hand will be entirely obviated and by which the labor and time consumed therein will be greatlyreduced and lessened.

A further object is to provide a machine for sealing envelops adapted to receive the envelop with its flap in the normal position occupied thereby after. the insertion there 7 into of a letter or. inclosure, thus avoiding the rovision of means for turning or foldingthe ap back onto the back of the envelop.

A further object is to provide a device wherein u on the insertion of an envelop the gummed t ap will be moistened and compressed against the back of the envelop, sealing the same evenly and thoroughly.

A further object is to provide a machine in which an envelop will be neatly sealed regardless'of the amount of matter .contained therein.

A further object is to provide a machine of this class which shall be exceedingly simple and chea which shal be composed of very few parts,

whichshall not require close or fine adjustvment of parts to insure the desired results,

which shall be exceedingly durable, shall occupy very little space and which in operation shall be positive and certain.

' The invention consists primarily in a machine comprising rotary means for forwardi ingthe envelop to sealing means, said forwarding means comprising a roll having a conical surface adapted to press the gummed flap against an inclined inoistening surface,

means for supplying moisture to said moistening surface; and means for operating said forwarding and sealing means.

.The invention consists further 111 a main construction and operation,-

chine comprising means for moistening the gummed flap ofan envelop, means for compressing the moistened flap against the back of the envelop, and means for operating said moistening and compressing means and moving said envelop therethrough, the envelop being first passed to the moistening means with the flap at an acute angle to the back thereof and then passed to said compressing means, the movement of the envelop through said moistening and compressing means beinginan arc of a circle substantially eonf'orming to the shape of the gummed flap so that as the envelop passes to the compressing means the forward corner of the top thereof is first caught thereby and as the envelop advances therethrough the moistened flap is pressedidown and backtonto the back of the envelop, a straight even fold being thus attained.

The invention consists further in theprovision of a machine designed for the purpose stated and comprising a moisture 'tank or supply, rotating means adapted to receive an envelop with its flap at an acute angle to its backor bodyportion and to deliver said envelop to sealing rolls, moisture from said tank being applied to said flap as said en-' velop is carried along by said rotating means, sealing rolls, and means for operating said rotating means and sealing rolls.

The invention consists further in various constructions and combinations of mechanisms and parts, all as hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof the platen being removed. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the moistening disk and its connections the guide or forwarding roll being omitted. Fig. 4 is a detail plan view of the guide or forwarding roll, and is taken from the line .rw of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the machine taken from the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the reservoilor tank. Fig. 7 is a perspective VlOW of supported on a suitable frame.

in the table 3 and the reservoir or tank 6 is formed at the top thereof. The standard 5 and reservoir 6 are preferably cast integral. A cone shaped moistening disk 8 is fixed on the end of a spindle 9 which is mounted in bearings in the shoulders 10 and 11 projecting from the front wall of the reservoir 6. Collars 12 and 13 are provided on the spindle to hold the same in position. These collars consist of metal rings, having threaded openings, through which the retaining screws 13 pass to hold the collars in place on the spindle. 'The disk 8 is preferably either made of hardened rubber or of metal and its cone surface covered with hardened rubber.

A cone roller 14 ismounted in the tank 6 in bearings 15 and 15 in the standard 5 and in a shoulder on the wall 6, respectively. This roll 14 projects through a slot or opening in the bottom 12 of the reservoir and rolls upon the surface of the disk 8. The roller 14 has preferably a rubber surface. A sponge is provided in the tank 6 and the face of the roller 14. rolls against the under edge thereof. ater being supplied to the tank 6 and being taken up by the sponge, the roller 14 is moistened and cleansed thereby, and through the roller 14 the disk8 is moistened. In Fig. 3 the roller 14 is omitted. Without such roller the sponge will be in contact with the face of the disk 8.

Standa ds 16 and 18 rest on the depressed portion 4 of the table 3 and are secured sired may have hardened rubber surfaces.

The shaft 19 has bearings 19 in the standards 16, 18. The face of the roll 22 bears against the face of the roll 21 and the ends of the shaft extend into slots 23 in the standards 16 and 18. Bearing blocks 24, of the construction shown in Fig. 7, rest upon the ends of the shaft 20 and retain itin position. The walls of the slots 23 form the guides for the blocks 24. The circular bearings 24 in these blocks fit over the ends of the shaft. Coiled springs 25 are provided in the slots 23 and rest upon and bear against the blocks 24. Tension blocks 26, of the same general form as the blocks 24, are provided within the slots Fig. 8 isa peri 23 and .bear upon the upper ends of the coiled springs. The standards 16, 18, have threaded-openings in their tops and through these extend the thumb screws 27 by means of which the tension on the springs 25 andolls 21, 22, is regulated.

A floor or platen 28 extends overthe depression 4 in the table, and is supported on the table3, being countersunk therein so that the surfaces of the table 3 and the floor 28 form a smooth surface. The floor 28 is secured to the table 3 by screws or in any other suitable manner. The central portion of this fioorunder the disk 8 and reservoir 6 is curveddownward and depressed as shown in Figs. 1 and 6, to provide sufficient space between the bottom of the disk 8 and the floor 28 for the passage of'the envelop to be sealed. It is thus seen that the body portion of-the envelop with its contents is permitted to rest on the platen 28 and that as the envelop passes towards the sealing rolls, the platen 28, being inclined, guides or directs the body of the envelop up into the plane of the sealing rolls and hence in proper position with relation thereto and to the flap to pass through said rolls and permit the same'to evenly and straightly seal the flap upon the envelop body. V

- A guide and forwarding roll 29 bears against the operating surface of the disk 8. This roll is cone shaped and its end of greater diameter is placed at the edge of the disk 8 for the purpose hereinafter explained. This roll is mounted in suitable bearings in a spring frame composed of thestandard 31 and the leg 30. This frame is detachably and adjustablysupported and mounted on the shoulders 10 and 1]., a pivot pin 33 pass- 'ing through openings in the lug 32 of the frame and of the shoulder 11, the shoulder 10 being provided witha series of circular openings, bearings or slots 35 into which the end of the lug 34 on the guide roll frame, is adapted to be inserted. This frame is made of spring metal for the purpose hereinafter explained.

A drain cup 40 1s provided on the standard 5, being an extension of the reservoir 6, and the edge of the disk 8 extends over this cup. J ournaled in bearings in the standards 5 and 41 is the shaft 41 uponwhich the driving wheel 42 is mounted. The periphery ofthis .wheel presses against the underside of the esaaee pulley 52 is mounted and fixed on the shaft 48. A belt passes from this pulley over the pulley 44 on the roll 21. A second belt passes from the pulley 44 over the idler pulley 45, thence over the pulley 43, back over the idler 46 and about the pulley 44.

' The operation of the machine is as follows: Water is su plied to the tank 6, thoroughly saturating t 1e sponge. The treadle is then operated and the machine set in motion. As the disk 8 is revolved it is moistened by the roll 14 which bears against the sponge. If

a desired the roll 14 may be. omitted and the sponge permitted to protrude through the opening in the bottom of the tank and bear against the face of the disk. Any excess or surplus moisture on the disk 8 will drip off the edge thereof into the on 40. The operator then takes up the enve op to be sealed.

It will be found with its flap at an acute angle to its back, the flap having been raised for the insertion of the letter, circular or other article placed in the envelop. The

corner of the flap is placed on the disk 8 and the revolution thereof carries it under the roll 29. As the roll 29 rests of its own weight on the surface of the disk 8, it presses the flap of the envelop down onto the moistened surface of the disk thus insuring the thorough moistening of the gum or mucilage on the flap of the envelop. As the flap passes between the disk 8 and the roll 29 on its'w'ay into the rolls 21, 22, all the gummed portion thereof is brought into contact with the moisture on the disk. It will be noted therefore that the roll 29 serves both as a forwarding roll and as a means to insure the thorough and equal moistening of all parts of the gummed flap, thus forming an active and important element of b'oththe moistening and forwardingmeans. The revolution of the disk 8 tends to turn the envelop away from the rolls 21, 22. In order to regulate and control this action and to insure the delivery of the corner of the flap to the rolls- 21, 22, at the proper point, the roll 29 is made in the form of a cone with its larger end at the edge of the disk 8. By changing the position of the roll 29 on the disk 8 the point at which the envelop will be delivered be tween the rolls 21 and 22 may be regulated. The roll 29 being mounted in a spring frame, as before described, all that itis necessary to do in order to adjust its position is to take hold of the frame, pull the lug 34 out of the slot 35 in which it is resting, swing the frame and roll to the desired position, permit the frame to spring back and the lug 34 engages the slot 35 at that point. Thus, the machine is readily adjusted for use with long or short envelops and the space beneath the disk 8 being entirely free, any width. of envelop may be sealed, and the space beneath the disk 8 is suflieient to permit the swinging motionof the envelop. As the top fiap' face of and rotating with said corner'ofthei'envelop is' caught between the rolls 21', 22,; the envelop is swung between the rolls,21',- 22, in an arc of a circle corresponding tothe arc of a circle described by th'e 'e'dge of thefflap so that the flap is both pressed down and drawn back onto the back of the envelop, effectually pasting the same thereto and insuring a straight smooth edge at the top ofthe envelo In place of the tread e device shown and described I may, if desired, connect the pulley 44 directly with an electric motor, or

other suitable power device, or may connect the same to a crank and handle, and I- may use in place of pulleys and belts, chain and sprockets.

It is obvious that many modifications may be made in the details of construction with out departing from thelspirit of my invention and I do not therefore wish to confine myself sprocket to the exact construction or arrangement I of parts shown.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In an envelop sealing machine the combination, with a moisture tank, of a rotatable conical disk, means for ap lying moisture from said tank to the conica surface of said disk, a conical roller resting upon said disk and adapted to rotate therewith, sealing rolls mounted to receive the envelop from said disk, means'for rotating the same, and means for rotating said disk and sealing rolls.

2. In an en velop sealing machine the com bination, with a moisture tank, of a conical disk, means for applying moisture from said tank to the surface of said disk, a conical roller resting u on saiddisk and adapted to rotate therewitfi, sealing rolls mounted to receive the envelo from said disk, means for rotatin said rol s, a friction-pulley'whereon said dis rests and whereby it is rotated, and means for rotating said friction-pulley and sealing rolls.

3. In an envelop sealingmachine the combination, with a moisture tank, of a conical disk, a moistening roll resting upon the surface of and rotating with said disk, said rolladapted to communicate moisture from saidtank to said disk, a conical rollerresting upon the surface of said. disk and adapted to rotate therewith, sealing rolls mounted to receive the envelop from said disk, and operat ing means for said disk and sealing rolls.

4. In an envelop sealing machine the com 9 bination, with a moisture tank, of a conical disk, a moistening roll restin upon the surdisk, said roll ada ted to communicate moisture from said tank I roller resting upon the surface of said disk and adapted' to rotate therewith, scaling to the surface of said. disk, a conical rolls mounted to receive the. envelop'from said disk, a friction-pulley'whereon said disk rests and by which it is rotated, and operating means for said disk and sealing rolls.

5. In an envelop sealing machine the combination, with a moisture tank, of means for being elivered to sai means at an acute angle to the back or body portion of said envelop and whereby both said fla is moistened and said envelop is carried an delivered to the sealing rolls, sealing rolls mounted to receive the envelop from said rotary means,

- and o crating means.

7. an envelop sealing machine the combination, with a moisture tank, of means for applying'moisture therefrom to-the flap of an envelop and by which said envelop is carried to the sealing means andby which said flap is pressed down uponthe back or bodyportion of said envelop and conical. sealing means by whichsaidenvelop is moved semicircularly and the flap drawn smoothly and straightly on the back-.- I

8. In an envelop sealing machine the combination, with a moisture tank, of means for applying moisture therefrom to the flap of an envelop, and for carrying forward said envelllop to the sealing rolls, and conieal sealing ro s.

, 9. In an envelop sealing machine the combination, with a moisture tank, of a rotatable conical disk, means for supplying moisture from said tank to the surface of said disk, a conical roll ada ted to rest upon and rotate with said dis and sealing rolls mounted to receive the envelop from said disk, the upper sealing roll mounted in yielding supports.

10. In an envelop sealing machine the combination, with a moisture tank, of a rotatable conical disk, means whereby the surface of said disk is moistened from said tank, a conical roll resting upon the surface of said disk and ada ted to rotate therewith and between which and the surface of said disk the flap of the envelop to be-moistened is passed, a friction-pulley whereon said disk rests and whereby it is revolved, conical'sealing rolls mounted to receive the envelo: from said .disk, said rolls being mounted wit their large ends in bearings in the rear and at one side of said disk and their small ends mounted in bearings at the other side thereof the upperof said beingyieldihgly heldi'in contact with the lower of said rolls, and bearings for said sealin rolls.

11. In an enve op sealing machine the combination, with a moisture tank, ofa disk 8, means for applying moisture from said tank to the surface of said disk, a conical roll adapted to ,rest 11 on said disk and rotate therewith, said rol adapted to permit the fiap of the envelop to pass between it and the surface of said disk, sealing rolls mountupper of said rolls adapted to yield upwardly away from the lower roll to permit the passage of the envelop between said rolls, and tension-springs whereby said upper roll is normally yieldingly held bearing against the lower roll.

combination, with a moisture tank, of a conical disk, means for supplying moisture from said tank to the surface of said disk, a roll 29 resting on said disk, means whereby the 10- said disk may be changed or adjusted, and .conical sealing rolls mounted with their large ends together to receive the envelop from said'disk, said sealing rolls adapted to normally bear against each other for their full lengths, one of said rolls being yieldingl mounted, and operating means for said (llS and sealing rolls.

13. In an envelop sealing machine the combination, with a moisture tank, of a revoluble disk8, a shaft or spindle 9 therefor, bearings for said shaft, a frictionulley whereon said disk rests, a suitable shaft and bearings for said friction-pulley, a roll 29 resting on and rotating in connection with said disk, a frame or support therefor, sealing rolls suitably mounted to receive the enve op from said disk and operating means for saiddisk and sealing rolls.

14. In an envelop sealing machine the combination, with a moisture tank, of a rotatable disk 8, a shaft or spindle 9 therefor,

said disk and shaft, means whereby said spinvelop from said disk, and operating means for said disk and sealing rolls.

16. In an envelop sealin combination with a suitab e frame, of a moistening disk, a guide roll mounted above machine the 12. In an envelop sealing machine the ical sealing rolls mounted to receive the;en

ed to receive the envelop from said disk, the

cation or position of said roll on the surface'of die or shaft and disk are held against vertical bearings for said shaft, means for rotating I said disk, a spring frame wherein said guide bottom, a shoulder or bearing having a series of slots 35 wherein said lug is adapted to rest, sealing rolls mounted to receive the envelop from said disk, and operating means for said disk and sealing rolls. Y

17. In an envelop sealing machine the combination, with a suitable frame, of a moistening disk, a guide roll mounted above said disk, a spring frame wherein said guide roll is mounted, said guide-roll frame being pivoted at its top and having a lug 34 at the bottom, a shoulder-or bearing having one or more slots 35 wherein said lug is adapted to rest, compressing rolls mounted to receive the envelop from said disk, means for regulating the tension on said compressing rolls, and operating means for said disk and sealing rolls,

18. In an envelop sealing machine the combination, with a tank or reservoir, of a moistening roll mounted therein, a disk 8, a

spindle or shaft therefor, shoulders on said reservoir forming bearings for said spindle, a guide roll mounted above said disk, a spring frame therefor, said frame being pivoted at its upper end to one of said shoulders and having a lug 34 at the bottom, the lower of said shoulders being provided with one or more slots adapted to receive said lug, sealing rolls mounted to receive the envelop from said disk, means for adjusting the tension on said rolls, and operating means for said disk and sealing rolls.

19. In an envelop sealing machine the combination ,with a moisture tank, of means for applymg molsture therefrom to ,the flap of an envelop and for holding said flap at an acute angle to the back or body portion thereof, while moisture is applied thereto by said means, said means comprising a roll and ,a member having a moistening surface between which said flap is fed whereby both said flap is moistened and said envelop carried to the sealing rolls, and sealing rolls mounted to receive the envelop from said means.

20. In an envelop sealing machine the combination, with a moisture tank, of means for applying moisture therefrom to the flap of an envelop and for holding said flap at an acute angle to the back or body portion of said envelop while moisture is applied thereto, said means comprising a roll and a member having a moistening surface between which the flap passes whereby said envelop is carried to the sealing rolls, sealing rolls mounted to receive the envelop from said means, and means for operating the same.

21. In an envelop sealing machine the comlnnation, with a moisture tank, of a retatable disk, a roll mounted above said disk, means whereby moisture from said tank is applied to said disk thereby moistening the.

flap of an envelop as the same is carried by said disk and roll to the sealing rolls, sealing rolls mounted to receive the envelop from said disk, and operating means for said disk and sealing rolls.

, 22. In an envelop sealing machine the combination, with a moisture tank, of a rdtatable disk, a roll mounted above the same, means whereby the position of said roll may be adjusted with respect to said disk, means wherebymoisture from said tank is applied to said disk thereby moistening the flap of an envelop as the same is carried between said disk and roll, sealing rolls mounted to receive the envelop from said disk, and operating means for said disk and sealing rolls.

23. In an envelop sealing machine the combination with a moisture tank, of means for applying moisture therefrom to the envelop to be sealed, conical sealing rolls, mounted to receive the envelop from said means, said means being adapted for carrying forward said envelop and delivering the corner thereof to said sealing rolls.

24. In an envelop sealing machine the combination, with a moisture tank, of moistening-and-forwarding means comprising a conical roller and a conical moistening surface between which the flap of the envelop is delivered at an acute angle to the body portion, said means being in communication with said tank thereby applying moisture to said flap, and to carry said envelop to the sealing means mounted to receive the envelop from said moistening and forwarding means, sealing means, and means for operating.

25. In an envelop sealing machine the combination, with a supply of moisture tank,

of means for applying moisture therefrom to the flap of an envelop, sa d means comprising mechanism whereby said envelop is carried to the sealing means, and sealing means by which said flap is pressed down upon the back or bodyportion of said envelop and said envelop carried semicircularly through said sealing means, and meansfor operating the same.

26. In an envelop sealing machine the combination, with a moisture tank, of means for applying moisture therefrom to the envelo to be sealed and by which said envelop is carried to and the corner thereof delivered between sealing means, and sealing means by which as the flap of said envelop is there by pressed down upon the back or body por tion of said envelop, said envelop is moved semieircularly in or through said sealing means and operating means in connection therewith.

27. In an envelop sealing machine the combination, with a moisture tank, of means for applying moisture therefrom to an en velop, and means operating on said envelop in a curve substantially corresponding to the curvature of the edge of the flap-of said envelop whereby force or pressure is applied to said moistened envelop to seal the same, and operating means in connection therewith.

28. In an envelop sealing machine the combination with a moisture tank or supply, of moistening-and-forwarding means comprising a conical roller and a conical moistenmg surface adapted to receive, and to apply moisture from said tank to an envelop with the flap at an acute angle to the back or body portion thereof, sealing means to which said envelop is delivered by said moistening-andforwarding means'and by which as the flap of said envelop is thereby compressed against the back or body portion thereof pressure is thereby exerted on said moistened envelop in a'c'urve substantially corres ondingto the curvature of theedge of the 'dbp'of'said en'- velop to seal the same, and means for oper ating said respective means. v

29. In an envelop sealing machine the combination, with a moisture. tank, of 'a rotatable disk, a roll mounted above said disk and between which. and said disk'the flap of the envelop to be sealed is passed, and wherebymoistureis communicated to said fla as the latter passes between said roll and isk, means ada ted to yield to-pe'rmit the passage of the enve op therebetween and at the same time exert a sealingpressur thereon, and oplilerating means for said diskand sealing re s.

30. In an envelop sealing machine the combination, with .a moisture tank, of moistening means to which the flap of an'envelop is delivered at an acute angle to the back, or

body portion thereof moisture from said tank,

said means comprising a roller operating in conjunction with said moistening means, whereby moisture from said tank is communicated to said flap and the envelop, carried to the sealing rolls, and sealing rolls mounted to receive said envelop from said moistening means.

31. In an envelop sealing machine the combination, with amoisture tank, ,of a rotatable disk, means bearing against said disk and between which and said disk the flap of the envelop to be sealed is fed, means for ap plying moisture from said tank tosaid disk sealing means, and operating means mounted to receive the envelop from said moistening means in connection therewith.

32. The combination,'in an envelop sealing machine, of a-moisture tank, means for applying moisture therefrom to the fla of an enve op, rotary means between whic and said moisture applying means said envelop flap is delivered and by which the thoroug moistening thereof is insured and the en-' velop carried or forwarded to the sealing rolls, and sealing rolls.

33. In an envelop' sealing machine the combination, with a moisture tank, of means embodying member having an inclined sur- -to said sealing means.

face, for applying moisture therefrom to the flap of an envelop delivered to said moisture applying meansat an acute angle to the back.

or body portion of the envelo a rotary member having an inclined surface operating in connection with said moisture applying means to insure the thorough moisteningof said flap, said rotary member adapted to ture a plying means.

34. 11 an envelop sealing machine the combination, with a moisture tank, of a mem ber having an inclined moistening surface for applying moisture therefrom to the flap of an envelop delivered thereto at an acute I angle to the back or body portion thereof,

rotating means'for forwarding said envelop to sealing means, and sealing means, means whereby the body portion of said envelop with its contents is supported in position to permit said flap to come in contact with said moistening means and as said envelop passes to said sealing means guide or direct said body portion into the same plane with said j seahng means.

535. An envelop sealing machine comprising a moisture tank, a member having-an inclined surface against which the flap of the envelop is carried at an acute angle to the body portion of the envelop, rotating means to carry said envelop and sealing means, said roller means adapted td deliver the envelop .36. An envelop sealing machine com rising a moisture tank, means between w ich the "envelop is fed, the same having an inclined moistening surface and an inclined flap applying surface in conjunction therewith, said means rotating to carry said envelop to sealing rolls, and sealing rolls.

37. Anenvelop sealing machine comprising a moisture tank, rotary means between which the envelop is fed, one of'the rolls hav ing a conical portion, means for a plying moisture from said tank as the envelbp flap is pressed down by said conical portion, and sealing means.

38. An envelop sealing machine comprising a moisture tank, an inclined moistening ing a moisture tank, roller forwarding means,

the upper-roller having a conical portion, a

member having an inclined-moistening surface against which said conical portion presses the envelop flap, and sealing rolls mounted to receive said envelop.

40. An envelop sealing machine comprising a moisture tank, cooperating forwarding means adapted to receive-the envelop with the flap at an acute angle to the body portion In testimony whereof witness my hand at of the envelop, an inclined portion provided Minneapolis, Minnesota, U. S. A., this 20th to receive moisture from said tank and apply day of March, A, D. 1897;

the same to the flap of the envelop as the THOMAS F. BOWES; 5 same is moved by said forwarding means, In presence of and sealing rolls mounted to receive said en- FREDERICK S. LYON.

Velop from the forwarding means. I J.- T. TASKER.

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