US3884745A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Envelope moistening and sealing apparatus
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1974-03-20
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Granted: 1975-05-20
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Expires: 1994-03-20
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for moistening the gummed section of an envelope flap for the purpose of sealing the flap to the body of the envelope. The apparatus is unique in its design and construction, which results from the fact that letters are transported with a vertical orientation through a high speed letter handling system to the moistening apparatus. The vertical orientation of the letters, and their high speed movement through the system, necessitated a complete restructuring from classical moistening apparatus design. The invention comprises a trough-like container having a vertically extending window for dispensing moisture to a vertically oriented envelope flap. A rotating disc disposed within the container dips into fluid disposed within the container and carries the fluid upon its surface to said window. A brush projecting through said window into the container, contacts the rotating disc and absorbs the moisture carried by the disc. An incoming envelope flap passing between the brush and the window separates the brush from the disc and in so doing moistens its gummed section.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul R Sette
- 👤 Anthony Storace
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:20
CPC Classifications
B; B43; B43M; B43M5/00; B43M5/04; B43M5/042; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/17; Y10T156/1798
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
292 words
Apparatus for replenishing moisture dispensed by a fluid moistening applicator to a flap of an envelope, said apparatus comprising: a reservoir for supplying a quantity of moistening fluid; a trough-like container connected to said reservoir for receiving said moistening fluid therefrom, and for dispensing said fluid to said envelope flap, said container having a fluid level and a window disposed above said fluid level, a rotatably mounted plate disposed within said trough-like container for movement through said fluid and past said window during rotation thereof, said plate carrying fluid towards said window as it rotates, said window has a flap restriction spanning across said window which allows a brush to project through said window, but which prevents the flap of said envelope from projecting therein; means connected to said plate for rotating said plate within the container, said plate being disc-shaped, and said means for rotating said plate being a motor having a rotative shaft which is flexibly coupled to a shaft connected to a center section of said disc-shaped plate; moistening applicator means supported adjacent said container window, said moistening applicator means being biased towards said window and projecting through said window into engagement with said plate to absorb moistening fluid from said plate in the absence of an envelope, said moistening applicator means comprising a brush which is articulatively mounted opposite said window, and a spring acting upon said brush to bias the brush towards said window; and means for transporting a flap of an envelope between said moistening applicator means and said window, whereby the flap of said envelope causes the moistening applicator means to separate from its engagement with said plate, and engage with said flap, thereby applying moistening fluid to said flap from said moistening applicator means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
292 words
Apparatus for replenishing moisture dispensed by a fluid moistening applicator to a flap of an envelope, said apparatus comprising: a reservoir for supplying a quantity of moistening fluid; a trough-like container connected to said reservoir for receiving said moistening fluid therefrom, and for dispensing said fluid to said envelope flap, said container having a fluid level and a window disposed above said fluid level, a rotatably mounted plate disposed within said trough-like container for movement through said fluid and past said window during rotation thereof, said plate carrying fluid towards said window as it rotates, said window has a flap restriction spanning across said window which allows a brush to project through said window, but which prevents the flap of said envelope from projecting therein; means connected to said plate for rotating said plate within the container, said plate being disc-shaped, and said means for rotating said plate being a motor having a rotative shaft which is flexibly coupled to a shaft connected to a center section of said disc-shaped plate; moistening applicator means supported adjacent said container window, said moistening applicator means being biased towards said window and projecting through said window into engagement with said plate to absorb moistening fluid from said plate in the absence of an envelope, said moistening applicator means comprising a brush which is articulatively mounted opposite said window, and a spring acting upon said brush to bias the brush towards said window; and means for transporting a flap of an envelope between said moistening applicator means and said window, whereby the flap of said envelope causes the moistening applicator means to separate from its engagement with said plate, and engage with said flap, thereby applying moistening fluid to said flap from said moistening applicator means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-19 | 1978-11-18 | 1979-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-19 | 1982-11-18 | 1983-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-19 | 1986-11-18 | 1987-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |