US3945878A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stamp applying machine
Assignee: Schneider Tool and Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1974-08-16
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Granted: 1976-03-23
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Expires: 1994-08-16
Abstract
Abstract A machine for automatically applying stamps onto successive envelopes at a precise location and without distorting or marring the stamps or envelopes comprises vacuum devices for picking off the stamps and envelopes from respective magazines, feeding each envelope into an exact position below a backing pad, and concurrently feeding a respective stamp past a moistening device into an exact position below the envelope, then pressing the envelope against the backing pad and concurrently pressing the stamp upwardly against the envelope, and thereupon releasing the vacuum devices and knocking out the stamped envelope into a receptacle as the machine is returned to a start position for another application cycle.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard W. Hubschmitt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:05
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65C; B65C9/00; B65C9/20; B65C9/22; B43; B43M; B43M5/00; B43M5/04; B43M5/042; B65C9/08; B65C9/12; B65C9/14; B65C9/26; B65C9/36; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/17; Y10T156/1702; Y10T156/1744; Y10T156/1768; Y10T156/1776; Y10T156/1778; Y10T156/1783
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A machine for automatically applying stamps to envelopes comprising respective magazines for said stamps and envelopes mounted in parallel arrangement, respective vacuum pads for picking off said stamps and envelopes one by one from the same ends of said respective magazines, a main carriage for said vacuum pads mounted for back and forth shifting movement in the directions of said magazines, means yieldably mounting said pads on said main carriage for independent movement relative to the carriage in directions of said shifting movement, means mounting said respective pads on said carriage for traveling movement at right angles to the carriage movement to and from a stamping station whereat a stamp from the stamp magazine is placed in overlapping relation to an envelope from the envelope magazine, and power means cyclically operable for imparting a first reciprocation to said main carriage towards and from said magazines to cause said pads to pick off a stamp and an envelope from the respective magazines, to impart then a traveling movement to each of said pads to said stamping station, and to impart next a second reciprocation to said carriage in the directions of said shifting movement to cause said stamp to be pressed against said envelope.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
A machine for automatically applying stamps to envelopes comprising respective magazines for said stamps and envelopes mounted in parallel arrangement, respective vacuum pads for picking off said stamps and envelopes one by one from the same ends of said respective magazines, a main carriage for said vacuum pads mounted for back and forth shifting movement in the directions of said magazines, means yieldably mounting said pads on said main carriage for independent movement relative to the carriage in directions of said shifting movement, means mounting said respective pads on said carriage for traveling movement at right angles to the carriage movement to and from a stamping station whereat a stamp from the stamp magazine is placed in overlapping relation to an envelope from the envelope magazine, and power means cyclically operable for imparting a first reciprocation to said main carriage towards and from said magazines to cause said pads to pick off a stamp and an envelope from the respective magazines, to impart then a traveling movement to each of said pads to said stamping station, and to impart next a second reciprocation to said carriage in the directions of said shifting movement to cause said stamp to be pressed against said envelope.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The machine set forth in claim 1 wherein the corner portions of said stamp magazine are cut away to provide clearance for the corner serrations of said stamps.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
The machine set forth in claim 1 including a backing member for said envelope at said stamping station, and wherein said power means includes means for causing said vacuum pads to be pressed yieldably against said magazines during said first reciprocation of said main carriage of each cycle of said power means, and means for causing said envelope to be pressed yieldably against said backing member and said stamp to be thereupon pressed yieldably against said envelope backed by said backing member during said second reciprocation of said main carriage of each cycle of said power means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
130 words
The machine set forth in claim 3 wherein both of said magazines are positioned at a level above said pads, and said yieldable mounting is directed to press said pads relative to the main carriage in directions towards said respective magazines, and wherein said mounting means for said pads are adapted to place said stamp pad at a lower level than said envelope pad whereby when said pads are moved to said stamping station said stamp pad is below said envelope pad and the envelope pad is below said backing member to cause the envelope to be pressed first against the backing member and then the stamp to be pressed against the envelope as said main carriage is raised during its second reciprocation in a cycle of said power means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
112 words
The machine set forth in claim 4 including knockout means for removing a stamped envelope from said envelope pad, wherein said power means comprises a motordriven shaft, and a series of cams on said shaft respectively operative during each revolution of said shaft for shifting said main carriage through said first and second reciprocations, shifting said stamp pad on said main carriage back and forth between said stamp magazine and said stamping station, shifting said envelope pad on said main carriage back and forth between said envelope magazine and said stamping station, controlling said vacuum source, and actuating said knockout means when a stamped envelope has been released from said vacuum member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
126 words
The machine set forth in claim 4 wherein the envelope pad is terminated short of supporting the envelope at the end thereof to which a stamp is to be applied leaving this end portion of the envelope overhanging the pad, including a side wall below said envelope magazine in line with the side wall of the magazine engaging the edge of said end portion of the envelope and extending from said magazine to the far side of said stamp-mounting station for guiding said edge of the envelope during the travel of the envelope to said station, and a narrow ledge on said side wall extending from said envelope magazine to said station for supporting said overhanging portion of the envelope against excessive drooping during said travel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The machine set forth in claim 6 including a guide wall at the far side of said stamp-mounting station for providing a backstop for the leading side edge of the envelope to locate the envelope at an exact point of advance in the forward travel thereof to said station.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
The machine set forth in claim 7 including a chute and a knockout ram traversing a clearance opening in said side wall at said station for knocking an envelope after a stamp is applied thereto through said chute, wherein said backstop wall is extended from said station to said chute to guide the envelope as it is being pushed off said envelope pad.
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) | 1979-03-23 | 1979-09-22 | 1980-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-03-23 | 1983-09-22 | 1984-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-03-23 | 1987-09-22 | 1988-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |