Envelope moistening apparatus

Claim 1

Envelope flap moistening apparatus for use in a machine for feeding an envelope having a flap in a predetermined path of travel, the apparatus comprising: (a) a hinge pin connected to the machine so as to extend across the path of travel of an envelope flap; (b) an elongate brush for applying moisture to an envelope flap, the brush including an elongate base; (c) an elongate brush retainer cut from an extruded length of resilient plastic material, the brush retainer including an elongate upper wall portion, the retainer including an elongate first wall portion depending from the upper wall portion and defining a first open-ended channel, the first channel having a C-shaped transverse cross-section and being dimensioned for engagement with the hinge pin, the first channel having a longitudinally-extending opening thereinto which is dimensioned for receiving the hinge pin therethrough and into the first channel against the resilient force exerted on the hinge pin by the retainer for attaching the retainer and hinge pin to each other, said retainer and hinge pin being detachable from: each other against the resilient force exerted on the hinge pin by the retainer, the brush retainer including second and third elongated opposing wall portions depending from the upper wall portion and defining a second open-ended channel having a generally inverted-U-shaped transverse cross-section, the second and third wall portions converging to define a longitudinally-extending opening into the second channel, the second channel opening dimensioned for insertion of the brush base into the channel against the resilient force exerted on the brush base by the second and third wall portions of the retainer for attaching the brush to the retainer, and the retainer and brush being detachable from each other against the resilient force exerted on the brush base by the second and third wall portions of the retainer.