PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY DISPENSING AND STICKING ON POSTAGE AND OTHER KINDS OF STAMPS

Abstract: Portable apparatus (10) for dispensing and applying postage and all other kinds of stamps comprising a replaceable loader (30) of stamps produced in strips (30), a dispensing device (17) containing conveying rollers (77-78) and pressure rollers (42-43) and a cutting device (15) worked by step-by-step electric motors (50, 70) and controlled by an electronic unit (85) that stores within it information given by the user through a keyboard (86) about the size and quantity of stamps to be applied, and a device (66, 82) for moistening the stamps so that, on starting the apparatus by pressing a button switch, said apparatus (10) emitting a length of stamp strip (32) corresponding to the number of stamps required and cutting it off.

Description: PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY DISPENSING AND STICK¬ ING ON POSTAGE AND OTHER KINDS OF STAMPS The invention concerns an apparatus for automatically dispensing and sticking on stamps for mailing and for var- ious kinds of duty payments. Such stamps are produced in the form of large sheets con¬ taining a great number of them, each separated by lines of perforations for easy detachment of single stamps. The backs are coated with dried glue. When the user has to stamp an envelope or a document he must detach by hand the number of stamps needed, moisten the back to damp the glue and then proceed to stick them on. Though simple in theory, these operations are in fact com¬ plex and delicate due to fragility of the paper, the small dimensions of the stamp, the need to avoid damaging them so that they are no longer valid, and stick them on in the correct position. The glue must not be over-moistened to destory its sticking power, nor under-moistened as it might then come off. The classic small sponge needs careful handling to get pressure, hand position and time of contact right. Stamping is therefore often done in a defective and inade¬ quate manner involving considerable drawbacks. When there is a large number of objects to be stamped, as in many public and private offices, the drawbacks become multiplied bearing in mind that an employed person cannot devote the time that a private indivdual can allow for one or a few letters or documents. The above invention almost entirely eliminates these dif- ficulties as will be explained below. Subject of the invention is a portable apparatus for dis- pensing and sticking on postage and other kinds of stamps. The apparatus is a substantially box-shaped structure fit¬ ted with a handle and comprises one or more replaceable loaders of strips of stamps, one or more dispensing devi- ces with conveying and pressure rollers, one or more cut¬ ting devices, one or more devices for moistening the stamps, one or more devices for regulating the length of the strip to be dispensed at- each working cycle in relation to the quantity and size of the stamps required, and a drive and operating device. The loaders are of a specific type for each size of stamp. In the underside of the structure, to be placed against the object to be stamped, there are one or more rectangular transversal apertures through which the strip of stamps emerges, moving between one side of said aperture and a dispensing roller that projects from the apparatus on the side opposite to its handle. Having put in one or more loaders, inserted the end of the strip between the pressure and conveying rollers, made the necessary adjustments for size and quantity of stamps to be dispensed in each cycle, when put into operation the apparatus slides out a length of strip corresponding to the quantity of stamps to be applied. During this process the glued side of the stamps is auto- matically moistened. When the full length of strip has been dispensed, the strip will automatically be cut off. As the strip emerges from the apparatus, it is possible to extend it on the document or other object, by moving the apparatus back and simultaneously applying downward pressure . As it rotates on the moistened stamps, the dispensing roller ensures quick and secure application. The dispensing device comprises a pair of conveying rollers opposed to a pair of pressure rollers one of which is the dispensing roller. The geometrical plane of opposition between said rollers and of flow substantially concides with the direction of a channel within which the strip of stamps leaving the loader can freely slide. The pair of pressure rollers is supported at each end by a small carriage free to translate perpendicularly to the geometrical plane on which the strip slides, under pres¬ sure from springs pressing towards said plane. Therefore, by moving pins, projecting externally, to shift the carriage, the pressure rollers can be moved away from the con- veying rollers and the strip of stamps be inserted between them. The cutting device consists of a blade free to slide, be¬ tween the pressure rollers, perpendicularly to the geome¬ trical plane of strip sliding referred to above, operated by a mechanism for alternate motion. Against the surface of one of the conveying rollers ,placed near the aperture through which the strip emerges, an ab¬ sorbent pad soaked in liquid presses from the opposite side in relation to the strip of stamps whose glued surface lies towards said roller. This roller is thus used for sliding the strip and for moi¬ stening the stamps. Under said roller, at the edge of the aperture through which the stamp strip comes out, there is a comb-like object whose teeth penetrate into annular grooves made specially on said roller. Held by this roller and the opposite pressure roller, the strip is forced by their combined rotation to pass over the teeth of the comb which provoke its detachment from the conveying roller in opposition to the attraction of the moistened glue on the strip. In a superior realization the conveying rollers are worked by gear wheels or other mechanisms, by a step-by-step elec¬ tric motor while, in its alternating movement, the blade is worked by a step-by-step electric motor by means of a circular eccentric cam fixed to the shaft of said motor and acting within a transversal slot made in the blade. The electric motors are operated by an electronic unit that stores the information typed in by the user on a key¬ board or other means, according to the size of the stamps and the number of them to be fed out by the apparatus. When putting the cycle into motion by a button switch or other means, the conveying rollers therefore cause the strip to advance by a length of stamps or series desired until the line 'separating the required length from the rest of the strip coincides with the trajectory made by the blade which then moves forward and cuts off the length. The length can thus be taken out by hand giving a slight pull to overcome resistance from the springs acting on the pressure rollers. In a superior alternative version connection between the conveying roller upstream of the blade and the electric motor is made by an electromagnetic clutch. The electronic unit operates said clutch when the strip must be pulled along before the cut, and inactivates it immediately after simultaneously with action by the con¬ veying roller downstream of the blade till the cut length is completely and automatically expelled. The keyboard has numbered keys for a choice of the quan¬ tity of stamps to be dispensed and, having tapped out the desijred figure, the user has merely to press the drive button and the desired number of stamps will be produced . If pressed several times the drive button arranges auto¬ matic delivery of a length of strip programmed according to the number of deliveries. The keyboard also has keys marked with letters or other symbols each of which corresponds to the size of stamps held in the various loaders. According to which key is pressed, the electronic unit controls action of the electric motors to determine the dispensing cycle for each size of stamp. Alternatively each loader used for a certain stamp format possesses a means for its recognition by the electronic unit which, once the loader concerned has been inserted, therefore programs the dispensing cycle according to the size of the stamp in that particular loader. Instead of keys with letter symbols, pilot lights are used. When the loader has been put in the light comes on cor¬ responding to the stamp format inside the loader. The advantages of the apparatus are evident. Avoidance of the annoying and, in actual fact, complex and delicate operations covering search for the stamp, counting the number, pulling it off all round, moisten¬ ing and application. All this is replaced by a few essential movements such as pressing keys and moving the apparatus over the doc¬ ument, letter, etc. Such application of all kinds of stamps is quick and easy as well as being done much better than would be possible by the user who is thus relieved from a trying task and whose time is saved. Characteris ics and purposes of the invention will be made still clearer by the following examples of its execution illustrated by diagrammatic drawings. Fig. l Side perspective view of the invented apparatus. Fig.2 A longitudinal section of the apparatus. Fig.3 Enlarged detail of the cutting and dispensing de¬ vices, cut through longi udinally to show blade position when idle. Fig.4 As above with the blade in its cutting position. Fig.5 Enlarged detail of the cutting device cut through longitudinally to show the blade guides. Fig.6 Detail of the cutting device cut through longitu¬ dinally to show the springs pressing on the pres¬ sure rollers with a strip of stamps. Fig.7 Enlarged cross section detail of the comb acting on the moistening roller. Fig.8 The same as above, front view. Fig.9 Front view (from A in Fig.2) partially cut away to show the pressure rollers. Fig.10 Front view (from A in Fig.2) partially cut away to show the moistening roller. Fig.11 View from below (from B in Fig.2) partly cut away. Fig.12 Detail of a stamp strip loader. Fig.13 A different version of the stamp strip loader. Fig.14 Perspective of another version of the apparatus. Fig.15 Variation of the apparatus in Fig. 14 with the load¬ ing door open. The apparatus 10 is box-like in structure, has a handle 12, and comprises a cylindrical space 13 for the drum-type stamp loader 30, a front space 14 for the cutting device 15, a lower space 16 for the dispensing device 17, space 18 for the moistening pad 82, space 19 for the electronic unit 85, the keyboard 86 and space 20 for the feed batter¬ ies 98, 99 replaceable through the lid 28. The drum-type loader 30 comprises a reel 31 on which the strip 32 of stamps 33 is wound. The cylindrical space 13 housing said drum communicates through the passage way 35 with the channel 36 extending as far as the dispensing device 17 and substantially in line with the exit aperture 25 of the stamp strip 32 made in the underneath 21 of the box-like structure II. Low down in the front space 14 for the cutting device 15, are the pair of small carriages 40 which, by means of the short shafts 41 (Fig. 6) support the pair of pressure rol¬ lers 42, 43 on each side. Said carriages are laterally guided by pins 44 facing out¬ wards and sliding within slits 26 made in the side walls 23 24 of the structure 11. The carriages 40 are kept under tension by two axial heli¬ cal springs 45 guided at their respective ends by pins 46 fixed to said carriages and by the opposite pins 47 fixed to the structure 11. In the front space 14 the tabs 34 support the electric step-by-step motor 50 whose shaft 51 carries the eccen¬ tric cam 52 which rotates inside the longitudinal slot 53 in the plate 54 fixed to the blade 60 perpendicular to said shaft and comprising at its two ends the cylindrical guides 55 (Fig. 5) sliding on pins 56 fixed to the struc¬ ture 11. An annular quadrangular frame 61 is fixed inside the lower space 16 housing the dispensing device 17, said frame com¬ prising the back cross piece 62, the sides 63 and the front cross piece 64 in which is made the longitudinal channel 65 opposite to the cutting edge of the blade 60. Said channel has a constant triangular cross section sub¬ stantially shaped in the same way as the constant transver¬ sal cross section of the edge of the blade. When translating practically in contact with the side of said channel 65 parallel to said blade, said blade cuts through the strip of stamps. The external surface of the cross piece 64 is substantially aligned with the channel 36 that guides the strip 32 of stamps and with the edge of the teeth 67 of the comb 66 placed on one edge of the aperture 25 in the lower wall 21 of the structure 11 (Figs. 3 and 8). The frame 61 transversally supports the electric motor 70 whose shaft 71 carries, fixed to it, the pinion 72. The sides 63 of said frame 61 freely support rollers 77 78 with pins 81 (Fig. 6) of which there are a pair respective- ly opposed to pressure rollers 42 43 on the frame 40. In roller 77 there are annular grooves 79 into which pene¬ trate the teeth 67 of the comb 66 (Figs. 7, 8). Said rollers 77 78 are fixed to the respective sprocket wheels 75 76 both of which mesh with the intermediate trans¬ mission sprocket wheel 74 connected, by sprocket wheel 73, to the pinion 72 fixed to the shaft 71 of electric motor 70. Against roller 77 presses the absorbent pad 82 placed in¬ side the oblong chamber 18 in the structure 11. The shutter 28 in the side wall 23 of the structure 11, turning on hinge 29 enables replacement to be made of the stamp strip loader. A part of the pressure roller 42 projects from the aper¬ ture 25 to guide the strip 32 of stamps onto the document 38 that receives the stamps 33. The keys 87 - 90 of the keyboard 86 marked with letters A B C D refer to the formats of the various kinds of stamps most generally used. The keys 91 - 94 numbered from 1 to 4 refer to the number of stamps to be dispensed from the machine. The electronic display 95 memorizes the number to be dispensed at each cycle when keys 1 to 4 are pressed. By simply using one of the fingers holding the handle,key 96 is depressed to start the machine operating. The batteries 98 99 in space 20 supply energy for the elec- trie step-by-step motors 50 70 and for the control unit. Operation Having placed the loader of stamps of a certain size into the apparatus, one of keys 87 to 90 is pressed to indicate to the electronic unit the format of stamps corresponding to that of the stamps in the loader. The key depressed lights up showing that format size is memorized . By pressing keys 91 to 94 the unit is informed of the de¬ sired number of the different kinds of stamps to be dis- pensed at each dispensing operation. Pressure, even if repeated, on one of the keys 91-94 gives rise to issue of the quantity shown on the display 95. All that is then needed is to press key 96 to make the apparatus dispense the number of stamps required. Alternatively a loader that takes a particular size of stamps is specially prepared so that, when in position inside the apparatus, on pressing key 96, the electronic unit automatically issues the size of stamp inside that loader. In this version pilot lights replace keys 87-90 and warn the user that the machine is set to issue the size of stamps present in the loader that has been put in. Loading a strip of stamps is easily done as, with the shutter open, all that is required is to pass the strip to be removed through the • exit 35 in space 13 into the channel 36 and then between the pair of pressure rollers 42 43 and the pair of opposite rollers 77 78. Passage between the two pairs of rollers is facilitated in that more room can be given to the strip 32 by pressing on the pins 44 projecting from the side of the machine to move the pair of rollers 42 43 away from the strip. On releasing said pins, the springs 45 re-apply pressure of rollers 42 43 against rollers 77 78. Roller 77 is served by the absorbent pad 82 that presses on said roller and and keeps it moistened by continual transfer of its liquid to said roller. Having placed the strip between the rollers and adjusted its position so that the tear-off line is on the edge of the blade 60, or else by adjusting it so that the strip begins exactly on the edge of the blade, the machine func- tions automatically by simply pressing key 96. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that, according to the size of the stamps loaded, the electronic unit makes motor 70 do a number of turns so that, since the rollers 77 78 rotate, the strip moves to the extent of one or more stamps in response to the quantity fixed by keys 91 to 94. As soon as the desired number of stamps are dispensed, the strip will stop while the motor 50 rotates to lower blade 60 inside channel 65 and there make its cut. Roller 77, moistened by the liquid in the pad 82, has by then suitably wetted the glue on the back of the stamps to make them ready for application. As will be seen in the figures, a part of roller 42 emer¬ ges from the aperture 25 so that one or more stamps can be applied directly onto the document 38 to be stamped by making said roller 42 translate on said document as the length of stamp strip emerges from' he machine or in any case immediately after dispensing. Fig. 12 shows the stamps 33 as part of a strip 32 wound on the reel 30 which,housed freely inside the structure 11, allows free dispensing of the stampβ required for use. Figs. 7 and 8 show that, as the teeth 67 of the comb 66 partly penetrate in the groove 79 of the moistening roller 77, they prevent the strip from adhering to said roller 77 and at the same time guide the strip towards its exit from the aperture 25. The cut off length remains held under slight pressure be- tween roller 42 and moistening roller 77. As roller 42 idles, only a slight pull is required to bring the length of strip through the aperture, or else withdraw the machine from the strip of stamps ,applied one after another to the document, o make it come right out. Alternatively this is done by an electromagnetic clutch placed by the sprocket wheel 76 that causes roller 78 to turn. Said clutch fixes the sprocket wheel 76 to said roller 78 as soon as the electronic unit makes the strip of stamps translate to dispense the desired length. The cut having been made, the electronic unit causes the motor 70 to make roller 77 rotate further and automatically and totally expel the required length of stamp strip from the machine. Bu_t during this further rotation by the motor 70 the electromagnetic clutch is not operated and therefore the roller 78 does not move as neither does the strip comprised between said roller 78 and the pressure roller 43 held firm. The loader 37 in Fig. 13 is an alternative version in which there is a reel inside a box-shaped drum 100, and an aperture 101 through which emerges the strip 102. Said loader remains locked inside its housing in the machine while the reel rotates inside it to dispense stamps. The apparatus 110 in Fig.4 is another version and has a higher and narrower structure 111 compared with the type previously described. The batteries 122 are contained in the substantially cy¬ lindrical handle 120 with its lid 121. The shutter 114 through which the stamp loader 116 passes into space 115 has a hinge 112 at its base and opens down¬ wards as seen in Fig. 4. Internal devices are not shown for simplicity but are sub¬ stantially the same as those already described. The roller 117 can be seen low down projecting from the dispensing aperture 118. The keyboard 119 and button switch 113 are similar to the others described above.

Claims: CLAIMS l. Portable apparatus ( 10) (110) for dispensing and apply¬ ing various kinds of stamps (33) for postage and other purposes characterized in that it comprises, inside a box-like struc- ture (II) (i l l) having a handle (I2) ( 120) ,replaceable loaders (30) (37)(ll6) ofsta ps (33) in strip form (32),one or more dispensing devices (I7) complete with rollers for conveying (77-78) and pressure (42-43), one or more cut¬ ting devices (15), one or more devices (66) (82) for moi- stening the stamps (33), one or more devices for regulating the length of the strip of stamps to be dispensed during each cycle in relation to the quantity and size of the stamps (33) desired, a device for regulation, control and harmonious operation of the devices for dispensing (17) and cutting (15), each loader (30) (37) (116) being of a specific type for each size of stamp (33), there being in the lower wall (21) of the structure (II) (111) that lies against the document (38) to which the stamps (33) will be applied, one or more rectangular transversal apertures (25) (118) frαnwhich the strip (32) of stamps (33) emerges sliding be¬ tween one side of said aperture (25) (118) and a dispen¬ sing roller (42) (117) parallel to the long side of said aperture and partly projecting from the side opposite to the handle (12) so that, having placed one or more loaders (30) (37) in the apparatus (10) (110), having inserted the end of the strip (32) between the pressure (42-43)and conveying (77-78) rollers, having made the adjustments needed for the size and quantity of stamps (33) to be dis¬ pensed during each cycle, the drive switch (96) (113) ha- ving been pressed, the apparatus (10) (110) causes the length of strip containing the desired number of stamps (33) to slide along having first moistened the glued side, and cuts the strip (32) off at the end of the established length, it being possible to lay said strip little by little as it emerges from the apparatus (10) ( l lO) on the document (38), drawing said apparatus back and pressing down simultaneously to cause the roller (42) ( 117) for dispensing moistened stamps (33) to roll obtaining in this way quick and secure application. 2. Apparatus (10) ( 110) as in claim I, characterized in that the dispensing device ( 17) comprises a pair of conveying rollers (77-78) opposite a pair of pres¬ sure rollers (42-43) one of which is a dispensing roller (42) ( 117) placed near the aperture (25) (118) through which the strip (32) comes out, the geometrical plane on which the strip (32) slides between the two pairs of rol¬ lers coinciding substantially with the direction of a chan¬ nel (36) within which the strip (32) of stamps (33) leaving the loader (30) can freely move, the pair of pressure rol¬ lers (42-43) being supported at each end by a small carriage (40) free to translate perpendicularly to the geometrical sliding plane of the strip (32) under pressure from springs (45) pressing towards said plane so that by acting on pins (44) projecting from the two parallel sides of the struc¬ ture (11) to move the carriages (40) by hand and separate the pair of pressure rollers (42-43) from the pair of con¬ veying rollers (77-78), it is possible to insert between the two pairs, the strip (32) of stamps (33), the cutting device (15) consisting of a blade (60) free to slide per¬ pendicularly to the geometrical sliding plane between the pressure rollers (42-43) operated by a mechanism providing alternate movement. 3. Apparatus (10) (NO) as in claim 2, characterized in that one (77) of the conveying rollers placed close to the aperture (25) (118) from which the strip (32) emerges, is subjected to action by an absorbent pad 5 82 soaked in liquid that presses against the surface of said roller (77) on the side opposite to that of the strip (32) of stamps (33) lying with the glued side towards said roller (77) which, while the strip (32) slides along, moi¬ stens said strip, there being placed below said roller (77) 10 at the edge of the aperture (25) (II8) where the strip (32) comes out, a comb (66) whose teeth . (-.7) penetrate into an¬ nular grooves (79) made in said roller (77) so that when the strip (32) passes between the latter roller and ' the op¬ posing pressure roller (42), rotation of said rollers (77) I5 (42) obliges said strip to pass over the teeth (67) of the comb (66) which detach it from the conveying roller (77) overcoming the attraction of the moistened glue on the strip (32). 4. Apparatus (I0) (I IO) as in claim 2, 0 characterized in that the conveying rollers (77-78) are worked by gears (72-76) or other mechanisms driven by a step-by-step electric motor, and in that the alternate movement of the blade (60) is also made by a step-by-step electric motor (50) through a circular eccentric cam (52) 5 mounted on the shaft (51) of said motor (50) and acting within a transversal slot (53) in the blade (60) or in a supporting plate (54). 5. Apparatus (10) ( 110) as in claim 2, characterized in that the conveying rollers (77-78) are 0 operated by means of gears (72-76) or other mechanisms driven by a step-by-step electric motor (70) and in that the alternate movement of the blade (60) is also made by a step-by-step electric motor(50)through a circular eccen tric cam (52) mounted on the shaft (51) of said motor (50 and acting within a transversal slot (53) made in the blad (60/ or in a supporting plate (54) , the electric motors 5 (70) (50) being controlled by an electronic unit (85) tha stores the information given to it through a keyboard (86) ( 119) or other means, according to the size and quantity of stamps (33) to be extracted from the apparatus (10) ( 110), so that on starting the working cycle by pressing ]0 a button switch (96) ( 113) or other means, the conveying rollers (77-78) push forward the strip (32) by a length corresponding to that of the stamp (33) or series of stamps (33) desired so as to make the line of separation between the length and the rest of the strip (32) coincide with 15 the trajectory of the blade (60) which at this point moves towards the strip (32) cutting it through and making pos¬ sible its removal.by pulling it and overcoming the weak resistance offered by the springs (45) acting on the pres ¬ sure rollers (42-43). 0 6. Apparatus ( 10) as in claim 5, characterized in that connection between the conveying roller (78) upstream of the blade (60) and the electric motor (70) is made by an electromagnetic clutch, the elec¬ tronic unit (85) operating said clutch when the strip (32) 5 has to be pulled forward before being cut, and stopping it immediately after simultaneously with action of the conveying roller (77) downstream of the blade (60) until the length of cut strip (32) has been fully expelled. 7. Apparatus as in claim 5, 0 characterized in that the keyboard (86) ( 119) has several keys (91-94) bearing numbers for choosing the quantity of stamps (33) to be dispensed so that by typing in the figure corresponding to the quantity of stamps to be in¬ cluded in a length of stamp strip (32) it is sufficient to press the button switch (96) (Il3) to start the dis- pensing process. 8. Apparatus as in claim 5, characterized that the starting button switch (96)(ll3) if pressed several times produces automatic distribution o a number of programmed lengths equal to the number of times the button is pressed. 9. Apparatus (10) (110) as in claim 5, characterized in that the keyboard (86) (119) has several keys (87-90) bearing letters or other symbols each corres¬ ponding to a size of stamp loaded in the loaders (30)(37) the electronic unit (85) then controlling the electric mo¬ tors (50) (70), according to which key is pressed, to de¬ termine the dispensing cycle according to stamp size. 10. Apparatus (10) (110) as in claim 5, characterized in that each loader (30) (37) (116) used for a certain size of stamp (33), possesses a, means whereby it is recognised by an electronic control unit (85) and therefore, once the loader (30) (37) (116) has been in¬ serted, the unit programs the dispensing cycle correspond¬ ing to the size of stamp inside said loader.

Inventors: BARBUGIAN RAFFAELE, BARBUGIAN, RAFFAELE
Applicants: BARBUGIAN SNC DI RAFFAELE BARB, BARBUGIAN SNC DI RAFFAELE BARBUGIAN & C.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: B65C11
IPC codes: B65C11