Patent GB-191205557-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Machines for Affixing and Cancelling Postage Stamps.
Inventor: DUBOIS CHARLES
IPC: B65C11/04
Filed: 1912-03-05
Granted: 1912-05-16
Abstract: 5557. Dubois, C. March 6, 1911, [Convention date]. C o a t i n g webs. - Postal matter is carried bv an endless band b<1> to a rotary device comprising a number of casings e carried by a disk d<1> on a shaft d, each of which contains a roll of stamps e<1>, Fig. 5, and feeding, severing, and counting-devices, and then to a stampcancelling device g<1> rotating on a shaft g and inked by a roller g2; or a stampcancelling device may be carried bv the stamp-affixing plate in each casing e. Each stamp-feeding wheel e<2>, Fig. 5, is provided with a star-wheel e', Fig. 4, which is actuated by an arm p pivoted at p<1>. A stripper e<6> guides the end stamp over a serrated severing-edge e<10> and an affixing- plate e<9> on a lever e<3> pivoted at e<8> to the casing e. When this meets an envelope or the like on the band b<1>, the lever e<3> is rocked by a cam e<7>, Fig. 4, to sever and affix a stamp. As soon as a casing e has passed the affixing position, another stamp is extruded from the casing and is drawn over a wet felt pad f pivoted at f<2> in a water tank f<1>, situated so that the gum on the stamp dissolves thoroughly before reaching the affixing position. The pad f is pressed on the stamps by a spring f<3>, the tension of which is adjustable. Pins on each feed-wheel e<2> actuate the corresponding counter e<4>. When a roll of stamps is exhausted, a brush contacts with the feed-roller e<2> and completes an electric signalling-circuit. Rollers' o carried by arms o<1> pivoted at o<3> support the postal matter when it is being pressed by the stamp affixing and cancelling devices, and differences in the thickness of postal matter are allowed for by rocking the arms o<1> by a cam o<4> carried by a lever o<5> which passes over a scale o<6>. If a stamp becomes affixed to the first supporting- roller o, it is stripped therefrom by a scraper o<8> and is deposited in a tray o<7>. If the rotary cancelling-device g<1> is dispensed with, a pressing-roller is mounted on the shaft g, and cancelling-stamps are mounted at r, Fig. 5, on the levers e<3>. When it is required to rotate the disk d<1> idly, the arm p, the cam e<7>, and the pad f are withdrawn respectively from the paths of the star-wheel e<5>, the lever e<3>, and the stamp-strip, by means of a sliding rod q, Fig. 4. The band b<1> may be horizontal, but if it is inclined as shown, postal matter is fed on to it by way of a shoot c, the breadth of which is adjustable. Bars b<2> which support the postal matter are adjustable in position on the band, for which purpose the band is provided with numerous slots. The band is composed of a number of parallel parts between which the top of a receiver k projects to take off the postal matter. An inclined edge beneath each bar b<2> pushes forward the letters in the receiver k to allow another to enter behind them. Each bar b<2> is provided with a pin which projects so as to actuate a counter only when a letter is present on the bar. An operating-handle is connected to the shaft g by means of a clutch which allows the relative positions of the bars on the band b<1> and the rotary casings e to be adjusted.