Patent GB-681215-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to a machine for addressing envelopes
IPC: B41L11/10
Filed: 1950-04-06
Abstract: 681,215. Copying documents &c. WRIGHT, A. J. April 6, 1950, No. 8777/50. Class 100 (ii). Hectograph apparatus.-An envelope addressing machine comprises a pair of spools 13, 19 carrying a hectographic master tape 12 having a list of addresses typed thereon, a platen 5 over which the master tape is moved, an envelope supporting plate 45 extending at right angles to the length of the tape, means for moistening envelopes moved over the plate and comprising pressing means and liquid supply and transfer elements, and means for pressing the moistened surface of each envelope and an address section of the tape into printing engagement with one another. The addresses are typed on the paper tape 12 with the carbon side of a sheet of carbon paper facing the back of the tape so as to make a carbon impression in reverse on the back of the tape. To moisten the envelopes they are fed in turn from the dotted line position (Fig. 1) on the plate 45 between a spring-actuated pressure roll 27 and a liquid transfer roll 28. The roll 27 is normally held in yieldable contact with the roll 28 by springs 67 interposed between the upper portion 68 of a supporting bracket 29 and shoulders 69 provided on pressure bars 71. The lower ends of the bars 71 are forked and engage with the shaft 72 of the roll 27. The lower roll 28 projects through an opening 52 in the plate 45 and is partly immersed in liquid in a tank 35 which has a projecting portion 40 to facilitate replenishment. To control the amount of moistening liquid applied to each envelope an absorbent wiping element 64 fitted around the end of a metal bar 61 in the tank 35, wipes excess liquid from the periphery of the roll. The bar is of such length that when its pointed terminal 62 engages the end wall of the tank its opposite end 63 will be supported against the periphery of the roll 28. The element 64 may be secured to the bar by a staple and has an end portion 66 depending into the liquid. If the level of liquid should fall below the level of the roll 28 the depending portion 66 may act temporarily as a wick to supply liquid to the periphery of the roll. A flange 51 at the back of the plate 45 serves to guide the envelopes in their movement towards the tape 12. A second aperture 54 is formed in the plate 45, immediately above the platen 5 and at this position the previously moistened envelopes are pressed against the tape 12 by a pressure bar 75 having upturned end portions 76, 77 pivotally connected to members 79 of an operating handle 81. This handle is pivotally mounted on an inverted U-shaped bracket 82 and normally held in an elevated position by torsion springs 87. Links 91 arranged parallel to the side members 79 of the handle are pivoted to the portions 76, 77 and to the bracket 82 and ensure a straight line vertical movement of the pressure bar 75. This bar is provided with a cushion pad 92 for engagement with the envelope. A mirror 93 is provided for the operator to view each address and to ensure correct positioning thereof; line 94 (Fig. 2) indicating the reflection of the address into the mirror and line 95 the operator's line of vision. A pair of spring fingers 96 hold the marginal edges of the tape 12 in contact with the platen 5. In operation the master tape is wound onto the spool 19 by means of a crank 21 until the last address coincides with the opening 54. After printing, the operator moves the tape to the next address by engaging projections 100 on the end discs 14 of spool 13. Frictional means are provided to prevent overrunning of either spool and the spool 13 rotates on pivots 15 received in open ended slots 16 to facilitate easy removal of the spool. Corrections to the master tape may be made by sticking over the old address a gummed label having the new address typed thereon. In a modification means are provided for automatically advancing the tape each time the handle 81 is depressed. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specification 686,847.