AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR WETTING THE GUMMED OR GLUED FLAP OF ENVELOPES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Friedrich Hermann Felix Engel, Civil Engineer and
Patent Agent, in the City of Hamburg, Germany, for an Invention of "AN
IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR WETTING THE GUMMED OR GLUED FLAP OF
ENVELOPES." A communication from Bernhard Amsberg, of Hamburg, in
the German Empire.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Friedrich Hermann Felix
Engel at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th April
1881.
FRIEDRICH HERMANN FELIX ENGEL, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent, in the
City of Hamburg, Germany. "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR WETTING THE
GUMMED OR GLUED FLAP OF ENVELOPES." A communication from Bernhard
Amsberg, of Hamburg, in the German Empire.
The purpose of this Invention is the construction of an apparatus for moistening
envelope flaps or wrapper ends in a simple and quicker manner than by moisten-
ing the same by the tongue. The apparatus may be made adjustable so as to fit
envelopes of different shape and size.
The construction of the apparatus is as follows: A square box of metal or wood
contains a vessel which is filled with water, and from the interior of this vessel
two wicks of cotton or other soft and suitable material are led upon the cover
plate of the box, and are there placed in small open channels or gutters of sheet
metal. These gutters are placed at angle to each other, so as to fit the shape of the
gummed flap of the envelopes that have to be wetted. These gutters turn on pins,
and can by a lever or other mechanical arrangement be adjusted so as to form
different angles according to different shapes or sizes of envelopes that may be used.
Behind and parallel to each gutter two or more arms or pins are passed through the
cover plate of the box, and these pins or arms are with the bottom ends fastened
to plates arranged inside the box and kept in position by two or more springs
which press the plates upwards towards the cover plate of the box. The upper

page_text: ends of these pins or arms project somewhat above the wicks placed upon the
gutters, and these ends serve as a guide to secure an exact position of the flap when
placed on the wicks.
For using the apparatus the opened flap is with its gummed or glued side placed
upon the wicks, which latter contain a considerable quantity of water sucked up
from the vessel before described. By an outer cover hinged turnable to the upper
side and the binder end of the box, a pressure is exerted upon the outer side of the
flap, which latter is consequently pressed down upon the moist wicks. The gummed
parts are by this means wetted, and the flap may be closed directly after the
envelope is taken from the apparatus. By placing one envelope after the other
into the apparatus, and by giving one pressure of the cover (that opens again
automatically by a spring action) each time, a great number of envelopes or
wrappers can be wetted within a very short time.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Friedrich Hermann Felix Engel in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 11th October 1881.
FRIEDRICH HERMANN FELIX ENGEL, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent, in the
City of Hamburg, Germany. " AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR WETTING THE
GUMMED OR GLUED FLAP OF ENVELOPES." A communication from Bernhard
Amsberg, of Hamburg, in the German Empire.
The purpose of this Invention is the construction of an apparatus for moistening
envelope flaps or wrapper ends in a simple and quicker manner than by moisten-
ing the same by the tongue. The apparatus may be made adjustable so as to fit
envelopes of different shape and size.
The construction of the apparatus is as follows:-
open
A square box of metal or wood contains a vessel which is filled with water, and
from the interior of this vessel two wicks of cotton or other soft and suitable
material are led upon the cover plate of the box, and are there placed in small
channels or gutters of sheet metal. These gutters are placed at angle to each other,
so as to fit the shape of the gummed flap of the envelopes that have to be wetted..
These gutters turn on pins, and can by a lever or other mechanical arrangement be
adjusted so as to form different angles according to different shapes or sizes of
envelopes that may be used. Behind and parallel to each gutter two or more arms
or pins are passed through the cover plate of the box, and these pins or arms are
with the bottom ends fastened to plates arranged inside the box and kept in
position by two or more springs which press the plates upwards towards the cover:
plate of the box. The upper ends of these pins or arms project somewhat above
the wicks placed upon the gutters, and these ends serve as a guide to secure an;
exact position of the flap when placed on the wicks.
For using the apparatus the opened flap is with its gummed or glued side placed
upon the wicks, which latter contain a considerable quantity of water sucked up
from the vessel before described. By an outer cover hinged turnably to the upper
side and hinder end of the box, a pressure is exerted on the outer side of the flap, .
which latter is consequently pressed down upon the moist wicks.
The gummed parts are by these means wetted, and the flap may be closed directly.
after the envelope is taken from the apparatus. By placing one envelope after the :
other into the apparatus, and by giving one pressure of the cover (that opens again
automatically by a spring action), each time a great number of envelopes or
wrappers can be wetted within a very short time.
In the accompanying Sheet of Drawings is represented the construction of this.
improved apparatus. Fig. 1 is a front view; Fig. 2, a cross section; Fig. 3, a
longitudinal section, and Fig. 4, a plan of same with cover removed; Fig. 5 is
a cross section of the apparatus in closed state during the operation of moistening
or wetting the envelope flaps; Figs. 6 and 7 are details showing the mechanical
arrangement used for adjusting the apparatus to different sized envelopes.
A is a box or case of wood or metal closed at the top by a cover plate C, and
carrying a vessel B that contains the water which may be filled in through the
stopper m. One of the ends of the wicks o, o¹, reach into the water contained in
vessel B, and these wicks are with the parts projecting from vessel B placed in the
open gutters g, g¹, resting on plate C. The wicks are kept wet by sucking the water
up from vessel B. The gutters g, g', are placed at such angle to each other as
is required to fit the shape of envelope-flaps or wrapper ends that have to be
wetted. As this shape varies in envelopes of different makes this angle is made
adjustable in manner hereinafter described.
Parallel to and behind each gutter g and g¹, a row of pins or studs r, r¹, project
above plate C through slots e, and these pins are fastened at their lower ends in

page_text: plates a, a, placed below C, which plates are supported and carried by a plate b
and spring 8, 8¹. The innermost pins x and x¹ of the rows of pins are however not
fastened to plates a, a', but to the plate b, and these pins serve as fulcrums
for adjusting the angle formed by the gutters to suit different shaped-flaps of
envelopes.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-
The gummed side of an envelope flap is placed upon the wicks by pressing the
outer edge of the flap against the rows of pins r, r¹. The cover D, which is hinged
turnably on v, vl, is then pressed down by pressure (given by hand).
The cover first forces the pieces inward towards box A, and after that forces the
flap down upon the wicks (see Fig. 5), in consequence of which the gummed part
resting on the wicks is wetted.
The cover returns by the action of springs or by other arrangements to its first
position as soon as the pressure is taken from it, and the envelope is removed from
the apparatus and can be closed directly. Together with the cover the pins r, r¹,
return to their upper position by action of the spiral springs 8, 8¹, and another
envelope can be placed into the apparatus and be wetted by renewed pressure of
cover D.
For adjusting the angle enclosed by the gutters and wicks the plates a, a¹,
carrying the pins r, r³, are turnable on pins x, x¹, and these plates turn in either
direction when the arm E is drawn forward or pushed backward. The slots e of
plate C allow of sufficient play to the pins, as will be understood with reference
to Fig. 7 of the Drawings. The gutters follow the motions of the pins, and conse-
quently different positions or angles may be given to the wicks; Figs. 6 and 7 show
arm E drawn out, whilst Fig. 4 shows this arm pushed inward, and the different
size of angle enclosed by the gutters and wick will be clearly seen from these
Figures of the Drawings.
Having now described the nature and particulars of the said Invention in
such wise that the same may be readily carried into effect, I claim,-
o', in combina-
Firstly. The application of adjustable gutters g, g', and wicks o,
tion with vessel 6, containing liquid that is sucked or drawn by the wicks for the
purpose of wetting the flaps placed with the gummed side on the wicks, and
pressed down upon these wicks by means of cover D, substantially as herein
described, and in reference to and shown by the Drawings.
Secondly. The combination of gutters g, g¹, and the two rows of pins r, p²,
working up and down, substantially as and for the purpose herein described and
shown by the Drawings.
Thirdly. The gutters and wicks adjustable by the turning of the foot plates a, a',
to which the bottom ends of the pins r, r, are fastened for the purpose of adjustably
fitting the apparatus to different sized flaps of envelopes, substantially as described
and with reference to the Drawings, and
Fourthly. The general arrangement of the apparatus for wetting the gummed
surface of envelope flaps or wrapper ends, constructed and operating substantially
as herein set forth and shown by the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Friedrich Hermann Felix Engel, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
F. H. F. ENGEL. (L.S.)