An Apparatus for Moistening and Closing the Gum Flap of Envelopes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Sept., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 18th June, 1894-Accepted, 21st July, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Apparatus for Moistening and Closing the Gum Flap of
Envelopes.
We, GUIDO SCHNEIDER of Rochlitz, Saxony, Manufacturer, and OTTOMAR
VOERTLER of Colditz, Saxony, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention consists of an apparatus for moistening the gum flap of envelopes
so as to dispense with the usual moistening of such flap with the tongue; the
apparatus also effects the closing of the moistened flap.
The apparatus mainly consists of a box in which two compartments or divisions
are so arranged and fixed that a space of the shape of an obtuse angle-
corresponding with the shape of the gum flap-is formed by the vertical walls of the
said compartments, these walls being of different height and having holes at their
lower part. The rear wall is higher, than the front wall.
In the space above mentioned a strip or piece of felt or other absorbent material
is inserted, the top of this material being caused to protrude a little above or
beyond the front compartment but not up to the surface of the rear compartment.
To the back of the box are hinged two movable covers, the inner cover having
on its under side a projecting part or being of increased thickness, this part
corresponding with the form of the space already described so that when this cover
is closed it presses upon the surface of the felt strip.
This cover has also a small stop flap at its front edge.
The outer cover is lined or covered on its inner face with cloth, thick blotting
paper or any other suitable material. The rear compartment has an aperture with
cover for filling the box with water and with an aperture into which a sponge may
be inserted for moistening stamps.
The moistening and closing of the envelope flap is effected as follows:-
The gum flap of the envelope is placed with its gummed part upon the wet strip
of felt the edge of the flap being against the wall of the rear compartment; the
inner cover is then pressed down upon the flap, the stop flap of this cover being
Then this
kept up, so as not to interfere with the pressing down of the cover.
cover is raised, the envelope is withdrawn the cover is again lowered with its stop
flap free or hanging, so that the lower surface of the cover does not touch the felt
and is thereby prevented from becoming moistened. The moistened envelope is
next placed flap uppermost on the inner cover and by now pressing down the outer
cover the flap is closed upon the envelope.
Dated this 10th day of Sentember 1893.
J. C. MEWBURN,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Apparatus for Moistening and Closing the Gum Flap of
Envelopes.
We GUIDO SCHNEIDER of Rochlitz, Saxony, Manufacturer and OTTOMAR
VOERTLER of Colditz, Saxony, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention consists of an apparatus for moistening the gum flap of envelopes,

page_text: so as to dispense with the usual moistening of such flap with the tongue; the
apparatus also effects the closing of the moistened flap.
The accompanying drawing is a perspective view of the apparatus when open. It
mainly consists of a box a, which may be of metal, glass, earthenware or other
suitable material, in which two compartments or divisions b and c are so arranged
and fixed that a space of the shape of an obtuse angle, corresponding with the
shape of the gummed part of the flap, is formed by the vertical walls d and e of
the said compartments, these walls being of different height and having holes at
their lower part. The rear walle is higher than the front wall d.
In the space above mentioned a strip or piece of of felt for other absorbent
material is inserted, the top of this material being caused to protrude a little
above or beyond the front compartment, but not up to the surface of the rear
compartment e.
i
To the back of the box a are hinged two movable covers and h, the inner g
having on its under side a projecting part or being of increased thickness at the
part, this part corresponding with the form of the space already described, so
that when this covery is closed it presses upon the surface of the felt strip /
The cover g has also a small stop flap » at its front edge.
The outer edge h is lined or covered on its inner face with cloth, thick blotting
paper or any other suitable material. The rear compartment has an aperture k
with cover for filling the box a with water and an aperture m into which a sponge
may be inserted for moistening stamps.
The moistening and closing of the envelope flap are effected as follows:-
The gum flap of the envelope is placed with its gummed part upon the wet strip
of felt f, the edge of the flap being against the wall e of the rear compartment c,
the inner cover g is then pressed down upon the flap, the stop flap n of this cover
being kept up so as not to interfere with the pressing down of the cover. Then
this cover is raised, the envelope is withdrawn, the cover g is again lowered with its
stop flap n free or hanging, so that the lower surface of the cover does not touch
the felt and is thereby prevented from becoming moistened. The moistened
envelope is next placed flap uppermost on the inner cover g and by now pressing
down the outer cover h the flap is closed upon the envelope.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
An apparatus for moistening the gum flap of envelopes and closing the same,
comprising a box such as a for containing water, and provided with a strip or piece
of felt or other absorbent material such as fof a shape corresponding with that of
the gummed part of the flap, and with two covers such as g and h, the one cover
serving by a projecting or thick part to press the gummed flap upon the wet strip
and the other cover serving to subsequently close the flap, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
Dated this 18th day of June 1894.
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.