Improved Means of Damping Envelopes, Wrappers, and the like, and of Applying Adhesive Stamps and Labels thereto.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Mar., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 19th Dec., 1892-Accepted, 4th Feb., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means of Damping Envelopes, Wrappers, and the like, and
of Applying Adhesive Stamps and Labels thereto.
I, CHARLES COMPTON SETON, of Heath House, Aston-on-Clun, Shropshire,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
This invention relates to improved means of damping envelopes, wrappers, and
the like, (hereinafter included under the general designation of "envelopes,") and
of applying stamps and other adhesive labels (hereinafter included under the
general designation of "stamps ") thereto; the invention being a development of
the invention for which Letters Patent Number 17866 of 1890, were granted to
me on the 6th day of November, 1890; and having special reference to the devices
illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 5, and 6. of the drawings accompanying the Specification
of such Letters Patent.
The present improvements relate to an improved arrangement of the means of
damping that part of the envelope to which the stamp is to be applied on its
insertion into the apparatus ;-to means whereby the damping device is raised
clear of the envelope on the withdrawal of the latter from the apparatus under
the device for rolling the applied stamp on the moistened part of the envelope;-
and to the application to the stamp-applying device of means for facilitating the
relief of the pressure of the plunger or the column of stamps in the stamp-container,
immediately the plunger is relieved of the pressure causing it to apply the stamp
to the envelope, and before the stamp-container is itself raised, so as the better to
assure the adherence of the stamp applied to the envelope causing it to be with-
drawn from the loosened pile in the container.
In carrying out the firstly referred to of such improvements; the damping roller
is covered with a velvet or plush-like absorbent material and normally rests in a
bed which is continually kept wet by absorbent material covering it and dipping
into the base part of the device which contains water.
The roller is mounted, with liberty to rotate, in connected lever-arms which are
pivoted to other connected lever-arms in which the stamp-rolling roller is centred;
the lever-arms supporting the damping-roller being turned back so as to support
such roller intermediate of the rolling-roller and the stamp-applying device.
The spindle of the damping-roller is provided with a ratchet wheel which
engages with a pawl pivoted to one of the arms supporting such roller.
By such means, on the insertion of the envelope into the apparatus, it firstly
passes under the rolling-roller and then under the damping-roller which it raises
but does not rotate, the roller being held by the ratchet and pawl or any
equivalent means which may be used therefor; so that the envelope is the better
wetted by a rubbing contact with the roller as distinguished from a rolling
contact therewith as in the original device.
The arms supporting the damping-roller are so pivoted to the arms in which
the rolling-roller is mounted, as that the damping-roller can be turned about
pivots of its supporting arms and brought to the front of the apparatus and used
for damping the gummed portions of the flaps of envelopes.
For the purpose of raising the damping-roller clear of the envelope on the with-
drawal of the latter from the apparatus, there is pivoted to one of the arms sup-
porting such roller a freely hanging or weighted strut, cam-piece or the like, the
foot-end of which may be stepped or roughened and normally descends into a recess
formed in the face of the top-plate of the base of the device, the strut normally
resting against a suitable stop. On the insertion of the envelope into the apparatus
the strut or cam-piece is thereby turned about its pivot until it rises to the level of

page_text: and rests on the top surface of the envelope in the position of an inclined radius
from its pivot. On the withdrawal of the envelope, the strut is thereby caused to
assume the position of a vertical radius from its pivot, which latter is thus raised,
causing the damping-roller to be correspondingly raised, until the envelope, on
having passed the damping-roller, ceases to support the strut, which thereupon
falls together with the damping-roller to the normal position.
For the purpose of facilitating the relief of the pressure of the plunger on the
stamps, I, according to one modification, apply to the case or frame in which the
stamp-container reciprocates, opposite springs su shaped as to support the stamp-
container when in its normal position, and so disposed as to exert a gentle pressure
on the sides of the container when in action; and I raise the stamp-container by
lifting its plunger immediately after depressing it to apply the stamp to the
envelope. In such lifting action, the stamps are firstly relieved of all pressure, and
the spring within the container is then sufficiently compressed to enable it to lift the
container against the frictional resistance of the springs bearing against its outer
sides, until it escapes from between such springs and rests thereon ready for the
next actuation.
Or, in another modification, a spring supported by the frame of the device may
be so applied to the plunger as to constantly tend to raise it and support the
container, so as to automatically return the plunger and stamp-container to the
normal position (firstly relieving the stamps of the pressure of the plunger,)
immediately after the plunger has been relieved of the pressure which caused it to
be depressed in order to apply the stamp to the envelope.
The whole of such parts may be mounted on a top-plate hinged to the base, so
that the latter can be got-at for filling, emptying, cleansing or any necessary
purpose upon turning the top-plate back upon its hinged connection.
Dated this 26th day of February 1892.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means of Damping Envelopes, Wrappers, and the like, and
of Applying Adhesive Stamps and Labels thereto.
I, CHARLES COMPTON SETON, of Heath House, Aston-on-Clun, Shropshire,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said 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 relates to improved means of damping envelopes, wrappers and
the like, (hereinafter included under the general designation of "envelopes,") and
of applying thereto postage stamps and other adhesive labels, hereinafter included
under the general designation of "stamps ;" the invention being a development of the
invention for which Letters Patent number 17866, were granted to me on the 6th
day of November, 1890; and having special reference to the devices illustrated in
Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6. of the drawings accompanying the Specification of such Letters
Patent.
The present improvements relate to an improved arrangement of the means for
damping that part of the envelope to which the stamp is to be applied whereby the
envelope is caused to be wetted by a rubbing action and the damping device is
rendered applicable for damping the gummed portions of the flaps of envelopes on
insertion into the apparatus ;-to the application to such apparatus of means
whereby the damping device is raised clear of the envelope on the withdrawal of
the latter from the apparatus under the device for rolling the applied stamp on
the moistened part of the envelope; and to the application to the stamp applying
device of means for facilitating the relief of the pressure of the plunger on the

page_text: container.
On the accompanying drawings;-
Fig. 1, represents a plan of the improved apparatus.
Fig. 2, represents an elevation of one side thereof.
Fig. 3, represents part of the other side thereof, in elevation.
Fig. 4, represents a front elevation.
Fig. 5, represents a vertical section of the damping apparatus through the plane
a. b. Fig.
B
Fig. 6, represents a vertical section of the stamp applying device through the
plane c, d, Fig. and
Fig. 7, represents a perspective view, partly in section, of a modification.
In carrying out the firstly referred to of such improvements, the damping-
roller 8, (vide Fig. 5,) is covered or wrapped around with one or more layers of
velvet or of a plush-like absorbent material 9, and normally rests on a bed 10,
supported by standards secured to and rising from the base 13; the bed 10, being
continually kept wet by a covering of like absorbent material 12, dipping into
water contained in the base.
The roller 8, is mounted, with liberty to rotate, in opposite bent lever arms 14,
(vide Figs. 2 and 3,) which are connected by a cross bar 15, and are centred on the
spindle 16, of a solid or weighted stamp-rolling roller 17, which is located by
opposite lever arms 18, which are pivoted, as at 19, to the opposite sides of the
case 20, of the stamp applying device or to any convenient fixed part.
The lever arms 14, normally occupy the position represented in full lines in
Fig. 2, so as to locate the rollers 8,-9, intermediate of the roller 17, and the
stamp applying device, and resting on the bed 10,-12. The spindle 21, of the
damping-roller is provided, at one end, with a ratchet-wheel 22, (vide Figs. 1, 3
and 6,) which engages with a spring pawl 23, pivoted to one of the side
arms 14.
By such means, on the insertion of the envelope into the apparatus, it firstly
passes under the roller 17, and then under the roller 8,-9, which it raises but
does not rotate, the roller being held by the ratchet and pawl or by any equivalent
means which may be used in lieu thereof; so that the envelope is the better wetted
by a rubbing contact with the wet covering of the roller 8, as distinguished from a
rolling contact therewith as in the original device.
The arms 14, being centred as aforesaid, permit of the damping roller being
turned about the spindle 16, of the roller 17, so as to be brought to the front of
the apparatus, and there supported by the cross bar 15, resting on the front edge
of the top plate 11, as represented in dotted lines in Fig. 2, when the roller 8,-9,
can be used for damping the gummed portions of the flaps of the envelopes.
For the purpose of raising the damping-roller clear of the envelope, on the
withdrawal of the latter from the stamp applying apparatus under the stamp
rolling device, there is pivoted, as at 24, to one of the arms 14, a freely hanging or
weighted strut, campiece or the like 25, the foot-end of which may be stepped or
roughened and normally depends in a recess or through an opening 26, formed in
the face of the top-plate 11, the forward and backward movements of the strut
being limited by a stop 27. On the insertion of the envelope into the apparatus
the strut or cam-piece 25, is thereby turned about its pivot 24, until it rises to the
level of and rests on the top surface of the envelope in the position of an inclined
radius from its pivot, vide the dotted lines radiating from its normal position in
Fig. 2. On the withdrawal of the envelope, the strut, while resting thereon, is
caused to assume the position of a vertical radius from its pivot, which latter is
thus raised, causing the damping-roller to be correspondingly raised (not so shown,
however, on the drawings) until the envelope, on having passed the damping-roller,

page_text: ceases to support the strut, which, thereupon, falls together with the damping-roller
to the normal position represented in Fig. 2.
As the envelope bearing the applied stamp is withdrawn under the roller 17,
the latter rolls the stamp onto the moistened part of the envelope, causing the same
to firmly adhere thereto.
For the purpose of facilitating the relief of the pressure of the plunger 28, on
the column of stamps 29, in the stamp container 30, (vide Figs. 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7)
I, according to one modification, vide Fig. 7, apply to the case or frame 20, in which
the stamp container reciprocates, oppositely arranged springs 32, so shaped at 33,
as to support the stamp-container when in its normal position, and so disposed as to
exert a gentle pressure on the sides of the container when the latter is depressed
between them in applying the stamp to the envelope; and I raise the stamp con-
tainer by lifting its plunger immediately after depressing it to apply the stamp to
the envelope. In such lifting action, the stamps are firstly relieved of the pressure
of the plunger, and the spring 34, within the container (and which normally keeps
the plunger bearing on the stamps) is then sufficiently compressed to enable it to
lift the container 30, against the frictional resistance of the springs 32, bearing
against its outer sides, until the container escapes from between the frictional parts
of such springs and rests thereon ready for the next actuation.
According to another modification, a spring supported by or connected to the
case or frame 20, may be so applied to the plunger as constantly to tend to raise it
and support the stamp container, so as to automatically return the plunger and
stamp-container to the normal position (firstly relieving the stamps of the pressure
of the plunger) immediately after the plunger has been relieved of the pressure
which caused it to apply the stamp to the envelope.
Such spring may consist of a helical, spiral or other suitably shaped spring
having a bearing on or connected to the frame or case 20, and operating directly
on the plunger at any convenient part of the exposed part thereof. In the
modification represented in Figs. 1, 2 and
one end to an eye 36, (let into the frame or case 31, or into an adjacent part of
such a spring 35, is connected at the
the apparatus,) and at the other end to a cross bar 37, connecting the lower ends of
two opposite levers 38, which are centred at 39, to the opposite sides of the
frame 20, or to any convenient fixed part their upper ends being connected by
links 40, to a yoke 41, which is slotted at 42, for ready connection to and discon-
nection from the heads of the plunger 28, which is thus suspended therefrom.
To the outer part of the right side of the stamp-container is or may be applied
a metal or other roller 43, which, in the event of the stamp container being used
independently of the aforesaid wetting and rolling apparatus, will enable the applied
stamp to be conveniently rolled onto the envelope.
The locking cover 44, used for securing the contents of the stamp-container
when not in use, is pivoted on the spindle 45, of the roller 43, which is supported
in brackets 46, projecting from the outer side of the stamp-container, and may,
when in use, be secured against the side of the container as indicated in Fig. 6, by
any suitable catch or retaining device 47.
When the stamp-container is fitted with a roller 43, it is also preferably fitted
with opposite vertically disposed ribs 50, engaging with corresponding recesses 51,
nade in the case 20, so as to guide the container in its aforesaid movements. When
the stamp-container fits against all sides of the case as in Fig. 7, the provision of
such guiding details 50, 51, is not required.
The top-plate 11, is hinged to the base 12, as at 48, so that the latter can be got-at!
for filling, emptying, cleaning or any necessary purpose upon turning the top
plate back upon its hinged connection.
In using the apparatus (adapted as described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6,), the
envelope, as it is passed under the rollers 17, and 8,-9, (until it is arrested by the
back upright 49, supporting the stamp-applying details,) raises the pendant &
strut 25, until the latter rests on its upper surface, and is well wetted, at that part
to which the stamp will be applied by its rubbing contact with the roller 8,−9, su

page_text: that on the stamp container 30, being momentarily depressed onto such wetted part
of the envelope, by depressing and releasing its plunger 28, the lowermost con-
tained stamp will be caused to adhere to the wetted envelope. Upon the release of
the plunger, the stamp container is immediately and automatically returned to its
normal position, and its lowermost stamp adhering to the envelope will have been
withdrawn.
Upon the envelope being then withdrawn, it, by means of the strut resting upon
it, causes the damping device to be raised and held clear of it until the applied
stamp has passed from under the damping roller, and as the stamp is withdrawn
under the roller 17, all parts thereof are caused to firmly adhere to the envelope.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The hereinbefore described improved arrangement of means for damping that
part of the envelope to which the stamp is to be applied on its insertion into the
apparatus whereby the envelope is wetted by a rubbing contact, and the device is
rendered applicable for damping the gummed portions of the flaps of envelopes,
substantially in the manner herein before described.
2. The application to such apparatus of means operating substantially in the
manner hereinbefore described whereby the damping device is raised clear of the
envelope on the withdrawal of the latter from the apparatus under the device for
rolling the applied stamp on the moistened part of the envelope.
3. The application to the stamp-applying device of means operating substan-
tially in the manner hereinbefore described for relieving the pressure of the
plunger on the column of stamps in the stamp container, upon the plunger being
relieved of the pressure causing it to apply the stamp to the envelope, before the
stamp container is itself raised.
Dated this 12th day of December 1892
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,.
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.