Improved Apparatus for Affixing Postage or other Adhesive Stamps, Labels, or the like upon Envelopes or other Surfaces.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Apr., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 26th Jan., 1898-Accepted, 19th Mar., 1898
Improved Apparatus for Affixing Postage or other Adhesive Stamps,
Labels, or the like upon Envelopes or other Surfaces.
I, ALWIN FRENTZEL, of 20, Pötzleinsdorferstrasse, Vienna, XVIII, in the Empire
of Austria, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The apparatus forming the subject of this invention is adapted for affixing
singly postage or other adhesive stamps, gummed slips or tickets labels or the like,
a number of which are for this purpose piled up or stored within the apparatus.
The distinguishing feature of such apparatus is a spring-controlled reciprocating
stamping device or plunger in the lower part of which is formed a receptacle or
reservoir for the adhesive stamps or labels; in combination with a moistening
device which, as the plunger is being depressed moistens that part of the surface
which is to receive the stamp or label; so that, when the said plunger is eventually
pressed home, to the end of its downward stroke, the lowermost one of the pile of
stamps or labels will be made to adhere to the part thus moistened.
In order to illustrate, by way of example, the manner in which the invention
may be carried into effect, one form of postage-stamp fixing apparatus, constructed
in accordance with this invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, in
which
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of the apparatus, showing the stamp
or plunger in its raised position.
Figure 2 is a similar view but showing the plunger lowered; the section being
taken in a different plane from Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section of the apparatus.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal or side elevation of the same, showing the plunger
or stamp fully depressed, and the receptacle or reservoir projecting from the pro-
tecting outer casing of the apparatus.
Figures 5 and 6 are two vertical sections taken at right angles to each other of
the lower part of the said stamp or plunger, including the receptacle or reservoir
for the supply of postage-stamps.
Figures 7 and 8 are, respectively, a section and a top view, or plan, of the frame
which serves to retain the adhesive stamps or the like within the receptacle or
reservoir.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the frame drawn to an enlarged scale.
Figure 10 represents a portion of the same, and
Figure 11 is a cross section of part of the moistening device, also represented on
an enlarged scale.
The receptacle or reservoir a for the supply of postage stamne h in

page_text: fitted upon the shaft c¹ of a stamp or plunger c, to the lower end of which there
is secured an india rubber or other elastic pad ², adapted to rest upon the pile of
adhesive stamps b.
Within the receptacle or reservoir a,-between the top-wall thereof and the plun-
ger c, a spiral spring is arranged which compresses the pile of stamps b beneath.
The frame d serves to prevent the postage stamps from falling out of the recep-
tacle or reservoir a.
This frame d is so constructed that as shown in Figures 7 and 8 the spaces at
its angles are filled in by insertion pieces such as d', whilst in the centre of its
longitudinal sides, a series of short knife-edges project inwardly. These, in
conjunction with the insertion or filling pieces d' above mentioned afford sufficient
means for the retention of the pile of stamps.
The said frame furthermore retains in position the receptacle or reservoir a
by means of two spring catches, d³ (Figure 6). By pressing back these springs,
through the medium of the knobs d fixed therewith, the frame d may be released,
so that it may be removed from the receptacle a when desired for example, when
the receptacle or reservoir requires re-filling with postage-stamps.
C
The shaft c¹ of the plunger c which extends upwards, passes through a tubular
guide e of square section, provided in the top wall of the casing A of the apparatus
and as shown in Figure 2, it is provided with a recess or hollow space at c².
Into the space of the shaft is telescopically fitted a rod fi, secured to the
under side of the hollow pressing knob f and which rod is adapted to enter the
shaft when the pressing knob f is depressed as represented at Figure 2.
Between the elongated pressing knob f and the upper wall of the protecting
casing A, on each side of the shaft c¹, buffer or return springs are provided,
which, when the pressure is relaxed cause the depressed knob f to resume its
initial position.
Through the buffer or return springs y and through apertures in the upper wall
of the protecting casing A two rods and extend into the interior of the said
casing, one of which rods, his rigidly connected with the pressing knob f, whilst
the other, k, having its upper end bent at right angles enters the hollow interior
of the knob f but without forming any rigid connection therewith.
The object of the rod h is to compress the india rubber ball which is located
within the casing A and filled with water whenever the knob f is depressed and
thus the water is forced through the jet ', controllable by means of the cock B,
into the perforated nozzle or rose l².
To this end the rod h, at its lower end, is provided with a nose or tappet h¹, which,
as the said rod descends, presses upon a thin metal or other plate m hinged or
pin jointed at m¹ to the casing A thereby causing the end m2 of such plate to com-
press the ball.
The said plate m is flexible, so that by bending the same more or less either
inwardly or upwardly, the pressure brought to bear upon the india rubber ball
and consequently the quantity of water forced out of the rose may be regulated.
The purpose of the second rod k is to conduct the moistening device proper,
after it has been supplied with water from the rose 12, over the surface to which
the stamp or the like is to be affixed and thereby to damp the same.
To this end the rod is constructed in the form of a rack, adapted to gear with
the pinion upon the spindle of which there is also fixed a toothed wheel k
which engages with another and larger gearwheel k³.
To the plane surface of such gear wheel, the carrier, holding the brush p
is secured at right angles to the plane of the said wheel as illustrated in Figure 3.
The brush p, the area of which should be proportioned to the extent of the sur-
face to be moistened, is preferably covered with a piece of chamois leather p
(Figure 11), so as to prevent splashing, and is mounted upon a spindle adapted
to oscillate within the brush-carrier
The said spindle, through the medium of an arm supports a counter
weight, the object of which shall be presently stated.

page_text: Figure 1 shows the apparatus in its normal condition.
Supposing now that the pressing knob f is depressed, then, first of all, the
rubber ball will be compressed by the enlargement h¹ of the rod h; water will
thereby be forced into the rose 12, whence it will flow on to the brush p which in
its normal position, rests in contact with the said rose.
While this is taking place and until its upper end
meets the upper wall of the
pressing knob f (see Figures 1 and 2) the rack k remains inoperative.
After this, the said rack k, in its turn, begins to descend and, by means of the
pinions, turns both the wheel and brush pand which latter, accordingly,
travels over the area to be moistened.
During these operations the counter-balance weight slides upwards in the
direction of the arrow (see Figure 1), along a peculiarly curved path or track
until the brush p and its carrier k have reached the position indicated by dot-and-
dash lines.
At this juncture the weight tilts in the downward direction, whilst the brush p
is by the same movement swung upwards as shown at Figure 2.
In the meantime the shoulder få of the rod f¹ has reached the top of the shaft c',
and the receptacle or reservoir a containing the supply of postage stamps together
with the entire plunger c is depressed until it comes to rest upon the moistened
surface in the manner above described (see Figure 2); the springs a' which are
secured to the top of the casing at one end, and to the receptacle a at the other
being at the same time compressed.
The lowermost postage stamp of the pile with its gummed surface downwards,
will in consequence adhere to the moist surface and by that time also the knives &
will have made cuts in the edges of the lowest stamps of the pile, so that when
the pressure knob f is released, the lowermost stamp will become disengaged from
the framed that is, issue from the receptacle.
Inasmuch as the knives are each provided at its base with lateral extensions
or flanges (Figure 10) projecting at right angles to their surfaces, a sufficient
support is afforded to the remaining stamps to prevent their falling out of the
receptacle a during the upward return movement of the plunger c.
As the pressing knob f rises, the brush p returns to its original position, seeing
however, that it is now turned back in an upward direction as indicated at Figure 2
the stamp already affixed is not moistened during the return journey of the brush.
The counter balance weight which is turned down now slides upwards along
the curved right-hand portion q* of the track or way 9 and is in consequence,
tilted over again, so that the brush moves back to its normal position that is into
contact with the rose or nozzle /².
The covering of leather surrounding or enveloping the brush is slit, cut or
perforated as at 72 (Figure 13) in a manner to coincide with the perforations of
the rose 2, so that the liquid may be injected directly into the brush
T
The two rods h and k slide in guides which are secured to the top of the casing A,
and preferably surround the said rods on three sides.
The receptacle or reservoir a when empty is refilled with stamps (or the like)
in the following manner:-
The knob is depressed as far as is necessary to cause the spring catches f³,
secured to the head or shoulder 2 to enter the socket s carried by the casing A,
and to catch under the projection s¹ (Figure 3); so that the said knob f and plun-
ger c are held in their depressed position during the filling operation.
The frame d attached to the fower end of the receptacle or reservoir a emerges
through the opening A' formed in the bottom of the casing A, as indicated in dot.
and-dash lines in Figure 2.
The said frame may then be drawn forth from the casing A until the spring t
secured to the receptacle or reservoir a catches the casing A bordering the aper-
ture A (Figure 4) when the frame d may be released by pressing the knobs (4
and removed.
The stamps, labels, or the like may be inserted into the receptacle or reservoir

page_text: after which the frame d is replaced in position and the spring pressed back with
the result that the receptacle or reservoir a under the action of the compressed
springs a¹, re-enters the casing A.
The spring catch f³ is then pressed back so that the pressing knob f is restored
to its initial position by the springs y as shown at Figures 1 and 2.
The rubber ball when empty is re-filled with water in the following manner:-
The door A2 (see Figure 4) of the casing A is opened and the end of a short
length of flexible tube u (see Figure 1), which is coupled to the pipe 1, leading
from the ball to the rose 12, is drawn out of the aperture in the casing. Then
after closing the cock 13, fitted in the said pipe ', the rubber ball 7 is compressed
with the finger while the end of the pipe is dipped in a vessel filled with water.
Upon the rubber ball being relieved from pressure it will draw or suck in the
water in the well known manner until it is filled.
The end of the flexible pipe u is then once more placed in the casing A; the
cock is turned on, and the door A2 closed, the apparatus being thereby put in
working order again.
As before stated the apparatus may be employed for fixing a considerable
variety of gummed slips stamps or the like and such as revenue-stamps labels, vig-
nettes and other similar devices, the shape or outline of the receptacle or reser-
voir a and frame d in each case being modified to correspond with the particular
class of adhesive slips or stamps to be affixed.
Improved Apparatus for Affixing Postage or other Adhesive Stamps,
Labels, or the like upon Envelopes or other Surfaces.
I, ALWIN FRENTZEL, of 20, Pötzleinsdorferstrasse, Vienna XVIII, in the Empire
of Austria, Merchant, 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:-
The apparatus forming the object of this invention is adapted for affixing singly
to envelopes or other surfaces, postage, revenue, or other adhesive stamps, gummed
slips or tickets, labels or the like, a number of which are for this purpose piled
up or stored within the apparatus.
The distinguishing feature of such apparatus is a spring controlled reciprocating
stamping device or plunger, in the lower part of which is formed a receptacle or
reservoir for the adhesive stamps or labels in combination with a moistening de-
vice, which as the plunger is being depressed moistens that part of the surface
which is to receive the stamp or label.
In the annexed drawings Figures 1 and 2 are vertical longitudinal sections of
the apparatus, showing the stamp or plunger in its raised and in its lowered posi-
tions respectively.
Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section of the apparatus showing the plunger
in its raised position.
Figure 4 is a front elevation of the same showing the plunger or stamp fully
depressed, and the receptacle or reservoir being drawn out from the protecting

page_text: outer casing of the apparatus for the purpose of supplying the same with stamps
or the like.
Figures 4 to 11 represent separate parts of the apparatus.
The receptacle or reservoir a (Figures 5 and 6) for the supply of postage stamps b
is, as shown, fitted upon the shaft c of a stamp or plunger c, to the lower end of
which there is secured an india rubber or other elastic pad having a concave
shaped bottom surface and adapted to be pressed upon the stamps 6 by the action
of a spring 3.
The frame d with its projecting studs or knives d² (Figures 7 to 10) serves to
prevent the stamps from falling out of the receptacle or reservoir a, and is affixed
to the receptacle by means of two spring catches d³.
The shaft c of the plunger which extends upwards is suitably guided within
the hollow rod fi provided at the top with the pressing knob f, which rod f
works in the guide socket e fixed to the top of the casing A of the apparatus.
The springs a (Figure 3) which are fastened by their upper ends to the cover
of the casing A and by their bottom ends to the receptacle a serve to maintain the
latter in its raised position (Figures 1 and 3).
Between the elongated pressing knob and the upper wall of the protecting
casing A, on each side of the hollow rod f', springs are provided, which, when
the pressure is relaxed cause the depressed knob f to resume its initial position.
Through the buffer or return springs y and through apertures in the upper wall
of the casing A two rods h and extend into the interior of the said casing one, h,
of which rods is rigidly connected with the pressing knob f whilst the other k
having its upper end bent at right angles enters the hollow interior of the knob f
but without forming any rigid connection therewith.
The rod is provided at its lower end with a nose or tappet h', which, as the
said rod descends, presses upon an arm m hinged or pin jointed at m¹ to the
casing A, whereby the india rubber ball located within the casing A and filled
with water is compressed whenever the knob f is depressed and thus the water is
forced through the jet l'capable of being regulated by means of the cock into the
perforated nozzle or rose 12.
The purpose of the second rod k is to conduct the moistening device proper, after
it has been supplied with water from the rose 12, over the surface to which the stamp
or the like is to be affixed and thereby to moisten the same.
toothed wheel
To this end the rod k is constructed in the form of a rack, adapted to gear with
the pinion upon the spindle of which there is also fixed
which engages with another and larger gear wheel.
To the plane surface of such gear wheel and perpendicularly to its surface
is secured a carrier within which an oscillating spindle is arranged to whis
latter is affixed the moistening brush p (Figure 3).
This brush 2, the width of which should be proportioned to the extent of the
surface to be moistened is preferably covered with a piece of soft thin leather pl
(Figure 11) so as to prevent splashing.
The said spindle supports a counter weight 18, which by means of a pin is
guided in a curved shaped path in such a manner that the brush ? touches the
surface which is to be moistened only during its forward stroke.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:-
Supposing that the pressing knob f is moved from its normal position (Figure 1)
and depressed, then, first of all, the rubber ball 7 will be compressed by the action
of the rod upon the arm m; water will thereby be forced into the rose whence
it will flow on to the brush p which in its normal position rests in contact with
the said rose.
While this is taking place and until its upper end meets the upper wall of
the pressing knob f (see Figures 1 and 2) the rack k remains inoperative.
When the depression of the knob f is continued further, the said rack k, in its
turn begins to descend, and, by means of the pinions puts in motion the
wheel and the brush p.

page_text: During this stage of the operation the counter weight ³ will slide with its pin 49
over the middle raised portion of the curve shaped path q in consequence of which
the brush p will travel over the area to be moistened not in an arc of a circle but
horizontally.
During these operations the counter balance weight with its pin slides up-
wards in the direction of the arrow (see Figure 1) along the curved path until
the brush p and its carrier have reached the position indicated by dotted
lines.
At this juncture the counter weight ³ tilts or tumbles over in a downward direc-
tion, whilst the brush p is by the same movement swung upwards as shown at
Figure 2.
By the time the moistening has been completed, the interior or upper end f
of the hollow rod fl will have reached the upper end of the shaft c¹ of the plun-
ger c, whereby the latter together with the receptacle a is caused to move down-
ward until the lowermost stamp comes to rest upon the moistened surface in the
manner above described (see Figure 2) the springs at which have been maintaining
the receptacle a in a raised position being thereby extended.
The lowermost postage stamp of the pile with its gummed surface downwards will
in consequence adhere to the moist surface to which it is to be applied and by that
time also the knives & will have made cuts or incisions into the edges of the
lowest stamps of the pile, so that when the pressure knob f is released, the lower-
most stamp will become disengaged from the frame d so that it can issue from the
receptacle.
Inasmuch as the knives are each provided at its base with lateral extensions
or flanges (Figures 9, 9 and 10) projecting at right angles to their surfaces,
these projections together with the corner strips d afford a sufficient support to
the remaining stamps to prevent their falling out of the receptacle a during the
upward return movement of the plunger c.
As the pressing knob is raised the brush 2 is brought back into its original
position; during this period the brush is retained in its tilted position owing to
the fact that the counter weight slides on the left hand part of the path q, so that
the brush will not come into contact with the stamp already affixed. By this time
the counter weight will commence to slide along the right hand part of the curved
path thereby causing the brush to be tilted again and thus to return into its
normal position in which the rose will again bear against it.
The two rods and k slide in guides which are secured to the top of the casing A,
and preferably surround the said rods on three sides.
The receptacle or reservoir a when empty is refilled with stamps (or the like)
in the following manner:
The knob f is at first depressed towards the casing A as far as is necessary to cause
the spring catches f³, secured to the upper end of the hollow rod fi (Figure 3)
to catch under the projections of the guide e (Figure 4), whereby the knob f
and the plunger care prevented from making their return motion (see Figure 4^).
The frame d attached to the lower end of the receptacle or reservoir a emerges
through the opening i formed in the bottom of the casing A, so far as is indi-
cated in dot-and-dash lines in Figure 2.
The said frame d may then be seized with the hand and the receptacle a drawn
forth from the casing A until the nose t of the spring secured to the receptacle or
reservoir a catches under the border of the aperture (Figure 4), a projection ar-
ranged above the noset preventing the receptacle a being drawn out to a further
extent than is required. The frame can thereupon be released by pressing the
knobs d and removed.
The stamps labels or the like arranged in a pile may then be inserted into the
receptacle or reservoir, and for facilitating this operation an opening is cut in
the lateral wall of the receptacle a (Figure 6).
After this the frame is replaced in position and the spring pressed back with

page_text: the result that the receptacle or reservoir a under the action of the extended
springs a re-enters the casing A. The spring catch f³ is then pressed back by de-
pressing the knob s¹ of the guide e (Figure 4) so that the pressing knob f is re-
stored to its initial position (Figure 1) by the action of the springs g.
The rubber ball when empty is re-filled with water in the following manner:
The door A¹ (see Figure 4) of the casing A is opened and the end of a short
length of flexible tube u (see Figure 1), which is coupled to the pipe l, leading
from the ball to the rose 2, is drawn out of the aperture in the casing. Then,
after closing the cock, fitted in the said pipe , the rubber ball 7 is compressed
with the finger while the end of the pipe uis dipped in a vessel filled with water.
Upon the rubber ball being relieved from pressure it will draw or suck in the
water in the well known manner until it is filled. The flexible pipe u is then
placed back again in the casing A, the cock 3 is turned on, and the door A¹ closed.
The latter then presses by means of an elastic projection v (Figure 4) upon the
tube and thus closes the same air-tight.
In this manner the apparatus is put in working order again.
As before stated, the apparatus may be employed for fixing a considerable
variety of gummed papers such as revenue stamps, labels, and other similar articles,
the shape or outline of the receptacle a and frame d in each case being modified
to correspond with the particular shape of adhesive slips or stamps to be affixed.
The apparatus herein before described may also be combined with a tell-tale
device affixed to the same and operated by the rod f for the purpose of recording
the number of papers fed from the apparatus as will be readily understood.
Two sets of apparatus having the described construction may be connected to-
gether or arranged within one common casing.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. Apparatus for affixing adhesive postage or other stamps, labels, tickets, or
the like to various surfaces, wherein, through the motion of a stamp or die adapted
to hold the adhesive stamps or slips in the form of a pile, the quantity of water
required for immediate use is squirted on to a moistener such moistener being in
one direction guided parallel to and in contact with the surface on which the stamps
or the like are to be affixed after which it is turned upward and moved in the con-
trary direction without coming into contact with said surface substantially as
herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.
2. Apparatus for effecting the operations described in the preceding Claim
comprising a toothed wheel 5 adapted to be set in rotary motion by the depression
of a knob through the medium of a rack k and pinions, upon which
toothed wheel the moistener p, weighted with a counter weight 18, is capable of
swinging, such moistener being guided by a pin along a curved or cam-shaped
path 9 in such a manner that when the apparatus is worked, it is conducted hori-
zontally over the surface to which the stamps or the like are to be affixed after
which it is turned upwards and moved back without being allowed to repeat the
moistening operation; being eventually swung back to its normal position, sub-
stantially as herein shown and described.
3. In apparatus of the character referred to in the first Claim, a frame d re-
movably attached to the adhesive stamp-receptacle a and fitted with inwardly pro-
jecting knives or knife-edges, enlarged at the base, which when the pile is
depressed, make cuts or incisions in the edges of the adhesive stamps or labels,
so that the lowermost stamp or label may leave the receptacle, while the rest of
the pile is retained in the receptacle a by the enlargements & substantially as
herein shown and described.
4. In apparatus. of the character referred to in the first Claim a device for sup-
plying the moistener with water, consisting of an elastic or resilient water chamber
adapted to be compressed by a pressure block m actuated by means of the rod h

page_text: moved by the depression of a knob, the said chamber / being provided with a suc-
tion tube, stop-cock and, cut off device substantially as herein shown and described.
Dated this 26th day of January 1898.
WHITE & WOODINGTON,
Rooms 221 to 225, Birkbeck Bank Chambers,
Southampton Buildings, London, Agents.