IMPROVEMENTS IN POSTMARKING AND CANCELLING MACHINES
Year: 1885

page_text: I MARTIN VAN BUREN ETHRIDGE residing at 6, Staniford Street, in the City
of Boston, County of Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts, in the United States
of America, gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
'IMPROVEMENTS IN POSTMARKING AND CANCELLING MACHINES" and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement:-
"
My invention relates to stamp cancelling and postmarking letters, postal cards
and other mail matter, and delivering the same for sorting and distribution to the
mails by one continuous series of appropriate mechanical operations, whereby the
letters, cards, etc. are automatically adjusted, timed, carried through an auto-
matically adjustible cancelling and marking mechanism and propelled to the
"sorting" table, whence they are distributed according to destination.
Heretofore machinery for postmarking and stamp-cancelling letters of various
dimensions has not been practical for the reason among others, that when the
letters are fed by hand directly to the cancelling and marking devices the operation
of stamping is not so rapid and unfailing as that attained by the use of a hand
stamp.
And an automatic feed has not hitherto been reliable on account of the great
inequalities usual in the size and thickness of letters and their envelopes, as
found in the mails and the consequent difficulty of making the mechanis readily
and accurately adjustable to the various requirements of the matter to be
acted upon.
These objections I have succeeded in overcoming besides effecting a great reduction
as compared with other methods, in the time, labor and expense of preparing mail
matter for distribution and mailing.
My invention involves the "facing" of letters directly into the machine and
upon a moving support contained therein by which each letter is automatically
adjusted or aligned. By "facing" the letters it will be understood that I refer
to their being arranged with the attached postage stamps on each in the same
(or approximately the same) relative position. This I do without previously
bunching" the letters into packages as ordinarily practiced.
"
The invention also embraces a hopper of peculiar form and position in which is
arranged a pair of travelling bands that constitute the moving support upon which
the letters are faced and aligned successively.

page_text: The invention further consists in a timing or regulating mechanism that is
operated and controlled separately by each letter passing through the machine a
portion of said mechanism being adapted to control the adjustment of the printing
cylinder all of which is inoperative without the letter and thereby secures an
accurate registry of the postmarking and cancelling impression at the proper points 5
and prevents inking or soiling of the letter-support when no letters are passing.
The invention also consists in a cam movement that packs and propels the
postmarked letters from the stamping mechanism to the "sorting table" and
further in certain peculiarities in the construction and combination of parts as
hereinafter more fully set forth.
In the annexed drawings illustrating the invention
Fig. 1, is a perspective view of my improved apparatus for stamp-cancelling and
postmarking letters, cards, newspapers and similar mail matter and for propelling
the same to the sorting table.
Fig. 2, is a left end elevation of the machine or apparatus.
Fig. 3, is a left end. elevation of the same partly in section with the packing
cams and tray detached.
Fig. 4, is a top plan view of the apparatus.
Fig. 5, is a front elevation of the same.
1
1
Fig. 6, is a rear elevation of the inking roll, the impression roll and the type 2
cylinder with its controlling mechanism which is actuated by the letter, card or
paper about to be postmarked, said type cylinder being shown as revolving free
from the feeding bands or moving support on which rests a letter in contact with
the timing lever.
Fig. 7, is a rear elevation of the type cylinder and accompanying mechanism 2
showing the position of the letter as it commences its passage between the type
cylinder and impression roll.
Fig. 8, is also a rear elevation of the impression roll and type cylinder
showing the controlling mechanisin actuated by a folded newspaper that is being
postmarked.
Fig. 9, is an enlarged left end elevation of the impression type and inking
cylinders with their actuating mechanism, the clamping feet, feeding bands and
accompaniments.
Fig. 10, is a transverse section of the type cylinder showing the manner of
removably securing the type.
Fig. 11, is a longitudinal section of the type cylinder.
Fig. 12, is a face view of the same.
Fig. 13, is a perspective view of one of the type, and
Fig. 14, is a perspective view of the type lifting wedge.
Like lotters indicate like parts.
A, designates the "facing" table upon which letters, cards and similar pieces of
mail matter are thrown promiscuously as represented in Fig. 4.
This table may form an integral part of the postmarking and stamp cancelling
machine as shown, or the machine and facing table may be separate structures if
desired.
The machine proper comprises a suitable frame, B, which supports an inclined
hopper, C, into which the letters from the facing table are placed singly or one
after another so as to rest upon an inclined moving support as, D, D¹, that forms a
V shaped angle with the inclined front of the hopper.
3
3
By this inclined moving support the letters are automatically adjusted and 5
conveyed to the postmarking and stamp cancelling mechanism their progress being
regulated by appropriate mechanism hereinafter described which is controlled or
actuated by each letter, card or package consecutively in such manner as to ensure
a clear and distinct impression of the postmarking and stamp-cancelling dies at the
proper points upon the package or its envelope, after which it is delivered to the t
action of devices by which it is propelled to the sorting table.

page_text: The travelling bands, D, D¹, which constitute a moving support for conveying
the letters to the postmarking and stamp cancelling mechanism, are mounted on
rolls, E, E¹, one of which as, E, is located beneath the postmarking and stamp
cancelling cylinder, F, and serves as a pressure roll as well as a band carrying roll
or driver.
It will be seen that the travelling bands and their carrying rolls are arranged in
an inclined position as are also the printing cylinder, F, and its accompaniments,
the letters, cards and other packages though of varying width being thus caused to
assume by gravity a uniform position upon the conveying bands.
The lower or forward inclined band, D, is provided on its lower or forward edge
with a series of projections or shoulders, a, a, by which the letters are adjusted and
supported in a uniform position or alignment.
When the bands, D, D¹, are in motion these projections a, a, are caused to move
beneath and nearly in contact with an inwardly projecting lip or horizontal flange, b,
that is formed within the hopper, C, to prevent the letters from being caught by
getting over the shouldered projections on the lower band.
The letter, card, or newspaper package is conveyed by the bands, D, D¹, without
friction beneath a tension device that consists of a spring guide or pressure arm, c,
and then over a letter elevating spring or guide, d, the latter being arranged to
project upward between the converging bands. In this manner the letter or similar
package without regard to its thickness is guided surely to a yielding timing
lever, e, that is pivoted to a suitable support and provided with a spring, f, Fig. 9,
by which it is returned to its depending position after the letter has passed.
The devices here referred to are clearly illustrated in Figs. 6-7 and 8, which
show a piece of mail matter in various stages of its progress toward and through
the postmarking and stamp cancelling mechanism.
It will be understood that each letter is stopped at its forward end by the timing
lever, e, and that the letter remains in that position until the rotation of the type
cylinder F, has brought its type and cancelling dies nearly to the point where their
impression is to be made.
The postmarking cylinder, F, and the inking roll, G, are respectively mounted in
a rocker frame, H, and a rocker arm, H¹, that are fulcrumed at g, upon a suitable
shaft.
In order to prevent the cylinder, F, from bearing on and soiling the bands, D D¹³,
when no mail matter is passing means are provided for automatically supporting
the rocker frame and its attached mechanism away from the traveling bands, D, D¹,
until the letter, card or package is about to pass.
This is accomplished by an oscillatory lug or post, h, that is capable of fitting a
notch, h¹, in the under portion of said rocker frame.
The log or post, h, is supported on one end of a rock shaft, i, which carries at its
other end a controlling lever arm, k, that projects up between the bands, D, D¹, and
beneath the postmarking cylinder.
This controlling lever, k, is depressed by the letter or other mail matter as it
begins to pass beneath the cylinder, see Figs. 7 and 8, thus imparting a partial
rotation to the rock shaft, i, and moving the lug, h, forward until its end enters the
notch, h³, thereby lowering the rocker frame, H, and bringing the cylinder, F, in
printing contact with the letter or card under the contractile force of a spring, k¹,
that extends between the rocker frame and the main frame of the machine.
While the cylinder, F, and its supporting frame remain elevated the lug, h, is
held back out of the notch, h¹, and against a stop or stud, 7, by a spiral spring, m,
Fig. 5.
The postmarking cylinder, F, is mounted rigidly on a shaft, F', which also carries
a cam, F, that bears against a small roll, f¹, on a stud or projection fixed to main
frame of the machine.
After the letter is marked and cancelled the continued rotation of the cylinder, F,,
and cam, F, brings the point of the cam in contact with the friction roll, f¹, and
thereby raises the rocker frame H, thus tripping the lug, h, which together with:

page_text: the controlling lever, k, flys back under the tension of the spring, m, and so
supports the rocker frame and attached printing cylinder away from the traveling
bands until the passage of another piece of mail matter again depresses the con-
trolling lever, k, and causes the printing cylinder to descend.
The letter, card, newspaper, package or other similar piece of mail matter is
propelled past the timing lever, e, by means of yielding clamping feet, I, I, that are
pivoted at, j, to the rear side of the post marking cylinder, F, as shown in, Fig. 6
or to a step or bearing, p, attached to said cylinder as shown in Figs. 7 and 9.
These clamping feet are arranged to revolve one on each side of the levers, e
and k, so as to exert at proper intervals a suitable pressure and traction on the
letters, cards, etc. that are brought to the timing lever, e, by the travelling bands.
The drawing pressure exerted upon the letter by the clamping feet, I, I, is
sufficient to cause the letter to push the timing lever, e, upward and out of its path
the letter or like package being prevented from rebounding by the forwardly
depending guide or pressure arm, c, before described.
By means of the rotary clamping feet, I, I, the letters, cards and like pieces of
mail matter, after being respectively timed by the lever, e, are consecutively
carried over the controlling lever, k, thereby depressing the same and actuating the
mechanism that lowers the cylinder, F in season to properly execute its functions
as before explained.
On the upper end of the casting that forms the body of the clamping feet, I, I,
is a stud that carries a small roll, q, which acts in conjunction with a stationary
cam, K, on the rocker frame, H, the roll, q, being held in contact with the cam by a
spring, P, one end of which is fastened to the body of the clamping feet and the
other end to the printing or postmarking cylinder..
The stationary cam, K, is so shaped that the clamping feet, I, I, are allowed to
project beyond the circumference of the cylinder, F, during a portion of its rotation
and dropped at the proper time on the letter, card' or package at the timing lever
with sufficient force to overcome the resistance of said lever.
This is accomplished by spring, r, drawing the roll, q, in contact with the
depressed side of the cam, K.
But after the forward end of the letter has been carried by the moving support
or bands D, D¹, the continued rotation of the cylinder draws the roll, g, over the
high portion of the stationary cam, K, and so retract the clamping feet within a
circle that corresponds to the periphery of the printing or postmarking cylinder.
At the instant that the clamping feet, I, I, carry the package over the controlling
lever, K, thereby depressing the same, the rocker frame, H, is lifted off the lug or
post, h, by the cam, F, and allowed to fall together with the printing cylinder.
These movements are so timed that when the cylinder, F, falls onto the letter,
card or package the postmarking and cancelling dies will be in such position as to
make their impression at the proper points.
By the momentum of the cylinder, F, and the pressure roll, E, with its travelling
bands, D, D¹, the postmarked and cancelled packages are deposited rapidly and
consecutively upon a narrow elongated table or tray, L, forming a conduit through
which the letters, cards, etc, are continuously propelled to the " sorting" table
which may be arranged at any convenient point.
The rear end of the tray, L, is formed with an incline, L³, to correspond with the
inclination of the printing cylinder, F, as shown in Fig. 2.
This incline, L, is provided with vertical slots, L², L³, Fig. 1 and 5, for the
passage of cams, M, M, that are mounted on a shaft journaled in suitable bearings
beneath and behind the incline.
The cams, M, M, are each composed of a rigid segmental stock or body, M¹, from
which springs a curved elastic finger M².
The letters, cards, and other pieces of postmarked and cancelled mail matter are
delivered successively in an inclined edgewise position upon the incline, L', within
the space enclosed by the cam fingers, M³, which prevent the letters, cards, etc. from
falling forward or slipping flat upon the bottom of the tray.

page_text: It will be seen that as the cams, M, rotate forward through the slots, L³, the
letter, card or package resting on or against the incline, L', will be released by the
extreme ends of the fingers, M², in season to be propelled and packed by the stocks
or bodies of the cams in an upright position against a yielding support, N, Fig. 4,
that is arranged to move in and along the tray under the pressure of the accumu-
lated letters.
This pressure is maintained by the outer faces of the elastic fingers, M², as they
rotate through the slotted end of the tray.
The letters, cards and other pieces of mail mail matter deposited in the tray, L,
are thus uniformly packed and propelled steadily and continuously forward to the
sorting table (not shown) for distribution to outgoing mails.
The travelling letter, bands, D, D¹, printing cylinder, F, and cams, M, M, receive
motion simultaneously by intermediate gearing from a main shaft, P, that may be
driven by any convenient power. On the main shaft, P is a fast and loose
pulley, O, which is connected by belting, R, Figs. 1 and 5, with a fast and loose
pulley, Q, on a countershaft, S, a suitable shipping mechanism as, T, being arranged
to shift the belt as required.
The shaft, S, carries a spur gear, U, that actuates a similar gear, V, on the
shaft, W, that carries the cams, M, M, for packing and propelling the letters, etc.
after they have passed beneath the postmarking cylinder.
On the shaft, S, is also a bevel gear, a¹ that meshes with a bevel gear, 61, Fig. 5,
on the shaft of the pressure roll or band driver, E, by which the letter carrying
bands, D, D', are moved.
The shaft, c, of the driver or pressure roll, E, also carries a spur gear, d², Fig. 3,
that meshes with a pinion, e¹, mounted on a stud on the main frame of the
machine.
It
This pinion drives a gear wheel, g¹, which is journaled on a stud attached to the
frame of the machine in a suitable position to enable the gear, g², to actuate a spur
wheel, h³, on the shaft, F¹, of the printing cylinder, F, without interfering with the
necessary vertical movement of the printing cylinder and its carrying frame.
will be observed that the inking roll, G, is mounted loosely on a spindle, G¹, which
is supported by an arm, H', on the shaft of the rocker frame, H, that carries the
printing cylinder, F, the inking roll being rotated by frictional contact with the
printing cylinder to which it is held by means of a spring, m³, which extends from
the arm H¹, to a loose collar, n', on the cylinder shaft, F, as shown in Fig. 9.
The precise form of the rocker frame, H, and rocker arm, H, is immaterial.
Their purpose is to afford an inclined oscillatory support for the printing cylinder
and the inking roll respectively. The forward end of the rocker frame, H, supports
the shaft, F, that carries the printing cylinder while the spindle, G¹, on which is
mounted the inking roll has its support in the rocker arm, H₁, which is mounted on
the same shaft with the rocker frame.
The inking roll, G, may be detachably held on its spindle by a thumb latch t or
similar device.
This inking roll may have a surface of felt or other suitable material.
On one side or edge of the inking roll, G, is a steel tread, v, that projects slightly
beyond the surface of the roll and bears on a tread, w, that is formed on the
printing cylinder.
The cylinder, F, (which I have designated indifferently as the type cylinder,
printing cylinder or postmarking and cancelling cylinder.) is provided near one
edge with a tread, w, for the inking roll, G, and also with letter carrying treads, y Y
one of which is formed upon or attached to each edge.
The treads, yy, project slightly beyond the tread, w, and extend around the
cylinder, F, except at the portions of its periphery occupied by the postmarking
and stamp cancelling dies, which themselves continue the tread.
A detachable stamp-cancelling die X, and a detachable postmarking die, Z, are
carried by the cylinder, F, as shown in Figs. 10-11 and 12.
2

page_text: The steel cancelling die X, is formed with a series of parallel lines that
occupy a space of sufficient length and width to ensure the proper cancellation or
obliteration of a series of stamps attached to the letter envelope. This form of die
also renders the cancellation certain even if the postage stamp on the envelope
is not accurately placed. Being detachable the die may be readily replaced when
worn.
The steel postmarking die Z, is also detachable and is provided with a circular
aperture for receiving the quarter-sectional type Y, Fig. 13.
Around the circular aperture in the die Z, is delineated the year and post office
name while each type bears a portion of the letters and figures required to indicate
the month day and hour of mailing. The type are made somewhat tapering or
wedge shaped and each is provided on one of its plane faces with a transverse
notch or groove, Y¹, all of which together form a circular opening for the passage
of a locking pin, Z¹, by which the type are secured to the cylinder, F, in a tapering
recess that forms a continuation of the circular aperture in the face of the post-
marking die. The pin, Z¹, is preferably threaded for a short distance near its head
to prevent its working loose. The lower portion of the type receiving recess in the
cylinder, F, is traversed by a transverse rectangular opening f, for the passage of
a wedge, Fa, Fig. 14, by which the type are dislodged after the locking pin Z', has
been withdrawn.
In all large post offices, vast quantities of mail matter are deposited, generally
near the time for closing the mails and in order to prevent an accumulation of such
matter and facilitate rapid mails it is desirable to cancel the postage stamps and
apply the proper postmarks with speed and accuracy. It is well known that the
work of cancelling and postmarking letters by hand is comparatively slow and
laborious the impressions besides being often so imperfect that it is difficult to to
read the postmark. By my improved machine all the manual labor of stamping is
avoided and effective means provided for accurately locating the cancellation and
postmark in less time than is ordinarily required for picking up and "facing'
letters for the hand stamp process.
The machine having been put in motion by steam or other power the operator
as fast as he can pick up the letters from the facing table is required only to drop
them separately into the hopper, C, face upward and with the stamps all in the
same relative position.
The inclined moving support or bands, D, D¹, that receive the letters also
accomplish their uniform alignment by reason of the projections a, a, on the lower
edge of the lowermost band in conjunction with the lip, b, in the hopper.
Letters, cards and packages of various thickness and of unequal length and
breadth will thus be adjusted and conveyed successively and without friction over
the letter elevating guide, d, to the timing lever, e, where each piece of mail
matter is temporarily stopped. When the postmarking cylinder, F, has rotated in
an elevated position to a predetermined point its attached clamping feet, I, I, will
grasp the letter that rests against the timing lever, e, and convey it past said
lever and over the controlling lever, K, which is consequently depressed thereby
moving the lug, h, into the notch, h¹, and enabling the cylinder, F, to descend and
make its impression with accuracy and distinctness. When the clamping feet, I, I,
descend upon the foreward end of the letter its rear end is prevented from
rebounding by the spring guide, o, that is suspended from above. The post-
marking and stamp-cancelling impression having been made by and between the
pressure roll, E, and type cylinder, F, the upward movement of the cylinder under
the rotation of the cam, F³, prevents a deposit of ink on the bands, D, D¹, after
the post-marked letter has been discharged on to the incline, L³, whence it is
propelled along the tray, L, to the ordinary "sorting" table by means of the
cams, M, as before explained.
It is obvious that this manner of handling mail matter for postmarking stamp-
cancelling and distribution will result in greatly reducing the time hitherto

page_text: required for making up the mails, besides, effecting a great saving in the labor of
accurate and legible stamping either by hand or machinery as heretofore practised.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what
I claim is
1. In an apparatus for stamp cancelling postmarking and like purposes, an
inclined moving support for the letters, cards or other mail matter to be acted
upon said support being provided on its lower edge with projections for
automatically adjusting or aligning the several letters, cards, or other pieces,
substantially as described.
2. In a postmarking and stamp cancelling apparatus, a hopper or receptacle
having one side formed by a moving inclined support provided on its lower edge
with projections as, a, adapted to receive and align the several letters or other
pieces of mail matter and convey them consecutively to the printing and cancelling
mechanism substantially as described.
3. In a stamp-cancelling, postmarking or other printing machine the combination
of an inclined moving support for aligning and conveying the letters or other
articles to be printed an automatically adjustable printing cylinder, an impression
roll, a timing lever controlled separately by each letter, card or other piece to be
marked or printed and mechanism substantially as described for conveying each
letter separately past the timing lever, whereby the impression of the printing
dies is made with accuracy and at the proper points substantially as described.
4. The combination of inclined traveling bands adapted to support and adjust
letters cards or like objects placed thereon, an elevating guide arranged between
said bands, a pressure guide suspended above said bands, a timing lever, an
adjustable printing cylinder, an impression roll and mechanism substantially as
described for conveying each letter or other article past the timing lever at intervals
substantially as described.
5. The combination of an inclined moving support for letters, cards, and like
objects, an automatic printing mechanism, a delivery table or tray and a series of
cams adapted to propel the letters, cards or similar objects in a continuous line
along said delivery table substantially as described.
6. The combination with a printing cylinder, an impression roll, and a moving
support for letters or cards, said cylinder, roll and moving support being arranged
in an inclined position, of a hopper having one side inclined at an angle with the
moving support and provided with an internally projecting horizontal lip or
flange, b substantially as described.
7. The combination with the inclined bands, D, D³, having projections, a, a, of
a spring pressure arm or guide, c, substantially as described.
8. The combination with the inclined bands D, D¹, having projections, a, a, and
the suspended timing lever, e, of a letter elevating guide, d, projecting up between
said bands and adapted to slightly raise a card or thin package and so direct it
surely to and against said timing lever substantially as described.
9. The combination of the inclined travelling bands, D, D¹, a downward pro-
jecting pivoted timing lever, e, adapted to temporarily arrest the progress of each
letter placed on said bands and provided with a spring, f, for returning it to its
normal position after the letter has passed and mechanism as, I, I, for carrying each
letter separately past said timing lever substantially as described.
10. The combination with the movable bands, D, D¹, arranged in an inclined
position and provided with projections, a, a, of the upper guide or pressure arm, c,
the letter elevating guide, d, the timing lever, e, an automatically adjustable
printing cylinder, F, and an impression roll E, substantially as described.
11. The combination with the bands, D, D¹, timing lever, e, and a printing
cylinder, F, mounted in a rocker frame, H, and provided with cam actuated
clamping feet, I, I, of the rock shaft, i, lug, h, and controlling leyer, k, said lug

page_text: and lever being mounted on the rock shaft and adapted to control the descent of
the printing cylinder substantially as described.
12. The combination with the adjustable printing cylinder, F, of the pivoted
clamping feet, I, I, having a cam roller, q, and spring, r, the rocker frame, H,
having cam, K, and mechanism substantially as described for lowering the printing
cylinder and its frame into printing position said mechanism being actuated by the
letter or card about to be marked or printed substantially as described.
13. The combination with the rocker frame, H, shaft, F1, and printing
cylinder, F, of the friction roller, f, and the cam, F2 on the cylinder shaft whereby
the rocker frame and printing cylinder are automatically raised substantially as
described.
14. The combination of the rocker frame H, the arm, H¹, carrying a spindle G³,
the inking roll, G, mounted loosely on said spindle, the printing cylinder, F,
mounted rigidly on a shaft, F¹, journaled in the rocker frame, and the spring, m¹,
for holding the inking roll and printing cylinder in frictional contact substantially
as described.
15. The combination with the printing cylinder, F, having steel treads, w,
and y, y, of the inking roll, G, having a steel tread, v, substantially as described.
16. The combination with the printing cylinder, F, having a radial recess for
movable type and a transverse rectangular opening, fƒ³, of a perforated steel die, Z,
and type, Y, the bases of which project into said opening and are secured by a
pin Z, whereby the type may be dislodged by inserting a wedge in the opening, f
after the locking pin has been withdrawn substantially as described.
17. The combination with the printing cylinder, F, of a stamp-cancelling die, X,
provided with a series of longitudinal projections, x, x, of sufficient length and
width to ensure obliteration of postage stamps that may be irregularly placed,
substantially as described.
18. The combination with the inclined impression roll, E, and the inclined
travelling bands, D, D¹, having projections, a, a, of an inclined printing cylinder
carrying detachable postmarking and stamp-cancelling dies substantially as
described.
19. The combination with the travelling bands, D, D¹, having projections, a, a,
the impression roll, E, and the printing cylinder, F, said bands, roll and cylinder
being arranged in a laterally inclined position, of a stationary and horizontal
tray, L, having at one end an incline, L', substantially as described.
20. The combination with the tray, L, having one end provided with a slotted
incline, L', of the cams, M, M, adapted to pack letters and cards delivered on the
incline by the printing mechanism and propel them along the tray to the “sorting
table substantially as described.
33
21. The combination with the tray, L, having an incline, L¹, provided with
slots, L³, of the yielding support, N, and the cams, M, having stocks, M, and curved
elastic fingers, M², substantially as described.
22. That improvement in the art of postmarking and stamp-cancelling letters,
cards, and other pieces of mail matter, which consists in separately "facing" each
article, without previously bunching in the hand, directly upon an inclined moving
support adapted to automatically adjust and convey said articles to a postmarking
and cancelling mechanism substantially as described.
23. That improvement in the art of postmarking and stamp-cancelling letters,
cards and other pieces of mail matter, which consists in automatically conveying
the several letters, or other articles in an inclined edgewise position consecutively
to a timing device that is actuated by each letter separately, and by which their
progress is regulated, releasing said letters at intervals and conveying them through
a postmarking and cancelling mechanism substantially as described.
24. That improvement in the art of postmarking and stamp-cancelling letters,
cards and other pieces of mail matter, which consists in receiving the postmarked
letters on a tray or trough arranged in proximity to the marking and cancelling

page_text: mechanism and packing and propelling them edgwise in a continuous line along
said tray to the "sorting" table substantially as described.
"
25. The method of postmarking and stamp-cancelling letters, cards and other
pieces of mail matter, which consists in separately and consecutively "facing
each article directly upon an inclined moving support, automatically aligning them
one after another on one edge, timing the forward progress of each article and
conveying them through the postmarking and cancelling mechanism at intervals
and finally propelling them edgewise in one continuous line to the " sorting" table
substantially as described.