Improvements in Devices for Affixing Stamps to Envelopes and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 6th June, 1899-Accepted, 22nd July, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Devices for Affixing Stamps to Envelopes and
the like.
We, CHARLES FRANKLIN SESINGER, of 1605, Oxford Street, Publisher, and
JOSEPH WILLIAM THORN, of 1500, North 17th Street, Commissioner Merchant,
both in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America, 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;-
Our invention consists of a device for affixing stamps to envelopes, papers
and the like, and embodies a box containing stamps, and from which stamps
may be removed from the bottom thereof; a plunger having a head movable
within said box for creating pressure on the stamps, and a flap which is adapted
to be presented to a piece of sponge or other absorbent material on the base of
the device and to then contact with the envelope or paper, so as to wet or
moisten the same preparatory to the full extent of descent of the plunger when
the stamp is pressed against the wet or moistened surface, whereby when the
plunger rises the stamp is withdrawn from the box, while adhering to the
envelope in paper; the parts of the device then returning to their normal
position. The construction and operation of the device is hereinafter more
fully set forth, and the novel features pointed out in the claims that follow
the specification.
Referring to the accompanying drawing;
Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a stamp-affixer embodying our
invention, and
Figure 2 a longitudinal vertical section thereof.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the figures.
A designates the base of the device, the same being hollow and adapted to
contain water or other fluid suitable for moistening stamps.
In the upper
face of said base in the opening B, which is occupied by the frame C, within
which is the picce C, of sponge or other absorbent material, which latter dips
into the fluid in said base A.
Rising from the base is the bracket or elbow 1), on whose upper limb are
bosses E E, in which is guided the plunger F, the latter being pressed upwardly
by a suitable spring and carrying the cross-head G, which is adapted to move
along the vertical plate H, which connects said bosses, thus preventing rotation
or turning of the plunger. The ends of said cross-head have thereon projec
tions J, which latter are adapted to ride upon the angular arms K, whose upper
ends are pivotally connected with the boss E and formed with shoulders K',
against which the projections J bear when the plunger is depressed, said arms
being deflected in angular form, so that when said arms are advanced by the
pressure of the projections on said shoulders K¹ said projections ride down along.
the right line portion K² of said arms and prevent the return of the arms during
the subsequent descent of the plunger. The lower ends of the arms are con-

page_text: nected by the bar K³, the same carrying the pad L, which when in normal
position contacts with the upper end of the sponge or absorbent material C¹³.
The lower end of the plunger passes freely through the top M of the box N
and has connected with it the presser-head P, which, owing to the spring Q,
which presses against said top and a shoulder on said plunger, causes the normal
position of said head to be at the upper portion of said box, but when the
plunger is lowered the head is depressed against the stamp in the box, the latter
being open at its bottom, where it is provided with the lips R, which project
inwardly and serve to prevent the dropping of stamps from said box.
On the base A is the stop S, to which are secured the fingers T, which project
forwardly from said stop above the base A, parallel with the long sides of said
base, a space existing between said fingers and the upper side of the base for the
insertion of the envelope, said fingers constituting guides to prevent the ascent
of the envelope when the plunger rises and also serving to properly locate the
envelope at the stamp-corner below the box N.
In order to remove the box, the body of the same is formed separate from
the top M, and the latter is provided with studs U and V, which project hori-
zontally therefrom, the studs V entering openings in one side of the body of
the box and the stud U receiving the spring-catch W, which is connected with
the opposite side of the box, thus suspending the body from the top and per-
mitting of the removal of said body when said catch is drawn forward, the body
then being detached.
The operation of our improved device is as follows:-
The base is supplied with water and the box with stamps, the gummed sides
of the latter being downwards. An envelope or the like is then placed
on the
base beneath the box, the stamp-corner being above. The plunger is now
depressed and as the pad L has been in contact with the top of the sponge or
absorbent piece, said pad is moistened or wet, and as the projections J press
against the shoulders of the arms K the latter are moved forwardly and the
pad L is carried quickly under the box in contact with the adjacent portion of
the envelope or the like, whereby said portion is supplied with water and made
moist, and as the plunger continues its descent the bottom of the box contacts
with the envelope as a stop. The head P within the box descends to some
extent under the action of the plunger, and so exerts pressure upon the pile of
stamps, so that the lowermost stamp is pressed firmly against the wet or
moistened surface of the envelope or the like, thus causing the stamp to adhere
thereto. The plunger is now released whereby it rises, and both the head and
box move therewith independent of each other. Now as the stamp has adhered
to the envelope or the like, it is drawn out from the box, and the bottom of the
latter presents another stamp. Meanwhile the pad L, which has been advanced
to the front of the box and above the envelope or the like, returns under said
box to its normal position and again contacts with the sponge or absorbent
material C, limited in its rearward motion by the elevated back X of the
frame C, against which the bar or carrier K3 of the pad L strikes, it being
noticed that said arms are drawn rearwardly by the spring Y, which is con-
nected with the same and a proper portion of the elbow D. The pan depends
from the carrier K³ and projects downwardly, and as the arms describe their
circular motion said pad, after being moistened and advancing is so gauged
that should the base be unoccupied it will not be wet or moistened; but when
an envelope or the like, is upon said base it alone will be contacted by said pad,
it being also noticed that the pad moves under the box without contacting with
the bottom thereof or with the stamps.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
we claim is:-
1. A spring-pressed plunger and guides therefor a transverse ornas hood an

page_text: said plunger having lateral projections, a pair of arms on opposite sides of the
plunger with which the said projections engage, a guide or plate on which said
cross-head has sliding movement, a pad carried by the lower ends of said arms,
a hollow base directly under said plunger, a box for containing stamps carried
by the lower end of said plunger, and a piece of absorbent material in said base
and partly rising therefrom, said pad being adapted to contact with said absor-
bent piece, and to pass under box for containing stamps and contact with the
face of an envelope or the like, supported on the base.
2. A base having an unyielding pressure-surface and adapted to contain fluid,
a piece of absorbent material adapted to dip into said base, a frame on the
base for supporting the said piece, the back of said frame above said piece
acting as a stop, a spring-controlled plunger guided in guides or bearings, a
box for containing stamps carried by and movable with said plunger, deflected
arms pivoted to one of the guides or bearings of said plunger, a downwardly-
projecting pad on the lower ends of said arms, and a cross-head on the plunger
adapted to engage and operate said arms, said arms being movable between the
stamp-receptacle and said base, and adapted to contact in normal position with
said piece, and when in operation to pass over the base in contact with the face
of an envelope or the like thereon.
3. A base adapted to contain a fluid, and a piece of absorbent material dip-
ping thereinto, a bracket or elbow rising from said base, a vertical plate con-
nected with said bracket or elbow, a boss or bosses on said plate, a spring-
plunger guided in said boss or bosses, a stamp-receiving box having its top
freely carried by said plunger, a movable presser-head in said box, connected
with said plunger, deflected arms pivoted to said boss, or to one of said
bosses and having shoulders on their upper ends, a cross-head on said plunger
adapted to engage with said shoulders, and ride along the right-lined portions
of said arms, a pad carried by the lower ends of said arms and projecting
downwardly, and adapted to contact with said absorbent material, and sweep
over said base, springs connected with said arms for returning the same to their
normal position and yielding fingers on said base elevated above the same.
4. In a device for affixing stamps to envelopes and the like, the combination
of a rigid hollow base having a moistening piece rising therefrom, a bracket
or elbow supported by said base, a plunger guided in said bracket and having
a cross-head secured thereto provided with outwardly-projecting projections,
a pair of spring-actuated arms pivotally attached at their upper ends to the
bracket or elbow and carrying a pad at their lower ends, said projections bearing
upon the arms and operating them when the plunger is depressed, and a box
for containing stamps supported solely by and movable with the plunger.
Dated this 6th day of June 1899
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.