EP0100674A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for sealing envelopes
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1983-08-01
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-08-01
Abstract
Abstract An envelope sealing apparatus and method are described. A deflector (35) deflects the leading envelope flap (20) out of the normal path through which the envelope (15) moves and into contact with a reversely moving water wheel (40) which wets the flap to activate adhesive thereon. The inherent rigidity of the envelope body is relied on to thereafter force the deflector (35) aside, permitting the envelope body to pass the water wheel (40) without contacting the same. As the envelope (15) continues along the path (30), a diverter (50) causes the deflected envelope flap to curl under and as the envelope passes thereby, forces in cooperation with the water wheel (40) the envelope flap (20) into closing relationship with the envelope. A downstream sealing roller (68) completes closing and sealing of the envelope.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Arthur Hayskar
- 👤 Robert Alan Stock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:39
CPC Classifications
B; B43; B43M; B43M5/00; B43M5/04; B43M5/042; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1002; Y10T156/1051; Y10T156/17; Y10T156/1798
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
Envelope sealing apparatus characterised by a) a pinch roll pair (22, 24) for advancing envelopes (15) with the envelope flap (20) extended along a predetermined envelope path (30); b) a water wheel (40) turning in a direction opposite said pinch roll pair (22, 24), said water wheel (40) being spaced from said envelope path (30); and c) deflector means (35) for deflecting the envelope flap (20) out of said envelope path (30) and into contact with said water wheel (40), said water wheel wetting said flap to activate on said flap as said envelope (15) moves along said envelope path (30) and past said water wheel (40), reverse rotation of said water wheel (40) assisting in closing said flap (20) to seal the envelope automatically as the envelope moves through the apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
Envelope sealing apparatus characterised by a) a pinch roll pair (22, 24) for advancing envelopes (15) with the envelope flap (20) extended along a predetermined envelope path (30); b) a water wheel (40) turning in a direction opposite said pinch roll pair (22, 24), said water wheel (40) being spaced from said envelope path (30); and c) deflector means (35) for deflecting the envelope flap (20) out of said envelope path (30) and into contact with said water wheel (40), said water wheel wetting said flap to activate on said flap as said envelope (15) moves along said envelope path (30) and past said water wheel (40), reverse rotation of said water wheel (40) assisting in closing said flap (20) to seal the envelope automatically as the envelope moves through the apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 including an envelope flap diverter (50) downstream of said water wheel, said deflector means (35) deflecting said envelope flap (20) into contact with said envelope flap diverter (50) whereby said envelope flap diverter forces said envelope flap toward a closing position in cooperation with said water wheel (40).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, including means (23) for moving said deflector means aside to permit the body of said envelope (15) to follow said envelope path and avoid said water wheel (40).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said deflector means (35) comprises at least one deflecting finger supported for free pivotal movement, one end (36) of said deflecting finger normally resting on said water wheel (40) and cooperable therewith to form a nip through which said envelope flap (20) passes, the inherent stiffness of said envelope body forcing said deflecting finger aside to permit said envelope body to follow said envelope path (30) and avoid contact with said water wheel (40).
Claim 6
Independent Claim
238 words
An apparatus for closing and sealing the adhesive bearing flap portion (20) of envelopes (15) characterised by a) an input transport (11) for bringing envelopes (15) to be sealed forward flap first along a predetermined path; b) at least one flap deflector (35) for depressing the flap (20) of said envelope out of the path of movement of said envelopes; c) at least one flap diverter (50) downstream of said deflector (35) for intercepting said depressed envelope flap (20) and causing said flap to project downwardly; d) means (40) to moisten said flap (20) to actuate said adhesive, said moistening means (40) being disposed adjacent to and upstream of said diverter (35) so that said downwardly projecting flap is proximate to said moistening means; and e) output transport means (60) downstream of said moistening means for receiving said envelopes; f) said diverter (50) being disposed below said envelope path (30) so that as said envelope flap (20) is turned downwardly by said diverter (50) the inherent stiffness of said envelope causes said envelope proper to continue to move along said path (30) and past said diverter (35) to said output transport means (60) causing said flap to be tucked under said envelope and drawn into contact with said moistening means (40) whereby said adhesive is activated, said output transport means having sealing means for pinching said envelope and flap togetHer to close said flap and seal said envelope.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
238 words
An apparatus for closing and sealing the adhesive bearing flap portion (20) of envelopes (15) characterised by a) an input transport (11) for bringing envelopes (15) to be sealed forward flap first along a predetermined path; b) at least one flap deflector (35) for depressing the flap (20) of said envelope out of the path of movement of said envelopes; c) at least one flap diverter (50) downstream of said deflector (35) for intercepting said depressed envelope flap (20) and causing said flap to project downwardly; d) means (40) to moisten said flap (20) to actuate said adhesive, said moistening means (40) being disposed adjacent to and upstream of said diverter (35) so that said downwardly projecting flap is proximate to said moistening means; and e) output transport means (60) downstream of said moistening means for receiving said envelopes; f) said diverter (50) being disposed below said envelope path (30) so that as said envelope flap (20) is turned downwardly by said diverter (50) the inherent stiffness of said envelope causes said envelope proper to continue to move along said path (30) and past said diverter (35) to said output transport means (60) causing said flap to be tucked under said envelope and drawn into contact with said moistening means (40) whereby said adhesive is activated, said output transport means having sealing means for pinching said envelope and flap togetHer to close said flap and seal said envelope.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of sealing envelopes (15) automatically, characterised by the steps of: a) transporting open envelopes to (15) be sealed along a preset path (30) with the envelope flap (20) leading; b) diverting said envelope flap out of said path and downwardly so that as said envelope continues to move along said path, said flap is drawn into closing relation therewith; c) moistening said flap to actuate adhesive on said flap as said flap is being drawn into closing relationship with said envelope; and d) pinching said envelope and moistened flap into intimate contact to seal said envelope.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of sealing envelopes (15) automatically, characterised by the steps of: a) transporting open envelopes to (15) be sealed along a preset path (30) with the envelope flap (20) leading; b) diverting said envelope flap out of said path and downwardly so that as said envelope continues to move along said path, said flap is drawn into closing relation therewith; c) moistening said flap to actuate adhesive on said flap as said flap is being drawn into closing relationship with said envelope; and d) pinching said envelope and moistened flap into intimate contact to seal said envelope.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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