Apparatus for sealing envelopes

Claim 1

Envelope sealing apparatus comprising (a) a pinch roll for advancing envelopes with the envelope flap extended along a predetermined envelope path; (b) a water wheel turning in a direction opposite said pinch roll pair, said water wheel being spaced from said envelope path; and (c) deflector means for deflecting the envelope flap out of said envelope path and into contact with said water wheel, said water wheel wetting said flap to activate adhesive on said flap as said envelope moves along said envelope path and past said water wheel, reverse rotation of said water wheel assisting in closing said flap to seal the envelope automatically as the envelope moves through the apparatus.

Claim 6

An apparatus for closing and sealing the adhesive bearing flap portion of envelopes comprising in combination: (a) an input transport for bringing envelopes to be sealed forward flap first along a predetermined path; (b) at least one flap deflector for depressing the flap of said envelope out of the path of movement of said envelopes; (c) at least one flap diverter downstream of said deflector for intercepting said depressed envelope flap and causing said flap to project downwardly; (d) means to moisten said flap to actuate said adhesive and to assist in closing said flap, said moistening means being disposed adjacent to and upstream of said diverter so that said downwardly projecting flap is proximate to said moistening means and being capable of rotating opposite to the feed direction of said envelope; and (e) output transport means downstream of said moistening means for receiving said envelopes; (f) said diverter being disposed below said envelope path so that as said envelope flap is turned downwardly by said diverter the inherent stiffness of said envelope causes said envelope proper to continue to move along said path and past said diverter to said output transport means causing said flap to be tucked under said envelope and drawn into contact with said moistening means 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

An apparatus for closing and sealing the adhesive bearing flap portion of envelopes comprising in combination: (a) an input transport for bringing envelopes to be sealed forward flap first along a predetermined path; (b) at least one flap deflector for depressing the flap of said envelope out of the path of movement of said envelopes; (c) at least one flap diverter downstream of said deflector for intercepting said depressed envelope flap and causing said flap to project downwardly; (d) means to moisten said flap to actuate said adhesive and to assist in closing said flap, said moistening means being disposed adjacent to and upstream of said diverter so that said downwardly projecting flap is proximate to said moistening means and being capable of rotating opposite to the feed direction of said envelope; and (e) output transport means downstream of said moistening means for receiving said envelopes; (f) said diverter being disposed below said envelope path so that as said envelope flap is turned downwardly by said diverter the inherent stiffness of said envelope causes said envelope proper to continue to move along said path and past said diverter to said output transport means causing said flap to be tucked under said envelope and drawn into contact with said moistening means 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.