US1566635A - Automatic stamping and sealing machine - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 22, 1925.

vlDAvER i AUTOMATIC STAMPING AND SEALING MACHINE Filed March 27', 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS www.

Patented Dee. 22, 1925.

UNITED STATES MAXNELL VIDAVER, OE NEW YORK, 'N'. Y., ASSIG-NOB, BY MESNE; ASSIGNMENTS, T0r

1,56a635 PATENT oeEFlcE.

v'rnAvEn MAILING MACHINE co., INC., or` NEW Yong, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEVI YORK.

AUTOMATIC STAMPING AND SEALING MACHINE.

Application :tiled March 27, 1.925;A Serial No. 18,686.

To all whom t may cof/wem.'

Be it known that I, MAXWELL VniAvER, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of NewY York andl` State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Stamping and Sealing Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to maker and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in sealing and stamping machines and more particularly in some of its details to improvements in such machines for afxing one or more stamps upon envelopesor similar articles or packages or making an imprint thereon.

Itis a general object of the invention to improve and perfect machines of the classnations to envelopes or the'like in accordance with the weight thereof or similarly to print a designation upon said envelope.

A further object is to provide an effective and satisfactory weight responsive control mechanism for machines of the class men tioned whereby stamp aiiixment or the placement of a printed designation is controlled by the weight of an envelope or article to apply stamps or make an imprint in accordance with the weight. Y

A further object is to provide an improved mechanism for machines of the class mentioned which is 'sensitively responsive to the weight of an article while the latter is being fed or advanced in the machine.

Still another object is to provide an improved stamp severing and feeding mechanism with control mechanism therefor whereby the severing operation is rendered more positive and certain.

It is another object ofthe invention to provide an improved stamp severing mechanism designed to exert a tearing eti-"ect upon the stamp strip, which may be perforated,

sof as to? increase the effectiveness andV certainty of the severing operation.

Other objects will be in part pointed out in connection withy the following detailed description andwillbe in part obvious inl connection therewith. y

The invention accordingly comprises the featuresof constructie-n, combinations ofelements, and arrangement ofparts, which will be' exempliiiedf in the construct-ion'hereinafter set forth and the scope of the application ofwhich will be indicated in the claims.

Fora more complete understanding of the natu-re and! objeetsjof the invention reference ishad tov the following detailed description ofv illustrative but preferred embodiments of the invention and to the accompanying drawings, in Whichi Figure l ifsa view of a sealing and stamping machine embodying the invention, the left partbein-g i-n plan and the right part being in-lhorizontal section just above the stamp severing, moistening' andv feeding mechanism so as to show said mechanism in plan, parts being broken away for clearness of disclosure,

Fig. 2 is. a longitudinal vertical central section of the machine,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail view showing the adjustment of the flap moistening belt,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail sectional view of the stamp delivery and severing mechanism, the section being taken substantially on the line 4t of Fig. l looking in the direction of the arrow,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the stamp feeding mechanism, the section beingtaken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. l looking in the direction of the arrow,

Fig 6 is a detail sectional view of the stamp moistening` and carrying mechanism, the section beingtaken approximately on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrow, Y

Fig. 7 i isa detail view of the automatic release for the stamp delivery mechanism, and

Fig. 8 is a vertical longitudinal section similar to Fig. 2 but showing a modification of the. invention.

Referring to the drawingA for a detailed description of the embodiments of the invention there shown, the frame is indicated It will be observed that Figs. 1, 2 and 8 Y of the drawing are partially diagrammatic for the purpose of facilitating a clear disclosure of the invention.

The driving motor M'may be connected in any convenient manner to the various operative elements of the machine, the connections shown including a counter shaft 12 Y connected to be ldrivenV by the motor by a chain orvfsimilar belt 13 engagingv suitable pulleys or sprockets on thefmotor shaft and counter shaft. The countershaft is iny turn connected by a belt let to a main driving` shaft 15 through suitable sprockets or pulleys. rlfhe` various operative elements ofv the machine are driven from the main drive shaftA 15.

Power leads or conductors 16 and 17 lead to a suitable source of electric energy, the conductor 16 being connected to one terminal of the motor and the conductor 17 being connected to one pole of a motor control switch 18, the other pole of said switch being connected by a conductor 19 to the. other motor terminal.

The envelope feed mechanism.

j The envelope is fed or advanced in its course through the machine over' the feed table 11 by means of grippers which are preferably in the form of 'feed rolls including upper rolls' 20 at the leading or forward part of the machine mounted on shafts 21 and cooperating with lower rolls 22'mounted on shafts 23, the bites between the cooperating upper land lower rolls being arranged substantially in the plane of the feed table or slightly thereabove so as yto receive and grip the-envelopes as they are advanced over the table. There may be any desired number of these pairs of leading feed rolls dependent upon differing conditionsof operation and character of work, three pairs being shown in the drawing.

Beyond the leading lfeed rolls 20, 22 and adjacent thestamp carrying and applying mechanism there are additional pairs of. feed rolls, two pairs of such rolls being shown and each pair including an upper roll 24 mounted upon a shaft 25 and a lower roll 26 mounted uponV a shaft 27. VThese rolls may be provided with'some form of yielding surfacing,'such as rubber, and in addition to the feeding` they function to seal the envelope flap against the body of the envelope and to aix one orinore stamps to the face thereof.V All the feed roll shafts are suitably supported for rotation in the inachineframe and the upper shafts 21 and 25 are preferably mounted for up and down movement to accommodate'the reception ofyenvelopes,.terminating short of the flap so as not to contact with the latter during the first stages of feeding the envelope through the machine. An envelope E is shown in dot and dash out-line in Fig. 1 as beingV gripped and fed by the leading rolls. The iiap of the envelop'eF is also shown in dot and dash outline.` As appears from this disclosure 'the envelope when fed at the leading end of the machine is gripped by the feed rolls only at the margin thereof opposite the iiap so that the latter lies out of theV range of contact of said rolls during the process of moistening the iiap and for a period of time subsequently thereto. VThe next succeeding or Vfollowing rollsl 24:, 26 are preferably positioned so that the bite thereof liesin the-path of the flap F so as to engage the latterduring the final feeding and sealing operations.

Each pair of feed rolls is preferably positively driven by suitable driving connections, such for example as that shown, includingV a belt or sprocket cha-in 29 connected to a sprocket 30 on the main drive shaft 15 and toV driven sprockets 31 connected respectively to two adjacent lower roll shafts 23, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The extreme forward pair of feed rolls (see Fig. 1) is driven by'a belt 32 connected to the adjacent lower roll shaft 23 through suitable pulleys or sprockets, and the two following pairs of feed rolls are driven from the adjacent roll shaft 23 through belts 33 and 34 connected to sprockets on the shafts 23 and 27. In this manner all the rolls are driven at the same feeding speed from the main drive shaft.

Flap meisten/ng cmd scaling.

The sealing and moistening mechanism for the envelope flaps (see Figs. 1, 2 and 3) includes a iap separatoror deflector plate 35 having a curved leading edge or nose lying close to the feed table 11 and adapted to engage under the Hap of the advancing envelope to raise or separate it from the body of the envelope. In this connection it will llc be noted that each envelope is fed into the j machine with its flap facing upwardly and lying in position against or close to the body of the envelope. The envelope is introduced te the machine with the Hap attached edge lying close to the guide plate 36. As the envelope advances the flap is separated from the body thereof by the upwardly inclined surface. of the deflector plate 35. The

. gummed underside of the flap is moistened flector plate 35 preferably overlies and is attached to the channel guide plate 38, the upper reach of the moistening belt lying above the plate 35, while the lower reach lies within the channel of the guide `plate'38. A guiding and pressing plate 39 shown as attached to a transverse supporting bar 40, and having spaced forwardly facing rounded noses, is spaced just above the moistening belt, thus assisting in pressing the gummed surface of the flap into contact with the moistening belt the envelope is fed forwardly. It will thus be seen that the moistening belt moves relatively to movement of the envelope so there is a slidin or wiping Vcontact between the belt and t e gummed surface, resulting in a more effective moistening action.

the envelope flap as it passes beyond the moistening belt in order to preventthe flap from contacting with the roll shafts 2l, but it will be observed that there is considerable spa'ce'between the lower edge of this deflector plate and the table ll so the flap is not pressed into contact with the envelope at this point.

The moistening belt 37 passes over and is driven by a pulley 42 mounted for rotation. in a moisture receptacle 43 so as to carry the beltthrough the moisture; The pulley 42 is driven through a shaft and beveled gear connection 44 driven in any suitable manner by the machine. The moistening belt passes from the pulley 42 to the channel guide plate 38 over guiding bars or rollers 45, and at its forward end over a roll or smoothed bar 46. One or both of the guide bars or rolls 45 may be adjustable, as by means of adjusting screws 47, so as to vary the tension thereof, and also to press or otherwise remove more. or less of the moisture from the belt so as to vary the moistening effect on the gummed flap. Moisture falling from t-he belt will be caught in the kchannel of plate l33 and conducted back into the moisture receptacle 43.

It may sometimes be advantageous to em- Y ploy an envelope'guide plate at the opposite side of the feed table ll from guide plate 36, and for this purpose swinging guide plates 48.spaced along the feed tablemay be em- A downwardly inclined de-v flector plate 41 may be arranged to engage wardly (see Figs. l and 2). 'The forward ends of these guideV plates 48 are preferably inclined at the lower and inner edge so an advancing envelope of eXtra width may contact therewith to lift the guide plate-supwardly out .of the path of the envelope. Auxiliary guide plates 48 may ber employed adjacent eachguide plate 48 but more widely spaced from the guide.V plate 36 so as to act as guides for eXtra width envelopes.

For some classes of work it vmaybe de. sirableto apply a liquid adhesive to the flaps instead of moistening a gummed flap as above described, and in such cases the belt 38 'may be utilized to apply suchliquid adhesivewhich may be contained inthe receptacle 43. specification andl claims, and in connection with both thefsealing and stamp afixing y mechanisms,l .will therefore be'understood as comprehending both of these methods of rendering the flaps or stamps adhesive.

It will be seen that the arrange-ment of the'bites of thefeed rolls as above described, provides a considerable space beyond thel moistening belt 38 in which the flapsl are not` pressed against Athe bodypof the envelopes, thus providing a time interval after moistening before the sealing operationtakes place. During` this time interval the adhesive becomes softened, or the mucilagebecomespartially set, `and in either case the result is a more certain and effective sealing when the flap reaches the sealing rolls.y

As the .envelope is advanced by the leading feed rolls 20j, 22, the `flap encounters a deflector plate 50 positioned `slightly inadvance of the first pair of sealing feed rolls 24, 26 to deflect the flap` downwardly into the bite yof the rolls. The deflector plate 4l, it willbe observed, does not deflect the flap Reference to moistening in both against the body of the envelope, thejfunc tion of this deflector being to prevent flaps from standing. outwardly from the envelope soy as to be obstructed by the roll shafts 21; ordinarily, the deflector plate 4ll does not contact with the flaps. Hap againstgthe envelope is accomplished when thel flap enters the bites of the sealing rolls 24, 26.

Stamping mechanism.- The stamps are fedl froma sourceof snpply, preferablya perforated strip of stamps,

detached from the strip, moistened and affixed or applied to the envelope withoutA interruption. to the progress of thel latterv through the machine. A mechanism for the accomplishment of this feature is best shown in Figs. 2, 4, 5 andv 6, and includes what may be termed the stamp inostening and feed mechanism (Figs. 5 and- 6), and they stamp delivery mechanism (Figs. 2 and14g)r The seal-ing of the grooved stamp carrying Wheel 53, and a carrier belt 54 passing intermediate the groove in the lower roll 52 in the groove Vof the carrying wheel 53 and over an upper pulley 55 mounted for rotation just below the feed table 11 adjacent the iirstpair of sealing rolls 24, 26. 'A1 belt-tensioning device 56 may be employed for'properly tensioning the carrier belt 54. v The stamp rcarrier belt passes over a medial channel in the. lower feed roll 52 (seef -F1g. 5) andis driven by Asaid lower feed roll which is carriedby a shaft 5.7 suitably mounted in a supportingv frame and driven b y achain belt 58V from a shaft driven in turn from the main ing the gummed surfaces of the stamps into i engagement with the moisteningv surface of the roll. At the delivery end of the stampV drive shaft l5 through intermeshing toothed gears (S0, 61 (Figli). y

A stamp moistening roll 62 (Figs. land 6) is` also mounted upon the shaft 59 having a deep groove intermediate itsr ends, in which the carrier belt 54 is received. The stamp ,carrying wheel 53 and the moistening roll 62 are arranged with their peripheries lying approximately tangent to the same plane, the periphery of wheel 53 being opposed to the groove in the roll 62 (see Fig. 6). The moistening roll 62 dips into the compartment of a moisture receptacle 63whichfor convenience in lilling may extend beyond the side frame of the machine, as shown in Fig. 1. The moistening roll may be faced with moisture carrying resilient material.

Spring pressure plates (Fig. 6) are mounted to lie adjacent the moistening surface ofthe roll 62, being adapted for pressfeed mechanism adjacent the pulley 55 is a small roll 65 contacting with the carrier belt 541 for receiving the advancing edge of a. stampV and directing it into the bite of the sealing rolls 24, 2 6 so said stamp is axed tothe face of the envelope which is being fed past this point. The upper stamp feed roll 51 is carried by a roll shaft l66 (Fig. 5) suitably mounted in a supporting frame and is preferably geared to the lower roll through tooth gears 67. The roll 51 is resiliently pressed into gripping contact with the lower ro-ll by means of adjusting springs 68, 69 at each end of the roll. One spring, as for example, 69, may be stiffer than the companion spring so as to holdthe adjacent ends of the rolls into tighter contact than at the otherends so the corresponding edge of the stamp strip is gripped tighter at this po-int. A. similar object may b le accomplished with springs of equal strength but adjusting the spring 69 to exert a greater pressure upon the corresponding end of the shaft than that exerted by spring 68. This arrangement permits a slight slipping or lagging or' the stamp strip at the loose end of theI rolls resulting in a tearing action in severing the stain n stri as more full eX- plained hereinafter.

The stamp delivery mechanism for deliv-l ering the stamps from a supply source tothe stamp feed mechanism proper as best shown` in Figs. 1, 2 and t, includesy gripping mechanism preferably cooperating gripping rolls 7 9, 7l, one or both ofwhich may be provided with serrated surfaces and the lower lroll 70 being preferably grooved for the reception of a sta-mp supporting and guide plate 72 for directing the stamp strip into the bite of Delivery rolls 70, 71 (see Figs. 1 and 4) i are driven from the main drive shaft 15 The upper roll 7 O may` j is gripped equally through the gears 60, 61, idler gear 77 and'V a slip clutch connection to the roll shaft 74. This slip clutch includes a gear 78 mounted on the shaft 7 l and meshing with the idler 77. rlShe gear78 is connected to the shaft 7 lk through friction collars 7 9,y 80, the former being pinned to the shaft and the latter Y being in the form of a sleeve pressed into engagement with the side of the gear 78 by means of a spring 81 interposed between the sleeve 8O and a collar 82 pinned tothe shaft.

An externally positioned hand knob 83 may be provided for manually feeding the stamps or adjusting the stamp strip into correct operative lposition with reference to the feed rolls 51, 52. The stamps are carried in a storage receptacle preferably a reel 84, andV are preferably in the form of a perfo rated strip S arranged for unwinding from the reel. Y Y

The delivery rolls 70,71 are provided with a retarding or checking mechanism, includ-V ing, as best shown in Figs. 1, 2.and 7, a

toothed Wheel 85 having a periphery with one or more teeth indented therein, and a cooperating pivotal pawl 86 normally biased into holding position as by means of a spring 87, and which may as shown,l be controlled by means of the1electromagnet 88. i

For the purpose of notifying an attendant Vwhen the stamp strip is exhaustedv it is desirable to employ a signal device such as a bell 89 (see Fig. 2) with a pivoted springpressed clapper 90 having a shank or eXtension 91, the end of which overlies a slot 92 'comes exhausted, the clappery is released moving into Contact with the bell and giving a signal, the shank 91 passing through the slot- 92.

Control for stamping mechants/1n.

The control rfor the stamp `delivering mechanism and hence of the affixing or applying of the stamp is preferably automaticallyV accomplished by the envelope or article. Such control in the embodiment shown is eifected either' by'virtue of the feeding movement thereof or by virtue of the weight, or by virtue of both the feeding' movement and the weight of the envelope. For the .accomplishmen't of this function, an embodiment is shown including a pivoted operating member`93 (see Fig 2) having an operating arm 94 lying in the path of envelope feed and a switch blade or contact arm. 95 which may be spring biased into normal operative position as shown. This operating memberI may be mounted in any desirable position upon the machine, the showing of Fig 2 being partly diagramniatical. VLying in the path of contact arm 95 are resilient spaced contacts 96, 9T suitably 'mounted and insulated from each other.y Contact 96 is provided on the upper side of its `free end, in the path of the contact arm 95 with an insulation strip 98 for preventing electrical contact between the contacts 95, 96 when the former moves downwardly but permitting such electrical contact when the contact arm 95 moves upwardly.

For effecting the control by virtue. of the weightof the fed envelope, a weight controlled switch 99 is positioned so as to be subjected to the weight of the envelopel as the latterv is fed forwardly in the machine. This vswitch includes spaced insulated resilient contacts 100, 101 suitably mounted for operation by a plunger 102, at the upper end of which is a bearing' plate 103 lying in the path of the envelope and having its upper face spaced just above the surface of the feed table 11. The forward surface of this bearing plate is preferably downwardly inclined so the advancing envelope contacts therewithand slides up over the surface thereof. The bearing plate 103 is positioned (see Fig. 1) in the vicinity of the leading feed .rolls 20, 22 so the envelope F is rlp ed at the margin thereof remote from tghe gap when it passes over the weight controlled switch. A spring 104 normally urges the operating-,plunger 102 to inoperative position,

this spring being' of a definite strength so the plunger is depressed' when the envelope eX- cee'ds a predetermined weight.

The spacing of the consecutive pairs of leading rolls 20, 22, and the positioning of the switch 99 relatively to the rolls is'such that the envelope is grippedby the rolls at only one point at the time the envelope. is positioned for exerting substantially its entire weight upon the bearing plate 103. The roll bite being slightly above the' surface of the feed table 11 and the upper surface of bearing plate 103 being also spaced above the feed table, it will be seen that practically the entire weight of the envelope rests upon said bearing plate. A small proportion may be sustained by the gripping rolls, but a definite proportion of the envelope weight will be exerted upon the switch 99 which Y may be adjusted so as to operate to close con- `tacts 100,101 when the actual envelope weight reaches a predetermined value.

Referring to Fig. 2, a conductor 105 connects. the Vcontact arm with` the supply' conductor 17 and conductors 106, 107 connect contact l96 with magnet 88. When contact arm 95 engages with thecontact 96, the magnet 88 is thereby energized through the following circuits: conductors 17', 105 contact arm 95, contact 96, conductors 106,l 107, magnet 88, and return conductor 108 to supply conductor 16. A cut-out switch 109 may be employed to render the control magnet inoperative. f v

lThe spring contact of weight control switch 99 is connected to the magnet 88 by a conductor 110 and conductor 107, and spring contact 101 is connected to contact 97l by a conductor 111. When contacts 95, 97 are closed and contacts 100, 102 are simultaneously closed, it `will therefore be seen that the magnet 88 will be energized through the following circuit: supply conductor 17, conductor 105, contact armv 95, contact 97, conductor 111, contacts 100, 101, conductors 110, 107, magnet 88, and return'conductor 108 to supply conductor 16.

' Automatic control of the machine. l

It is found advantageous tostart the lenvelope and stamp feeding mechanism when an envelope is introduced into the machine, and to stop the' same when an envelope passes beyond the last pair vof feed rolls. F or' accomplishing this feature, a simple and effective mechanism is employed including the switch 18`for controlling the motor M. This switch is operated through control mechanisin including transverse shafts. 112 mountedrin the side plates of the machine, frame and shown as disposed above the feed table 11, each shaft carrying one or more downwardlyv and rearwardly inclined arms 113. These shafts 112 are arranged in series, each being connected to anoperating link 114 by suitable connecting'arms 115 i(seefFig'. 2). The movable element of the switch `18 ijsconnecte'd for actuation the link 114. through aconnection 116.A This controlling mechanism is biased 'so as tomaintain the Operating vswitch 18 in open position. Closure of the switch 18 energizes the motor and starts the machine inloperation.

Operation.

The operation of the machine is partially embodied in the foregoing disclosure and will be readily understood particularly in connection with the following summary.

Assumingthe machine to be at rest, an en-` velope with 'its address side downv and its flap up and to the right, looking yin the direction of advancement of the envelope E as indicated by the arrow at the upper left hand end of Fig. 2, is introduced manually to the leadingk feed rolls 20, 22, but just prior t0 engagement in the bite and while held by the operator the leading edge of the envelope encounters the first switch operating arm 113 raising it slightly from the position shown` in Fig. 2 and closing the switch 18'to startr the motor. Y It will be understood that the switch and switch operating` mechanisms are very light with negligible inertia and friction wherebyoperation is readily effected by the envelope as described. p

A cycle of operation of the machine to perform a complete sealing and stamping operation on a single envelope is thus initiated byy manual meansprior to envelope advancement by the feed mechanism, and automat-ically through the instrumentality of theenvvelope as the latter is introduced into the machine. When the motor starts power is transmitted to the main driving shaft 15 and the entire machine including both envelope and stamp feed mechanisms is thereby set 1n operation, the leading feed rolls 2 0, .22 then gripping the envelope to advance l1t mtothe machine. The rounded forward nose of the flap separator Bengages beneath the flap .of the envelope, carrying it up over the moistening` belt 37 where it is moistened, the sealing then being accomplished as described.

above. n Y

The successive switch operating arms 113 are close enough together so that one or more of them is always in contact with the advancing envelope, and the machine therefore continues the cycle of operation to advance the envelope continuously and progressively through the machine, the cycle being terminated when the envelope passes beyond the last arm 113, the switch 18 then beingropened automatically and the motor stopped. Each envelope may be ejected from the machine before a following one is introduced, the machine operating with rapidity fo-r this purpose, and in this case the motor circuit will be broken between introduction, of successive envelopes. The successive envelopermay however be introduced before the preceding one has leftv the machine, so as to render the operation of the machine continuous, only the stamp delivery mechanism beingthen intermittent through control thereof by each en@ velope in cooperation with the control varm 94;. The stamp delivering and severing mechanism are controlled by the fed envelope both through the weight cont-rol switch 99 and through contacts 95, 96 which are closed when the fed envelope encounters the operating arm 94:. Contacts 95, 96 are first closed by the advancing envelope and then opened immediately due to the movement of contact arm 95, thusv momentarily energizing the magnet 88 and releasing the checking pawl 86 from engagement with a tooth ofk the ratchet 85. rl"he pawl, however, in case the weight control switch 99 is not closed, is drawn at once into holding position by spring 87 thus engaging the next ratchet tooth that comes along and checking ythe delivery rolls 70, 71. This movement of the delivery rolls effects advancementof a predetermined llength of stamp strip, ordinarily the length of one sta-mp, the forwardend of the strip being introducedy into the grip of the feed rolls 51, 52, which it will be remembered are continuously rotating. during operation of the machine. lnthis connection it should also be observed that the friction clutch (Fig. et) tends always to drive the delivery rolls 70, 71, these rolls being checked by operation of the holding pawl 86. Both pairs of stampfeed rolls are normally driven to advance the stamps at. about the same rate, but when the pawl 86 checks the delivery rolls 70, 71, as described, a differential action is initiated in the rolls resulting inthe eX- ertion of a pull upon the advance strips severing one or more stamps along the perforations of the strip. y

vDue to the unequal gripping pressure at opposite ends ofthe gripping rolls 51, 52 above described, the vtightly gripped edge of the strip has a tendency to feed slightly ahead of the loosely gripped edge, the result being that the severing pull is initiated at thc tightly gripped edge and the pull is exerted differentially along the width of thc strip, severance taking place with the caring action. YThe pull required to sever is thus greatly reduced and the severing operation made more effective and certain.

l hen however they weight of the envelope exceeds a predetermined value, the contacts 100, 102 will be closed and this closure will se. effected at the time the moving contact arm contacts lwith the second contact 97. This second contact is timed to take place at themoment or just before the feeding of ico taneously is to energize the magnet 88 again.

through the Vcircuit traced above so thepawl 8 5 is lifted over they next succeeding ratchet mede-35 toothV of ratchet wheel 8'5 and an additional stamp is thus fed `foriifardly by the delivery rolls. `It will beV Observed that the stamps thus fed Will be unsevered from each other- Should it be desired that these stamps be severed from each other, this function could be accomplished by rearrangement of the teeth of the ratchet wheel, by changing the ratio of the feed rolls, or -by varying the timing of the closing contacts. The severing of the plural stamp unit from the strip will be effected in the same manner as before described when the delivery rolls are finally checked by yaction of the pawl 86.V

It will be thus seen that at least one ysta-mp is always delivered by the delivery rolls and severed from the strip under control of envelope feed,'and that an additional 4nu-mb'er of stamps is delivered and 'severed under joint fact-ion of envelope weightfand envelope feed in case the weight reaches -a predetermined value. v i Y l lVhen the trailing end of the envelope passes the operating arm 94, the contact arm 9 5 returns to normal position under its bias. Closing of circuits through the magnet in this return movement is prevented because the weight switch J9-,opens Tas soon as the envelope'passes it, :and furthermore because electrical contact between contacts V95, 96 is prevented by the insulation 98.

It is to be noted that the envelope feed mechanism and the stampcarryiirg. mechanism, including the stamp delivery-rolls, are continuously connected for 'operating by the main` drive shaft, `there being no intermediate lconnecting or disconnecting driving connections or clutches with the exception of the simpl-e sli-ip clutch mechanism for effecting retardation of the 'delivery rolls.

Upon or .just prior to the-severance of a stamp from the strip as describedthje severed stamp is gripped along a medial zoney or strip between the carrying wheel 53 and belt 54C, the projecting edges of the stamp presenting strips or `Zones 'of the gumm'ed surfaces which are pressed rmly into contact with the moisteningsu-r-faces of the rolls 62 by means of the spring pressure plates 64. It will be observed that the moisten'ed adhesive parts of the stamps do not contact at all with the lcarrying Wheel or belt, so no gumming or corrosion of these jor other parts of the machine talresplace. The severed stamp Ais shown at S1 in Fig. 6 as gripped by the carrying wheel and belt 'and with the gummed marginal surfaces thereof pressed into contact with the moistenin-g rolls by means of the spring plates 64. The stamp is carried to the upper fside ofthe carrying wheel where, guidedby roll 65, itf'is introduced between the sealing feed rolls24, 26 and pressed into contact with the advanc= ving envelope. When the stamp'reachesthe point for aHiX-ing, both it andthe envelope are advancing at the same rate there being no retardation of the feeding movement ofv either. The stampl is additionally pressed into position to assure rm contact by means ofthe last pair of feeding rolls 24, 26.

By means of the mechanism described. it

will be noted that the envelope feed and stamp carrying mechanism are synchronized so both stamp and 'envelope arrive at rolls 24,126 at a time so the stamp is applied to the desired zone of the envelope'. Inasmuch as operation of the entire machine is initiated when an envelope is introduced, and terminated when the envelopes leaves `the machine, it will be observed that the machine remains idle excepting at such times as it is performing an operation on an envelope, thereby avoiding useless wear and-,tear upon the machine and Wasting of energy. Y n Fig. -8 a modification of the inventionv is disclosed for aflixing or applying a printed charabter or insignia upon the envelope or package, instead of applying a stamp as describedabove. The stamp severing, Stamp carryingvand stamp applying mechanism are omitted in this modification, but other parts of theme'chanism and the control and operation thereof are similar to those described in the foregoing disclosure, and-,similar reference charac-ters with 4au index a are employe-d to designate corresponding-parts..

In the embodin'ient shown printing cyli-'nde'r or member 12() is rotatably mounted in the frame ofthe machine having printin'g plates 121 secured thereto with printing `surfaces disposed to pass adjacent to the path of the advancing envelope and substantially in lifn-e with the bites of the feed rolls. A rotatable pressure roll 122 overlies the printing cylinder 120fto press the envelope into contact with the printing plates. The printing cylinder 120 and cooperating pressure roll 122 may be substituted for one pair of feed and `sezrling rolls l24, 26, or may be additional thereto. kAn hiking device may be mounted Vfor supplying ink to the printing plates, this being shown in the form of a roll 123 having an ink pad mounted on the surfacethereof and lying in position to contact withv the printing plates 121 so as to press against the latter .and be driven frictionally thereby.

The shaft 74? corresponds to the shaft 74 shown in Fig. i, except that the stamp rolls and mechai'iismv associated with the latter are omitted. Shaft 74@ is driven from the Vmain power shaft 15a by a belt 124 connected to the slip clutch wheel 78a andthe printing member 120 is driven by a belt 125 passing over a pulleysecured to the shaft 74a. Y The ratchet an'd pawly mechanism 85a-, 86a, is similar to ythat described .above andy the 'control switches93a and-99a are arranged asabove described, except lthat they are positioned farther along thefeed table 11'* in order that ICO the timing of the printing mechanism may be properly controlled. It 'will therefore b e seen that the printing member 120 will be controlled toy apply ,onev or more printing indicia to the passing envelope, such oontrol, both by the feed of the envelope and by thev Weight thereof, being similar to that described in connection with the preceding'l modification. That is, the printing member 120 rotates these 1800 to print a single impression if the weight controllednswitch 99a is not closed but if this switch is closed two consecutive impressions are printedI dueto the fact that printing member 120 then makes a complete revolution. f y

The printed indicia may include data indicating amounts' of postage paid, and a counter or registering device 126 may be connected for operation bythe shaft Maso as to preserve an accurate recordy of the designated postage. Such register may be protected so as to be accessible for adjustment or setting only by government authorities or those especially authorized.

Although the invention has been described above with special reference to a machine for operating on mail matter, it willlbe obvious that it is applicable to other classes of work where it is desired to accomplish a sealing function, or the function of applying.

some manner of indicia, or to accomplish both of these functions. stood therefore that the terms envelope, stamp and similar expressions areV employed in the foregoing description and in Also rit will be clear that the invention comprehends seal-4 the claims in a generic sense.

ing. alone, or stamping or Vprinting alone,

Y but the two functions aire advantageously combined for execution in' a single continuous operation as in the machine set forth. v V

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing fromthe scope thereof, it is` intended that all matter contained in the I above descriptionor shown in the accompanying drawing shalll be interpreted as ilv lustrative and not ina limiting sense.

l between.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: Y

l. In a machine of thecharacter described, in combination, means for feedingan envelope, means for applying a stamp to said envelope, and means Vresponsive, to the weight of the envelope being fed for controlling It will be under-j stamp application by said applying means and being operative to varycontrol of said applying means while said feeding means continues feeding of the envelope. 2 2. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means for feeding an envelope, means for applying a stamp on said envelope and means responsive to 'the weight of the envelope being fed and responsive to feeding movement of said envelope forcontrolling stamp application by said applying means, said controlling means being 'operative to vary control of said applying means while said feeding means continues feeding of the envelope.

' 3. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means for feeding an envelope, means controlled by each individual envelope fed `foraffiXing` afstamp to eachk means while said feeding means continuesy feeding of said article. Y

5. In a machine of the character described, in combination, meansfor feeding an article, means controlled by each individual article fed for applying a designating character toeach article, and means responsive jointly to article' feed and to article weight to control said applying means. Y

6. In a machine of. the Vcharacter described, in combinatioinrmeans for feeding an article, meansl controlled'by each individual article fed for applying a designating character to each article, and means controlled by weight of a fed article to control said applying means so as to alter the applymg operation thereof when the weight of the article exceedsk a predetermined value.

7. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means for feeding an article, means controlled by each individual article fed for applying a designating character to each article. vand means responsive jointly to article feed and to article n weight vto control said applyingmeans so as to alter theapplying operation thereof` when Vthe weight of said article exceeds a' predeterminedvalue.V

r8. In a machineof the character described, in combination, means for feeding an article, means controlled kby each individual article fed for aiiixing a stamp to each which Said article passes While fea and be. i130 article, a 'weight responsive lelement over incassa` ,i 9

ing subjected to the Weight thereof, and

connections between said Weight responsive element and said stamp afhxing means for controlling the latte r in 'accordance With the Weight of said article. l

9. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means for feedingl an article, means controlledby each individual article fed for attaining a stamp 'to each article, ka Weight responsive element over which said article passes While fed and/being subjected to the Weight thereof, al switch controlled by Vsaid Weight` responsive'element and an electro-magnetic control device for said stamp aflixing means controlled by said SWltClL i l 10. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means for feeding control device under jointconticl of en -v yvelope feed and envelope Vweight.

11. In a device of the character described,

in combination, means yfor feeding an en.`

Y strip.

velope, means for afliXing a stamp to said envelope including a stamp carrier Aand a stamp delivery means .for delivering stamps to said carrier, a detent for said stamp delivery means, means for controlling said detent to check said stamp delivery means upon delivery thereby of a predeterminednumber of stamps, and means for controlling said detent in accordance .with the `Weight of the fed envelope so as to deliver an additional number of stamps by said Vdelivery means. l

12. In a device of the character described, in combination, means for feeding an envelope, means for anxi'ng a stamp to said envelopeinclnding a stamp carrier and a stamp `delivery means for. delivering stamps to said carrier, means *for controlling delivery of vstamps byr said delivery means in accordance with envelopefeed, and means for controlling delivery lot stamps by said delivery means in accordance with the Weight of the fed envelopes. i

13. In a device of the character described in combination, means for feeding an envelope, means .for aflixing' a'stamp to said envelope including 'a stamp carrier and a stamp delivei,7 means for delivering stamps to said carrierI means for controllino` de` livery ot stanlps by said delivery means 1n accordance with envelope feed, and means' for-controlling delivery of stamps bysaid delivery means jointly in accordancekivith feeding ,of said envelopesjand Weightof said envelopes,

1e. In a machine cf the character' described, in combination, means for feeding different speedsp en envelope, means lcontrolledby each individual envelope fed for affixing a stamp to k75 each envelope, means co-ntrolledby eachin'- dividual't'ed envelope for aflixing an additionalstamp'vvhen theenvelope Weight ,eX-f ceeds' a predetermined value, and me'ans'forjl severing a stamp from a supply strip 'by exerting a tearing pull uponfsaid strip. v 16. In a machine ofthe character de-j scribed, in combination, means for feeding an envelope, means for aflixing a stamp* tov said envelope including a stamp carrier and a 'stamp' delivery means for 'deliveringvr stamps to said carrier, an xelectro-magnetic control device for said stamp delivery means, control means for said electro"ma'g A netic-coiitrol device under joint cont-roly 'of 90 envelopel feed and envelopef Weight, and means Ifor severingl a stampfrom a supply-'j'- strip by exerting a, tearing-'pull upon said-f 17.*In a device of .the character described, 95 in combination, means for feeding an *envelope',fmeans for aflixing' a'stamp tosaid' envelope including a. stamp carrier anda stamp delivery means for delivering stamps to said carrier,means for controlling cle-'V100 livery of stamps by said deliverymeansin accordance With envelope feed, means for`A controlling deliveryof stamps by saidf delivery means in accordance With the WeightH of the fed envelopes,Y and means for'severVl5 ingV a stamp from a supply strip by exerting a tearing pull' upon said strip.' H i 18. InA a machine of the character described, in combination, a stamp aflixingf mechanism and separate means maintaining 1'10 l'a continuousgrip'upon a stamp supply strip for severin'a stam therefrom b yexertino` a e P l y e tearing action initiatedat -one ledge yof said `strip.fj y

19. In a stamp :feeding mechanism, in.115

combination, means for gripping a supply strip of stamps at spaced parts thereof and feeding said spaced parts at substantially the same' rate, and lmeans for' initiatinga vdifferential action of said grippingmeansi12u and feeding a supplyl strip of stamps, means whereby one pairof grippingrollsgripsthe T3 jstampv stripV tighter at .one edge of the strip,

and means fordrjving saidfspaced. @11.55312 gripping rolls gripsthe stamp strip tighterv at one edge, and vmeans to initiate a dierential action of said rolls to exert a pull upon the stamp strip.

23. In a stamp feeding mechanism, in combination, means for gripping a supply strip of stamps Lat spaced parts thereof, means-whereby saidgripping means exerts a differential pull along the Width of the strip so as toy sever the strip With a tearing action, stamp aiiixing means for aftixing a sta-mp to an envelope, and means controlled by envelope Weight for controlling the feeding-operation of one of said grippingmeans.

24. In a stampy feeding mechanism, in combination, spaced pairs of rolls for gripping-and feeding a supply strip of stamps, means for operating said rolls to advance the stamp strip, means whereby one pair of gripping rolls grips the stampstrip tighter at one edge, stamp afxing means for affixing a stamp to an envelope and means controlled by envelope weight for controlling the feeding operation of onev of said pairs of rolls.

Veo

25. In a stamp feeding mechanism, in combination, spaced grippers for feeding a stamp strip and exerting a-continuous gripping action thereon, means for operating 'said grippers s0 as, to exert a pull upon the strip and means for initiating said pull at one edge of the strip so as to sever the strip with a tearing action.

26. In a stamp feeding mechanism, in combination, means for exerting a continuous gripping action upon a strip of stamps and means for exerting a pull initially at one-edge of sai-d strip as held by said gripping means so as to sever the strip Vby a tearing action. y

27. In a stamp feeding mechanism, in combination, means' for gripping a strip of stamps, a pair of gripping feed rolls for exerting a pull on said strip as held by said gripping means and means for effecting tighter gripping engagement of said` rolls at one edge of the stamp strip Wherebythe strip is severedk with a tearing action.

28. In a stamp feeding mechanisnnin combination, Aa pair of-l delivery Yrolls for Y gripping Vand feeding a strip of stamps,

automatic means for checking delivery of the stamp strip. by said delivery rolls, and a p pair of gripping feed rolls for exerting a pull upon said strip as heldby said checked delivery rolls, and means whereby said Vgripping feed rolls grip the stamp strip..y

30. Ina stamp feeding mechanism, in combination, a pair of delivery rolls for gripping and feeding a strip of stamps,jau-

ktomatic means for checking delivery of the Y stamp strip` by saidy delivery rolls, a` pair ofgripping feed rolls for exerting a pull eoy upon said strip as held by said checked -delivery rolls, and means wherebysaid gripy ping feed rolls grip the stamp strip tighter at one edge so as to initiate the pullat one edge or" the strip, said last. mentioned means including a resilient adjustable member for holdingsaid feed rolls in cooperating grip-- ping engagement. l

Si. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means'for feeding an article, means for aflixing a designating character to said fed article, a checking device normally positioned for checking said aiiixing means, and means controlled by said article for releasing said checking device,

32. In a. machine ofthe character described, in combination, means for feeding an article, means for afti'xing a designating character tp said fed article, a checking device normally positioned for checking said afixing means, and means responsive to article feed and to article Weight for controlling said checking device.

33. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means for feeding an article, means for aflixing a designating character to said fed article, a checking device normally positioned for checking said aii'ixing means, means responsive to article feed for controlling said checking device, and means responsive to article Weight for controlling said checking device in sequence With said first mentioned controlling means.

34. In a `machine of the character described, in combination, means forV feeding A scribed, in combination', means for yfeeding an articlegme'ans for afflxing a1 designa-ting means for moistening the' envelope flap ivhi1g,95.'.

CIJ

yipredetermined Weight?,` and a; second i. contactf.-

device*controlledjfby 'said article and; adapted fto renergizexa saldi#electro-magnetic device ltwice 1n succession in case said Weight con#j circuit rclosure f operated l by .":Asaid fed'v'larticle for energizing and.A immediately deenergiz ing said electro-magnetic device vwhereby rsaid checking device is momentarily -released but atonce assumes',checkingposition., *'trolledcontactl is closed.

35. In a machine of thecharacter--de-V lOiIn`a machineofthe:l scribed, in combination, means fori` feeding an article, means "for aiiixfingi'a designating an envelopeincludinga gripper'adapted to character to said fed article,fa checking' devgrip the' envelope at lonermargfin thereof, a vice normally positioned for checking Said-means Y for moisteningi;vr theenvelope`y flap'1i75- ailixing means, an electro-magnetic' devicey '-Wliilefed', meansffor aflixi'ngvadesignating.y for operating' said, checkingA device,y and *character 't'o 'f the envelopefrand la controlmeans controlled by Weight ofthe lfed artimember'for 'said aiiixing'means operated''by` 3 cle -forI energizing' said electro-magnetic ldeenvelope Weight;ivhile the'envelopel is heldV 1 'vice for releasing said checking' device.:4

36. In Va machine of the -characterffdepassed beyond said moistening means." scribed, in combination,- meansfor feeding` 41. In. a machine of the 'character de-f:v an article, meansfor'aiiixinga designating scribedyin `combi-nation, `means for feeding. character to said fed article, a checkingde-v an envelope including a. gripper adapted'to =w "vice normally Vpositioned for checking said. grip the envelope. at (one margin thereof, 85 affixing means, an 'electro-magnetic device means for'vai'lixingr'a designatingcharacter for operating said checkingfdevica ya pliito .the envelope,l` and `a controlqmemherfor 1 rality of energizing circuits for said electrosaid affixing vmeans voperated by envelope V magnetic device, one -of said' circuits beingfneight `-'while the envelope-is Aheld loy saidzc Acontrolledloyarticle'ffeed and-thefother bef gripper: 90 ingr controlledfjointlyV by'article'iveight and article feedh l Sfnl a ma 70 character de'-` f 4:2. In a machine of the'nchailacterde= scribed,"in combinatiom'means for :feeding an enevelogie-:includingalgripper vadaptedzto i Vgrip theenve'lop'e l'at'fone margin-1 thereof,

chine of the character decharacter to said vfedarticlega checking d e" fed, means for afhalingga-designatingicharacf vice normallypositioned=for icheckingsaldtery to they envelope,-a controlv member for-` afining mea'ns, an. electrolmagnetic device said: aiixin-gf means@operatedlibyl envelope*I for `operatingsaid checking- V`device, means WeightaWh-ile 'theenvelope 4is-"held bysaidi for energizing'said electro-maignretic device gripper andwafterthe envelopefhaspassedfmof beyond saidl mo-istening' means-,g` andmeans article Weight" and `a contactrdeviCQCOH- lpositioned-fhey'ond said control Vmem-ber forel trolled byV article feed, Ysaidflash-mentionedsealing thel-envelopflap Lg-@inst the ,en Lv Contact (jlevice-havingfaIilurality'of'contactmelope'g A points one of which isl connected:finseries 43, In t ma 'with vsaid Weight controlledfoontact devicel:-scrbedEl iurCOmbinafU-ion) ,meausgfon ieeding;

38. In a'machine 'of thecharacter dean envelopeihaving itsilapinitially lying scrihedyin combination, means,fforffeedingeadjaggnt the'envelopegbody, ndudngap]u 2lI1-:\l'tCl,m2L1S fOr 'a'fflX'Ug EL dGSlQjDaltlUg 'ralityof feedinggrigppers"arranged in series,l character to sai-d fedarticlewa checkmgfde vice normally positionedffor checking -said aiiixing` nleans, an electro-magnetic`4 dev-ice for operating" said clieckingf-device, a plurality"V of energizing circuits for said electro-` magnetic device, oneof said circuit'sfbeing controllcdby article Vfeed andthe other being controlled jointlyA by article Weightand article feed, said circuitsv being',r closed-.se-` quentially in timed relationvro the yoperation- V'of said aflixing means.

39. In a machine Vof lthe-character described, in combination, meansfforwfeeding an article, `means for afiixi'ng designating character to said fed article/,Ha checkingde-- vice Anormally"positioned for checking; said ainingmeans, an Yelectro-magnetic' device for operating' said checking f device; energizing circnitsffor said electro-magnetic device,

Y oiled 'byY article Weightfand including a contact 'device@controlled4 by from the envelope body as -the 4envelope-is v fed forwardly', adhesional'meansfor render 1 ing the v'[iapadhesive while'fed and While-4 deflected bysaid deflecting means, the feedmeans beingpositioned to avoid pressing-the flap against the envelope, and flap sealing means positioned beyond said -neX-t following' feeding gripper.

scribe'd,.in combination,- meansfor,feedingr fan envelopeV havingitsvlflap--initially;lying adjacent the envelope body, including agplu-v vralityqof pairs of gripping`-feedrollsrarel i deflectingsaid y iiap, from st-hel envelope bodyl as theenvelope is fed forwardly, moistenin'gi means I forl ,moistening JAthe j s envelope' flap lWhile. ,-fedand vWhile deflectedby said, de-A "scribed, in combination,fmeans'lfor'feeding-f by"saidfngripper and after't'he envelope hasv 30m chine of the characterllde- 105.

2meansufor automaticallydeflecting saidflap U0' ving grippeivnext '-followingsaid adhesional U5- afn amachineaof the V.character dee-V10.:

-ranged in ser-ies, means.r forautomaticallynlii:

ing the lmoistening means being positioned to avoid pressing the flap against the envelope yand flap sealing means positionedbeyond while fed, the said rolls next following the moistening means being positioned to avoid contact with the flap, and flap sealing means positionedbeyond said next following feed rolls, stamp aiiixing means, land control mechanism for said aifixing means operated by envelope weight while the envelope is gripped by said feed rolls and after the envelopehas passed beyond said moistening means.

46. In a machine ofthe character described, in combination, means for feeding Y an envelope including feed rolls for gripping and feeding the envelope, 'means for afliXing a stamp to the envelope, and a control member for said aiiiXing means operated by envelope weight while the envelope is being fed,'said 'feed rolls then gripping the envelope onlyadjacent` the` margin thereof.

., 47. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means for feeding an article, means for applyingwith a rolling contact a designation r to said fed article while being fed, operation initiating means for said applyingy means, and means including an electromagnetically controlled detent under automatic control of an article as fed by said feeding means for initiating an applying cycle and for automatically terminating operationthereof upon completion of said cycle. Y

48, In a machine vof the character described, in combination, means for feeding an article, means for aiiiXing a Adesignating character to said fed article, means vnormally biased for holding said affixing means inoperative, electro-magnetic means for releasing said holding means, and means con trolled by an article as fed by said fee-ding means for energizing said electro-magnetic means to release said holding means and to subsequently deenergize said electro-magnetic means.

49. In a stamp feeding mechanism,`in combination, means for gripping a supply strip of stamps at spaced parts thereof, means foroperating said gripping means to advance the stamp strip, means whereby said gripping means exerts a differential pull along the width of the strip so as to sever the strip with a tearing action, and automatic means for initiating said diiferential pull. v50.

an'article, means ,for applying a designat- I 51.*In amachine Vof the In `va` machine of the character de,-v

. scribed, in combination, means for feeding scribed, in combination, stamp ing character to saidfedarticle, means controlled by an article as fed by said feeding means for initiating an applying cycle of operations of said applying means, and means controlledby vthe same said fed article for applying'a successivedesignating character thereo. Y

character described, in combination, means for feeding an article, normally continuously operative means for applying'With-a rolling contact a stamp to said fed article while being fed, normally inoperative delivery rolls for deliveringa stampk to said stamp applying means,operation'initiating means for said delivery rolls, and' means under automatic control of an article as fed by said feeding means for controlling said operation initiat ing 'means to initiate a cycle ofoperation of said delivery rollsand for automatically terminating operation thereof upon completion of said cycle.

52, In a'machine of the'character described, in combination, means'for feeding an article, means for carrying and applying a stamp to said fedv article, means for dehvering a rstamp to said carrying and apinitiating a cycle of operation of said stamp delivering means and for rendering said plying means, operation initiating means for v delivering means ineffective upon comple`V tion of said cycle, and means controlled by the same said fed article for-applying a successivedesignating character thereto.

53. In la machineof the character described, inv combination, means for feeding an article, means controlled by each individual article fed for applying a Vdesignationto each article and means lcontrolled automatically by said article for changing the significance ofthe designation applied.

54. In a machine of the character described, in combinatiom'means for feeding an article and means under automatic control of the article for applying one only or a plurality of stamps to said article during a single passage thereof in the machine.

55. In amachine ofl thecharacter described, in combination, means forfeeding an article, means under automatic control of the article for applying a stamp to said article, and means under automatic control of said article for applying an additional stamp thereto during a single passage thereof in the machine.

56. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means controlled by each individual articlefor applying a desi gnation thereto, and means controlled automatically by said article and 4responsive toy f weight thereof for changing the significance means controlled automatically by said articles for applying one only or a plurality of stamps to each article at a single operation thereon.

58. In a machine of the character described, in combination, stamp applying means for applying stamps to articles and operating to apply at least one stamp to each article, and means responsive to article Weight for controlling said applying means to increase stamp application to an article exceeding a predetermined Weight.

59. In a-machine of the character described, in combination, stamp applying` means for applying stamps to articles, and means under automatic control of said'articles for applying stamps thereto in units of one only or in units of a plurality of attached stamps.

60. In a machine of the character described, in combination, stamp applying means for applying stamps to articles, and means under automatic control of said articles for severing stamps from a strip and applying them to said articles in units of one only or in units of a plurality of attached stamps.

6l. In a machine of the character described,in combination, spaced grippers for feeding a stamp strip, one of said grippers having a pair of rolls having continuously cooperating gripping surfaces for gripping a stamp4 strip toward one edge thereof While the opposite edge remains comparatively free, and another of said grippers being operable to exert a pull upon the strip so as to sever it With the tearing action initiated at one edge.

62. In a machine of the character described, in combination, spaced grippers for feeding a stamp strip, one of said grippers including a pair of rolls having continuously cooperating gripping surfaces for gripping a stamp strip toward one edge thereof While the opposite edge remains comparatively free, and another of said grippers including a pair of rolls having continuous gripping surfaces for gripping the stamp strip, and means for controlling the action of said last mentioned rolls so as to exert a pull upon the strip and sever it With Va tearing action initiated at one edge.

63. In a machine of the character described, in combinationspaced grippers for feeding a stamp strip, one of said grippers including a pair of rolls having continuously cooperating gripping surfaces for gripping a stamp strip toward one edge thereof While the opposite edge remains comparatively free, and another of said grippers including a pair'of rolls having continuous gripping surfaces for gripp-ing the stamp strip, means for driving both pairof feed rolls for feed ing the stampstrip at substantially the same rate, and means for initiating a differential action of said rolls so as to eXert a pull uponv the strip and sever it vvitha tearing action initiated at one edge. A c

64. yIn a machine of the character described, in combination, mechanism for feeding an article, means for initiating operation of the machine, including said feeding mechanism, by introduction of an article into position to be fed by said feeding mechanism, means for applying a stamp to said fed article, said stamp applying means including a pair of stamp delivery rolls, and means controlled automatically by the article being fed to initiate a delivery cycle of operations of said delivery rolls thereby, controlling stamp application by said applying means. In testimony Wherof I affix my signature.

' MAXWELL VIDAVER.

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