Pitney Bowes Inc.

Robert R Reid

James G Montagnino

Stephen E Girard

Edward Winkler

Apparatus for applying moisture to a workpiece. The apparatus includes a brush which has a base and a moisture carrier extending from the base. The moisture carrier has a free end for contacting a workpiece to apply moisture thereto. The base includes a plurality of teeth. In addition, the apparatus includes a brush holder which has a plurality of teeth. And, the brush teeth and said brush holder teeth are respectively constructed and arranged for separable engagement with each other for removably attaching the brush to the brush holder in one of at least two positions.

Workpiece moistening apparatus

A moistening system for moistening the gummed flaps of envelopes being processed in a postage meter mailing machine includes a rotating endless belt extending into a liquid supply and transferring moisture to flaps pressed against it by a contoured finger positioned adjacent to the belt. The finger is curvedly bowed and twisted relative to the belt moistening surface so as to urge essentially only the gummed portion of the flap against the belt for moistening although a wide variety of envelope flap designs and sizes are processed. The endless belt may be pivotably supported to permit convenient removal of the liquid supply container. The container is part of a liquid reservoir assembly which includes a tray support for the container which requires that several motions, vertical and horizontal, be sequentially followed before the container may be removed from the machine. This minimizes inadvertent spillage. The container may have cam surfaces cooperating with complementary parts of the endless belt device to pivot it. Interlocks to prevent operation of the belt when the container is not in place are provided. The entire system is conveniently positioned below the deck of and within the postage meter mailing machine.

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Stamford, CT, United States of America

Robert R Reid