Method and apparatus for moistening envelope flaps

• Main Author: DOLAN, DONALD T
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 05.07.2000
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: BUREAU ACCESSORIES; BUREAU ACCESSORIES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING; WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS

This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing an accurate moistening system which provides for less fluid waste and better wetting. This in turn causes better sealing of the envelope flap. The present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a non-contact envelope flap moistening system which can be installed in a mailing machine apparatus. The flap moistening system comprises an array of inkjet print heads (60) and a document scanner (80) for sensing the envelope flap. Envelope flaps can be moistened by the flap moistening system by performing a method comprising the following steps: sensing the envelope flap; profile and/or the glue area of an envelope flap; building a firing sequence for the print head nozzles; and actuating the nozzles to precisely fire discreet fluid droplets onto the glue area of the envelope flap. The system provides precise fluid amounts for envelope sealing. This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing an accurate moistening system which provides for less fluid waste and better wetting.