Apparatus for applying and drying sealing material to the seal flap of envelopes

An apparatus for drying the adhesive portions on envelopes produced by an envelope producing machine, said apparatus comprising:

• a radio frequency generator and connected thereto a radio frequency electrode;
• a rotatable drum which is an electrical ground with respect to said electrode and spaced therefrom;
• and
• means to collect and convey the envelopes having undried adhesive portions to said drum so that said portions are dried by radio frequency power as they are conveyed by the drum beneath said electrode;
• said electrode comprising a plurality of conductive electrode rods, each rod attached at only one end thereof to a base which extends in an arc along one side of said drum, each of said rods being a straight elongated rod arranged parallel to the other rods;
• each of said electrode rods having an end portion extending through an elongated slot in said base and being fixedly attached to said base by securement means received on said end portion along the axis of said rod,
• each of said elongated slots in said base extending along a radius of said drum, and
• each of said electrode rods extending inwardly over, around, and partially across said drum to form an arc proximate and spaced from the surface of said drum;
• whereby each electrode rod is attached to said base by adjustment means including said end portion and securement means whereupon by loosening of said securement means, said rod may be adjusted prior to use to permit movement of each rod individually either toward or away from the surface of said drum.