JPH04242523A - Envelope seal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent incomplete sealing in a high speed and large amount of processing of envelopes by a method wherein envelopes are fed in sequence into a nip location formed between a peripheral region of a rotating drum and a belt surface region sector of a moving endless belt, and envelope flaps are pressed and sealed. CONSTITUTION: An envelope sealer 10 is provided with a moving endless belt means 20 including a belt surface region sector 22 arranged in quite adjacent to an outer surface of a rotating drum 12. The belt surface region sector 22 has an indent surface at a part of a belt length of the moving endless belt means 20 wound around a peripheral region part 24 of the rotating drum 12. The belt has a certain resilience so as to store the envelopes nipped between the moving endless belt means 20 and the rotating drum 12. Then, the envelope having flaps coated with glues is fed from a nip inlet 30 into a region nip location 28, held there and the flaps are closed. Then, time sealed envelopes are fed out of a nip outlet 32 to a feeding-out region 38.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for automatic sealing of envelopes, for example used in devices for automatic insertion of inserts into envelopes in the preparation of bulk mailing articles, and more particularly to Concerning a high-speed device for sealing envelope flaps.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Traditionally, envelopes have been sealed in a variety of ways in a variety of mechanisms, most often between rollers, between rollers and a moving belt, or between rollers and a stationary elastic member. by moving the envelope through the line nip. Such prior art sealers transmit only a small amount of sealing pressure substantially along a sweeping contact line directed across the envelope transport motion. Once the line nip has passed over a location on the envelope, the sealing pressure is relieved at that location, but the elastic properties of the envelope material and contents tend to cause the flap to open again. However, especially in the case of humid flaps,
Adhesives may not have adequate time to dry and cure for a permanent bond.

Furthermore, insert-containing envelopes bulge and therefore generally do not present a flat parallel surface to the line nip. As a result, sealing pressure is generally not applied evenly or continuously along the line nip. As a result, seals achieved in this manner are often irregular, unreliable, and subject to failure.

[0004] When sealed by prior art mechanisms, the flaps do not always seal reliably and completely;
It may open. Particularly in high-speed, high-volume processing of envelopes, the reliability of the seal is very important, and seal failures, even if they occur only occasionally, are highly undesirable, and not only in the subsequent mechanical processing of the envelopes, but also in e.g. This has a significant negative impact on subsequent mail processing.

One prior art envelope sealing device that relies on a line nip between a pair of rotating rollers to seal passed envelopes is disclosed in US Pat. No. 820,427 by M.
Disclosed by arkoe. Other sealing devices with line nips between rollers and endless belts are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 705,531 (Jones) and 3,878.
, No. 025 (Storace). Gr.
U.S. Patent No. 1,632,648, issued to ay,
When the envelope passes under the pressure spring 30 (FIGS. 2-3),
The envelope body includes a sealing device for sealing the wet envelope flap.

The envelope sealer apparatus of the present invention eliminates unreliable, improper or incomplete seals, seal failures, and flap reopening incidents that occur particularly in high speed and high volume processing of envelopes. Such undesirable incidents are particularly encountered in high-speed envelope processing when sealing mechanisms of the kind shown in the prior art are used, which sealing mechanisms are located along the line nip while the envelopes are being passed through. By applying a slight sealing pressure to the position.

An important overall feature of the invention is the provision of an improved reliable envelope flap sealing mechanism for use in high speed envelope processing, where the sealing mechanism comprises an area nip formed between an elastic belt and a drum surface. so that the area nip is able to properly fit and accommodate the bulging non-flat envelope, and substantially each position of the envelope flap is expanded as the envelope passes through the area nip. Exposure to confining pressure over time.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an envelope sealer for fast sealing is provided to other envelopes and serials. The envelope sealer includes a rotating drum and a moving endless elastic belt surrounding a portion of the drum. The drum in combination with the belt forms a nip area in which the envelopes are transported. The envelope flap is pressed into the closed position, sealed, and closed while passing through the area nip site.

The envelope sealer further serves for inverting the envelope and/or repositioning and/or orienting the envelope to a different level while the envelope is passed through the area nip site and sealed. The area nip site is configured for the purpose of extending the same reference distance around the circumference of the drum so that entry of the envelope into the nip site is provided in one orientation at a particular level and exit is provided in another orientation ( For example, inversion). Various relationships of entry and exit levels and directions of envelope feeding into and out of the sealer are achieved by appropriate modifications of the basic sealer structure.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Like reference numbers refer to like parts throughout the drawings. The drawing is
Emphasis is placed upon the drawings, which are schematic and not necessarily to scale, clearly illustrating the principles of the invention.

[0011]

[Embodiment] Referring to FIG. 1, an envelope sealer (
sealer) 10 is shown. The envelope sealer 10 is
a peripheral surface 14 and a substantially horizontal axis 16 around which drum 12 rotates;
A rotating drum 12 is provided. Vertical plane 18 (
) is defined through the horizontal axis 16 .

The envelope sealer 10 further includes a moving endless belt means 20 including a belt surface area sector 22 disposed in close proximity to the outer surface of the rotating drum 12. Belt surface area sector 22 corresponds to rotating drum 12
2 depicts a concave surface of a portion of the belt length of the moving endless belt means 20 wrapped around the circumferential region portion 24 of. The moving endless belt means 20 comprises one or more endless belts carried on a plurality of rolls arranged as shown in FIG.

The belt(s) has resilient elastic properties so that it accommodates the envelopes nipped between the moving endless belt means 20 and the rotating drum 12. The resilient elastic properties of the belt thus promote some conformity of the surface to the nipped and conveyed envelope, and the nip pressure is substantially distributed over the envelope surface. To further enhance such compliance, the surface of the rotating drum 12 is also provided with resilient properties, for example by using a surface layer of resilient elastomeric material.

At least one of the rolls of moving endless belt means 20 is electrically driven to move the belt in the direction indicated by arrow 26. The belt moves at substantially the same speed as the circumference of the rotating drum 12. The rotating drum 12 is driven by a belt or it is separately electrically driven. In the latter situation, the belt is alternatively driven by frictional contact with the rotating drum 12.

The belt of the moving endless belt means 20 (
The portions where the belt (single or plural) contact the rotating drum 12 are the belt surface area sector 22 and the circumferential area portion 24.
The region in between is defined as a region nip region 28. Regional nip site 28 includes a nip inlet 30 and a nip outlet 32 located at an inlet and an outlet, respectively.

The envelope is fed into the nip entrance 30 in a substantially flap-up position with the flap hinge edge leading edge by a feeding means not shown in detail. Envelope 34 is shown schematically in a position during feeding into nip entrance 30. An envelope 34 (preferably with a pre-wetted flap in the case of a wetted flap) is shown mounted on a platform 36 included in the feeding means. The platform 36 is reciprocated in a horizontal plane to and from the nip entrance 30, so that the envelopes received at the platform 36 are
It is moved to the nip entrance 30. In a preferred feeding system, the envelopes are transported sequentially on a conveyor to the position indicated by the envelopes 34, for example in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the plane of illustration, where a reciprocating pusher device moves each envelope from the conveyor surface to the nip entrance 30. Push in. The platform 36 can be thought of as the pushing arm of such a pusher device. Other conventional means for feeding envelopes into a sealing position on envelope sealer 10 may also be used. For example, a conveyor can transport envelopes directly into the nip entrance 30 from the left side. Furthermore, the envelopes do not necessarily need to be fed horizontally to the envelope sealer; the envelopes may be fed along an inclined plane.

The envelope exits area nip site 28 through nip exit 32 into delivery area 38 and exits surface 4.
sent out to 0. The envelopes delivered to the delivery area 38 are transported to a subsequent processing device (not shown). For example, surface 40 represents a conveyor surface for conveying sealed envelopes in a generally horizontal direction perpendicular to the plane of illustration. Alternatively,
Surface 40 represents the conveyor surface for conveying sealed envelopes to the right. Other conventional transport means may also be used to transport sealed envelopes from envelope sealer 10. The orientation of the delivered sealed envelope does not necessarily have to be horizontal, and the surface 40 can be tilted in any direction to facilitate subsequent conveyance of the sealed envelope to a variety of other devices. be understood.

In addition to the rotating drum 12 and the moving endless belt means 20, the delivery means also includes blade means 42 having a leading edge 44 in close proximity to the surface of the rotating drum 12.
including. The blade means 42 function to ensure that envelopes exiting the nip exit 32 are lifted off the surface of the rotating drum 12 and guided into the delivery area 38.

As shown in FIG. 1, nip entrance 30 is located substantially at the intersection of vertical plane 18 and circumferential surface 14. As shown in FIG. For the embodiment shown, the nip entrances 30 are spaced apart on one or the other side of the vertical plane 18.
It is understood that the position of is equally valid. The nip outlet 32 is located substantially to the right of the vertical plane 18 so that the area nip region 28 is
over a relatively large area around the periphery of 2.

Although not specifically shown, envelope sealer 1
The illustrated components of 0 are attached to a common machine frame structure in the relationship shown. For example, the rotating drum 12
The axle of the belt roller and the axle of the belt roller are journalled in suitable bearings in such a frame structure, and the blade means 42 are attached to this frame structure. Similarly, the platform 36 together with the support base of the delivery region 38 are suitably positioned in the required fixed or movable relationship in the machine frame structure.

In operation, an envelope with a glued flap (eg envelope 34) is fed into area nip site 28 at nip entry 30 where it is nipped and the flap is closed. During transport through the regional nip site 28 to the nip exit 32, a substantially normal pressure is exerted on the envelope surface and the flap is sealed to the envelope body and during the time of travel through the regional nip site 28. It is held in a compressed state. The sealed envelope is delivered from the nip exit 32 to the delivery area 38 ready for further processing.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a very similar embodiment of an envelope sealer is shown. namely, envelope sealer 50 (FIG. 2) and envelope sealer 50' (FIG. 3). These envelope sealers differ substantially from each other in the field extent length of the field nip site, the length of the moving endless belt means, and the relative position of their respective nip exits and delivery regions. Essentially, envelope sealers 50 and 50' are somewhat similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, but specifically modified to include envelope inversion capabilities. Thus, envelope sealers 50 and 50' function to accommodate envelopes in the flap-up position and to deliver envelopes in the flap-down position. Envelope sealers 50 and 50' each include a rotating drum 52 of similar construction, include similar elements, and function in substantially the same manner as rotating drum 12 of FIG. 1, as described above. Rotating drum 52
includes a circumferential surface 54 and a substantially horizontal axis 56 about which drum 52 rotates. A vertical plane 58 (indicated by a dash-dotted line) is defined through the horizontal axis 56.

Envelope sealers 50 and 50' each include a moving endless belt means 60 that includes a belt surface area sector 62 disposed in close proximity to the outer surface of rotating drum 52.
It further comprises: Belt surface area sector 62 represents a concave surface of a portion of the belt length of moving endless belt means 60 wrapped around circumferential area portion 64 of rotating drum 52 . The moving endless belt means 60 comprises one or more endless belts carried on a plurality of rolls arranged as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The belt(s) has resilient elastic properties so that it accommodates the envelopes nipped between the moving endless belt means 60 and the rotating drum 52. The resilient elastic properties of the belt thus promote a degree of conformability of the surface to the nip and the transported envelope, so that nip pressure is substantially distributed over the envelope surface. To further enhance such compliance, the surface of the rotating drum 52 may be provided with resilient properties, for example by using a surface layer of resilient elastomeric material.

At least one of the rolls of moving endless belt means 60 is electrically driven to move the belt in the direction indicated by arrow 66. The belt moves at substantially the same speed as the circumference of the rotating drum 52. The rotating drum 52 is driven by a belt or separately electrically driven. In the latter situation, the belt
Alternatively, it is driven by frictional contact with rotating drum 52.

The belt of the moving endless belt means 60 (
The belt surface area sector 62 and the circumferential area portion 64 contact the rotating drum 52, namely, the belt surface area sector 62 and the peripheral area portion 64.
The region in between is defined as a region nip region 68. Regional nip site 68 includes a nip inlet 70 and a nip outlet 72 located at the inlet and outlet, respectively.

The envelope is fed into the nip entrance 70 with the flap hinge edge leading edge and in a substantially flap-up orientation by a feeding means not shown in detail. Envelope 74 is shown schematically in position during feeding into nip entrance 70 . An envelope 74 (with a pre-moistened flap) is shown mounted on a platform 76 included in the delivery means. The platform 76 is reciprocated in a horizontal plane to and from the nip entrance 70 so that the envelopes contained in the platform 76 are moved to the nip entrance 70. In a preferred feeding system, the envelopes are transported sequentially on a conveyor, e.g. in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the plane of illustration, to the position indicated by the envelopes 74, in which case a reciprocating pusher device moves each envelope from the conveyor surface to the nip entrance 70. Push in. The platform 76 can be thought of as the pushing arm of such a pusher device. Other conventional means may also be used to deliver envelopes to sealing positions in envelope sealers 50 and 50'. For example, a conveyor
The envelope may also be conveyed directly to the nip entrance 70 from the left side. Furthermore, the envelopes do not necessarily need to be fed horizontally to the envelope sealer; the envelopes may be fed along an inclined plane.

The envelope exits area nip site 68 through nip exit 72 to delivery area 78 and exits from area nip site 68 to delivery area 78 .
sent out to 0. The envelopes delivered to the delivery area 78 are transported to a subsequent processing device (not shown). For example, surface 80 represents a conveyor surface for conveying sealed envelopes in a generally horizontal direction perpendicular to the plane of illustration. Alternatively, surface 40 represents a conveyor surface for conveying sealed envelopes to the left. Other conventional transport means may also be used to transport sealed envelopes from envelope sealers 50 and 50'. The orientation of the delivered sealed envelope does not necessarily have to be horizontal; the surface 80 may be tilted in any direction to facilitate further conveyance of the sealed envelope to a variety of other devices. .

In addition to the rotating drum 52 and the moving endless belt means 60, the delivery means also includes blade means 82 having a leading edge 84 in close proximity to the surface of the rotating drum 52.
including. The blade means 82 functions to ensure that envelopes exiting the nip exit 72 are lifted off the surface of the rotating drum 52 and guided into the delivery area 78.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, nip entrance 70 is located substantially to the right of vertical plane 58. It will be appreciated that, with respect to the illustrated embodiment, the nip entrance 70 is equally effectively located in the vertical plane 58 or slightly to the left of the vertical plane 58. Nip outlet 32 is located substantially to the right of vertical plane 58 in the embodiment of FIG. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, nip outlet 72 is located to the left of vertical plane 58. The latter embodiment is particularly useful for delivering sealed envelopes at a higher level than the level at which envelopes are delivered by the embodiment shown in FIG.

Although not specifically shown, the envelope sealer 5
It will be appreciated that the illustrated components at 0 and 50' are attached to a common machine frame structure in the relationship illustrated. For example, the shaft of the rotating drum 52 and the axle of the belt roller are journalled in suitable bearings in such a frame structure, and the blade means 82 is attached to this frame structure. Similarly, the platform 76 along with the support base of the delivery region 78 are suitably positioned in the required fixed or movable relationship in the machine frame structure.

In operation, the envelope is inserted into the nip entrance 70.
at the area nip site 68 where it is nipped and the flaps are closed. During conveyance through regional nip site 68 to nip exit 72, a substantially normal pressure is exerted on the envelope surface and the flaps
It is sealed to the envelope body and held in a compressed state during the time of travel through the area nip site 68. The sealed envelope is
Delivery area 7 from nip outlet 72 is ready for subsequent processing.
Sent on 8th.

Envelope sealers 50 and 5 in FIGS. 2 and 3
In view of the illustration at 0', it will be appreciated that envelope sealers 50 and 50' include means for inverting the envelope while being conveyed through area nip site 68. For example, an envelope 74 delivered to area nip site 68 in flap-up orientation is delivered to delivery area 78 in flap-down orientation.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the illustrated embodiment essentially operates as shown in FIGS. This is different from that shown in FIG. Additionally, while the envelope sealer of FIG. 5 serves to seal envelopes without inversion, the envelope sealer of FIG. 4 includes means for inverting the envelope during sealing. Thus, envelopes fed to the envelope sealer of FIG. 4 in the flap-up orientation are delivered in the flap-down orientation.

Because the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 include substantially similar elements, elements that are equally applicable to both embodiments will now be described. FIG. 4 shows an envelope feeding device 150,
And FIG. 5 shows an envelope feeding device 150'. Therefore,
Envelope feeder 15 similar to elements of envelope feeder 150
0' elements are designated by the same number with a prime.

Envelope feeding devices 150 and 150' each include:
It includes a rotating drum 52 of similar construction, includes similar elements, and functions in substantially the same manner as rotating drum 12 of FIG. 1, as described above. Rotating drum 152
(152') is the peripheral surface 154 (154') and the drum 1
52 (152') rotates on a substantially horizontal axis 156 (1
56'). Vertical plane 158 indicated by dash-dotted line
(158') is defined through the horizontal axis 156 (156').

The envelope sealers 150 and 150' further include moving endless belt means 160 and 160' each including a belt surface area sector 162 (162'). Belt surface area sector 162 (162') is located in close proximity to the outer surface of rotating drum 152 (152'). Belt surface area sector 162 (162') includes peripheral area portion 164 (162') of rotating drum 152 (152').
164') depicts the concave surface of a portion of the belt length of the moving endless belt means 160 (160') wrapped around the moving endless belt means 160 (160'). The moving endless belt means 160 (160') comprises one or more endless belts held on a plurality of rolls arranged as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0038] The belt(s) has resilient elastic properties, so that it
To accommodate envelopes nipped between. The resilient elastic properties of the belt thus promote a degree of conformability of the surface to the nip and the transported envelope, so that nip pressure is substantially distributed over the envelope surface. To further enhance such flexibility, rotating drum 152 (1
52') The surface is provided with resilient properties, for example by using a surface layer of resilient elastomeric material.

Moving endless belt means 160 (160
') at least one of the rolls of arrow 166 (166
') is electrically driven to move the belt in the direction indicated by. The belt is attached to a rotating drum 152 (
152') at substantially the same speed as its surroundings. The rotating drum 152 (152') is driven by a belt or separately electrically driven. In the latter situation, the belt is alternatively connected to the rotating drum 152 (152').
driven by frictional contact with the

Moving endless belt means 160 (160
') belt(s) of rotating drum 152(1
52'), that is, the belt surface area sector 162 (162') and the peripheral area portion 164 (164
') is the region nip part 168 (168')
It is defined as. Area nip site 168 (168')
The nip entrances 170 are arranged at the entrance and exit respectively.
(170') and a nip outlet 172 (172').

The envelope is fed into the nip entrance 170 (170') in a substantially flap-up position with the flap hinge edge leading edge by a feeding means not shown in detail. Envelope 174 (174') is at nip entrance 1
70 (170'). Envelope 174 (174') is shown in position on platform 176 (176') shown in fragments, with auxiliary roller 177 (177') and moving endless belt means 1
into a nip between 60 (160') elongated sections. In operation, the envelope is fed through this nip and over moving endless belt means 160 (160') to nip entrance 170 (170') and from there through area nip site 168 (168'). One or more pressure rolls are disposed on an extended portion of the moving endless belt means 160 (160') to assist in transporting the envelopes.

In the preferred feeding device for use in conjunction with the illustrated embodiment of the envelope sealer, the envelopes are moved horizontally on the conveyor, eg from left to right as shown by envelopes 174 (174'). It is sequentially transported through the positions to the nip under the auxiliary roller 177 (177'). Platform 176 (176') may be considered to represent a feed conveyor or other conventional feeding means for transporting envelopes.

[0043] The envelope has a region nip site 168 (168'
) through nip outlet 172 (172') to delivery region 178 (178') and to surface 180 (178').
80'). Sending area 178 (178')
The envelopes sent out are transported to a subsequent processing device (not shown). For example, surface 180 (180') represents a conveyor surface for conveying sealed envelopes in a generally horizontal direction perpendicular to the plane of illustration. Other conventional transport means may also be used to transport sealed envelopes from envelope sealers 150 and 150'. The orientation of the delivered sealed envelope does not necessarily have to be horizontal;
It is understood that the can be tilted in any direction to facilitate further transport of the sealed envelope to a variety of other devices.

The delivery means also includes a rotating drum 152 (15
2') and moving endless belt means 160 (160')
It also includes a blade means 182 (182') having a leading edge 184 (184') in close proximity to the surface of the rotating drum 152 (152'). Blade means 182 (1
82') to ensure that envelopes exiting the nip exit 172 (172') are lifted off the surface of the rotating drum 152 (152') and guided to the delivery area 178 (178'). Function.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, nip entrance 170 (170') is located in substantially vertical plane 158 (158).
8') on the left side. Regarding the illustrated embodiment,
Nip entrance 170 may alternatively be in vertical plane 158 (1
58') or slightly to the right of the vertical plane 158 (158'). Nip outlet 172 (FIG. 4) is located to the left of vertical plane 158. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, nip outlet 172' is located to the right of vertical plane 158'.

Although not specifically shown, envelope sealer 1
It is understood that the illustrated components of 50 and 150' are each attached to a common machine frame structure in the relationship illustrated. For example, the shaft of the rotating drum 152 (152') and the axle of the belt roller are journalled in suitable bearings in such a frame structure, and the blade means 182 (182') are attached to this frame structure. Similarly, the platform 176 (176') together with the support base of the delivery region 178 (178') are suitably positioned in the required fixed or movable relationship in the machine frame structure.

In operation, the envelope is inserted into the nip entrance 17.
0 (170') area nip site 168 (168
'). Area nip site 168 (168'
) to the nip exit 172 (172'), a substantially normal pressure is exerted on the envelope surface and the flap seals to the envelope body and closes the area nip site 168 (168'). It is held in a compressed state for the duration of the trip. The sealed envelope exits nip exit 172 (172') to delivery area 178 (17) ready for subsequent processing.
8').

In view of the illustrations of envelope sealers 150 and 150' in FIGS. 4 and 5, envelope sealer 150 (FIG. 4)
It will be appreciated that the envelope includes means for inverting the envelope while being transported through the regional nip site 168. For example, an envelope 174 delivered to region nip site 168 in a flaps up orientation is delivered to delivery region 178 in a flaps down orientation.

For reliable sealing, particularly in connection with wet-glued flaps, the envelope and especially the flap must be sealed with glue or adhesive on the flap to ensure that a substantial portion of the flap is closed to prevent reopening. It is important to expose to vertical pressure for at least a length of time to ensure a uniform seal. Particularly when the envelope contents are irregularly shaped and bulky, if pressure is not applied to the envelope surface, especially the flap, for a significant period of time to permanently cure the glue or adhesive, the envelope will bulge and elastically reopen. There is a tendency towards All embodiments of the invention are accomplished as described above.

Although the invention has been shown and described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications in form and detail can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is understood that this will take place.

The main features and aspects of the present invention are as follows.

1. An envelope sealing device for high-speed sealing of envelope flaps of delivered envelopes and delivery of the resulting sealed envelope, comprising: a rotating drum having a circumferential surface, a substantially horizontal axis around which the rotating drum rotates; A moving endless belt comprising a rotating drum whose horizontal axis defines a vertical plane and a belt surface area of substantially cylindrical concave form disposed in close proximity to the circumferential surface, the circumferential surface defining the belt. a peripheral region portion in close proximity to a surface area sector, where the peripheral region portion in combination with the belt surface area sector defines a region nip region, the region nip region comprising:
a nip inlet and a nip outlet, the peripheral surface and the moving endless belt means moving at substantially the same speed, the moving endless belt means transporting the envelope through the regional nip site; moving endless belt means cooperating with the rotating drum for sealing envelopes; feeding means for individually feeding the envelopes into the nip entrance; and means for feeding the sealed envelopes from the nip exit into a delivery area. and wherein said delivery means comprises said rotating drum and said moving endless belt means.

2. 2. The envelope sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the nip entrance and the nip exit are arranged on a common side with respect to the vertical plane.

3. The sending means and the sending means both include:
3. The envelope sealing device according to claim 2, wherein the envelope sealing device is arranged on one side of the vertical plane.

4. 2. The envelope sealing device of claim 1, wherein the nip inlet is disposed on one side of the vertical plane and the nip outlet is disposed on the other side of the vertical plane.

5. The sending means and the sending means both include:
5. The envelope sealing device according to claim 4, wherein the envelope sealing device is arranged on one side of the vertical plane.

6. 5. An envelope sealing device according to claim 4, wherein the feeding means is arranged on one side of the vertical plane and the delivery means is arranged on the other side of the vertical plane.

7. 2. The envelope sealing device of claim 1, wherein the nip entrance is substantially disposed in the vertical plane.

8. 2. The envelope sealing device of claim 1, wherein the nip exit is substantially disposed in the vertical plane.

9. The delivery means includes blade means disposed adjacent the circumferential surface proximate the nip exit, the blade means having a leading edge disposed proximately oriented toward the circumferential surface at an acute angle. and wherein the blade means points in a general direction toward the nip exit, in which case the blade means ensures that the envelope exiting the nip exit clears the circumferential surface for delivery by the delivery means to the delivery area. The envelope sealing device according to item 1 above, which functions to ensure that the envelope is lifted by the user.

10. The apparatus includes means for inverting the envelope so that the envelope fed to the apparatus by the feeding means in a first flap orientation is delivered from the apparatus in a second flap orientation by the delivery means. , The envelope sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the reversing means includes the area nip portion.

11. An envelope sealing device according to claim 1, wherein said moving endless belt means comprises one or more resilient elastic belts.

12. the rotating drum for receiving envelopes while the envelopes are conveyed through the area nip site;
Envelope sealing device according to claim 1, including means for providing the circumferential surface with resilient properties which function in temporarily elastically deforming the circumferential surface.

13. In a method for sealing envelope flaps of envelopes, the envelopes are sequentially fed into a region nip formed between a circumferential region portion of a rotating drum and a belt surface region sector of a moving endless belt, the belt surface region sector comprising: wrapping around the circumferential region portion, nipping the envelope at the region nip region, closing the envelope, and exerting vertical pressure on the envelope substantially throughout the region nip region; , thereby sealing the envelope flap to the body of the envelope; and, as the rotating drum and the moving endless belt move, the envelope is nipped around the circumferential area of the rotating drum at the area nip site. and delivering a sealed envelope from the area nip site to a delivery area.

14. 14. The method of claim 13, including the step of pre-wetting glue on the envelope flap.

15. further comprising the step of inverting the envelope from a first flap orientation at the delivery to a second flap orientation at the delivery, such that a substantial portion of the inversion step is carried out through the regional nip site. The sealing method according to item 13 above, which is performed in between.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an envelope sealer in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

2 is a schematic side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 modified to include an envelope inversion feature; FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of an envelope sealer including an envelope inversion feature in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of yet another embodiment of an envelope sealer including an envelope inversion feature in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a further embodiment of the invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Envelope sealer 12 Rotating drum 14 Surroundings 20 Endless belt means 22 Belt surface area sector 28 Area nip site 30 Nip entrance 32 Nip exit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An envelope sealing device for high-speed sealing of envelope flaps of delivered envelopes and delivery of the resulting sealed envelopes, comprising: a rotating drum having a circumferential surface, a substantially horizontal axis around which the rotating drum rotates; a moving endless belt having a rotating drum having a horizontal axis defining a vertical plane; and a belt surface area of substantially cylindrical concave form disposed in close proximity to the circumferential surface; includes a peripheral region portion in close proximity to the belt surface area sector, the peripheral region portion in combination with the belt surface area sector defines a region nip region, and the region nip region is located between a nip entrance and a nip region. the peripheral surface and the moving endless belt means moving at substantially the same speed, the moving endless belt means conveying the envelope through the area nip site and sealing the envelope; a moving endless belt means cooperating with said rotating drum for the purpose of transporting said envelopes; feeding means for individually feeding said envelopes into said nip entrance; and means for feeding said sealed envelopes from said nip exit into a delivery area; An envelope sealing device characterized in that the delivery means comprises the rotating drum and the moving endless belt means. 2. A method for sealing envelope flaps of envelopes, comprising sequentially feeding the envelopes into a region nip formed between a circumferential region portion of a rotating drum and a belt surface region sector of a moving endless belt; wrapping a surface area sector around the circumferential area portion; nipping the envelope at the area nip site; closing the envelope; applying vertical pressure to, thereby sealing the envelope flap to the body of the envelope; and, with movement of the rotating drum and the moving endless belt, about the circumferential area portion of the rotating drum at the area nip site. and delivering the sealed envelope from the area nip site to a delivery area.