Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

There is provided an envelope sealing apparatus for sealing an envelope (E) having a main body (m) and a sealable flap (f) at one end of the main body foldable about a hinge (h) between the flap and main body, the flap being sealable to said main body under applied pressure when folded about said hinge into contact with the main body, the apparatus comprising: a feed path along which an envelope can be fed; driving means associated with said feed path for, at least in part, feeding an envelope along said feed path; flap securing means cooperative with said driving means to secure an open envelope flap in contact with the driving means; and flap sealing means cooperative with said driving means to seal the flap to the main body when the driving means drives the envelope in a flap sealing direction along the feed path, wherein said driving means is movable from a flap securing position to a flap sealing position, the driving means being operable, in use of the sealing apparatus: (i) to secure an open envelope flap (f) in contact therewith cooperatively with said flap securing means; (ii) to move from the flap securing position to the flap sealing position with the flap secured in contact therewith, so as to at least partially fold the flap (f) about the hinge (h); and (iii) thereafter to drive the envelope (E) in the flap sealing direction along the feed path, so as to seal the flap (f) to the main body (m) by applying pressure cooperatively with said flap sealing means. A mail piece creation device incorporating such an envelope sealer is further provided, along with corresponding methods.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim