Apparatus and method for inserting a postal item into an envelope and moistening the flap of the envelope
AssigneeNeopost Technologies
InventorFransiscus Hermannus FEIJEN
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In an apparatus for inserting postal items into an envelope, the envelope is brought in an inserting position where the flap of the envelope is held open. A postal item is transported along a postal item transport path towards the inserting position and inserted into the envelope in the inserting position. The envelope with the postal item inserted therein is transported away from the inserting position and closed. A gummed portion of the flap is moistened, wherein the moistening is at least started before the transportation of the envelope away from the inserting position. An apparatus for carrying out such a method is also described.
Claims11
An apparatus for inserting documents into envelopes having a flap hinged to an envelope body, comprising:
- a postal item transport path;
- a flap holder arranged for holding the flap in an open position while the envelope body is in an inserting position downstream of the postal item transport path for receiving postal items supplied along the postal item transport path in the envelope body;
- and
- a moisture applicator for applying moisture to the flap of the envelope;
- wherein the flap holder is arranged for contacting the flap locally and leaving areas of the flap adjacent to the flap holder free;
- and
- wherein the moisture applicator is arranged for applying moisture to the areas of the flap adjacent to the flap holder.
A method for inserting postal items into an envelope comprising an envelope body and a flap hinged to the envelope body along a fold and for closing the envelope, using an inserting apparatus having a postal item transport path, an inserting position downstream of the postal item transport path, an envelope flap moistener and a flap closing member, the method comprising:
- bringing the envelope in the inserting position;
- holding the flap of the envelope in the inserting position in an orientation directed away from a closed end of the envelope body;
- transporting at least one postal item along the postal item transport path towards the inserting position and inserting the at least one postal item into the envelope in the inserting position;
- transporting the envelope with the at least one postal item inserted therein away from the inserting position;
- and
- closing the envelope flap;
- further comprising moistening a gummed portion of the flap, wherein the moistening is at least started before the transportation of the envelope away from the inserting position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.