Integrated envelope sealer and flip module

A system that combines wetting, flipping, and sealing of one or more envelopes, the system comprising:

• an envelope receiving area configured to receive at least one of the envelopes;
• a brush configured to contact a flap of the at least one envelope;
• a flip cage including a rigid frame mounted to one or more gears configured to rotate the flip cage about an axis, the flip cage comprising a first pair of nip rollers and a second pair of nip rollers located opposite the first pair of nip rollers, the flip cage configured to receive from the envelope receiving area the at least one envelope that has had its flap contacted by the brush;
• and
• a sealer nip configured to press the flap against a body of the at least one envelope to form a seal between the flap and the body.

A method for sealing and flipping an envelope, the method comprising:

• receiving a body of an envelope face-down between a first pair of nip rollers mounted to a frame;
• wetting a flap of the envelope to activate an adhesive substance thereon;
• rotating the frame with the body of the envelope secured between the first pair of nip rollers to flip the envelope face-up and to cause the flap to bear against a paper guide to form a bend between the flap and the body;
• and
• drawing the bend into a sealer nip with the envelope face-up to press the adhesive substance against the body, to form a seal between the flap and the body of the envelope.