Wrapping module and a method for providing a sleeve around a mail item

A wrapping module for providing a sleeve of packaging material around a mail item, the mail item comprising at least one printed document, wherein the wrapping module comprises:

• a first transport section extending in a transport direction along a transport plane and configured for continuously transporting the mail item in the transport direction along the transport plane, the mail item having a leading edge and a trailing edge;
• a sheet supplying station configured for supplying a sheet of packaging material to an intermediate position at a downstream end of the first transport section, wherein in the intermediate position the sheet extends in a second plane substantially perpendicular to the transport plane and protrudes with a first part above the transport plane and protrudes with a second part below the transport plane and in which the leading edge of the mail item is upstream from the sheet;
• a second transport section extending in the transport direction along the transport plane and configured for continuously transporting the mail item in the transport direction along the transport plane, the second transport section having an upstream end adjacent the downstream end of the first transport section leaving a gap in between through which the sheet is able to pass the transport plane to the intermediate position, wherein the wrapping module is configured such that, when the mail item is transferred from the first transport section to the second transport section, the sheet in the intermediate position is engaged by the leading edge and subsequently the sheet is folded around the leading edge so that the first part is folded against an upper side of the mail item and the second part is folded against a lower side of the mail item, wherein a third part of the sheet is a part of the second part of the sheet that extends in the upstream direction beyond the trailing edge of the mail item;
• a glue dispensing station positioned above the second transport section and configured for dispensing glue;
• a turning station positioned at a downstream end of the second transport section and being configured to turn the mail item around so that the previously leading edge becomes a trailing edge and the previously trailing edge becomes the leading edge, and wherein during the turning the third part of the sheet is folded around the previously trailing edge which becomes the leading edge so that the third part of the sheet is folded against the mail item at the side along which the first part of the sheet extends as well and wherein the third part overlaps the first part and the dispensed glue provides a connection between the first part and the third part so as to form the sleeve of packaging material;
• and
• a third transport section having an upstream end adjacent to an outlet of the turning station being configured to transport the mail item being wrapped in the sleeve of packaging material further.