Device and method for folding self-sealing envelope flaps

In or for a machine for producing self-sealing envelopes of the type including a main flap located at the top of the front panel of the envelope and a secondary flap located at the top of the back panel of the envelope, a device for folding the main and secondary flaps of an envelope into an inoperative condition wherein the flaps do not provide sealing of the envelope, the flaps having been previously coated with adhesive and the flaps being foldable into an operative condition wherein the adhesive on the respective flaps is brought into contact to provide sealing of the envelope;

• the device comprising a roller for receiving a succession of envelopes with their bottom edges leading and their front panels in contact with the roller, first stop means on the roller for arresting the bottom edge of an envelope and thereby defining the position of the envelope on the roller, suction means on the roller spaced from the first stop means so as to apply suction to the main flap of the envelope and thereby secure the main flap to the surface of the roller, abutment means adjacent the surface of the roller for engaging the front panel of the envelope as the front panel lifts from the surface of the roller and temporarily arresting the movement of the front panel with the roller whereby the main flap, on being carried around with the roller, folds relative to the front panel, and for initially supporting the envelope in a position relative to the surface of the roller so that as the main flap is carried around with the roller the upper edge of the secondary flap bears slidably upon the surface of the roller, and second stop means on the roller for arresting the upper edge of the secondary flap when in said sliding engagement with the roller so as to carry the secondary flap around the roller and thereby fold the secondary flap relative to the back panel.