Apparatus for banding a stack of envelopes

Abstract

Apparatus for banding a stack of envelopes includes an elevator mechanism which moves the stack in a path between a first lowermost position to a second uppermost position; first and second tensioning units for applying a tensioning force to a first banding strap positioned across the path at a first location between the first and second positions and extending in a first longitudinal direction; first and second sealing and separating units for wrapping, sealing and separating opposite ends of the first elastic banding strap about the stack of envelopes when the elevator mechanism has moved the stack of envelopes past the first location; third and fourth tensioning units for applying a tensioning force to a second elastic banding strap positioned across the path at a second location between the first and second positions and extending in a second widthwise direction substantially transverse to said first longitudinal direction; third and fourth sealing and separating units for wrapping, sealing and separating opposite ends of the second elastic banding strap about the stack of envelopes when the elevator mechanism has moved the stack of articles past the second location; and a tipping device for tipping the elevator mechanism at its second uppermost position to discharge the banded envelopes.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.