Systems and methods for sealing the trailing edge of a printed article

A kicker wheel useful, in combination with a tab sealing machine, to apply one or more tabs to the trailing edge of a passing article comprising:

• a first portion comprising:
• a profiled tab swipe, disposed on a trailing edge of the first portion, for folding the one or more tabs under the article, and comprising a projection for lifting the trailing edge of the article as is passes over the kicker wheel;
• a thin product support rail, disposed on a leading edge of the first portion, for supporting the trailing edge of the article as it passes over the kicker wheel;
• a valley, defined between the profiled tab swipe and the thin product support rail, to enable the one or more tabs to deflect as the article passes over the valley;
• and
• one or more arcuate kicker rails, disposed between the thin product support rail and the profiled tab swipe, for supporting at least a first side of the article as it passes over the valley;
• and
• a second portion comprising a counterweight disposed opposite the first portion to adjust the balance of the kicker wheel;
• wherein the kicker wheel is rotatable about an axis;
• wherein the one or more kicker rails, a portion of the profiled tab swipe, and the thin product support rail are disposed on a common arcuate path about the axis;
• and
• wherein the projection lies outside the common arcuate path.