A method and system for identifying and detecting improperly wrapped envelopes for use in a mailpiece fabrication system. The method/system visually images each envelope in predetermined regions of interest (ROIs) to determine the spatial relationship between the internal content material and one or more points of reference indicative of the internal bounds of a sealing adhesive. By examining the spatial relationship, a determination is made regarding the proximity of the internal content material and the sealing adhesive. If the distance, or spatial separation, therebetween is below a threshold value, then an assumption is made that the content material and sealing adhesive are contiguous and that the envelope has been improperly sealed, i.e., with the content material interposing or otherwise inhibiting the proper closure of the wrapped envelope.

A system and method for wrapping sheet material to produce finished mailpieces includes an upstream content module, a downstream mailpiece assembly module including a wrapper module adapted to encapsulate content material, and a buffer module interposing the upstream content and downstream assembly modules. The buffer module includes a plurality of buffer gates adapted to convey the content material from an upstream gate to a downstream gate to maintain a threshold pitch distance between successive pieces of content material. A controller is operatively coupled to the modules and controls the conveyance of content material through the buffer gates. More specifically, the controller coordinates the delivery and insertion of content material into the wrapper module to minimize dry-holes, maintain stresses below a threshold level to ensure continued operation, and optimize system throughput.

A system and method for wrapping sheet material to produce finished mailpieces includes an upstream content module, a downstream mailpiece assembly module including a wrapper module adapted to encapsulate content material, and a buffer module interposing the upstream content and downstream assembly modules. The buffer module includes a plurality of buffer gates adapted to convey the content material from an upstream gate to a downstream gate to maintain a threshold pitch distance between successive pieces of content material. A controller is operatively coupled to the modules and controls the conveyance of content material through the buffer gates. More specifically, the controller coordinates the delivery and insertion of content material into the wrapper module to minimize dry-holes, maintain stresses below a threshold level to ensure continued operation, and optimize system throughput.

An enclosing device that inserts an enclosure into an envelope includes an envelope conveyance passage, a first conveyor, a second conveyor, a conveyance guide, and a flap opener. The envelope is conveyed in the envelope conveyance passage. The first conveyor conveys the envelope in the envelope conveyance passage. The second conveyor is positioned downstream from the first conveyor in a conveyance direction of the envelope in the envelope conveyance passage. The conveyance guide is positioned between the first conveyor and the second conveyor in the envelope conveyance passage. The flap opener opens a flap of the envelope. At least one of a part of the conveyance guide or one end of the flap opener is positioned to straddle the envelope conveyance passage.

An automated greeting card conveyance system is disclosed that includes a first conveyor configured to transport pre-decorated greeting cards along a first conveyance path and a second conveyor configured to transport envelopes along a second conveyance path. A control system controls customization of each greeting card and envelope by (a) determining a card identifier of the greeting card, (b) identifying customized content associated with an order for the greeting card having the card identifier, and (c) causing the customized content to be printed on the greeting card and envelope. A coupling system may also be used to automatically insert the greeting card into the envelope. In addition, a sealing system may be used to automatically seal envelope having a pointed envelope flap.

A gluing station for applying glue to product elements guided in a product stream is intended to permit continuation of the production process and gluing of the product elements in a particularly simple and reliable manner even after a temporary machine stop or production standstill. For this purpose, according to the invention, a moistening system is assigned to a glue application roller that can roll on the product stream. During operation of the gluing station, in the event of a stopped product stream, the glue application roller is pivoted away from the product stream and the transfer roller for the duration of the standstill and is kept rotating, whereby the surface of the glue application roller is moistened.

Stations for sealing envelopes include a spacer, a positioning surface, and an envelope support surface configured to support the envelopes. A sealing mechanism is provided with sealing members configured to apply heat and pressure to a sealable member on the envelope to form a closure seal. The spacer and the positioning surface are configured to align the sealable member with the sealing members when the envelope is resting on the envelope support surface.

An automated greeting card conveyance system is disclosed that includes a first conveyor configured to transport pre-decorated greeting cards along a first conveyance path and a second conveyor configured to transport envelopes along a second conveyance path. A control system controls customization of each greeting card and envelope by (a) determining a card identifier of the greeting card, (b) identifying customized content associated with an order for the greeting card having the card identifier, and (c) causing the customized content to be printed on the greeting card and envelope. A coupling system may also be used to automatically insert the greeting card into the envelope. In addition, a sealing system may be used to automatically seal envelope having a pointed envelope flap.

An envelope processing apparatus for enclosing an enclosure in an envelope includes an envelope conveyance path, an enclosure supplier, an envelope supplier, a flap opener, and an envelope stacker. The envelope conveyance path extends in a substantially vertical direction to convey the envelope. The enclosure supplier supplies the enclosure to the envelope via the envelope conveyance path. The envelope supplier supplies the envelope to the envelope conveyance path, The flap opener opens a flap portion of the envelope between the envelope supplier and the envelope conveyance path. The envelope stacker stacks the envelope ejected from the envelope conveyance path.

An envelope processing apparatus conveys an envelope to an enclosing position and encloses an enclosure on which specific information is formed at a formation position. The enclosing device includes: an envelope conveyor to convey the enclosure to the enclosing position to insert the enclosure into the envelope; a sensor to acquire, as an image, a structure of the envelope during conveyance, and acquire transparent-portion information indicating a position of a transparent portion in the envelope; an envelope holder to hold the envelope in a state in which the enclosure is insertable; and control circuitry to output position adjustment information for adjusting a position of the envelope in a width direction of the envelope at the enclosing position or a position of the specific information in a conveyance direction of the envelope, based on relative positions between the formation position of the specific information and the position of the transparent portion.