An envelope processing apparatus includes a flap opener, a first envelope detector, a second envelope detector, and circuitry. The flap opener opens a flap of an envelope during conveyance of the envelope in an envelope conveyance passage in which the envelope is conveyed to an enclosing position. The first envelope detector detects the envelope at a position upstream from the flap opener in a conveyance direction of the envelope. The second envelope detector detects the envelope at a position downstream from the flap opener in the conveyance direction. The circuitry causes the flap opener to execute an opening operation of the flap of the envelope conveyed to the enclosing position and causes the flap opener to execute the opening operation of the flap again when an opening-and-closing state of the flap determined based on detection results of the envelope by the first and second envelope detectors is abnormal.

An envelope inserting system has an envelope duct for empty envelopes, a transport device for transporting the envelopes from the duct to a packing pocket, a feeding device for feeding the envelope content to and into the pocket, and an outlet-transport device for reforwarding the filled envelope. The transport device has an envelope tunnel mounted movably on the inserting system about a pivot axis, upper and lower tunnel guidances for aligning the envelope with the pocket, and a swivel device operatively connected to the tunnel, and at least one drivable envelope pusher roll. The roll, in a first position, which the tunnel and roll occupy relative to the pocket, is fed from below against the downstream end portion of the upper tunnel guidance and a lower edge of an end edge of the end region is offset downwards relative to a plane defined by the guiding surface of the pocket.

A packing pocket for a device for inserting material into envelopes for sliding the envelope contents into an envelope. The packing pocket includes a mid-line (M) in relation to a transport direction of the envelope, as well as a number of slats which are parallel to the mid-line (M), and which are arranged on a plane (K) together with a flap guide. The slats are mounted on the device for inserting material into envelopes, on a mounting rail or on an adjustment rail. One or more slats are associated with a sheet guide arranged at a distance from the flap guide. In addition, the sheet guide is arranged in a spring-like manner in relation to the flap guide in a region of the packing pocket that is upstream of the envelope supply.

A mail creation method includes forming an address, forming an image, folding, inserting, sealing, and fixing a voucher. In the forming of the address, an image forming section forms the address on an envelope. In the forming of the image, the image forming section forms the image on paper. In the folding, a folding section folds the paper having the image formed thereon. In the inserting, an enclosing section inserts the folded paper into the envelope having the address formed thereon. In the sealing, the enclosing section seals the envelope having the folded paper inserted therein. In the fixing of the voucher, a voucher fixing section fixes the voucher to the sealed envelope. The voucher indicates that postage has been paid.

A system for inserting contents in an envelope includes a holder for empty envelopes, a flap opener, conveying elements for conveying the envelope from the holder to a packing pocket where the envelopes are filled, a supply device for supplying the envelope contents to and into the packing pocket, and removal elements for forwarding the filled envelope. The conveying elements include a funnel for orientation of the envelope relative to the packing pocket. The funnel is mobile at a first angle (W1) with respect to a flap guide of the packing pocket. The conveying elements further include a pulling means for pulling the envelope over the packing pocket. The pulling means cooperates temporarily with the flap guide of the packing pocket and is mobile at a second angle (W2) with respect to the flap guide. The conveying elements include means for synchronizing the movement of the funnel and the pulling means.

A method is provided for using a rotatable insertion horn to open an envelope prior to insertion of documents. A pair of insertion horns is positioned at the sides of an envelope inserting station. An envelope is fed into the envelope inserting station with its flap open. The collation of documents is pushed into the open end of the envelope. The insertion horns are positioned in an initial position that is fully outside the envelope, prior to arrival of the collation. The insertion horns are controlled to simultaneously rotate into the envelope as the collation passes between the insertion horns. Preferably, rotation of the insertion horns into the envelope does not begin until a lead edge of the collation is in a region between the insertion horns. This facilitates insertion of the collation without catching on an upstream edge of the insertion horns.

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.

An enclosing-sealing apparatus includes a flap opener that opens a flap of an envelope while the envelope is conveyed to an enclosing position. A first envelope detector is disposed upstream from the flap opener in an envelope conveyance direction and detects both ends of the envelope in the envelope conveyance direction. A second envelope detector is disposed downstream from the flap opener in the envelope conveyance direction and detects both ends of the envelope in the envelope conveyance direction in an open state in which the flap opens. A controller determines the open state of the flap based on a first detection result sent from the first envelope detector and a second detection result sent from the second envelope detector. The controller performs troubleshooting for enclosing the enclosure into the envelope if the controller determines that the open state of the flap is faulty.

An envelope processing apparatus for enclosing an enclosure into an envelope conveyed to an enclosing position includes a conveyance roller that conveys the envelope to the enclosing position. A first envelope length calculator calculates a first envelope length of the envelope in an envelope conveyance direction in which the envelope is conveyed in a close state in which a flap of the envelope closes. A flap opener opens the flap while the conveyance roller conveys the envelope. A second envelope length calculator calculates a second envelope length of the envelope in the envelope conveyance direction in an open state in which the flap opens. A controller calculates a flap length of the flap in the envelope conveyance direction based on the first envelope length and the second envelope length. The controller controls enclosing of the enclosure into the envelope based on the flap length.

An enclosing device includes an envelope conveyance path, an envelope loader, an envelope-position restrictor, and an envelope-position adjuster. The envelope conveyance path conveys an envelope to an enclosing position at which an enclosure is enclosed into the envelope. The envelope loader loads the envelope to be supplied to the envelope conveyance path. The envelope-position restrictor restricts a loaded position of the envelope in the envelope loader. The envelope-position adjuster adjusts a position of the envelope with respect to a conveyance direction of the envelope while maintaining a state in which the envelope-position restrictor restricts the loaded position of the envelope.