INSERTING SYSTEM

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. An inserting system for inserting envelope contents 5 into an envelope 2, wherein the inserting system 1, 1′ comprises a holder 6 for empty envelopes, a flap opener 7 for opening an envelope flap 3 of the envelope 2, transport elements 8 for transporting the envelopes 2 from the holder 6 to a packing pocket 9 on which the envelopes are filled, a supply device 10 for supplying the envelope contents 5 to the packing pocket and into the packing pocket 9, and onward transport elements 11 for the onward conveying of the filled envelope 2′, characterized in that the transport elements 8 comprise a funnel 12 for aligning the envelope 2 with the packing pocket 9, said funnel being movable in a first angle (W1) relative to a flap guide 13 of the packing pocket 9 which is mounted on the inserting system 1, 1′ or on a mounting rail 15, and at least one pulling means 14 for at least partially pulling the envelope 2 onto the packing pocket 9, said pulling means cooperating temporarily with the flap guide 13 of the packing pocket 9 and being movable in a second angle (W2) relative to the flap guide 13, and synchronizing means 16 for synchronizing the movement of the funnel 12 and of the pulling means 14, as a result of which the funnel 12 and the pulling means 14 are movable from a first position I at receipt of the envelope flap 3 by the funnel 12 into a second position II after the envelope flap 3 has been placed onto the flap guide 13, and a transport angle (Wt) between the supplied envelope 2 and the flap guide 13 can be varied during the pulling of the envelope onto the packing pocket 9, in order to enable opening of the envelope.

2. The inserting system according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one pulling means comprises a pulling roller 14.

3. The inserting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the first position I, the transport angle (Wt) lies in a range between 15° and 45°, preferably between 20° and 40°, particularly preferably around 30°±5°, the limit values being included.

4. The inserting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the second position II, the transport angle (Wt) is smaller than in the first position and preferably lies in a range between −10° and 10°, particularly preferably between 0° and 6°, the limit values being included.

5. The inserting system according to claim 1, characterized in that the means 16 comprise synchronous motors, but preferably mechanical transmission means such as toothed wheels, toothed belts, chains, drive belts, particularly preferably a guide cam 17.

6. The inserting system according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide cam 17 is a cam disk or a cam lobe.

7. The inserting system according to claim 1, characterized in that the funnel 12 comprises two angle profiles 18 which are arranged parallel to and against one another, on opposite sides and transversely to the transport direction, and are mounted such as to be able to be moved by the means.

8. The inserting system according to claim 1, characterized in that the funnel 12 comprises two angle profiles which are arranged parallel to and against one another, on opposite sides and transversely to the transport direction, said angle profiles being mounted on a common funnel base 19 which is able to be moved the means 16.

9. The inserting system according to claim 1, characterized in that an onward transport angle (Wa) formed between a plane K, which includes the flap guide 13, and the onward transport direction of the filled envelopes 2′ is acute and directed downward, preferably in a range between 1° to 12°, the limit values being included.

10. The inserting system according to claim 1, characterized in that arranged upstream of the funnel 12 counter to the transport direction of the envelope 2 is a transport roller 20 which cooperates with a preferably spring-biased counter-roller 21 in order to transport the envelope 2 through the funnel 12 onto the packing pocket 9 as far as the pulling means 14.

11. The inserting system according to claim 1, characterized in that provided downstream of the packing pocket 9 in the onward transport direction of the filled envelope 2′ is an onward transport roller 22 and a further onward transport element 23 cooperating therewith for conveying the filled envelope 2′ onward from the packing pocket 9.

12. The inserting system according to claim 10, characterized in that the transport roller 20, 22 is arranged between the transport plane and the onward transport plane so as to cooperate alternately or else simultaneously with the counter-roller 21 and the further onward transport element 23.

13. The inserting system according to claim 10, characterized in that the onward transport angle (Wa) from the front edge of the packing pocket 9 is acute and directed downward, preferably in a range between 1° and 12°, the limit values being included.

14. The inserting system according to claim 11, characterized in that the further onward transport element comprises a segment 23, preferably a segment which can be spring-biased against the transport roller/onward transport roller.

15. The inserting system according to claim 1, characterized in that transport elements 11 or/and onward transport elements comprise further rollers or/and segments.

16. The inserting system according to claim 1, characterized in that the flap opener 7 is designed as at least one opener claw 25 arranged on a circular circumference.

17. The inserting system according to claim 1, characterized in that the flap opener 7 comprises a blowing unit for generating an air flow that is directed below the envelope flap 3.

18. The inserting system according to claim 1, characterized in that the supply device 10 comprises fingers 26 attached to toothed belts or drive belts or chains.

19. The inserting system according to claim 1, characterized in that the first angle (W1) lies in a range from 90° to 150°, preferably in a range from 110° to 130°, relative to the plane K that includes the flap guide, the limit values being included.

20. The inserting system according to claim 1, characterized in that the second angle (W2) lies in a range from 70° to 110°, preferably in a range from 80° to 100°, relative to the plane K that includes the flap guide, the limit values being included.

21. The inserting system according to claim 1, characterized in that the first angle (W1) or/and the second angle (W2) can be varied, in particular can be varied by pivoting.

22. The inserting system according to claim 1, characterized in that cones 27 which are preferably adjustable and which laterally delimit at least the flap guide plane 13 are provided laterally between the pulling means 14 and the funnel 12 in order to easily open the envelope 2.

23. The inserting system according to claim 1, characterized in that the packing pocket 9 comprises a mid-line M in the plane K and also a plurality of slats 28 which are parallel to the mid-line M and which are arranged with the respective flap guide 13 in the plane K, wherein to at least two outer slats 28′ with respect to the mid-line a sheet guide 30 is assigned, which is at a distance from the respective flap guide 13, and the slats 28 are arranged separately from one another on the inserting system 1, 1′ or on a mounting rail 15, 35, wherein adjusting means 31 for displacing the side slats 28′ are arranged for displacing the latter in parallel substantially perpendicular to the mid-line.

24. The inserting system according to claim 23, characterized in that at least one inner slat 28″ is arranged in a stationary manner between the outer slats 28′.

25. The inserting system according to claim 23, characterized in that the sheet guide 30 is designed to be flexible relative to the flap guide 13 at least in a front region which is arranged at the front in relation to the envelope supply.

26. The inserting system according to claim 23, characterized in that the adjusting means 31 comprise electrical and/or mechanical means, preferably an adjusting spindle 31.

27. The inserting system according to claim 23, characterized in that the outer slats 28′ are closed on the respective outer side surface.

28. The inserting system according to claim 23, characterized in that the outer slats 28′ form at least partially a U-shaped profile with an outwardly directed base, so that the envelope contents 5 are guided on both sides by the U-shaped profile.

29. The inserting system according to claim 24, characterized in that the at least one inner slat 28″ is open on both side surfaces.

30. A method for operating an inserting system 1, 1′ according to claim 1, wherein, from a stack of envelopes stored in the holder 6, the flap 3 of the envelope 2 located closest to an envelope removal opening of the holder 6 is opened by a flap opener 7, transport elements 8 transport the envelope 2 from the holder 6 to a packing pocket 9 on which the envelopes 2 are filled, and the envelope contents 5 are supplied to the packing pocket 9 by means of a supply device 10, and onward transport elements 11 convey the filled envelope onward, characterized in that a movable funnel 12 aligns the envelopes in the direction of the packing pocket 9, wherein said funnel is moved in a first angle (W1) relative to the flap guide 13 of the packing pocket 9, and a pulling means 14 which is moved in a second angle (W2) relative to the flap guide 13 pulls the envelope 2 at least partially, but preferably completely, onto the packing pocket 9, wherein it cooperates at least temporarily with the packing pocket 9, wherein additionally synchronizing means 16 for synchronizing the movement of the funnel 12 and of the pulling means 14 move these from a first position I for receipt of the envelope flap 3 by the funnel 12 into a second position II after the envelope flap 3 has been placed onto the flap guide 13, as a result of which a transport angle (Wt) between the supplied envelope 2 and the flap guide 13 is varied during the pulling of the envelope 2 onto the packing pocket 9, in order to facilitate opening of the envelope 2.

31. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that the first angle W1 and the second angle W2 is moved in a range from 70° to 150° relative to the plane K that includes the flap guide, the limit values being included.

32. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that the first angle W1 and the second angle W2 is varied by a rotational movement when moving from position I into position II and vice versa.

33. A packing pocket for an inserting system 1, 1′ for inserting envelope contents 5 into an envelope 2, wherein the inserting system 1, 1′ comprises a holder 6 for empty envelopes, a flap opener 7 for opening an envelope flap 3 of the envelope 2, transport elements 8 for transporting the envelope 2 from the holder 6 to the packing pocket 9 on which the envelopes 2 are filled, a supply device 10 for supplying the envelope contents 5 to and into the packing pocket 9, and onward transport elements 11 for the onward conveying of the filled envelope 2, wherein the packing pocket 9 comprises a mid-line M in a plane K and also a plurality of slats 28 which are parallel to the mid-line M and which are arranged with a flap guide 13 in the plane K, wherein the flap guide 13 is mounted on the inserting system 1, 1′ or on a mounting rail 15, 35 and to at least two outer slats 28′ a sheet guide 30 is assigned, which is at a distance from the flap guide 13, characterized in that the sheet guide 30 is flexible relative to the flap guide at least in a front region which is arranged at the front in relation to the envelope supply.

34. The packing pocket according to claim 33, characterized in that the spring action of the sheet guide 30 is such that a speed of supply of the envelope contents 5 is substantially maintained for envelope contents of different thickness.

35. The packing pocket according to claim 33, characterized in that the sheet guide 30 is a spring.

36. The packing pocket according to claim 33, characterized in that the sheet guide 30 in the rear region is fixedly connected to the slat 28, to a mounting rail 15, 35 or to the inserting system 1, 1′ and extends in a finger-like manner into the front region of the slat 28, directed at an angle relative to the flap guide 13.

37. The packing pocket according to claim 33, characterized in that the sheet guide 30 touches the inner side of the flap guide 13 in the front region of the slat 28.

38. The packing pocket according to claim 33, characterized in that the packing pocket 9 comprises a spring which biases the sheet guide 30 in the direction of the flap guide 13.

39. The packing pocket according to claim 33, characterized in that the slats 28 are mounted separately from one another and the packing pocket 9 has adjusting means 31 for displacing the outer side slats, which are on the outside relative to the mid-line, in order to displace these in parallel substantially perpendicular to the mid-line.

40. The packing pocket according to claim 33, characterized in that at least one inner slat is arranged in a stationary manner between the outer slats.

41. The packing pocket according to claim 33, characterized in that the adjusting means 31 comprise electrical and/or mechanical means, preferably an adjusting spindle 31.

42. The packing pocket according to claim 33, characterized in that the outer slats 28′ are closed on the respective outer side surface.

43. The packing pocket according to claim 33, characterized in that the outer slats 28′ form at least partially a U-shaped profile with an outwardly directed base, so that the envelope contents 5 are guided on both sides by the U-shaped profile.

44. The packing pocket according to claim 40, characterized in that the at least one inner slat 28″ is open on both side surfaces.

Description

[0022] In the figures:

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an inserting system according to the invention;

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the envelope supply;

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of the pulling of an envelope onto the packing pocket;

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the onward transport of an envelope away from the packing pocket;

[0027] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment corresponding to FIG. 3;

[0028] FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a synchronizing mechanism;

[0029] FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of an inserting system with envelopes being supplied from below;

[0030] FIG. 8 shows a 3D view of a packing pocket;

[0031] FIG. 9 shows a rear view of a packing pocket;

[0032] FIG. 10 shows a slat.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an inserting device according to the invention with envelopes being supplied from above. The envelopes, which are stored in a holder 6 for empty envelopes with the flap downward in the transport direction, are transported, after being opened by a flap opener 7 which comprises for example an opener claw 25, with the opened flap at the front by at least one transport element 8 in the direction of the packing pocket 9. For pulling onto the packing pocket, the envelope 2 is aligned with the packing pocket 9 by the funnel 12. The funnel 12 and the opening cones 27 help during the opening of the envelope 2 in order to pull the latter more easily onto the packing pocket. Once the envelope has been pulled on, said envelope is filled with the envelope contents 5 which are supplied via the supply device 10. Then, preferably without interrupting the movement of the envelope contents 5, the envelope is transferred by at least one insertion finger 26, which guides the envelope and the contents into the region of the funnel, to the onward transport elements 11 and is transported away.

[0034] FIGS. 2 to 4 show functional diagrams of the envelope being supplied, being pulled on and being transported away. As shown in FIG. 2, the envelope 2 is supplied, with the envelope flap 3 at the front, between a pair of rollers rotating in opposite directions, here the driven transport roller 20 and the counter-roller 21, which is advantageously spring-biased against the transport roller 20, through the funnel 12 at a transport angle (Wt), for example at an angle of between 25° and 35°, to the flap guide side of the packing pocket 9. During this, the funnel 12 and the pulling roller 14 are in a position I at a distance from the flap guide 13 or from a plane K that includes the flap guide side. In the case of a completely planar flap guide side, the latter is completely included by the plane K. Usually, however, the surface of the flap guide side is also formed by ribs or other elements on the spaced-apart slats. These elements may also pass through the plane K. By way of example, ribs 33 which rise at an angle toward the rear and which are intended to lift the front edge of the envelope flap and thus the entire flap, so that the finger of the supply device can pass through below the latter while itself extending over the flap guide plane K of the packing pocket, may be provided on the packing pocket in a region in the vicinity of or at the front edge of the packing pocket, as shown in FIG. 8. The finger in this case protrudes upward just out of the packing pocket plane so that no document is lost in the packing pocket. In this case, the flap guide side and the plane K are preferably oriented substantially horizontally.

[0035] Once the tip of the envelope flap 3 has been placed onto the flap guide 13, the funnel is set at an angle W1 and the pulling roller is set at an angle W2, in each case relative to the flap guide side or the plane defined by the latter. Advantageously, the first and second angle are selected in a range from 70° to 150°, the limit values being included.

[0036] Depending on the technical requirements and the space conditions of the inserting system actually created, the angles W1 and W2 may be different or else identical. The movement takes place via synchronizing means 16 which are shown schematically in FIG. 3 and which advantageously comprise a guide cam 17, for example in the form of a cam disk or cam lobe. The movement may take place in a rectilinear manner or else by a pivoting movement. By moving the funnel 12 as the envelope passes through, easy opening of the envelope 2 is made possible, and this can be further assisted by the cones 27 shown by way of example inter alia in FIG. 5. Advantageously, the movement of the funnel from the position 1 will be completed immediately before or during the placement of the flap tip onto the flap guide side, until the foremost edge of the packing pocket 9 has been passed by the flap fold 4, that is to say in the region of approximately one flap length l. Immediately before reaching the position II and/or also in position II, the funnel may press the envelope downward so far that a slightly negative transport angle Wt of the envelope relative to the flap guide plane is set. Advantageously, the transport angle in position II lies in the range of ±10°, preferably between 0° and 6°, relative to the flap guide. In this position II, the envelope 2 is then pulled completely onto the packing pocket by means of the pulling roller 14 which is lowered in synchronism with the movement of the envelope, and the envelope contents 5 are pushed through the packing pocket 9 into the envelope 2 by the supply device 10, which comprises for example at least one finger 26, which is attached to a toothed belt or a chain, and a supply drive 32. Then, after the pulling roller 14 has been raised away from the envelope 2′ which has been pulled on and then packed, as shown in FIG. 4, the envelope is moved by the finger 26 in the direction of the segment 23 which cooperates with the transport roller 20 and/or a separate onward transport roller 22. Alternatively, the pulling roller 14 may also first be operated in the onward transport direction opposite to the pulling-on direction, in order to accelerate the envelope to the speed of continuously supplied envelope contents, as a result of which for example even particularly thin and/or delicate envelopes can be filled without reducing the speed of the envelope contents passing through into the packing pocket or without having to slow said contents too greatly. In any case, the pulling roller 14 and the funnel 12 are then returned synchronously to position I, while the onward transport elements 11, 20, 23 convey the envelope onward. The onward transport angle Wa is directed downward from the flap guide in order to avoid any slipping-out or sliding of the envelope contents 5. In inserting systems as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, in which the envelope is supplied from above, advantageously an onward transport angle Wa of 5-12°, preferably between 6-10°, in the downward direction can be selected.

[0037] In a manner analogous to the diagram shown in FIG. 3 for pulling an envelope onto the packing pocket, FIG. 5 shows in detail an example according to the invention of an inserting system. Besides the functional elements already mentioned above, such as the packing pocket 9 and the pulling roller 14 which is coupled to the movement of the funnel 12, it is also possible to see the toothed wheel 32 of the supply drive, a segment 23 which is advantageously elastic at least in the surface region, the transport roller and counter-roller 20, 21, as well as further details of the inserting system which is shown on a smaller scale in FIG. 1. These include for example further transport elements 8 and onward transport elements 11, which comprise further rollers and segments 24 and also transport belts and drive belts. Also shown is a cone 27, which is arranged between the funnel 12 and the pulling roller 14, for laterally delimiting the flap guide plane K and for assisting during the opening of the envelope, as well as details of the funnel base 19 to which the funnel 12 is attached and via which it is connected to the pulling roller 14. As described above, the funnel 12, which is formed of two angle profiles 18, guides the envelope immediately before and during the pulling thereof onto the packing pocket, and at the same time in this case, that is to say when the envelope is supplied from above, the lower angle profile 18 may be shaped in such a way that the lowermost surface thereof serves as a guiding surface during the onward transport of the envelope away from the packing pocket, before said envelope is gripped by the elastic element 23 and the transport roller and is conveyed further in the direction of the onward transport elements 11.

[0038] FIG. 6 shows by way of example in a schematic detail view one possible embodiment of a synchronizing mechanism. Here, a cam 17 which is rotatably mounted on the inserting system raises and lowers a base rod 39 which is connected to the inserting system 1 via a pivot point 40 and to which in turn two transmission rods 41, 42 are attached by floating pivot points 48, 47, that is to say pivot points which move relative to the inserting system. Said transmission rods are in turn connected, in a manner shown in dashed line here, by floating pivot points 49, 50 to the functional rod 43 of the pulling roller 14 and respectively the functional rod 45 of the funnel base 19, in order to transmit the travel of the base rod. Due to the additional rotatable mounting of the functional rod 43, 45 on the inserting system 1, the pulling roller 14 and the funnel base 19 with the funnel 12 attached thereto are moved between the positions I and II along the circular movement curves 51, 52 and pushed toward or away from the flap guide side or a plane K that includes the latter. If the pulling roller 14 and the funnel base 19 with the funnel 12 are not attached to the functional rod 43, 45 as shown here, but rather are attached for example to the transmission rod 41, 42, a movement curve differing from the circular shape can be set. The same applies when the funnel base 19, for example via the pivot point 50, or/and the funnel 12 itself are additionally attached in a pivotable manner to the funnel base.

[0039] Similarly acting synchronizing mechanisms using other means are known in principle to the person skilled in the art and can accordingly be used, but a mechanism as shown which is based on cams and rods offers particular advantages in the case of rapid movement sequences which, as necessary here, additionally require high precision.

[0040] FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of an inserting system. Here, the envelopes are supplied onto the packing pocket 9 at an angle from the bottom right by way of the transport elements 8 and the transport roller 20; the outer side of the flap guide 13 is now directed downward. Here, too, the transport roller 20 guides the supply into the funnel 12, which is once again coupled to the pulling roller 14 and for its part guides the envelope flap onto the flap guide from below. Also when envelopes are supplied from below, a correspondingly synchronized movement of the funnel 12 and of the pulling roller 14 is carried out according to what has been described above. The insertion finger(s) 26 now guided above the packing pocket 9 push the envelope contents through the packing pocket 9 into the envelope, in order then to further convey the envelope together with the contents to the onward transport elements 11. The finger 26 may in this case be guided toward the onward transport plane beyond the flap guide 13 and the funnel. Here, too, the onward transport angle Wa is directed slightly downward relative to the plane formed by the flap guide 13, for example in a range from 1-6°.

[0041] FIG. 8 shows an adjustable packing pocket according to the invention, which can also advantageously be used on other inserting systems if these are to be configured in a flexible manner with regard to the envelope blanks and the packing mass. According to the exemplary embodiment shown therein, three so-called slats 28 are mounted on or below a mounting rail 15, here preferably an adjustment rail 35. While the (in this case one) inner slat 28″ is attached in a stationary manner to the mounting rail or adjustment rail, the outer slats 28′ can be moved transversely to the transport direction or onward transport direction in order thus to be able to set the packing pocket 9 in an optimal manner to different envelope widths. In the present example, the setting of the width is carried out by way of a manually operated adjusting spindle 31, but this can also be provided in an automatic manner, for example in an electrically driven manner. For flexibly attaching such a packing pocket 9 to the inserting system 1, a mounting stop 36 is provided here.

[0042] FIG. 9 shows a rear view of the packing pocket 9 shown in FIG. 8. Here, it is additionally also possible to see auxiliary surfaces 34 which are arranged upstream of the inner guide surfaces of the individual slats in the direction of supply of the envelope contents, so as to enable easier insertion of the contents into the packing pocket 9. In order to ensure that the envelope 2 is pulled onto the packing pocket 9 as reliably as possible, the side slats 28′ as shown in FIG. 8 may be designed to project inward, toward the stationary inner slat or the mid-line M, in the region of the front edge facing toward the transport plane or onward transport plane. The outer side surfaces of the slats 28′ are closed in order to laterally guide the envelope contents 5 and prevent the envelope contents from touching the envelope before the insertion operation is complete.

[0043] FIG. 10 shows by way of example the side view of an outer slat 28′ as seen from the inside. The flap guide 13, as shown here at the top, and the sheet guide 30, shown at the bottom, are both provided with an auxiliary surface in the direction of the supply device 10. The side slat 28′ comprises a slat base 37, which can be produced for example as a one-piece bracket with the flap guide 13, in order to increase the stability of the packing pocket. Alternatively, the slat 28′ may be designed at least partially as a U-shaped profile with an outwardly directed base, so that the envelope contents are guided and/or supported by the outer slats through the U-shaped profile.

[0044] At the slat base 37, the sheet guide 30 may be attached in the rear region to a spring stop 38. The sheet guide 30, which is made of a flexible material, is inclined at an angle relative to the inner surface of the flap guide, so that in the front region it ends in the direct vicinity of the flap guide or even bears against the latter. Only by inserting the envelope contents is the sheet guide 30 pressed downward and exposes the route into the envelope or in the onward transport direction. As a result, even envelope contents which differ in terms of their thickness can be reliably supplied at the same speed. The maximum thickness of the envelope contents is defined in this case by a distance z, in the rear region, between the inner guide surfaces of the flap guide 13 and the sheet guides 30. As already mentioned in FIG. 7, in the case of an inserting system 1′ being supplied from below, the packing pocket or the slats of the packing pocket are mounted inversely, that is to say with the flap guide at the bottom. In this case, too, the flap guide plane K may be identical to the horizontal plane, and in this case the rib 33 projects downward from the horizontal plane or the surface of the packing pocket and runs in manner inclined upward toward the rear.

[0045] Although individual aspects of the invention have been shown above in different exemplary embodiments, the individual aspects can readily be combined with one another within the scope of the routine knowledge of a person skilled in the art, provided that they do not rule one another out in a manner that is readily obvious to a person skilled in the art. Further embodiments will become apparent from the present disclosure and from the general knowledge of the person skilled in the art in respect of inserting and packing systems.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0046] 1 inserting system [0047] 1′ inserting system supplied from below [0048] 2 envelope [0049] 2′ filled envelope [0050] 3 envelope flap [0051] 4 flap fold [0052] 5 envelope contents [0053] 6 holder for empty envelopes [0054] 7 flap opener [0055] 8 transport elements [0056] 9 packing pocket [0057] 10 supply device [0058] 11 onward transport elements [0059] 12 funnel [0060] 13 flap guide (side) [0061] 14 pulling means, pulling roller [0062] 15 mounting rail [0063] 16 synchronizing means [0064] 17 guide cam/cam lobe [0065] 18 angle profile [0066] 19 funnel base [0067] 20 transport roller [0068] 21 counter-roller [0069] 22 onward transport roller [0070] 23 further onward transport element, segment [0071] 24 further rollers, segments [0072] 25 opener claw [0073] 26 finger [0074] 27 cone [0075] 28 slat [0076] 28′ outer slat [0077] 28″ inner slat [0078] 29 outer side surface of the slat [0079] 30 sheet guide [0080] 31 adjusting means, adjusting spindle [0081] 32 supply drive [0082] 33 rib [0083] 34 auxiliary surface [0084] 35 adjustment rail [0085] 36 mounting stop [0086] 37 slat base [0087] 38 spring stop [0088] 39 base rod [0089] 40 fixed pivot point of base rod [0090] 41 transmission rod to transport roller [0091] 42 transmission rod to funnel [0092] 43 functional rod for transport roller [0093] 44 fixed pivot point of functional rod [0094] 45 functional rod for funnel [0095] 46 fixed pivot point of functional rod [0096] 47, 48, 49, 50 floating pivot points of rods [0097] I first position [0098] II second position [0099] l flap length [0100] b envelope width [0101] z maximum thickness of envelope contents [0102] M mid-line [0103] T, T′, T″ transport plane of the envelopes [0104] K plane that includes the flap guide side [0105] W1 movement angle of the funnel relative to the flap guide plane [0106] W2 movement angle of the pulling roller relative to the flap guide plane [0107] Wa onward transport angle [0108] Wt transport angle