Patent ID: 7832444

Claim:
An envelope flap closing system, comprising: a first transport path of travel for envelopes to be moved seriatim in a first direction from an entrance point to an exit point; a moveable flap closing mechanism mounted along said path of travel for movement between a lower position and an upper position, said flap closing mechanism having an upper guide surface and a lower guide surface; said flap closing mechanism upper guide surface providing a guide surface as part of said first path of travel for envelopes being transported in said first direction when said flap closing mechanism is in said lower position; and, said flap closing mechanism lower guide surface providing a guide surface as part of a second path of travel for envelopes being transported in a second direction when said flap closing mechanism is in said upper position, wherein said first transport path includes a first parking position for envelopes where said flap closing mechanism is operable to engage a parked envelope flap that is stopped at a required position for operation of said system including movement of said flap closing mechanism when said flap closing mechanism is moved from said lower position to said upper position and said second transport path includes a second parking position for envelopes where the flap of a parked envelope is engaged by rollers mounted to and moveable with said flap closing mechanism; and a primary seal roller mounted along said first transport path down stream of said first parking position and wherein said first transport path further includes a third parking position for envelopes where the flap of a parked envelope is engaged by said primary seal roller.