Abstract: In an inserting apparatus and method such as the continuous motion type, a motion controller electrically communicates with an encoder, a first motor driving an insert conveyor assembly, a second motor driving an envelope conveyor assembly, and an actuator operatively interfaced with a peripheral device. The motion controller controls insert conveyor assembly speed, envelope conveyor assembly speed, and the rotational position at which the actuator should be activated, based on the encoder signal. Once during every master cycle, the motion controller calculates the actuator activation position, and causes the first actuator to be activated at the calculated first actuator activation position.

Abstract: A high-speed envelope transport and packing system includes a conveyor for conveying an open envelope having a flap, a packing station for inserting an object into a conveyed open envelope, and a bending member disposed upstream of the packing station. The bending member is configured to impart a bend in a conveyed open envelope by displacing a center portion of the envelope relative to widthwise distal end portions of the envelope and to maintain a bend in the envelope until the open envelope is gripped by a gripping device in such a manner as to provide access to an interior of the open envelope or until an object is at least partially inserted into an interior of the open envelope.

Abstract: A thru-beam sensor is positioned such that the beam passes through the crease line of the envelope when the envelope is parked in the insertion area. As the envelope enters the insertion area, the through beam sensor is set to current level A. The sensor is used to accurately position the envelope based on the passing of the lead edge. Once the envelope is in position, the current in the thru-beam emitter pair is raised until the envelope is no longer obstructing the line of sight of the sensor. From this state, the insert or plurality of inserts that are entering the accumulator can be detected, as the presence of the inserts will inhibit light transmission between the emitter and receiver. Using the sensor system proposed here, the inserts trailing edge can be detected at the crease line of the envelope.

Abstract: A side sealing apparatus for a shrink packaging machine comprising closed loop temperature control of a heater for maintaining an optimum temperature for cutting and sealing two layers of thermoplastic film. The heater comprises a cable or cartridge heater with an internal thermocouple, and it is connected to an automatic temperature controller. The heater is mounted on the side sealer apparatus between two sets of top and bottom V-belts mounted around drive rolls and idler rolls. The V-belts provide nip pressure against the film in order to drive the film. Nip pressure is generated by nip rolls on the scrap side of the film, and by belt support plates on the package side of the film.

Abstract: An enclosure is formed from a single sheet of paper, which is of a standard size. The sheet of paper is folded along the short edges and then folded along a mid-section. Content material may be placed on the sheet of paper or printed information can be printed on desired surfaces of the paper. The paper may also be folded so that a fold-over flap is formed. The edges are attached through a sealing mechanism such as knurling, gluing, embossing or crimping, tabbing, stapling.

Abstract: A method for creating mailpieces from a single web of printed material. The web of printed material includes a continuous web having a width and a length, the length comprised of a series of attached sheets. The series of attached sheets is comprised of envelope sheets and content pages. The content pages are rectangular in shape and may be oriented relative to the envelope sheets in a number of different configurations. In some configurations, two sets of content pages and/or envelope sheets can be printed across the width of the web. The method starts with cutting consecutive attached sheets into separated sheets. The content pages belonging to a same mailpiece are accumulated together. The separated envelope sheet is transported, bypassing the accumulating and turning steps. The accumulated and turned content pages are then merged with the envelope sheet, and the envelope sheet is folded and closed around the accumulated content pages to form a finished enclosing envelope.

Abstract: An enclosure for shipping an article capable of releasing a combination of gas and particulates. The enclosure comprises a material of construction, such as spun bold polyolefin, adapted to allow escape of the gas from the enclosure while retaining the particulates. The enclosure, which is sized to contain the article, has no breaches capable of allowing escape of the particulates, except for an opening at the top end. The opening is adapted to be sealed in a closed configuration, which may comprise one or more pinch lines, that prevents escape of the particulates. In one embodiment the enclosure may be in the form of an envelope having adhesive on a front face and a back face thereof to facilitate securing the top of the envelope after folding along a plurality of pinch lines. The enclosure may be particularly useful in a method for shipping a currency anti-theft device.

Abstract: In a mailing machine where an envelope feeder is used to feed envelopes one at a time into a mail inserter and an insert feeder is used to move insert material into the envelope in the mail inserter for mail insertion, a suction cup assembly having two suction cups is used to keep the throat of the envelope in the mail inserter open. Each suction cup is movably mounted on an air actuated holder so as to allow the suction cup to move up and down to open the envelope throat. The suction cup assembly is movably mounted on a mounting stand in the mail feeder at a pivot so that the suction assembly can be rotated at the pivot so as to deflect the suction cups further away from the insert feeder if a jam involving the insert material or the envelope occurs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous strip of detachable consecutive interconnected products manufactured by folding, such as envelopes and the like, and to a process for manufacturing the said strip, two of those consecutive products being interconnected through a joint (22) which is not part of the products themselves and links up detachably, through successive lines of demarcation, with each of those two consecutive products in such a way that, on removing this joint (22), the said two consecutive products are entirely separated.

Abstract: A mail-handling machine including a postage-metering or “franking” module including at least a print mechanism for printing a postage imprint on a mail item and a conveyor for conveying the mail item along a mail item conveyor path defined by top and bottom guide plates. The conveyor includes at least a mail item engagement mechanism including a bottom plate mounted to move vertically at the inlet of the franking module. A support supports the mail items at the inlet of the franking module. The support is moveable in a manner synchronized with the vertical movement of the bottom engagement means.

Abstract: Cards may be singly fed along a primary lane so that a batch of cards is fed along the primary lane. One or more cards may be selectively diverted from the primary lane to a secondary lane such that only some of the batch of cards are diverted. The cards from the batch in the primary lane and the secondary lane are then affixed to a carrier so that each card of the batch is affixed to the carrier. The diversion may be achieved by a reciprocating gate between the primary lane and the secondary lane and a conveyor running on a bias between the primary lane and the secondary lane at the downstream location of the gate.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus of detecting unique items as they are inserted into a product packaging system that is easily adaptable to current product packaging and prize insertion systems. A number of different types of sensors may be used in conjunction with the insertion device to detect the unique prize before it is inserted into a product packaging system. The sensor used will vary depending on the particular application. Sensors that may be used include a capacitive proximity sensor, a thickness sensor, a reflectivity sensor, a transmissivity sensor, a stiffness sensor, a color sensor, or even an odor or chemical sensor. Ideally, the type sensor used will detect a feature of the unique item that is easily distinguishable from other items being inserted. Once the sensor detects the prize and generates a signal, this signal can be used to perform a variety of useful functions.

Abstract: A configuration of a flat carrier with a chip module in a padded envelope, which can be transported in a transport device in the direction of one of the envelope's side edges, includes disposing the chip module in the padded envelope such that wire connections in the chip module extend over a side of the semiconductor chip that runs parallel to the transport device. Such a configuration is made possible by the fact that the flat carrier is applied in a standard way to a further carrier, which is folded in a suitable way.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inserter station for mail processing systems, consisting of a feeder device (2) for transporting inserts, an envelope separation device for separating envelopes from a stack of envelopes, also comprising a mail transport device (6) which is located parallel to the transport track of the feeder device extending close thereto in order to take up the individual envelopes, further comprising orienting means (30,32) for positioning an envelope to be filled in a precise position in front of an insertion device (35).

Abstract: An apparatus for holding and cutting film (1) comprises a unit (6) for gripping and tearing the film (1), located outside the profile of a platform (2) and designed to enable a portion of film of width (L1) between a stack (3) of products on the platform (2) and a film feed reel (4) to be intercepted after the stack (3) has been wrapped and to subsequently tear the portion of film (1) thus intercepted, acting in conjunction with a partial rotation of the platform (2).

Abstract: A mailing envelope assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a sealed outer envelope. The assembly further includes an inner envelope contained within the outer envelope. The inner envelope has a flap, closed ends and an interior portion. The interior portion has an interior longitudinal length and an interior transverse width. The assembly still further includes a foldable insert that is contained and oriented within the outer envelope. The insert typically has a longitudinal length as contained in the outer envelope that is greater than the interior longitudinal length of the inner envelope. The longitudinal length of the insert as contained in the outer envelope is no greater than twice the interior transverse width of the inner envelope.

Abstract: An inline formed package having an envelope and insert material, is formed from a single repeat of a printed web both of which are crossfolded simultaneously, approximately along the half repeat line, and the area of the insert material is greater than half the area of the repeat.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of inserting insert or enclosure material into successive envelopes are disclosed. According to the envelope inserting method, the insert material is conveyed along a straight path successively to an envelope inserting position where the insert material is inserted into the envelope and the stuffed envelope is then conveyed out of the inserting position in the same direction as the above straight path. The method includes providing immediately above the envelope inserting position an envelope storage station where a plurality of envelopes are stored in a stack one above another with the front panel of each of the envelopes facing upward so that the envelopes in the storage station are fed successively to the envelope inserting position for insertion thereinto of insert material.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and methods for sealing an envelope. A sealing nip is formed by an upper roller and a lower roller. The upper roller is mounted on an upper shaft and the lower roller is mounted on a lower shaft. A mechanism associated with the lower shaft adjusts the orientation of the lower shaft to match the orientation of the upper shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of inserting items of mail (22) into envelopes (24), the method including an insertion cycle comprising the steps of: circulating, in succession, a series of insertion stations (12) past at least one envelope feeder (16), past at least one mail feeder (18) and past a delivery point (20); feeding an item of mail (22) and an associated envelope (24) on to each station (12) as the station (12) passes the respective feeders (16,18); inserting each item of mail (22) into the associated envelope (24) while the associated station (12) moves towards the delivery point (20); and delivering each envelope (24) with its inserted item of mail (22) from the associated station (12) to the delivery point (20). Each station (12) is then recirculated past the feeders (16,18) and past the delivery point (20), to repeat the cycle. The invention extends to an apparatus (10) for performing this method.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and methods for guiding a mail piece traversing a mailing machine. A multi-ski guide can include an inner ski with one or more contact bumps positioned to engage a mail piece prior to its edge encountering a stripper blade. The multi-ski guide can be attached to a take away idler shaft located just prior to the stripping blade. A spring can provide a normal force holding the multi-ski guide down onto the top of the stripping blade. The multi-ski guide can contact the stripping blade with a contact bump. In addition, one or more inner skis can include mail piece guiding contact bumps. Idler segments can be interspersed between the skis included in the multi-ski guide such that the idler segments can guide and straighten a mail piece approaching the stripper blade.

Abstract: A method for making and handling an improved intraoral x-ray film packet by forming a first outer and a second outer sheet from a thermoplastic material wherein the first outer sheet is made more rigid than the second outer sheet such that it has a tensile modulus of at least about 700 Kg/cm2. The two outer sheets are sealed together to form an envelope with a laminated perimetric edge wherein the laminated perimetric edge is substantially coplanar with the first outer sheet. This resultant planar surface on one side of the packet aids in the accurate positioning of the packet for subsequent operations and further enhances the ability to die cut the packet and maintain outside dimension tolerances. Individual film packets are transported to a Bernoulli fixture and a laminar air flow is generated across the surface thereof to accurately position the intraoral x-ray film packet against reference stops using the Bernoulli effect.

Abstract: Capsules, for example for the delivery of pharmaceuticals, are produced from two films (18) of a water-soluble polymeric material, by deforming the films to form a multiplicity of recesses, and filling the recesses with a flowable filling material. This is performed using two adjacent rotary dies (14, 15), with recesses (16) into which the films (18) are deformed. The dies (14, 15) also act as electrodes for welding the films together by dielectric welding to form filled capsules (30). The capsules (30) can readily be separated from the resulting web. The polymeric material may be gelatin, or a water-soluble cellulose derivative such as hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and may also contain a plasticizer.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus of detecting unique items as they are inserted into a product packaging system that is easily adaptable to current product packaging and prize insertion systems. A number of different types of sensors may be used in conjunction with the insertion device to detect the unique prize before it is inserted into a product packaging system. The sensor used will vary depending on the particular application. Sensors that may be used include a capacitive proximity sensor, a thickness sensor, a reflectivity sensor, a transmissivity sensor, a stiffness sensor, a color sensor, or even an odor or chemical sensor. Ideally, the type sensor used will detect a feature of the unique item that is easily distinguishable from other items being inserted. Once the sensor detects the prize and generates a signal, this signal can be used to perform a variety of useful functions.

Abstract: For packaging flat objects (4) using a packaging material (7) being supplied as a quasi-endless web, a string of bags (7′) being open on three sides and closed on one side is continuously formed and conveyed in a conveying direction. During conveyance the bags (7′) are charged with at least one object (4) each, are severed from each other, and are then sealed with seams corresponding with the open bag sides. The depth of the bags during the step of forming the string of bags (7′) and/or the distance between the two lateral seams during the step of sealing are adjusted to the format of the object to be packaged (4), or to the width of the packaging material (7) respectively.

Abstract: A resealable envelope comprising a flexible plastic back sheet, a backing adhesive applied on a back surface of the flexible plastic back sheet to attach the envelope to a package, a flexible plastic front sheet attached to the back sheet at their respective side edges and bottom edges, a flexible closure flap being adhered directly to the front surface of the back sheet at their respective top edges via a permanent adhesive and overlapping said front sheet, and a resealable adhesive located proximal to the top edge of the front sheet such that the resealable adhesive is capable of fastening said closure flap to the front sheet forming a resealable closure.

Abstract: A laminate is provided for both labeling a data disk and creating an envelope for storing thereof. The laminate includes a base sheet having first and second pages joined together at a primary fold line. Flaps extend along corresponding edges of one of the pages at secondary fold lines in a configuration to form a closed envelope when folded together. A patch is laminated to the first page by layers of adhesive and release. The patch or first page includes a circular diecut defining a removable disk label having the adhesive on the back thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous strip of detachable consecutive interconnected products manufactured by folding, such as envelopes and the like, and to a process for manufacturing the said strip, two of those consecutive products being interconnected through a joint (22) which is not part of the products themselves and links up detachably, through successive lines of demarcation, with each of those two consecutive products in such a way that, on removing this joint (22), the said two consecutive products are entirely separated.

Abstract: A combined frame and mailer or greeting card are disclosed, either of which is formed from a one-piece blank having a frame front panel, a frame rear panel and a third and fourth panel, each panel being foldably connected to a neighboring panel at a fold line. In the combined frame and mailer, the third and fourth panels are respectively a mailer rear panel and a mailer front panel, which effectively sandwich the frame front panel and frame rear panel therebetween. In the combined frame and greeting card, the third and fourth panels are respectively an easel panel and a greeting panel. The frame rear panel is sandwiched between the frame front panel and the easel panel are and bonded thereto, a picture receiving pocket being formed between the frame front panel and frame rear panel. The greeting panel is detachable.

Abstract: Sheet collation apparatus is disclosed in which an initial sheet (A1) from a sheet feeder (4) is advanced to a collation station (10), reversed into an accumulation station (8) and then returned to the collation station where it is collated with the next sheet (A2) from the sheet feeder. This process may be repeated any number of times to form a collation of sheets of any required number.

Abstract: A system for conveying sheet-like objects, in particular banknotes, comprises a cash dispensing unit, a number of cash dispensing stations and a control unit. A conveying channel having an inlet side and an outlet side is disposed between the cash dispensing unit and each cash dispensing station, with elements for generating an air flow being present in each conveying channel. An enveloping device for enveloping the objects to be conveyed is disposed between the cash dispensing unit and the conveying channel(s). The cash dispensing unit delivers banknotes requested by a cash dispensing station to the enveloping device under the control of the control unit, which enveloping device envelopes the banknotes by a cash dispensing station and delivers the envelope to a unit for delivering the envelope containing banknotes to a conveying channel.

Abstract: An unflapped envelope (60) is fed, with its crease line trailing, along a path (42) from an envelope feeder and between the rollers of a reversibly driveable roller pair (43), for onward transfer to, for example, an insertion station. When the crease line reaches a predetermined point in front of the roller pair (43), the drive is reversed and the envelope with the crease line leading directed along a flapper path, including a deflecting surface 46; to a flapping chamber or zone (47), at least until the flap (61) is engageable by a flapper blade (44;44a). The drive is then reversed again and the envelope driven back along the flapper path, a flap opening surface (49) of a flapper blade (44) or a pair of flapper blade elements (44a), causing the flap (61) to be stripped from the body of the envelope (60) as it exits the flapping zone, and proceeds to the insertion station.

Abstract: A method and device for synchronizing the motion between a chassis (master) motor and one or more enclosure feeder (slave) motors in an envelope inserting machine. The motion profile of one motor can be varied with time independently of the others. The displacement mapping method uses encoders, such as optical encoders, to obtain the displacement of each of the associated motors as a function of time. From the actual displacement of the master motor, an electronic computation device or process is used to calculate the theoretical displacement of each slave motor according the motion profile of the slave motor. The theoretical displacement is then compared to the actual displacement. If there is a discrepancy between the theoretical and the actual amount, then the motion of the slave motor will be adjusted so as to eliminate that displacement discrepancy.

Abstract: Mailing envelopes are made by using standard paper sizes with prescribed folds and application of adhesive. In one form, the envelope is of a horizontal configuration to receive a letter typical in countries like the United States of America and in another configuration, the envelope is more typical of envelopes for receiving a letter in countries like Japan.

Abstract: A mail wrapping system apparatus for preparing for mailing postal items includes receiving trays for respectively receiving postal items from companies and an extraction device for extracting from the postal items a multiplicity of same address groups of the postal items, each of the same address groups consisting of ones of the postal items having coinciding ones of destination addresses. A wrapping unit respectively individually assembles each of the same address groups into a bundle and successively wraps each of the same address groups assembled using a wrapping component with a corresponding one of the destination addresses respectively displayed on each of the wrapped same address groups to provide for mailing the wrapped same address groups. A weight sorter then sorts the wrapped same address groups into weight divisions set forth by a fee schedule of a specified delivery agency and the wrapped same address groups are sent with appropriate postage.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method of automatically stuffing folder pockets includes providing a folder with one or more pockets; providing one or more inserts which can be of differing sizes; the accumulation of the one or more inserts in a stack for insertion into the one or more pockets of the folder; opening the one or more pockets of the folder; and the insertion of the accumulated stack of the one or more inserts into the one or more folder pockets. Predetermined inserts can be selectively processed and stuffed into selected folder pockets. An embodiment also can fold the folder, producing a final product of a stuffed folder ready for distribution.

Abstract: An unflapped envelope (60) is fed, with its crease line trailing, along a path (42) from an envelope feeder and between the rollers of a reversibly driveable roller pair (43), for onward transfer to, for example, an insertion station. When the crease line reaches a predetermined point in front of the roller pair (43), the drive is reversed and the envelope with the crease line leading directed along a flapper path, including a deflecting surface 46, to a flapping chamber or zone (47), at least until the flap (61) is engageable by flapper blade means (44;44a). The drive is then reversed again and the envelope driven back along the flapper path, a flap opening surface (49) of a flapper blade (44) or a pair of flapper blade elements (44a), causing the flap (61) to be stripped from the body of the envelope (60) as it exits the flapping zone, and proceeds to the insertion station.

Abstract: To detect product defects during the production of mailing products, hygiene products or folded paper products, optical imaging sensors or capacitive sensors monitor at least one characteristic parameter or feature of the products successively moving through the production machine, to detect an actual value of each characteristic parameter or feature of each product. The detected actual value is compared with a stored nominal value for the respective characteristic parameter or feature. The result of the comparison is used to initiate or control a further measure, such as ejecting a defective product from the production line, marking a defective product so that it can be visually recognized and manually removed from the production line, or initiating corrective measures to correct the cause of the defect. The characteristic parameters or features relate to the dimensions, the position, and/or the form of the product or parts of the product.

Abstract: A method and device for synchronizing the motion between a chassis (master) motor and one or more enclosure feeder (slave) motors in an envelope inserting machine. The motion profile of one motor can be varied with time independently of the others. The displacement mapping method uses encoders, such as optical encoders, to obtain the displacement of each of the associated motors as a function of time. From the actual displacement of the master motor, an electronic computation device or process is used to calculate the theoretical displacement of each slave motor according the motion profile of the slave motor. The theoretical displacement is then compared to the actual displacement. If there is a discrepancy between the theoretical and the actual amount, then the motion of the slave motor will be adjusted so as to eliminate that displacement discrepancy.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating an inserter having hoppers from which inserts may be selected to include with a mail item. The mail item is moved sequentially, such as with a conveyor, to positions that correspond with the hoppers. At each position for the mail item, information is extracted from a job file related to how that mail item is to be processed and used to determine whether the insert from the corresponding hopper should be included with the mail item. If so, the hopper is caused to include the insert with the mail item; otherwise, the mail item is permitted to proceed to the next position without the insert being included.

Abstract: The invention provides a photopolymer package for use in making a hand stamp plate, the package consisting of a sachet containing a photocurable liquid polymer, the walls of the sachet being formed of material capable of being released from the cured photopolymer. Methods for the formation of the package and the hand stamp plate are also provided. The invention eliminates the requirement for the use of a backing layer in the package and thereby offers significant advantages over the prior art in terms of cost and efficiency.

Abstract: In a document delivery method and system, a sending computer is adapted to be operated by a sending party to send out an electronic document. A receiving unit, which is situated at a mail delivery service provider, is operable so as to establish a network connection with the sending computer so as to receive the electronic document therefrom. A printing unit is coupled to the receiving unit, receives the electronic document from the receiving unit, and makes a printed document that corresponds to the electronic document. An enveloping unit is operable so as to wrap the printed document in enveloping material. A conveying unit, which is disposed between the printing unit and the enveloping unit, is responsible for conveying the printed document from the printing unit to the enveloping unit.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of inserting insert or enclosure material into successive envelopes are disclosed. According to the envelope inserting method, the insert material is conveyed along a straight path successively to an envelope inserting position where the insert material is inserted into the envelope and the stuffed envelope is then conveyed out of the inserting position in the same direction as the above straight path. The method includes providing immediately above the envelope inserting position an envelope storage station where a plurality of envelopes are stored in a stack one above another with the front panel of each of the envelopes facing upward so that the envelopes in the storage station are fed successively to the envelope inserting position for insertion thereinto of insert material.

Abstract: A combined frame and mailer or greeting card are disclosed, either of which is formed from a one-piece blank having a frame front panel, a frame rear panel and a third and fourth panel, each panel being foldably connected to a neighboring panel at a fold line. In the combined frame and mailer, the third and fourth panels are respectively a mailer rear panel and a mailer front panel, which effectively sandwich the frame front panel and frame rear panel therebetween. In the combined frame and greeting card, the third and fourth panels are respectively an easel panel and a greeting panel. The frame rear panel is sandwiched between the frame front panel and the easel panel are and bonded thereto, a picture receiving pocket being formed between the frame front panel and frame rear panel. The greeting panel is detachable.

Abstract: An inserter system for inserting folded sheets into an envelope providing at least one sheet feeding station for feeding individual sheets and an accumulation station in communication with the at least one sheet feeding station having a curved paper path wherein individual sheets are fed into the curved paper path from the at least one sheet feeding station and are accumulated therewithin. A folding station is in communication with the accumulation station for receiving an accumulation of sheets from the curved paper path for folding the accumulation of sheets.

Abstract: A mailable content carrier device incorporates content therein during its construction. Automated processing need only place content appropriately during construction with subsequent construction steps enclosing the content. The result is a mailable content carrier constructed by high-speed automation including location of content therein.

Abstract: In an inserting apparatus and method such as the continuous motion type, a motion controller electrically communicates with an encoder, a first motor driving an insert conveyor assembly, a second motor driving an envelope conveyor assembly, and an actuator operatively interfaced with a peripheral device. The motion controller controls insert conveyor assembly speed, envelope conveyor assembly speed, and the rotational position at which the actuator should be activated, based on the encoder signal. Once during every master cycle, the motion controller calculates the actuator activation position, and causes the first actuator to be activated at the calculated first actuator activation position.

Abstract: A package for a sterilizable item is provided. The package includes a tubular member having an open end and a closed end. A reinforcing panel encompassing the closed end is secured to the tubular member proximate the closed end such that the reinforcing panel includes an open end. A cuff portion is attached to the tubular member proximate the open end of the tubular member. The cuff portion includes a first edge secured to the tubular member and a second edge in spaced relation from the first edge, wherein in the cuff portion extends from the open end of the tubular member and substantially overlaps the open end of said reinforcing panel. A portion of the inside surface of the tubular member is thus exposed and defines the width of the cuff portion. In the preferred embodiment, the cuff portion is integral with the tubular member.

Abstract: An integral frame and mailer formed from a single blank is disclosed. The blank includes a frame having a frame front panel and a frame rear panel, the frame rear panel being connected to a mailer rear panel along a fold line. A mailer front panel is foldably connected to the mailer front panel, wherein the mailer front panel and mailer rear panel effectively sandwich the frame front panel and frame rear panel therebetween.

Abstract: For assembling mail items, a type of envelope is selected from different types. Another station is accordingly set and a flat object is packaged in an envelope of the selected type. Prior to the assembly of a series of mail items, a set of basic finishing instructions applying to the series is activated. This set contains a first and a second set of instructions, each for selecting a first respectively second one of the different types of envelopes and with an instruction for an associated first respectively second setting of the other station, and a selection criterion for selecting, per individual mail item, one of the sets of instructions. Thus, within the framework of a preset set of basic finishing instructions, another one of the available types of envelope can simply be selected per mail item to be assembled individually.