Abstract: A routing device that allows two incoming streams of flat objects on two upstream conveyors to converge symmetrically at a small angle toward a downstream conveyor and be grouped into a single stream of flat objects, such that the two upstream conveyors paths form a Y-shaped structure with the conveying path defined by the downstream conveyor. The upstream conveyors each have a press belt (7; 7′) stretched over elastically deformable wheels (10, 11, 12, 10′, 11′, 12′) with fixed axles and a backing belt (4; 4′) against which the press belt presses to convey the flat objects. The press belts (7, 7′) of the upstream conveyors meet at a gripping point constituting the entry to the downstream conveyor and are pressed against one another downstream of the gripping point by two elastically deformable wheels (11, 11′) with fixed axles for defining the path of the downstream conveyor.

Abstract: Device for conveying flat objects (1), held vertically, at high speed between processing equipment items, and in particular for conveying mail envelopes. This device comprises: a stationary baseplate (3) extending from one equipment item to the other, a motorized reference belt (4) stretched over a set of vertical pulleys (7) and extending above the baseplate along the conveying path between equipment items; a motorized press belt (5) mounted in such a way that it can be pressed against the reference belt along the conveying path; a series of defonnable wheels (6) along the conveying path between equipment items, which can come to bear against the press belt in the zone where the latter presses against the reference belt, so as to grip the conveyed envelopes appropriately in spite of the differences in thickness between envelopes.

Abstract: The device for sorting objects, for example mail items, includes a conveyor (1) that directs the objects to be sorted to sorting output receptacles (7) associated with corresponding sorting outputs and in which the sorted objects are stored. A buffer receptacle (11) is provided at each sorting output. Each buffer receptacle (11) has a retractable bottom (12) and temporarily stores sorted objects before they are transferred into a sorting output receptacle and/or while that sorting output receptacle is replaced by an empty receptacle. Because of these buffer receptacles, the throughput of the sorting device may remain constant while sorting output receptacles are replaced.