Abstract: A pickoff system for removal of mail pieces one at a time from the end of a stack includes a pickoff belt mechanism, a sensor positioned to determine mail piece movement speed, and a measurement device determines belt movement speed during operation of the pickoff belt mechanism. A vacuum system includes a vacuum pump and a vacuum manifold positioned to apply suction to the mail piece in a direction that tends to hold the mail piece against the belt of the pickoff belt mechanism. A controller is configured to compare the belt movement speed and the mail piece movement speed during operation, and when mail piece movement speed is slower than belt movement speed, indicating slipping of the mail piece relative to the belt of the pickoff belt mechanism, the controller temporarily increases suction force applied to a mail piece being transported by the pickoff belt mechanism.

Abstract: A mail sorting system includes a transportation line for generating a mail stream of letters or postal items to be sorted, modules for processing the streaming mail and a delay device for reducing the speed of the mail stream from a first to a second speed. Separators divide the transportation line into two parallel lines, with the delay device being disposed in one parallel line. Mail can be transported slowly and therefore slower and simpler print modules can be used. Short transportation paths can be provided for time delay in the parallel lines, in such a way that the mail is handled carefully.

Abstract: A pickoff system for removal of mail pieces one at a time from the end of a stack includes a pickoff belt mechanism, a sensor positioned to determine mail piece movement speed, and a measurement device determines belt movement speed during operation of the pickoff belt mechanism. A vacuum system includes a vacuum pump and a vacuum manifold positioned to apply suction to the mail piece in a direction that tends to hold the mail piece against the belt of the pickoff belt mechanism. A controller is configured to compare the belt movement speed and the mail piece movement speed during operation, and when mail piece movement speed is slower than belt movement speed, indicating slipping of the mail piece relative to the belt of the pickoff belt mechanism, the controller temporarily increases suction force applied to a mail piece being transported by the pickoff belt mechanism.

Abstract: An item sorting system includes at least three modules for processing items requiring sorting, a conveyor line to transport the items in a first transport path from the first to the second and to the third module, and a bypass to transport items requiring sorting in a second transport path from the first to the third module thereby bypassing the second module. A control unit sets a spacing between the items in the conveyor line upstream of the bypass as a function of an activation of the bypass. The bypass is to mitigate stresses to which items are exposed when the item sorting system is used in a plurality of passes with different functions.

Abstract: An item sorting system includes at least three modules for processing items requiring sorting, a conveyor line to transport the items in a first transport path from the first to the second and to the third module, and a bypass to transport items requiring sorting in a second transport path from the first to the third module thereby bypassing the second module. A control unit sets a spacing between the items in the conveyor line upstream of the bypass as a function of an activation of the bypass. The bypass is to mitigate stresses to which items are exposed when the item sorting system is used in a plurality of passes with different functions.

Abstract: A device for guiding moving articles (10) past at least one ink-jet printing head (3), comprising a conveying belt and a cover belt (2, 4), as well as a guide frame (1) to prevent the depositing of ink drops in the region surrounding the printing heads (3) as a result of air turbulence developing on the edges. The printing heads (3) are located in cutouts in the guide frame (1). In accordance with the invention, flow channels (6) that extend in the article conveying direction are provided at least in the region surrounding the printing heads (3) in the guide frame (1), which flow channels are deep enough so that the flow does not stop. Narrow ridges are positioned between the flow channels (6) and are designed to guide the articles. Narrow guide elements (7) for extending the ridges are located above the ink-jet printing heads (3), in locations where the printing jets (5) are not covered.

Abstract: A method and a device form a scaled flow of overlapped articles from a flow of individual, flat and elastic articles, e.g. for stacking, without the following articles impacting with the rear edges of the preceding articles. In order to achieve a high flow rate, independent of the article length, the respectively preceding article remains during the overlapping in a locally fixed position until the supplied, respectively following article impacts from the side with the preceding article in accordance with the predetermined overlapping length. Following this, the two articles as well as all previous articles are jointly transported further until the rear edge of the now last, preceding article has reached the locally fixed position according to the predetermined overlapping length.