Abstract: A method of processing mailpieces in a sorting installation including a feed inlet magazine (4) in which the mailpieces (1) for sorting are placed in a stack and on edge so as to be put in series in a sorting conveyor (5), the mailpieces (1) in series and on edge in the sorting conveyor being directed towards sorting outlets having respective stackers (6). The mailpieces (1) for sorting that arrive at the feed inlet magazine while stored in a tray (3) are taken in handfuls from the storage tray to be positioned in a stack and on edge in order to be put into series. The mailpieces (1) sorted into a stacker of a sorting outlet (6) are also transferred in handfuls from the stacker towards a storage tray (3) for the purpose of being recycled to the feed inlet magazine (4) from the sorting outlet (6) having a stacker.

Abstract: An installation (1) for sorting mailpieces (2) includes an unstacker having an unstacking plate (3) suitable for separating a mailpiece at the head of a stack of mailpieces so as to feed a sorting conveyor (4) in which the mailpieces (1), as put into series, are moved in series and on edge. The installation (1) also includes: a feed inlet magazine (6) upstream from the unstacking plate with a motor-driven floor (8) designed to receive a stack of mailpieces (2) on edge; and a retaining paddle (9) that is mounted to move along the magazine and that is suitable for being placed behind the stack to keep it on edge while it is moving on the motor-driven floor towards the unstacking plate.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for feeding an unstacker magazine (2) with mailpieces (3) on edge, which apparatus includes a first feed conveyor (4) for conveying trays (6) extending crosswise and loaded with mailpieces placed flat on the bottoms of the trays, and tray tipping means (8) for pivoting a tray forwards onto a ramp of the tray tipping means so as to bring the mailpieces on edge from the tray to the unstacker magazine. The apparatus includes a second feed conveyor (5) for conveying trays (6) extending lengthwise and loaded with mailpieces (3) placed on edge on the bottoms of the trays, and tray tipping-over means (9) designed for laying a tray over on its side onto the unstacker magazine.

Abstract: An installation for sorting mailpieces (A) includes a sorting conveyor with sorting outlets (2) and storage trays (3), and further includes a tray conveyor (4) disposed along the sorting conveyor under the sorting outlets, and a shuttle robot (5) suitable for being controlled by a monitoring and control unit (6) for automatically taking hold of a tray in a sorting outlet and for placing it below on the tray conveyor, the shuttle robot also being provided with a safety system arranged to detect the presence of an obstacle being approached in the direction in which the robot is traveling while at a certain safety distance away, and arranged to respond to such detection by reducing the speed of movement of the shuttle robot.

Abstract: A postal sorting machine comprises an unstacker in a mailpiece feed inlet, a sorting conveyor, and sorting outlets, each of which is provided with a receptacle designed for storing the mailpieces in a stack and on an edge. Each sorting outlet is provided with a wheel having a helical blade. The wheel projects through an opening in the bottom of the receptacle and is mounted on a transmission shaft. The transmission shaft is disposed under the receptacle to impart a rotary movement to the helical blade so that the helical blade pushes the base of a current mailpiece in the receptacle against the stack of mailpieces that is being formed. The wheel is also mounted on the transmission shaft by being clipped by moving in translation across the axis of rotation of the transmission shaft.

Abstract: A sorting outlet module for a postal sorting machine, provided with a bay for receiving a storage tray for storing mailpieces, and, inside the bay, is provided with a support for supporting the storage tray in the manner of a drawer. The support is mounted to move in translation in a longitudinal direction between a storage position in which the tray on the support is retracted inside the bay and a transfer position in which the tray on the support is out of the bay. The support is also provided with pivot and alignment means for pivoting and aligning the tray, which means are arranged in such a manner that pivoting the tray through 90° on the support relative to the longitudinal direction causes one end of tray to be aligned with one side of the bay while also maintaining the tray as close as possible to the bay.

Abstract: A sorting outlet module for a postal sorting machine, provided with a bay for receiving a storage tray for storing mailpieces, and, inside the bay, is provided with a support for supporting the storage tray in the manner of a drawer. The support is mounted to move in translation in a longitudinal direction between a storage position in which the tray on the support is retracted inside the bay and a transfer position in which the tray on the support is out of the bay. The support is also provided with pivot and alignment means for pivoting and aligning the tray, which means are arranged in such a manner that pivoting the tray through 90° on the support relative to the longitudinal direction causes one end of tray to be aligned with one side of the bay while also maintaining the tray as close as possible to the bay.

Abstract: A postal sorting machine comprises an unstacker in a mailpiece feed inlet, a sorting conveyor, and sorting outlets, each of which is provided with a receptacle designed for storing the mailpieces in a stack and on an edge. Each sorting outlet is provided with a wheel having a helical blade. The wheel projects through an opening in the bottom of the receptacle and is mounted on a transmission shaft. The transmission shaft is disposed under the receptacle to impart a rotary movement to the helical blade so that the helical blade pushes the base of a current mailpiece in the receptacle against the stack of mailpieces that is being formed. The wheel is also mounted on the transmission shaft by being clipped by moving in translation across the axis of rotation of the transmission shaft.

Abstract: A cart (2) for assisting in transferring mailpieces (100) for a sorting machine (1) having a row of sorting outlets (10) for the mailpieces (100) stacked on a work surface (11), said cart (2) for assisting in transferring mailpieces including a support (23) supporting a tray (101) to be filled, a back plate (20) carrying guide means (24) co-operating with a longitudinal runner (14) on said sorting machine (1), said back plate (20) being extended by a transfer ramp (26) inclined relative to said back plate (20) with which it forms an acute angle and designed to bridge over the edge of the work surface (11) to come flush with said work surface (11) from above. A postal sorting installation including a sorting machine (1) and a cart (2) as described for assisting in transferring mailpieces.

Abstract: A cart (2) for assisting in transferring mailpieces (100) for a sorting machine (1) having a row of sorting outlets (10) for the mailpieces (100) stacked on a work surface (11), said cart (2) for assisting in transferring mailpieces including a support (23) supporting a tray (101) to be filled, a back plate (20) carrying guide means (24) co-operating with a longitudinal runner (14) on said sorting machine (1), said back plate (20) being extended by a transfer ramp (26) inclined relative to said back plate (20) with which it forms an acute angle and designed to bridge over the edge of the work surface (11) to come flush with said work surface (11) from above. A postal sorting installation including a sorting machine (1) and a cart (2) as described for assisting in transferring mailpieces.

Abstract: An article handling system including a frame defining an upper, horizontal working surface (20). The system further includes a device (24) for supporting a receptacle (22) for final reception of articles, an elongated plate (10) mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot device (72, 74), and a device (26) for retaining the articles. The device for retaining the articles includes an elongated support (28) disposed parallel to the length of the plate in its horizontal position and fixed to remain immovable relative to the upper working surface at least in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A removable stacker for automatic mail sorting system comprises a stacking area, a mobile wall adapted to hold documents on edge and to move against the action of a return device as the stacker is filled and an articulated flap adapted to assume a first position in which it is retracted and a second position in which it cooperates with the mobile wall to grip the documents during manipulation of the removable stacker. A system is provided for maintaining the flap in its second position against the action of the weight of the stacked documents.