Abstract: A sorting conveyor has pivotally mounted flaps for sorting articles into sorting outlets as a function of a sorting indication affixed to each of the articles. The conveyor includes a monitoring and control unit designed to cause each flap to pivot between a closed position in which the flap forms a conveyor portion suitable for conveying an article in a certain conveying direction and an open position in which the flap interrupts conveying of an article on the conveyor to deflect it towards an appropriate sorting outlet. The monitoring and control unit is also arranged to retrieve thickness data from a memory giving a certain thickness for the article to be deflected, and to respond by causing the flap to pivot into an open position through a certain opening amplitude determined as a function of the thickness data about the article that is to be deflected.

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: The invention relates to a sorting conveyor having pivotally mounted flaps for sorting articles into sorting outlets as a function of a sorting indication affixed to each of the articles. The conveyor includes a monitoring and control unit designed to cause each flap to pivot between a closed position in which the flap forms a conveyor portion suitable for conveying an article in a certain conveying direction and an open position in which the flap interrupts conveying of an article on the conveyor to deflect it towards an appropriate sorting outlet. The monitoring and control unit is also arranged to retrieve thickness data from a memory giving a certain thickness for the article to be deflected, and to respond by causing the flap to pivot into an open position through a certain opening amplitude determined as a function of the thickness data about the article that is to be deflected.

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 device including a support surface on which a stack of flat articles is formed by accumulation as the flat articles are inserted, accumulated, and pushed on-edge one-by-one in a main direction against a retaining element for retaining the stack, which element is provided at the front end of the stack. The support surface is mounted to be free to move in translation in the main direction, being moved synchronously with the movement of the retaining element in the main direction. The retaining element is also mounted to move relative to the frame under the effect of accumulation of said articles and associated with means of the winder or counter weight type arranged so as to exert a return force on the stack of flat articles in such a manner as to retain it. A postal sorting machine is equipped with at least one such stacker device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stacker device comprising a support surface (24, 24?) on which a stack (P) of flat articles (O1-On) is formed as the flat articles are inserted and pushed on-edge one-by-one in a main direction (D) against a retaining element (18) for retaining the stack, which element is provided at the front end of said stack. The support surface (24, 24?) is mounted to be free to move in translation in the main direction (D), being moved synchronously with the movement of the retaining element (18) in said direction, thereby imparting excellent stability to the stack formed in this way. The retaining element (18) is also mounted to move relative to the frame (10) and associated with means arranged so as to exert a return force on the stack of flat articles (O1-On) in such a manner as to retain it. The invention also relates to a postal sorting machine equipped with at least one such stacker device.