Abstract: In an apparatus for separating flat articles of a stack, operating elements of one side of a transport path are fastened on a sliding plate which, in the individual-separation state, is moved away from the transport path and back again and is driven in a controlled manner. In the event of a fault warning from a sensor set-up for determining fault states during the individual-separation process, transport elements moving the articles along the transport path are stopped, and the sliding plate is moved into an individual-separation position for opening the transport path and, after a short time, for re-closing the transport path. After closing of the transport path, the transport elements resume their transport operation.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for orienting flat items of mail towards a narrow edge in a U-shaped conveying channel in which they are conveyed in an upright position and without being jammed. Before the items pass the conveying channel for the purpose of alignment, their thickness is measured. The distances of the lateral limit stops or limiting sections are changed by means of adjusting mechanisms for every item of mail in such a manner that at the end of the conveying channel, the item is oriented towards its lower narrow edge by virtue of its own gravity and the distance of the lateral limit stops of the conveying channel from every item of mail during transport through the conveying channel is only wide enough for the item not to collapse at all nor to collapse partially even if its intrinsic stiffness is poor.

Abstract: In a device for singulating vertically positioned flat mailings from a stack of mail, at least two discharge rockers are disposed on top of one another, wherein the discharge rockers are adjacent to revolving second discharge belts that are arranged in a fixed manner along the path of travel. A supporting element in relation to which the stack of mail is aligned ends at a defined distance from the undeflected discharge rockers. A flexible, elongated retaining element is arranged in a resiliently pressed manner from the end of the supporting element to the beginning of the second discharge belts located downstream of the discharge rockers and further on to the discharge rockers and to further discharge belts of successive singulating stages. The distance of the supporting element from the leading end of the second discharge belts relative to the direction of travel is greater than the maximum permissible length of a mailing.

Abstract: A device for singulating overlapping flat mailings in an upright position in a path of travel has several singulating sections arranged along the path of travel. Each singulating section has conveyor belts spaced apart from each other and above each other and transporting the mailings. At an opposite side of the path of travel, each singulating section has retaining elements acting on the mailings with a friction force and at a height between the conveyor belts. A speed of travel of the conveyor belts in each singulating section is higher than the speed of travel of the conveyor belts of the respective singulating section upstream in the direction of travel. Further, individually mounted deflection rollers of the conveyor belts of both adjacent singulating sections are arranged at different heights along a common axis at each transition between the singulating sections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for orienting flat items of mail towards a narrow edge in a U-shaped conveying channel (3) in which they are conveyed in an upright position and without being jammed. Before the items (1, 2) pass the conveying channel (3) for the purpose of alignment, their thickness is measured. The distances of the lateral limit stops or limiting sections are changed by means of adjusting mechanisms (7, 8, 9, 10) for every item of mail (1, 2) in such a manner that at the end of the conveying channel, the item is oriented towards its lower narrow edge by virtue of its own gravity and the distance of the lateral limit stops (4) of the conveying channel (3) from every item of mail (1, 2) during transport through the conveying channel (3) is only wide enough for the item not to collapse at all nor to collapse partially even if its intrinsic stiffness is poor.

Abstract: The printer device is fashioned as an independent structural unit and is arranged such that the printer head is situated in front of a cooperating platen that is seated such next to the deflection roller that does not cover the full width of the document in the document processing means that its apex line facing toward the printer head proceeds in alignment with a corresponding apex line of the deflection roller. The structural unit is held in guide elements and is removable from the printing position tangentially relative to the apex line of the cooperating platen along the guide elements. A printer head operating based on the thermo transfer principle and having a thermo-inking ribbon transported synchronously with the document preferably serves as the printer device.

Abstract: A symmetrically constructed inking ribbon cassette is provided that is substantially rectangular in shape and which has two openings symmetrically arranged at the shorter sides of the cassette for receiving capstan drive shaft and a light barrier. The cassette housing is formed of two halves which are held together with catch noses at a joining plane of the housing halves and a viewing slot is provided in each slot adjacent to one of the ribbon winding hubs which are carried in the housing.