Abstract: A device for discharging flat objects into a receptacle, especially pieces of mail or letters at the output of a sorting machine in which the letters are routed vertically disposed in pockets and are released above the said device, wherein the device comprises:a flat main guide surface inclined at an angle relative to the vertical plane and down which the flat object at the output of the pocket falls under gravity,a deflecting and retaining plate downstream of the main surface, anda receptacle inclined at an angle relative to the horizontal plane,the plate being movable from an initial position in which its lower edge is parallel to and close to the base of the lowermost wall of the receptacle, to an end position in which it is near to the uppermost wall of the receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for inclining and stacking flat in a box flat objects, especially letters exiting particularly from a sorting machine, in which the letters are fed vertically orientated and are released above the device. It comprises a chute with a concave main slide and deviating surface and an associated convex secondary surface, the latter being continued by a flap hinged about a transverse horizontal axis and with its lower edge in contact with the letters stacked in the box.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a feed device for feeding a sorting machine for sorting flat objects and comprising at least one input feeder for the objects and pockets to which the objects are fed vertically for transport, the feed device allowing the objects to be fed one by one from the input feeder towards a vertical pocket. A conveyor module comprises at least two stop gates spaced by a distance greater than the maximum length of the objects. An accelerator module is located between the conveyor module and a vertical transfer device and comprises a downstream stop gate. The vertical ejection device is formed by an injecting module. These modules are provided with continuously operating positive entrainment devices and the stop gates control the movements of the objects in response to detectors located in the path of the objects.

Abstract: The article separator comprises at least one transfer station (20) receiving the articles to be transferred to the entrance of at least one delivery conveyor (4). Each transfer station is equipped with at least one pickup arm (21) with a suction head (22) at one end, driven between the transfer station and the delivery conveyor and having a plurality of orifices (23) which can be selectively connected to a vacuum source or a blown air source under the control of a video processing circuit (33) coupled to a camera (32) that registers the scene at the front of the transfer station. The separator can handle mail deemed to be non-mechanically-sortable hereto.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stacker for flat objects, in which a conveyor moves the objects to be stacked in in an edgewise manner. A drum rotates permanently in front of the orifice of a hollow cylindrical body, connected to a suction source. The stack of already stacked objects is engaged against said drum. A shell, controlled in rotation, controls the application of suction through the openings of the drum, of an object inserted between the drum and the stack. Suction application is timed to correspond to a displacement of the leading edge of the object inserted between the orifice and the stopping border of the receptacle. Application to postal sorting.

Abstract: A box formed by a set of walls closed by a pivoting bottom which is openable so that the object which it carries falls vertically in the ejection zone to be collected in a receptacle. The walls are extended below the bottom so that the pivoting operation may be started before the box quite reaches the ejection zone. The bottom in the closed position forms an angle with the horizontal, thus the object which it carries is automatically jolted against the rear wall during the conveying phase. The portion of the rear wall above the rest position of the bottom is given a slight forward inclination to promote the sliding of the object towards the discharge position. A comb-shaped separation scrapes the bottom (indented) so as to loosen any object adhering abnormally thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking thin objects which are delivered by a conveyor to a rotary drum having holes over its periphery extending to the interior and a fixed body within the interior having a plurality of chambers communicating with the holes over a half circumference. Valves connecting to the chambers are operated to successively connect the chamber to a vacuum source so the object is engaged and rotated with the drum and then to successively connect to a pressure source to produce a blowing action moving the object toward a stack.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for supplying a conveyor of an article sorting machine. It also relates to a method for using this apparatus. The apparatus essentially comprises a storage system (1) constituted by a plurality of belts (t.sub.1 . . . t.sub.n) and a tilting chair-like support (2) able to occupy a raised position (P.sub.1) and a lowered position P.sub.2. The articles are placed on the first belt t.sub.1 only when the latter is completely free of articles and when the following belt is also free. Movement of the said belt is then commenced. Movement of each of the following belts is only commenced when the belt following it is free. The final belt t.sub.n is put into movement when it carries an article and when the support (2) is free and in the raised position P.sub.1. When a free rack (4) of conveyor (5) arrives at the right of the support, tilting takes place and the article then drops into rack (4).