Abstract: An equipment for automatically feeding parcels to a sorting conveyor, the equipment having a platform for temporarily storing a pile of parcels arranged loosely, a first vision system designed to form a digital image of the loose pile of parcels while the pile is stationary on the platform, a processor unit having setting data for responding to the digital image by identifying a parcel for singulating that presents a grip face that is not covered by another parcel, and by supplying indicative data about the three-dimensional position, the orientation in three dimensions, and the dimensions of the grip face, and a pneumatic gripper head of a robotic arm that is controlled on the basis of the data so as to take hold of the parcel for singulating by its grip face.

Abstract: The invention relates to equipment for automatically feeding parcels to a sorting conveyor, the equipment having a platform for temporarily storing a pile of parcels arranged loosely, a first vision system designed to form a digital image of the loose pile of parcels while it is stationary on the platform, a processor unit having setting data for responding to the digital image by identifying a parcel for singulating that presents a grip face that is not covered by another parcel, and by supplying indicative data about the three-dimensional position, the orientation in three dimensions, and the dimensions of the grip face, and a pneumatic gripper head of a robotic arm that is controlled on the basis of said data so as to take hold of the parcel for singulating by its grip face.

Abstract: A method of merging postal articles (11) for delivery together with mailpieces (2) sorted in a machine (1) into relevant delivery rounds, the method comprising the following steps: entering data into the sorting machine that is representative of the delivery addresses of the postal articles to be merged; in the sorting machine, simulating an ordered sequence of mailpieces for delivery on the relevant delivery round, and, on the basis of said data, determining in this simulated sequence respective locations for said postal articles to be merged; sorting said mailpieces into sorting outlets of the machine for delivery on relevant delivery rounds, and, while each mailpiece is being machine-sorted, detecting whether said mailpiece is a mailpiece adjacent to a postal article to be merged in said simulated sequence; and responding to each said detection by inserting a separator (10) into the sorting machine so as to direct it automatically towards the sorting outlet of the machine that corresponds to the deliver

Abstract: A method of merging postal articles (11) for delivery together with mailpieces (2) sorted in a machine (1) into relevant delivery rounds, the method comprising the following steps: entering data into the sorting machine that is representative of the delivery addresses of the postal articles to be merged; in the sorting machine, simulating an ordered sequence of mailpieces for delivery on the relevant delivery round, and, on the basis of said data, determining in this simulated sequence respective locations for said postal articles to be merged; sorting said mailpieces into sorting outlets of the machine for delivery on relevant delivery rounds, and, while each mailpiece is being machine-sorted, detecting whether said mailpiece is a mailpiece adjacent to a postal article to be merged in said simulated sequence; and responding to each said detection by inserting a separator (10) into the sorting machine so as to direct it automatically towards the sorting outlet of the machine that corresponds to the deliver

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: An unstacking apparatus including a first suction nozzle (7) and a second suction nozzle (8) that are disposed on one side of an alignment plate (3), a perforated endless belt (6) continuously advancing past the suction nozzles and the free face of the first item in a stack of items, a passage forming an outlet between the alignment plate and the belt, at least one sensor (17, 18, 19) disposed on the other side of the alignment plate, and a microcomputer (10) for actuating one of the nozzles in an unstacking cycle. A microcomputer is organized so as to detect that a first item in the stack is backwardly misaligned by monitoring the operation of one of the suction nozzles during the unstacking cycle, and so as to trigger a realignment cycle in response to such detection, during which realignment cycle the nozzles are actuated alternately.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for feeding a stack of flat articles on edge, especially mail items, to a de-stacker head provided with a support surface, the device comprising a main feed magazine in which the stack is disposed and a plate pushing the rear of the stack. A secondary feed magazine is introduced between the main magazine and the support surface of the de-stacker head, the secondary magazine having an upwardly inclined transfer surface, its edge adjacent to the support surface of the de-stacker head being higher than the latter.

Abstract: A device for feeding flat pieces of mail from a stack of mail pieces in edgewise abutment with a registration wall has a feeder for feeding pieces of mail off the stack which is located in front of the first mail piece on the stack. The feeding feeder effects translation of the pieces of mail at a speed V.sub.1 perpendicular to the stack 1. A transfer feeder transfers the piece of mail fed off the stack at a speed V.sub.2. An anti double feed device is disposed between the two feeders. The anti double feed device is a retention device acting on a face of the piece of mail as soon as such piece of mail is taken hold of by the transfer feeder and having a retentive force which is lower than the translation force of the transfer feeder. The speed V.sub.1 of the translation first feeder is lower than the speed V.sub.2 of the transfer feeder.

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.