Abstract: A postal code detection system is described having a prescanning apparatus operable to detect the position on a mail item of a postal code. The pre-scanning apparatus detects word length, character height of each word, and word position. Based on the latter detected information and on a set of predetermined rules of postal code placement, the postal code can be identified to the exclusion of all other words on the mail item, and its position can be identified and sent to the main scanner and recognition circuitry.

Abstract: An automatic flat-article separating apparatus for mail handling is disclosed. The apparatus has an article transport path, an ejecting route, a suction belt, a thickness detector installed on the transport path and a roller assembly for compressing the flat article to the suction belt. The thickness detector determines the acceptable limits of the material passing on the transport path and when the article is within that predetermined range, the roller is activated to compress the flat article.

Abstract: A flat article separating apparatus for separating overlapping articles traveling along a feeding belt is disclosed. The apparatus includes a slipping section for causing overlapping articles to slip with respect to each other. Thereafter, the articles pass through a detector which detects the presence of an article and in response to such a detection, activates a moving roller aligned with a branching section of the feeding belt to cause the belt in the area of the branching section to bend. Bending of the feeding belt in the vicinity of the branching section allows the article in the branching section to be directed to a branch path of the feeding belt. Articles whose leading edges have passed the branching section at the time the moving roller is activated, continue to move along the main path of the feeding belt.

Abstract: In an automatic mail processing apparatus, the mail is fed one by one by a feeding mechanism to a transport path having a stamp detecting station and a canceling station. At the former station, each piece of the mail is scanned by a pair of detectors which determine the presence or absence of a stamp at the lower end portion of both surfaces of the piece of mail. In the absence of a stamp at the particular portion, the piece of mail is switched to another transport path where it is reversed for subsequent rescanning. When the reversed piece of the mail is fed back to the transport path, the operation of the feeding mechanism is temporarily stopped to prevent the reversed piece of the mail from meeting with subsequent pieces of the mail to be fed by the mechanism.