A NUDGER FOR A MAIL HANDLING SYSTEM

摘要

A nudger including apparatus for applying a feed force to a lead mailpiece of the stack of mixed mail to feed the lead mailpiece of the stack along a mailpiece feed path, the applying apparatus being moveable between first and second positions; structure for biasing the applying apparatus against a face of the lead mailpiece thereby generating a stack force against a stack of mixed mai l; and a stack advance mechanism for moving the stack of mixed mail so that the face of the lead mailpiece contacts the applying apparatus; wherein at times when the applying apparatus is in the first position the stack advance mechanism moves the stack of mixed mail in the direction of the applying apparatus causing the applying apparatus to move from the first position to the second position against the biasing means such that the stack force increases causing a corresponding increase in the feed force; and further wherein at times when the applying apparatus is in the second position the stack advance mechanism stops moving the stack of mixed mail and the applying apparatus continuously feeds mailpieces away from the stack of mixed mail along the mailpiece feed path thereby continuously reducing the size of the stack of mixed mail so that the biasing structure gradually moves the applying apparatus from the second position to the first position and the stack force gradually decreases during movement of the applying apparatus from the second position to the first position.