AUTOMATIC LOADING/UNLOADING APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY LOADING/UNLOADING FLAT ARTICLES STACKED ON EDGE, A SORTING MACHINE FOR SORTING FLAT ARTICLES, AN UNLOADING METHOD, AND A POSTAL SORTING METHOD

摘要

Automatic loading/unloading apparatus (1) for automatically loading flat articles (200) stacked on edge into storage trays (300) and for automatically unloading flat articles (200) stacked on edge therefrom, each of the storage trays (300) having a bottom plate (301) provided with a through window (306), said automatic loading/unloading apparatus having a stationary actuator (4) in register with said window and a moving actuator (5) that receives said storage tray (300) and that is mounted to move between: a waiting position in which said stationary actuator (4) is set back from said moving actuator (5) and is not in contact with said flat articles (200); and an unloading position in which said stationary actuator (4) passes through said window (306) while carrying said flat articles (200) until it comes flush with said stacking zone (3) suitable for receiving said flat articles (200) without said storage tray (300) being interposed between said flat articles (200) and said stacking zone (3).