Magazine feeding horizontal or inclined stack letters to sorter - has L=section and uses ribbed endless belts set in internal faces to grip letter edges

摘要

The magazine feeds a horizontal or an inclined stack of letters (L) e.g. to an automatic sorting machine, presenting one end of the stack to an upstacking device. It comprises an 'L' section stack support (1, 2) with inset endless belts (8, 9) incorporated in both faces, using belt teeth or studs to grip the edges of a letter and using an end wall (3) to define the unstacking post. A movable plate (11) may be used to retain the trailing end of the stack, having tongues (15) by which it can engage a belt and capable of both sliding and pivoting relative to a guide rail (14) parallel to the longitudinal stack axis. A smooth slippery area (16) of the floor together with a ramp (17) may be used to effect a transition from the belts to the unstacking post.