Patent ID: 6276679
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
In an apparatus for singulating respective mailpieces fed thereto from an upstream direction, wherein a feed module is used to move the fed mailpieces toward a downstream direction against a retarding force and wherein the feed module has a downstream end and an upstream end and each mailpiece has a thickness, a retard module to form a separation nip with the feed module for ingesting mailpieces and to provide the retarding force, said retard module comprising:at least one first-end pulley, one middle pulley and one second-end pulley; a frame having an upstream end and a downstream end for rotatably mounting the first-end pulley at the upstream end of the frame;a bracket for rotatably mounting the middle pulley and the second end pulley, wherein said bracket is pivotally mounted about a pivoting point at the downstream end of the frame; andat least one belt for driving the first-end pulley, the middle pulley and the second-end pulley;wherein the downstream end of the feed module and the belt at the downstream end of the frame form the separation nip and the middle pulley is positioned relative to the feed module to define an ingestion angle, and wherein the bracket allows the middle pulley and the second-end pulley to rotate in order to adjust the ingesting angle in accordance with the thickness of the mailpiece entering the separation nip;wherein the middle pulley is located substantially between the first end pulley and the second end pulley; the middle pulley has a first rotating axis and the second-end pulley has a second rotating axis; and wherein the distance between the first rotating axis and the pivoting point is longer than the distance between the second rotating axis and the pivoting point.