Patent ID: 8594837
Filing Date: 2013-11-26
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. A mailpiece feed device designed to be mounted upstream from a franking machine, said device comprising: at least one mailpiece feed zone for receiving a stack of mailpieces of various formats, said at least one mailpiece feed zone being supported by a first plurality of drive rollers; a separation zone for individually selecting the mailpieces, said separation zone being supported by a second plurality of drive rollers; a first clutch means for actuating said first plurality of drive rollers; at least one sensor CN for detecting passage of said mailpieces as they enter said separation zone; and a control means for subjecting said first clutch means to forced deactivation followed by a first activation/deactivation series comprising at least two activation/deactivation impulses that are of short duration, and a second activation/deactivation series comprising at least two activation/deactivation impulses that are of longer duration so long as the sensor CN is not activated, so as to cause a rapid succession of horizontal movements generating jerky motion on said stack, conducive to facilitating mutual separation of said mailpieces.