Patent ID: 8371581

Claim:
A method of detecting a mailpiece of the open mailpiece type such as a non-wrapped magazine, said method being characterized in that it consists in causing the mailpiece ( 3 ) to pass on edge through a first conveyor ( 2 A) arranged to move the mailpiece ( 3 ) by nipping it while holding it tightly over substantially the entire height of the mailpiece, then to pass on edge through a second conveyor ( 2 B) arranged to move the mailpiece ( 3 ) by nipping it while leaving a top end ( 3 B) of the mailpiece free to fan out, and in that two measurements are taken of the thickness of the mailpiece ( 3 ) respectively when the mailpiece is in the first conveyor ( 2 A) and when it is in the second conveyor ( 2 B), for the purpose of determining, by comparing the measurements, whether the mailpiece is an open mailpiece.