Separator having a blade

Abstract

A feeder module for feeding envelopes into a mail handling machine, which feeder module has, from upstream to downstream relative to a direction of advance of the mail items, a tray for receiving a stack of envelopes, a device for selecting said envelopes one-by-one, a separator having an active separation zone formed by a sharp cutting portion for separating the envelop flaps from the envelope bodies, and a moistener for moistening the flaps separated in this way.

1 . A feeder module for feeding envelopes into a mail handling machine, which feeder module has, from upstream to downstream relative to a direction of advance of the mail items, a tray for receiving a stack of envelopes, a device for selecting said envelopes one-by-one, a separator for separating the envelop flaps from the envelope bodies, and a moistener for moistening the flaps separated in this way, wherein said separator has an active separation zone formed by a sharp cutting portion. 
   
   
       2 . A feeder module according to  claim 1 , wherein said sharp cutting portion has a sharp edge disposed immediately below the top level of a conveyor table for conveying envelopes. 
   
   
       3 . A feeder module according to  claim 1 , wherein said sharp cutting portion is formed by a steel or ceramic blade. 
   
   
       4 . A feeder module according to  claim 1 , wherein said cutting portion is detachable from a rigid portion of the separator. 
   
   
       5 . A feeder module according to  claim 4 , wherein said sharp cutting portion is connected to said rigid portion by removable fastener means of the runner, hinge, or rail type, for example. 
   
   
       6 . A feeder module according to  claim 5 , wherein said removable fastener means are constituted by a screw.