Jam release mechanism for a mailing machine

A device for processing a mailpiece, comprising:

• an endless belt having a lower belt run that extends in a generally horizontal direction and is adapted to feed the mailpiece in a downstream direction;
• a plurality of pivot arms mounted in a sequence below the lower belt run of the endless belt, each pivot arm having a respective pressure roller mounted on a free end of the pivot arm and a having a respective bias means associated with the pivot arm for biasing the pivot arm in an upward direction such that the pressure roller contacts the lower belt run of the endless belt;
• and
• jam-relief means for simultaneously pivoting the pivot arms against a respective biasing force applied to each of the pivot arms by the bias means, said pivoting to move the pressure rollers in a downward direction away from the lower belt run of the endless belt such that the pressure rollers do not contact the lower belt run of the endless belt.