Card feeder for a card processing machine

A card feeder for a processing machine, the card feeder comprising:

• a frame;
• a reservoir at the base of which a tray is arranged, and above the tray, a support intended to receive a stack of cards;
• a separation system including a separation roll arranged at a level of the tray and a drive system arranged so as to move the separation roll in rotation;
• a ballast movably mounted on the frame between a support position in which the ballast bears on a top of the stack of cards and a stowed position in which the ballast is on one side of the stack of cards;
• a door movably mounted on the frame between an open position enabling access to the reservoir and a closed position preventing access to the reservoir;
• a transmission system arranged so as to move the ballast from the support position into the stowed position when the door passes from the closed position into the open position;
• and
• a return system arranged so as to bring the ballast back into the support position when it is in the stowed position.