Device for separating postal items according to thickness classes

An apparatus for separating flat items of mail into thickness categories by means of moving, gap-forming, overlapping lamellae arranged one behind the other, characterized in that the lamellae are rigidly fastened laterally, in an outwardly inclined manner, at equal intervals on two endless, circulating pulling means, which are driven and guided via deflecting rollers, with their longitudinal axes perpendicular to the movement direction, to form a lamellar conveying belt, the lamellae spreading apart from one another during deflection on the deflecting rollers, in that the lamellar conveying belt is inclined upward in relation to the horizontal such that, when the items of mail conveyed onto the bottom part of the lamellar conveying belt are transported upward, individual items of mail which are narrower than the gaps between the lamellae, which are inclined outward at equal angles in the strand regions, slide, by virtue of their gravitational force, through the gaps between the two strands onto a transporting means which transports the items of mail laterally out of the lamellar conveying belt, in that at least one further lamellar conveying belt of the same type is arranged at a small distance downstream, at the same angle of inclination in relation to the horizontal, such that the items of mail which do not slide between the lamellae into the interior of the respective lamellar conveying belt are directed downward from the top deflecting portion, with the aid of guide means, onto the bottom section of that strand of the respectively following lamellar conveying belt which transports the items of mail upward, the thicknesses of the items of mail which are transported laterally out of the lamellar conveying belts not exceeding a maximum thickness which is defined by the gap widths.