Apparatus and method for separating flat items from stacks
AssigneeNeopost Technologies
InventorHendrik Andries de Haan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A holder of an apparatus for individually separating flat items from stacks comprises a first separating structure for individually separating outer flat items from one of the stacks at one end of the holder and a second separating structure for individually separating outer flat items from another stack at the opposite end of the holder. At least one urging member is at least partially positioned between the two separating structures for urging at least one of the stacks in the holder towards one end of the holder. A method for separating flat items from two stacks in a holder is also described.
Claims10
An apparatus for individually separating flat items from stacks, comprising:
- a holder for holding at least two stacks of flat items, a first one of the stacks having an outer item in a first separating position and a second one of the stacks having an outer item in a second separating position, the first and second separating positions being situated at opposite ends of the holder;
- a first separating structure for individually separating topmost flat items from the first one of the stacks at the first separating position;
- a second separating structure located lower than the first separating structure, including a platform for supporting the second stack, and arranged for individually separating lowermost flat items from the second one of the stacks at the second separating position;
- and
- a single urging member at least partially positioned between the two separating structures and constituting a platform for supporting the first stack in the holder and for urging the first stack in the holder between the urging member and the first separating position towards the first separating position.
An apparatus for individually separating flat items from stacks, comprising:
- a holder for holding at least two stacks of flat items, a first one of the stacks having an outer item in a first separating position and a second one of the stacks having an outer item in a second separating position, the first and second separating positions being situated at opposite ends of the holder;
- a first separating structure for individually separating outer flat items from the first one of the stacks at the first separating position;
- a second separating structure for individually separating outer flat items from the second one of the stacks at the second separating position;
- and
- at least one urging member at least partially positioned between the two separating structures for urging at least one of the stacks in the holder between the urging member and one of the separating positions towards said one of the separating positions;
- wherein the urging member is selectively displaceable in opposite directions for urging the first one of the stacks towards the first separating position when displacing in a first one of said directions and for urging the second one of the stacks towards the second separating position when displacing in a second one of said directions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.