	US 7,389,983 B2
	Input unit of a letter sorting system and method for loading the input unit
Peter Berdelle-Hilge, Constance (Germany); and Christoph Hofmann, Salem (Germany)
Assigned to Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Munich (Germany)
Filed on Oct. 07, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/245,133.
Application 11/245133 is a division of application No. 10/370510, filed on Feb. 24, 2003, granted, now 7,182,331.
Prior Publication US 2006/0056954 A1, Mar. 16, 2006
Int. Cl. B65H 1/26 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 271—157 [271/158; 271/162]

3 Claims

1. A method of providing letters to a letter sorting system, which comprises a letter isolating unit, a first conveyor line configured to convey letters along a transport direction to the letter isolating unit, and a second conveyor line configured to convey the letters to the first conveyor line, wherein the first conveyor line has a first separating blade and a linear guide to guide the first separating blade and to extend beyond a length of the first conveyor surface, and wherein the second conveyor line is mounted on a moveable carriage and has a second conveyor surface, at least one second blade, and a second linear guide configured to guide the at least one second blade, the method comprising the steps of:

loading a stack of letters on the second conveyor line, wherein the stack of letters has with respect to the transport direction a beginning and an end;

pivoting the at least one second blade into the second conveyor line to retain the stack of letters;

coupling the second conveyor line to the first conveyor line;

pivoting the fast separating blade out of the first conveyor line;

moving the first separating blade to the end of the stack of letters to support the stack of letters located on the second conveyor line;

pivoting the first separating blade into the second conveyor line;

pivoting the at least one second blade out of the second conveyor line; and

uncoupling the second conveyor line from the first conveyor line to be loaded with another stack of letters, wherein the first separating blade is configured to move along the first and second conveyor lines.