Friction separation device

Claim 1

A friction separator for separating letters and similar flat items from a stack of such items, the length of each of said items being between a predetermined minimum length and a predetermined maximum length, comprising a base belt for supporting said stack of items and conveying them in a first direction, the leading edge of said stack of items defining a plane perpendicular to said first direction; a guide wall extending along one side of said belt; a removal member mounted for frictional engagement with the foremost item in said stack, said removal member withdrawing said foremost item through a gap between said guide wall and said removal member in a second direction parallel to the plane defined by the leading edge of said stack; a first support member positioned in the plane defined by the leading edge of said stack at the trailing portion of the shortest item withdrawn by said removal member, said first support member supporting said stack at a point spaced from said guide wall by a distance which is less than said predetermined minimum length; a second support member positioned at a location between said plane and the trailing edge of the stack of items supported by said base belt, said second support member being further positioned at a distance from said guide wall which is less than said maximum length and greater than said minimum length for supporting the longest items withdrawn by said removal member; and means for resiliently pressing at least one of said first and second support members against said stack.