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US 11,465,180 B2Granted
System and method of sorting and sequencing items
AssigneeUnited States Postal Service
InventorScott R. Bombaugh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments of a system and method for sorting and sequencing articles in a processing facility are disclosed. Delivery endpoints are divided and grouped into stop groups. A first sorter sorts items according to stop group and outputs the items to trays. The output trays from the first sorter are loaded to a second sorter in stop group order. The second sorter can then sort the items into output bins in delivery sequence order.
Claims13
A system for sorting items comprising:
- a processor configured to implement a sequencing scheme for a distribution facility;
- item processing equipment comprising:
- an intake system configured to receive a plurality of items to be sequenced, the intake system comprising a scanner in communication with the processor, the scanner configured to read an intended delivery point on an item;
- a sorting portion comprising:
- one or more containers;
- and
- a diverter member for diverting the item from the scanning portion into the one or more containers, the diverter member comprising a plurality of selectively moveable components to direct an item along a first path or a second path;
- and
- a storage area located apart from the item processing equipment configured to store the plurality of containers, and wherein the processor is further configured to store the location of the containers within the storage area;
- and
- a container manipulator configured to move the plurality of containers from the item processing equipment and into the storage area according to instructions from the processor and to reintroduce the plurality of containers from the storage area and into the into the intake system of the item processing equipment.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.