Apparatus for delivery item sorting integrity
AssigneeUnited States Postal Service
InventorRyan J. Hrapsky
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus that substantially improves the stack quality of delivery items in a delivery item sorting machine by ensuring uniformity of the orientation of the delivery items. The apparatus accommodates toolless installation in the delivery item sorting machine and economical manufacturing options. The apparatus substantially prevents delivery item disorientation and undesired departure of delivery items from the sorting machine. The apparatus reduces operator safety concerns, and increases the net speed of delivery item processing.
Claims20
A sorting machine apparatus for orienting a delivery item, the sorting machine apparatus comprising:
- a bumper;
- and
- a coupling feature connected to the bumper,
- wherein the coupling feature operably couples the sorting machine apparatus with a sorting machine such that the bumper is positioned to align with an upper portion of the delivery item, and
- wherein the coupling feature comprises a clip, and the clip comprises:
- a semi-rigid arm having a first end and a second end, the first end being substantially curved;
- and
- a rigid wall operably coupled with the semi-rigid arm at the first end.
A delivery item sorting machine apparatus coupled with a delivery item sorting machine, the delivery item sorting machine including a series of belts configured to transport at least one delivery item past at least one diverter, the at least one diverter configured to sort the at least one delivery item into an output bin that collects sorted delivery items, the delivery item sorting machine apparatus comprising:
- a bumper configured with a spatial extension to the output bin;
- and
- a coupling feature operably securely coupling the bumper with the output bin,
- wherein the coupling feature comprises a clip, and the clip comprises:
- a semi-rigid arm having a first end and a second end, the first end being substantially curved;
- and
- a rigid wall operably coupled with the semi-rigid arm at the first end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.