Mail tray singulator and method of use

A system for aligning mail items into a single file, comprising:

• a first conveyor module for transporting the mail items in a side-by-side configuration in a first direction;
• a second conveyor module, adjacent the first conveyor module, for transporting the mail items in a second direction different than the first direction;
• and
• a third conveyor module, adjacent the second conveyor module, for transporting the mail items in a third direction in a uniformly oriented, single file arrangement substantially orthogonal to the second direction.

A method of aligning mail items into a single file, comprising the steps of:

• placing a plurality of mail items on a first conveying system in a collective series adjacent or side-by-side arrangement;
• transporting the mail items downstream in a first direction to a second conveying system;
• and
• transitioning the mail items from the first conveying system to the second conveying system,
• wherein the transitioning step includes changing the mail items from the collective series of adjacent or side-by-side arrangement into a uniformly oriented, single file of mail items traveling in a second direction different than the first direction.