Mail sequence-sorting case with multi-bag inserts and methods of sorting
AssigneeSiemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
InventorsJames M. Pippin, Gerald A. Isaacs, Floyd W. Worth II
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mail case system includes facilitates sequence-sorting various types of mail together into individual bags that each represent unique delivery points. The mail case uses multi-bag inserts so that the bags for several stops can be set up quickly for sorting. At the end of the sorting operation, the entire insert may be pulled down from the case as a single unit to maintain the established delivery point sequence. This eliminates the carrier's need to find separation points or to combine selections from multiple sequenced stacks of mail during the delivery operation. This results in a dramatic improvement in delivery efficiency.
Claims19
A storage device, comprising:
- a series of flexible walled bags disposed side by side such that mouths of the bags face a common direction and form a row;
- and
- the bags are united by a reinforcing strip extending in the lengthwise direction of the device.
A postal sorting case, comprising:
- a plurality of multi-bags, each comprising a series of flexible walled bags disposed side by side such that mouths of the bags face a common direction and form a row, wherein the bags are united by a pair of reinforcing strips extending in the lengthwise direction of the device along front corners thereof;
- and
- a case having means for mounting the storage devices therein with the bag mouths facing outwardly, and having a mechanism for tensioning the bags to hold the bag mouths open during loading of items therein and for relaxing the bags to facilitate mounting in and removal from the case.
A multi-bag, comprising:
- a series of flexible walled bags disposed side by side such that mouths of the bags face a common direction and form a row, giving the multi-bag a generally rectangular shape when unfilled and stretched to a taut condition;
- a pair of reinforcing strips extending in the lengthwise direction of the multi-bag along opposite upper corners of the multi-bag;
- and
- means for attaching the strips to the multi-bag so that the strips unite the multi-bag, wherein the strips and attaching means have sufficient strength so that the multi-bag can be manually handled without causing individual bags to separate.
A postal sorting case including a plurality of slots defined by dividing walls, each slot being labeled for sorting of mail to a specific address, the improvement wherein the slot dividing walls are made of a flexible, compliant material which permits random overfilling of certain slots.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.