Item autofeed system
AssigneeUnited States Postal Service
InventorsWayne R. Perry-Eaton, Everett McAdams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system may include a frame extending from a first position on an item process line to a second position on the item process line. The system may include a tray disposer connected to the frame, the tray disposer configured to receive a tray having a plurality of items therein and to position the tray at the first position. The system may include a lifting system comprising a vertical frame movably connected to the frame and an item securer movably connected to the vertical frame. The item securer may be configured to remove the plurality of items from the tray and secure the items prior to the items being moved, and after removing the plurality of items from the tray, move the plurality of items from the first position to the second position on the item process line.
Claims20
A system for moving items, the system comprising:
- a frame extending from a first position on an item process line to a second position on the item process line;
- a tray disposer connected to the frame, the tray disposer configured to receive a tray having a plurality of items therein and to position the tray at the first position;
- and
- a lifting system comprising:
- a vertical frame movably connected to the frame;
- and
- an item securer movably connected to the vertical frame and configured to:
- remove the plurality of items from the tray and secure the items prior to the items being moved;
- and
- after removing the plurality of items from the tray, move the plurality of items from the first position to the second position on the item process line.
A method for processing items, the method comprising:
- moving an item securer along a vertical frame towards the items, wherein the items are located at a first location and oriented in a first orientation;
- receiving the items into an opening of the item securer,
- moving the item securer containing the items along a frame;
- and
- depositing the items at a second location in the first orientation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.