Method for sorting mailpieces

A method of sorting mailpieces comprising the steps of:

• a) delivering mailpieces to a plurality of bins;
• b) determining that an individual bin is partially full of mailpieces to a predetermined bin amount;
• c) determining the remaining capacity of the bin;
• d) determining the individual thicknesses of the mailpieces assigned to the individual bin but not yet delivered to the predetermined partially full bin;
• e) calculating the total thickness of the individual mailpieces assigned to the bin but not yet delivered to determine if the thickness is equal to the remaining capacity of the bin;
• f) continuing delivering the mailpieces to the bin if the calculated value is less than a remaining capacity of the bin;
• and
• g) delivering the mailpieces to an alternate bin if the calculated value if greater than the remaining capacity of the bin.

A method of sorting mailpieces comprising the steps of:

• a) measuring the thickness of a first mailpiece to be sorted;
• b) storing the thickness of the first mailpiece in a first memory device;
• c) delivering the first mailpiece into a bin;
• d) storing the thickness of the first mailpiece in a second memory device;
• e) removing the thickness of the first mailpiece from the first memory device;
• f) sensing whether the bin is partially full;
• g) measuring the thickness of a second mailpiece to be sorted;
• h) determining that the second mailpiece should be delivered to the bin;
• i) storing the thickness of the second mailpiece in the first memory device;
• j) adding the thickness of the second mailpiece to a partially full bin value to obtain a calculated bin-full value when it is sensed that the bin is partially full;
• and
• k) determining whether the calculated bin-full value would fill the bin.