Delivery point sequencing mail sorting system with flat mail capability

An article sortation system for sorting articles to a delivery point sequence depth of sort, said article sortation system comprising:

• at least one article sorter having an induct and a discharge, said induct receiving articles for sorting by said at least one article sorter, said at least one article sorter being operable to sort articles into a plurality of trays and discharge the trays of sorted articles at said discharge;
• and
• a buffering assembly for automatically sorting and conveying the trays containing sorted articles sorted during a first sort of said at least one article sorter from said discharge of said at least one article sorter to said induct of said at least one article sorter, said buffering assembly being operable to automatically arrange the trays in an arranged manner and convey the arranged trays to said induct of said at least one article sorter, the articles sorted during the first sort being removed from the trays for a second sort of the articles by said at least one article sorter.