Method and apparatus for mechanized pocket sweeping

A method of sweeping mail pieces from pockets of an automated sorting machine of the type which receives mail pieces one at a time, reads destination information from each mail piece, conveys each mail piece to one of a plurality of pockets based on the destination information and then stacks the mail pieces on edge in the pockets, comprising:

• sorting mail pieces to a plurality of pockets based upon a preselected sorting criteria, each of the mail pieces being supported on an edge as the mail pieces are swept from the pocket;
• positioning a robot adjacent to a selected one of the pockets, the robot including a platform for transporting a tray having upright side walls and a bottom wall;
• sweeping mail pieces from the pocket with a sweeping mechanism that moves the mail pieces laterally from the pocket;
• loading the removed mail pieces into the tray held by the robot;
• and
• carrying the tray containing the removed mail pieces to a destination with the robot, such that the robot is no longer positioned at the selected one of the pockets.

An apparatus for sweeping stacks of mail from an automated sorting machine of the type which receives mail pieces, reads information from each mail piece, and then conveys each mail piece to one of a plurality of pockets based on the information, the mail pieces being stacked on edge in the pockets, comprising:

• an unloading robot for positioning a tray adjacent to a selected one of said array of pockets, the tray being configured to receive a stack of mail pieces from the pocket;
• a mechanical sweeper assembly, including sweeping members for grasping a stack of mail pieces stacked on the edges thereof in the pocket therebetween and sweeping the stack of mail pieces laterally from the pocket to the tray;
• and
• a sweeper drive assembly mounted on the robot for driving the mechanical sweeper assembly to sweep the stack of mail pieces from the tray.

A method of sweeping mail pieces from pockets of an automated sorting machine of the type which receives mail pieces one at a time, reads destination information from each mail piece, and then conveys each mail piece to one of a plurality of pockets based on the destination information, comprising:

• sorting the mail pieces one at a time to a plurality of pockets of the automated sorting machine based upon preselected sorting criteria, the mail pieces being stacked on edge in the pockets;
• when a pocket has received a predetermined volume of mail pieces, positioning a removal device by the pocket;
• sweeping mail pieces in the pocket with an automated sweeping apparatus, the mail pieces being positioned on an edge as the mail pieces are swept from the pocket, including at least one paddle which engages the mail pieces in the pocket and slides the mail pieces from the pocket onto the removal device;
• and
• carrying the removed mail pieces in the removal device away from the sorting pocket to a destination.