Method and device for unloading stacked mailpieces
AssigneePitney Bowes Inc.
InventorDenis J. Stemmle
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mail stack unloading device for use in a mail stacker to unload a stack of mail pieces in the mail stacker. The mail stacker has a pair of stack supports, located at a small angle from a vertical line, for supporting the mail stack as the mail pieces enter the mail stacker along a stacking path when the stack supports are in a stacking position. The stacker also has a platform or tongue connected to the stack supports such that the platform is positioned beneath the mail stack below the stacking path. During unloading, the platform is caused to move upward beyond the stacking path in order to engage with the stack, allowing the stack to be lifted. Then the stack supports are caused to forward beyond the vertical line in order to tip the lifted stack into a container.
Claims13
A stack unloading device for use in a stacker to unload stacked items, the stacker comprising means for moving the stacked items along a stacking path, said device comprising:
- means for supporting the stacked items, said supporting means movable between a stacking position and an unloading position;
- a platform connected to the supporting means so as to be positioned beneath the stack below the stacking path when the supporting means is in the stacking position;
- and
- a linkage structure associated with the supporting means to move the platform upward beyond the stacking path in order to engage with the stack, to lift the stack, and to move the supporting means from the stacking position to the unloading position, thereby tipping the stack into a container for unloading.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.