Method and apparatus for edge justification of mail items

A justifier apparatus for switching a transported item from bottom justification to top justification, or from top justification to bottom justification, the apparatus comprising:

• a first transport configured for transporting variable sized items justified along a first side;
• a justifier module downstream of the first transport, the justifier module configured to transport an item in a downstream direction and to move the item from justification along the first side to justification along a second side, opposite from the first side;
• a controller configured for controlling the justifier module to laterally displace the item, from justification on the first side to justification on the second side, as a function of a lateral height of the item;
• a second transport downstream of the justifier module for transporting variable sized items justified along the second side;
• wherein the justifier module comprises one or more sets of steerable nips, controllable by the controller, and wherein the controller is configured to steer the steerable nips at an angle to achieve lateral displacement of the item for switching edge justification within the justifier module;
• and
• wherein a speed of the steerable nips is controllable by the controller so as to maintain a constant velocity in the downstream direction while adding a lateral velocity component for the lateral displacement.

An edge justification method for switching a transported item from bottom justification to top justification, or from top justification to bottom justification, the method comprising:

• transporting variable sized items justified along a first side of a first transport;
• receiving a transported item from the first transport in a justifier module downstream of the first transport,
• transporting the item in a downstream direction in the justifier module;
• laterally displacing the item in the justifier module from justification along the first side to justification along a second side, opposite from the first side, while transporting the item in the downstream direction,
• controlling lateral displacement, for justification on the first side to justification on the second side, as a function of a lateral height of the item;
• receiving the item in a second transport downstream of the justifier module for transporting variable sized items justified along the second side;
• receiving the item at a second justifier module downstream of the second transport and transporting the item in the downstream direction;
• performing a second lateral displacement on the item from justification along the second side back to justification along the first side, said second lateral displacement being as a function of the lateral height of the item.

An edge justification method for switching a transported item from bottom justification to top justification, or from top justification to bottom justification, the method comprising:

• transporting variable sized items justified along a first side of a first transport;
• receiving a transported item from the first transport in a justifier module downstream of the first transport,
• transporting the item in a downstream direction in the justifier module;
• laterally displacing the item in the justifier module from justification along the first side to justification along a second side, opposite from the first side, while transporting the item in the downstream direction,
• controlling lateral displacement, for justification on the first side to justification on the second side, as a function of a lateral height of the item;
• and
• receiving the item in a second transport downstream of the justifier module for transporting variable sized items justified along the second side;
• wherein the justifier module comprises one or more sets of steerable nips and further comprising the step of steering the steerable nips at an angle to achieve lateral displacement of the item for switching edge justification within the justifier module.