Mail carrier sequencer
OwnerRobert Louis Stoneinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mail sortation system that can process mail, either letter or flat, from random order to delivery point sequence (DPS) order, in a single sortation pass. The system has a first sortation assembly comprising a plurality of individual open-topped receptacles into which mail is received, each receptacle having a trap door for selectively dumping its contents. A second sortation assembly comprises a linearly-translating conveyor positioned beneath the first sortation assembly, and an open topped bin travels along the conveyor to gather mail from the first assembly in a DPS sequence. A third sortation assembly comprises a linearly-translating conveyor arranged parallel to and directly beneath the second sortation assembly, and a plurality of mail bins mounted atop for receiving DPS-sorted batches from the second assembly.
Claims20
A delivery point sequence (DPS) mail sortation system, comprising:
- a first sortation assembly comprising a plurality of overhead gate assemblies, each gate assembly comprising a pair of downwardly-inclined controllably-pivotable guide panels defining a chute for directing mail downward at a selectable angle;
- a second sortation assembly positioned beneath said first sortation assembly and comprising a plurality of individual stationary open-topped receptacles into which mail is received, each said open-topped receptacle comprising an underlying door for selectively dumping its contents;
- a third sortation assembly comprising a linearly-translating conveyor positioned beneath said second sortation assembly and an open topped bin and configured for bi-directional travel along said conveyor for selective positioning beneath any one of said plurality of individual open-topped receptacles, each said open-topped bin comprising an underlying door for selectively dumping its contents;
- a fourth sortation assembly comprising a linearly-translating conveyor arranged parallel to and directly beneath the conveyor of said third sortation assembly, and a plurality of mail bins mounted atop the conveyor of said fourth sortation assembly;
- and
- a programmable controller in communication with said first, second, third and fourth sortation assemblies, said programmable controller having non-transitory computer memory, and software comprising computer instructions stored on said non-transitory computer memory for intake of mail pieces to said first sortation assembly in random order, and for placing said mail pieces in a sequenced order at said fourth sortation assembly.
A delivery point sequence (DPS) mail sortation system, comprising:
- a first sortation assembly comprising a plurality of overhead gate assemblies, each gate assembly comprising a pair of downwardly-inclined controllably-pivotable guide panels defining a chute for directing mail downward at a selectable angle;
- a second sortation assembly positioned beneath said first sortation assembly and comprising a plurality of stationary individual open-topped receptacles into which mail is received, and a discharge;
- a third sortation assembly comprising a linearly-translating conveyor positioned beneath said second sortation assembly and an open topped bin traveling along said conveyor, said open-topped bin having a discharge;
- a fourth sortation assembly comprising a linearly-translating conveyor arranged parallel to and directly beneath the conveyor of said third sortation assembly, and a plurality of mail bins mounted atop the conveyor of said fourth sortation assembly;
- and
- a programmable controller in communication with said first, second, third and fourth sortation assemblies, said programmable controller having non-transitory computer memory, and software comprising computer instructions stored on said non-transitory computer memory for intake of mail pieces to said first sortation assembly in random order, and for placing said mail pieces in a sequenced order at said fourth sortation assembly.
A method for sorting mail, comprising the steps of:
- scanning every mail piece within an unsorted group of mail pieces and storing its corresponding delivery point;
- directing said unsorted group of mail into one of a plurality of receptacles based on said delivery point by feeding it through a pair of downwardly-inclined guide panels selectively pivoting toward said one individual open-topped receptacles and recording said receptacle;
- calculating a delivery point sequence for said unsorted group of mail pieces;
- determining a first sortation order for release of said unsorted group of mail from said plurality of receptacles for initial sequencing;
- selectively retrieving said unsorted group of mail piece-by-piece from said plurality of receptacles in said first sortation order to produce a presorted batch of mail;
- and
- dumping the presorted batch of mail into a mail bin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.