Tray flip unloader
AssigneeRG Research, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey R. Nice, Thomas Bland, Jr., Thomas I Stewart, Jr., Corey A. Ness, Andrew S. Bramall
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mailpiece transfer apparatus uses a transfer box to unload a plurality of mailpieces from an open tray, while maintaining an orientation alignment of the flat items. The tray is placed in the transfer box, after which the transfer box, holding the tray, is rotated to cause the mailpieces to rest against a cover of the transfer box. The tray is then removed, and the transfer box rotated again, allowing the substantially flat items to rest against a bottom of the transfer box, but without the tray. The mailpieces are then guided to a next workstation. The mailpieces may be edged for delivery to the next workstation.
Claims16
Material handling apparatus capable of transferring a plurality of substantially flat items, while maintaining an orientation alignment of the substantially flat items, the apparatus comprising:
- means for receiving the substantially flat items in an open container;
- means for transferring the substantially flat items from the open container to an unloader box by placing the open container into the unloader box, rotating the unloader box to an at least partially inverted position and removing the open container from the unloader box with the unloader box in the inverted position;
- means for returning the unloader box to a non-inverted alignment, while retaining the substantially flat items in the unloader box;
- means for guiding the substantially flat items from the unloader box to a next work station;
- means for providing a desired edge alignment along two adjacent edges of the plurality of items, the means for providing the edge alignment acting upon the plurality of items within the unloader box;
- and
- means for causing the plurality of substantially flat items to exit the unloader box while maintaining the original orientation alignment of the substantially flat items.
Material handling apparatus capable of transferring a plurality of substantially flat items, the apparatus comprising:
- a receiver configured to receive the substantially flat items in an open container;
- a transfer mechanism configured to transfer the substantially flat items from the open container to an unloader box by placing the open container into the unloader box, rotating the unloader box to an at least partially inverted position and removing the open container from the unloader box with the unloader box in the inverted position and to return the unloader box to a non-inverted alignment, while retaining the substantially flat items in the unloader box;
- a guide mechanism configured to guide the substantially flat items from the unloader box to a next work station and to act upon the plurality of items within the unloader box to achieve a desired edge alignment along two adjacent edges of the plurality of items;
- and
- a discharge mechanism configured to cause the plurality of substantially flat items to exit the unloader box while maintaining the original orientation alignment of the substantially flat items.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.