Lockheed Martin Corporation

Toshiba International Corporation

Bruce H Hanson

J Edward Roth

Michael A Wisniewski

Patrick J Fitzgibbons

Wayne Blackwell

Patrick J Carey

Dale J Larson

Michael D Senger

Jeffrey Anthony Gavenas

Bruce A Williams

Shane F Mills

Douglas A Slocum

Michael E Caporali

David J Coffelt

Hajime Morikawa

George C Cera

Jason G McLaughlin

William J Woods

Presently disclosed embodiments are directed to a system and method for loading mail trays in a sorter without human intervention. Specifically, the disclosed embodiments utilize an automated mail tray having a bottom plate that is selectively moveable between an elevated position and a lowered position. The automated mail tray may be positioned on a shelf under a corresponding output pocket of a mail stacker, and the bottom plate may be elevated to receive mail product transferred from the output pocket to the automated mail tray. After receiving the mail product on the elevated bottom plate, the bottom plate of the mail tray may be lowered so that the mail product is transferred from the output pocket to a position fully situated in the automated mail tray. The mail tray filled with mail product may then be removed from the shelf and replaced with an empty automated mail tray.

Automated mail tray loading system and method

Presently disclosed embodiments are directed to a system and method for controlling/adjusting a position of mail product or other contents in an automated mail tray. Specifically, the disclosed embodiments utilize an automated mail tray with a ridged construction to allow automation equipment to adjust, load, and unload mail product in a structured manner. An adjustment feature, along with a moveable bottom surface of the mail tray, may be used to adjust a position of mail product in the automated mail tray into a vertical position. In some embodiments, the system may actuate the adjustment feature in response to sensor feedback that the mail product has fallen from the vertical position. Once the mail is in the vertical position, the moveable tray bottom may lift the mail product until it is elevated out of the tray for movement into other automation equipment without tray wall interference.

System and method for adjusting contents of an automation tray

A device and method for device for sequencing disparate products includes at least a first feeder mechanism feeding a stream of a first product type in a pre-sequenced order. At least a second feeder mechanism feeds a stream of second product type though a sequencing process. A reading device reads product information of the first product type and the second product type. A pausing device pauses the first stream of the first product type or the second stream of the second product type in a first pass sort order of the sequencing process based on the information read from the reading device. The first product type and the second product type are intermixed into a stream forming a merged stream of sequenced first and second product type. A separation item may be placed between groupings of the intermixed product.

Mixed product delivery point sequencer and method of use

A method and system using a single pass sequencer having a transport system for transporting the mail pieces to a transport system having a moveable carriage system and a stationary carriage system with a plurality of holders slidable between the moveable carriage system and the stationary carriage system. The plurality of holders hold a mail piece of the mail pieces received from the transport system. The mail pieces are sequenced as they are transported or moved from the stationary carriage to the moveable carriage.

Method and system for sequentially ordering objects using a single pass delivery point process

An operational process for product distribution includes grouping product into groups when the product is in a first sort level and sorting the groups of product, in a first pass operation, to a second level sort. The method further includes sequencing the second level sort product including late arriving product, in a second pass operation, into a sequence of product. A machine readable code can also be used to implement the functionality of the operational process.

Operations for product processing

Device for sequencing disparate products, includes at least a first feeder mechanism feeding a first separate stream of a first product type in a pre-sequenced order. At least a second feeder mechanism feeds a second separate stream of second product type though a sequencing process. At least one reading device reads product information of the first product type and the second product type. A pausing device pauses, on one of the first feeder mechanism and the second feeder mechanism, one of the first separate stream of the first product type in the pre-sequenced order and the second separate stream of the second product type in a first pass sort order of the sequencing process based on the information read from the at least one reading device to enable the first product type and the second product type to be intermixed into a stream forming a merged stream of sequenced first and second product type.

Delivery point sequencer and method of use

A system and method that sequences product to increase machine throughput. A plurality of input feeding devices each randomly receives products from a stream of product. A plurality of output groups corresponding to the plurality of input feeding devices are provided during a first pass phase and a second pass phase. The plurality of input feeding devices feed the product to output bins of the plurality of output groups. A control has a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation for a first pass phase and a second pass phase, respectively. In the first mode, the control allows all input feeding devices of the plurality of input feeding devices complete access to all output groups of the plurality of output groups during the first pass phase. In the second mode, the control constrains placement of the products to output groups assigned in the first pass phase such that the groupings of the products to the assigned output groups remain constant between the first pass phase and the second pass phase.

Sequencing system and method of use

A device and method for merging pre-sequenced products includes at least a first and a second feeder mechanism. The first feeder mechanism feeds a stream of first pre-sequenced product and the second feeder mechanism feeds a stream of second pre-sequenced product. A reading device reads product information of each product of the stream of the first and second pre-sequenced product. A pausing device pauses one of the first stream of pre-sequenced product and the second stream of pre-sequenced product based on the information read from the reading device. The product from one or both of the stream of first and second pre-sequenced product having the same product information is organized into a sequentially merged order.

Delivery point merge and packaging device and method of use

An expandable and collapsible holder which has a top surface and a bottom, releasable surface. Opposing side walls are hinge mounted between the top surface and the bottom surface. A latch mechanism and actuator such as a solenoid control the opening of the bottom, releasable surface. A system is also provided which uses the expandable holder.

Collapsible and expandable holder and system for using the same

A system and method that sequences product to increase machine throughput and capacity. The system includes a plurality of input feeding devices each randomly receiving product received from a stream of product and a plurality of output groups each having output bins. A control has a mode which constrains the input feeding devices to (i) feeding non-rejected product from the stream of product to assigned output groups of the plurality of output groups associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of input feeding devices based on a code associated with each of the product, and (ii) feeding rejected product to at least one output bin in a single group of the plurality of output groups such that each of the plurality of input feeders has access to the at least one output bin. The method includes feeding the non-rejected and rejected product to appropriate output bins such that the rejected product is provided to an output bin which is accessible by any of the input feeding devices.

A system and method are provided for sorting a plurality of items into a predetermined sorted sequence. Items are initially located on initial sorting regions of a sorting apparatus. The items are then sorted into at least one intermediary sorted set and then sorted, from the intermediary sorted sets, into the final sorted sequence. A computer may be used to track the position of the items on the sorting apparatus and to control the movement of the items into the sorted sequence.

Sorting system

A method using a single pass sequencer having a transport system for transporting the mail pieces to a transport system having a first carriage system and a second carriage system with a plurality of holders slidable between the first carriage system and the second carriage system with packaged output. Each of the plurality of holders holding a mail piece of the mail pieces received from the transport system. The method includes assigning a code to: (i) the mail pieces based on the destination information, (ii) the plurality of holders on the first carriage, and (iii) a position on the second carriage which corresponds to the initial sequence and a destination sequence of the mail pieces. The method instructs movement of the plurality of holders from the first carriage to the second carriage based on the code assigned to the mail pieces, the plurality of holders on the first carriage and the position on the second carriage such that when the mail pieces are moved to the second carriage they are in sequential order of delivery destination, ready to be packaged.

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Endicott, NY, United States of America

Bruce H Hanson