Lockheed Martin Corporation

David J Coffelt

Barton Varney

Bruce H Hanson

J Edward Roth

Jeffrey Scott Poulin

Alfred T Rundle

Robert M Krohn

A system and method designed to transport and package sequenced product. The system includes a first transport system for receiving and transporting, in a closed position, holders each of which contain product. A second transport system transports, in the closed position, the holders until each of the holders are aligned within a respective release position, at which operational stage the second transport system is capable of opening the holders to discharge the product in a sequenced order. A packager receives the discharged product and packages the product in the sequenced order.

Transporting and packaging device and method of use

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 system and method designed to collate sequenced product. The system includes a holding bin having a first open end and a second open end. A moveable table is positioned at the first open end of the holding bin. A sheet inserter mechanism is positioned adjacent to the second open end of the holding bin, and includes an inserting mechanism which inducts a sheet of material into the holding bin between product for each discrete delivery destination. In this manner, a collated stack of sequenced product may be formed by the system.

Collating stacker and method of use

The invention is characterized in certain aspects by data processing architectures and methods of processing a mail piece having a destination address field through outgoing and incoming mail centers. An illustrative method includes receiving a mail piece at an outgoing mail center for transport to an incoming mail center and subsequent sorting and transport from the incoming mail center to an an addressee. The mail piece includes a destination address field that is divided into a first address portion and a second address portion. The first address portion is interpreted at the outgoing mail center and used to sort the mail piece for transport to the incoming mail center. The second address portion is eventually resolved and used by the incoming mail center to sort the mail piece for subsequent delivery to an addressee. Because resolution of the second address portion is not required until the physical mail piece arrives at the incoming mail center, secondary address resolution is delayed in accordance with a set of predetermined time parameters. The second address portion is eventually resolved to generate a set of sorting instructions that are made accessible to the incoming mail center in accordance with the specified time parameters. By assigning a deferral time unique to each mail piece of a selected plurality of mail pieces, secondary address resolution for those mail pieces can be prioritized according to need.

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Owego, NY, United States of America

David J Coffelt