United States Postal Service

Advanced Technology Research Corporation

Dwight R Koogle

Robert Dana Lundahl

Mark G Bankard

Donald R Close

Robert W Cutlip

William D Finch

Robert Cutlip

Crystal Yannuzzi

Matthew Fontaine

Anthony J Barbera

Thomas J Stansfield

M L Fitzgerald

The present invention relates to systems and methods for sorting a wide variety of packages, including, but not limited to, parcels, mail pieces, bundles, and other similar items. Embodiments of the invention specifically relate to interchangeable sorting modules with sort stations that may be used to quickly and accurately sort packages of varying shapes and sizes. Additional embodiments of the invention relate to a control architecture for operating the aforementioned interchangeable sorting modules. Such control architecture may comprise a programmable logic controller (PLC) for controlling each of the interchangeable sorting modules.

Modular package sorting system

A system for unstrapping and unsleeving a tray is provided. The system comprises a tray-transport configured to transport a tray in the system, a strap cutter configured to cut a strap on the tray, a strap-removal portion configured to remove the strap cut by the strap cutter, and an unsleeving station configured to remove a sleeve from the tray. The unsleeving station is configured to remove the sleeve from the tray after the strap-removal portion removes the cut strap.

Method for unsleeving trays

System and method for unsleeving trays

A device is disclosed that can automatically remove lids from trays and place lids on trays. Further the device can sense the presence of a lid on a tray and can sense the dimensions of the tray. Based on the sensed dimensions of the tray, the device can select an appropriate sized lid to place on the tray. In one embodiment of the invention, a device holds a lid with a lid manipulator having lid holders. At least one end mechanism is attached to at least one end of the lid manipulator, and the end mechanism folds the lid flaps of an appropriate lid. Guided by the lid manipulator, lids are then positioned on the tray.

Container strap cutting method

Automatic lidder and/or un-lidder system and method

An article handling system comprises closed loop pathways, movable carriers adapted to travel along the pathways, a plurality of article storage buffer stations located adjacent to the pathways, and a hierarchical control system for controlling the transfer of articles to or from a given one of the article storage buffer stations by a movable carrier. The buffer stations provide distributed article storage which allows the system to operate with enhanced speed and efficiency.

Article handling system with distributed storage

Growing community of inventors

Middletown, MD, United States of America

Dwight R Koogle