Lockheed Martin Corporation

J Edward Roth

Bruce H Hanson

Michael A Wisniewski

Robert R Ricci

Shane F Mills

Michael E Caporali

Hajime Morikawa

David J Coffelt

Jason G McLaughlin

William D Bundschuh

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

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 device (or system) and method for sorting or sequencing product in different bundles. The device includes a staging area for separating a first plurality of bundles having a first product type and a second plurality of bundles having a second product type. A sorting mechanism sorts the separated first product type with the second product type to a predetermined sort level. A product bundle mechanism forms a plurality of bundles with sorted product comprising the first product type and the second product type. A bundle sorter sorts the plurality of bundles exiting from the product bundle mechanism and directs each bundle of the plurality of bundles to a pallet building area associated with a destination of the predetermined sort level.

Automated bundle and pallet preparation system and method of use

A feeder load automation system and method of use including a lifting device capable of lifting a pallet of bundled product from a lowered positioned to a raised position and a platform positioned on the lifting device which holds the pallet of bundled product. A head mechanism having a holding device lifts a top layer of bundled product from the pallet to provide a separation space between the top layer of bundled product and a next, lower layer of bundled product or the pallet. A conveyor mechanism, extendible into the separation space, conveys the top layer of product away from the pallet. An input and takeaway station are also provided.

Feeder load automation system 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 flat mail sleeve packaging system which is adapted to stack product in a constrained homogenous mass. The system includes a first constraining wall and a second constraining wall. The second constraining wall is positioned with respect to the first constraining wall at a substantially perpendicular angle thereto. The first and second constraining walls are adapted for having the product placed therebetween with bound edges of the product all facing in a same direction without collapsing. A third constraining wall may also be provided forming a 'U' shape with the first and second constraining walls.

Flat mail sleeve packaging and method of use

A device and method for stacking product into a container in a vertical orientation. The device includes at least one pivoting mechanism pivotable between a loading position and an initial/final position. The at least one pivoting mechanism retains a container thereon. The device may further include at least one corresponding diverting mechanism for injecting product into the container. The diverting mechanism includes a feeding area and a diverting arm swingable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the diverting arm allows product to enter the feeding area. An ejection station is positioned proximate to the feeding area and injects the product into the container after the product enters the feeding area via movement of the diverting arm. In one aspect the ejection station is provided by a pinch belt arrangement and is controlled by a control.

Vertical flat stacking apparatus and method of use

An apparatus is provided for packaging and taking away packaged sequenced product such as mail pieces. The apparatus includes a packaging device having an output end, and adapted to package sequenced products. A clamping device is adjacent to the output end of the packaging device. A conveying system is downstream from the clamping device. The conveying system incrementally moves a drop off tray. The clamping device holds one of a plurality of packaged sequenced products such that the drop off tray is in a position to stack multiple packaged sequenced products of the plurality of packaged sequenced products into the drop off tray. In one embodiment, this allows the packages not to hit the drop off tray during the stacking process. A method of packaging is also provided.

Delivery point packager takeaway system and method

A processing system for automating the packaging, packing, unpacking, transfer/short term storage and loading of flats mail into flats sorters for sortation is disclosed. This involves bundling flats mail into bundles or logs and creating pallets for transporting in a standardized manner at mailer facilities such as publishers so that the sort depth and final destination of the bundle contents are preserved and used throughout its journey through postal facilities. Sort depth and destination bar coding is placed on each bundle. An automated method for palletizing involves creating a stack of bundles on a pallet in a predetermined sequence so that sorting processes in the postal facility become more efficient. Once the pallets are received at the postal facilities, the pallets are broken down in a pre-determined sequence in accordance with the sequence of original creation. The bundles are scanned into the sorter processes of the postal facility where the scanned information concerning destination codes and sort depth facilitates or eliminates routing and sorting within the postal facility, thereby reducing overhead and costs. A system to create pallets using both robotic and conveyor mechanisms is disclosed.

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Lansdale, PA, United States of America

J Edward Roth