The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 09, 2003
Filed:
Mar. 30, 2001
Applicant:
Inventors:
David Brian Hendrickson, Columbia, MD (US);
Daryl Mileaf, Hanover, MD (US);
William P. McConnell, Woodstock, MD (US);
David Jerome Tilles, Woodstock, MD (US);
Assignee:
Northrop Grumman Corporation, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B65G 1/00 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B65G 1/00 ;
Abstract
A plurality of staging tower assemblies disposed above a conveyor for storing items therein and, more particularly flats mail items, which are then collated in any selected order. Each tower assembly has a plurality of independently operable endless belts below, above, and in a transition zone along the conveyor. The endless belts are driven according to a selected order of collation by a computerized controller.