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:
Nov. 21, 2006
Filed:
May. 07, 2002
Patrick J. Carey, Endwell, NY (US);
Thomas M. Brown, Vestal, NY (US);
Dale J. Larson, Newark Valley, NY (US);
Patrick J. Carey, Endwell, NY (US);
Thomas M. Brown, Vestal, NY (US);
Dale J. Larson, Newark Valley, NY (US);
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD (US);
Abstract
A mail tray singulator for controlling the handling, movement and sensing of mail trays or other mail items into a single file arrangement on a conveyor system for downstream processing. The mail tray singulator includes conveyor modules configured at preferably right angles with respect to one another. The modules are configured so that they can be readily adapted to preexisting conveyor systems with minimal reconfiguration. The system may use differing speed, height and belt friction conveyor belts between adjacent modules to achieve separation and enhance the effect of the right angle configuration between adjacent conveyor modules. Guard rails and side rail rollers may also be employed. Photoeyes, in conjunction with a programmable logic controller, allow the conveyors to be started/stopped based on pre-programmed scenarios.