Patents by Inventor Christopher M. Stratton

Christopher M. Stratton has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10202248
    Abstract: Features for loading, transporting and unloading of items are disclosed. Systems, devices and methods for such operations using a tray are described. In some embodiments, a tray having a moveable bottom allows for switching between a configuration for loading and unloading items in and out of the tray and a configuration for transportation of items inside the tray. The trays may also be stacked, for transportation of multiple trays at once, and nested, for saving space when storing the trays. In some embodiments, the trays may be used in conjunction with loading and unloading systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Christopher M. Stratton, Gregory J. Smith, Thomas C. Potter, Wayne R. Perry-Eaton
  • Publication number: 20190009997
    Abstract: Features for loading, transporting and unloading of items are disclosed. Systems, devices and methods for such operations using a tray are described. In some embodiments, a tray having a moveable bottom allows for switching between a configuration for loading and unloading items in and out of the tray and a configuration for transportation of items inside the tray. The trays may also be stacked, for transportation of multiple trays at once, and nested, for saving space when storing the trays. In some embodiments, the trays may be used in conjunction with loading and unloading systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher M. Stratton, Gregory J. Smith, Thomas C. Potter, Wayne R. Perry-Eaton
  • Patent number: 10144038
    Abstract: Sorting systems and methods for large quantities of items in industrial processes are described. The systems, devices and methods are for receiving, sorting and removing items dynamically. A first group of items, such as letters or other mail pieces, are injected by a belt into a pocket to a form a first stack, and a divider is extended near the first stack. The divider allows for a second group of items to either be injected to form a second stack behind the divider, or to be diverted and injected into another pocket. The first stack can be removed while the second group is being injected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Christopher M. Stratton, Gregory J. Smith, Thomas C. Potter
  • Patent number: 10112216
    Abstract: Sorting systems and methods for large quantities of items in industrial processes are described. The systems, devices and methods are for receiving, sorting and removing items dynamically. A first group of items, such as letters or other mail pieces, are injected by a belt into a pocket to a form a first stack, and a progressive displacement divider with amplified output for a given input is extended near the first stack. The divider allows for a second group of items to either be injected to form a second stack behind the divider, or to be diverted and injected into another pocket. The first stack can be removed while the second group is being injected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: United States Postal Services
    Inventors: Christopher M. Stratton, Gregory J. Smith, Thomas C. Potter
  • Publication number: 20180243801
    Abstract: A high throughput sorting device is disclosed. The device includes a first sorter and a second sorter, each of the first and second sorters having a plurality of cells each configured to support, carry, and deposit an item. The device can also include at least one shared chute extending below a portion of the first sorter and a portion of the second sorter. The at least one chute can be configured to receive an item deposited by each of the plurality of cells and transport the item to an endpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Scott R. Bombaugh, Tuan A. Le, Charles P. McLellan, Christopher M. Stratton
  • Patent number: 9962743
    Abstract: A high throughput sorting device is disclosed. The device includes a first sorter and a second sorter, each of the first and second sorters having a plurality of cells each configured to support, carry, and deposit an item. The device can also include at least one shared chute extending below a portion of the first sorter and a portion of the second sorter. The at least one chute can be configured to receive an item deposited by each of the plurality of cells and transport the item to an endpoint. The device can also include a base configured to support the at least one shared chute and the first and second sorters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Scott R. Bombaugh, Tuan A. Le, Charles P. McLellan, Christopher M. Stratton
  • Publication number: 20170354994
    Abstract: Sorting systems and methods for large quantities of items in industrial processes are described. The systems, devices and methods are for receiving, sorting and removing items dynamically. A first group of items, such as letters or other mail pieces, are injected by a belt into a pocket to a form a first stack, and a divider is extended near the first stack. The divider allows for a second group of items to either be injected to form a second stack behind the divider, or to be diverted and injected into another pocket. The first stack can be removed while the second group is being injected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher M. Stratton, Gregory J. Smith, Thomas C. Potter
  • Publication number: 20170354993
    Abstract: Sorting systems and methods for large quantities of items in industrial processes are described. The systems, devices and methods are for receiving, sorting and removing items dynamically. A first group of items, such as letters or other mail pieces, are injected by a belt into a pocket to a form a first stack, and a progressive displacement divider with amplified output for a given input is extended near the first stack. The divider allows for a second group of items to either be injected to form a second stack behind the divider, or to be diverted and injected into another pocket. The first stack can be removed while the second group is being injected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher M. Stratton, Gregory J. Smith, Thomas C. Potter
  • Publication number: 20170197233
    Abstract: A high throughput sorting device is disclosed. The device includes a first sorter and a second sorter, each of the first and second sorters having a plurality of cells each configured to support, carry, and deposit an item. The device can also include at least one shared chute extending below a portion of the first sorter and a portion of the second sorter. The at least one chute can be configured to receive an item deposited by each of the plurality of cells and transport the item to an endpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Scott R. Bombaugh, Tuan A. Le, Charles P. McLellan, Christopher M. Stratton
  • Publication number: 20160096653
    Abstract: Features for loading, transporting and unloading of items are disclosed. Systems, devices and methods for such operations using a tray are described. In some embodiments, a tray having a moveable bottom allows for switching between a configuration for loading and unloading items in and out of the tray and a configuration for transportation of items inside the tray. The trays may also be stacked, for transportation of multiple trays at once, and nested, for saving space when storing the trays. In some embodiments, the trays may be used in conjunction with loading and unloading systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher M. Stratton, Gregory J. Smith, Thomas C. Potter, Wayne R. Perry-Eaton
  • Patent number: 8342390
    Abstract: Two-way disc mailers for mailing DVDs, CDs, video game discs, or other discs from a sender to a recipient via first class mail. The disc mailer provides improved automated mail processing while weighing less than or equal to 1 ounce, including the weight of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Thomas C. Potter, Christopher M. Stratton, Hernan A. Borja, Nan K. McKenzie
  • Publication number: 20110079638
    Abstract: Two-way disc mailers for mailing DVDs, CDs, video game discs, or other discs from a sender to a recipient via first class mail. The disc mailer provides improved automated mail processing while weighing less than or equal to 1 ounce, including the weight of the disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas C. POTTER, Christopher M. STRATTON, Hernan A. BORJA, Nan K. MCKENZIE
  • Patent number: 7798392
    Abstract: A one and two-way disc mailer for mailing DVDs, CDs, video game discs, or other discs from a sender to a recipient via first class mail. The disc mailer provides improved protection to the disc during mail processing while weighing less than or equal to 1 ounce, including the weight of the disc, for first-class compatibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Thomas C. Potter, Christopher M. Stratton, Hernan A. Borja
  • Patent number: D510383
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Thomas C. Potter, Christopher M. Stratton, Hernan A. Borja
  • Patent number: D536375
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Thomas C. Potter, Christopher M. Stratton, Hernan A. Borja
  • Patent number: D780452
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Christopher M. Stratton, Gregory J. Smith, Thomas C. Potter
  • Patent number: D804822
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Christopher M. Stratton, Gregory J. Smith, Thomas C. Potter