Abstract: A method for sweeping mail pieces from pockets of a sorter including the steps of (1) sorting mail pieces to a plurality of pockets based upon a preselected sorting criteria, (2) positioning an unloading robot adjacent to a selected one of the pockets when the pocket has received a predetermined volume of mail pieces, the robot carrying a tray having upright side walls and bottom wall, (3) engaging the pocket with a sweeping apparatus, (4) removing mail pieces in the pocket with the sweeping apparatus, (5) loading the removed mail pieces into the tray carried by the robot, and (6) carrying the tray containing the removed mail pieces to a destination with the robot. An apparatus for implementing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically transferring and handling cartridges containing flat articles. The method and apparatus robotically transfers filled cartridges from the output compartments of a sorting machine to a buffer shelf; and from the buffer shelf to a docking station of a cartridge unloader and automatic feeder to the input of the sorting machine, and for transferring empty cartridges from the docking station to either the buffer or the output compartments of the sorter, is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically transferring and handling cartridges containing flat articles. The method and apparatus robotically transfers filled cartridges from the output compartments of a sorting machine to a buffer shelf; and from the buffer shelf to a docking station of a cartridge unloader and automatic feeder to the input of the sorting machine, and for transferring empty cartridges from the docking station to either the buffer or the output compartments of the sorter, is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically sorting and feeding flat articles. The method stacks flat articles into cartridges in output compartments of a sorting machine, robotically transfers filled cartridges from the output compartments of a sorting machine to a buffer shelf; and from the buffer shelf to a docking station of a cartridge unloader and automatic feeder to the input of the sorting machine, and for transferring empty cartridges from the docking station to either the buffer or the output compartments of the sorter.

Abstract: An improved device for edging flat products is provided having a plurality of spaced apart generally upstanding fingers, the fingers being forwardly translatable with a group of flat products between them. Each of the fingers is rockable back and forth across a vertical centerline as the fingers are forwardly translated to jostle the flat products, thereby to align the bottom edges of the flat products.

Abstract: An electronic product information display system includes a plurality of self-contained display modules (10) mounted proximate to respective products. A signal (22) is formed that comprises an address part and a data part, the adderess part corresponding to a selected module address and the data part encoding product information (18, 20) to be displayed by the addressed module (10). The signal a broadcast from a transmitter (24) remote from a plurality of modules (10). Modules (10) each receive the signal, decode the address part into a received address, and decode the data part into product information (18, 20). The product information is stored and displayed responsive to a match between the module address and the received address. The signal (22) is preferably infrared.

Abstract: An electronic product information display system includes a plurality of self-contained display modules (10) mounted proximate to respective products. A signal (22) is formed that comprises an address part and a data part, the address part corresponding to a selected module address and the data part encoding product information (18, 20) to be displayed by the addressed module (10). The signal is broadcast from a transmitter (24) remote from a plurality of modules (10). Modules (10) each receive the signal, decode the address part into a received address, and decode the data part into product information (18, 20). The product information is stored and displayed responsive to a match between the module address and the received address. The signal (22) is preferably infrared.