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: 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: A method and apparatus for stacking flat articles into a cartridge. The method and apparatus are adapted for use in connection with output compartments of a sorting machine, robotically transferring filled cartridges from the output compartments 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: A cartridge for containing mail. The cartridge is specially adapted for use in a method and apparatus for automatically stacking mail into cartridges in output compartments of a sorting machine, robotically transferring filled cartridges from the output compartments 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 vacuum beam product dispenser and singulator to dispense and singulate "soft" products in an automated order dispensing system (AOS) includes a product cartridge and an inclined conveyor belt. The conveyor belt picks the products from the bottom of the cartridge using a vacuum control element and carries it up the conveyor until it reaches a pinch roller that holds the product ready to be dispensed to a central conveyor of the AOS. Products are picked from the product cartridge by the inclined conveyor in a position such that a product will fall off the conveyor unless held by a vacuum generated by the vacuum control element. Thus, random multiples removed from the cartridge with the picked product fall off the conveyor. The product stream from the hopper is thereby singulated.

Abstract: A vacuum beam product dispenser and singulator to dispense and singulate "soft" products in an automated order dispensing system (AOS) includes a product cartridge and an inclined conveyor belt. The conveyor belt picks the products from the bottom of the cartridge using a vacuum control element and carries it up the conveyor until it reaches a pinch roller that holds the product ready to be dispensed to a central conveyor of the AOS. Products are picked from the product cartridge by the inclined conveyor in a position such that a product will fall off the conveyor unless held by a vacuum generated by the vacuum control element. Thus, random multiples removed from the cartridge with the picked product fall off the conveyor. The product stream from the hopper is thereby singulated.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing documents from a storage location to a discharge area includes structure for transporting the documents from the storage location along a transport path to an escrow or collection station. The leading and trailing edges of the document are positioned in a holding position removed from the transport path at the collection station so that successive documents may be loaded into the collection station. The apparatus includes a double detector for separating two documents removed at the same time from the storage location and for returning all but one of the simultaneously removed documents to the storage location. When the proper number of documents have been collected in the collection station, they are moved along the transport path and deflected to the discharge area by a divert gate positioned in the path of the collection of documents.

Abstract: An automatic character printer includes a transport for indexing a receipt form by means of flexible belts having extending pins for engaging pin feed holes in the form. The receipt form includes a leading edge indexing mark and a trailing edge indexing mark to interrupt a light beam at an index sensor for establishing form position with respect to a character wheel at the print station. To distinguish between the form leading edge indexing mark and the form trailing edge indexing mark, a light interrupting signal wheel, synchronized with the rotation of the flexible belts, generates indexing signals related to the position of the belt extending pins. A receipt form is in a known location when the signal wheel and a form index sensor both generate a signal pulse. Upon receipt of a form start signal from a control computer, a hammer solenoid actuates a print hammer against a resilient pad to force the receipt form in contact with a character wheel.

Abstract: Banking machines for dispensing paper currency require a document transport for accurately and reliably delivering a single bill or piece of currency from a storage bin to a customer. The document transport includes a feeder unit for delivering single pieces of currency from a stack to a pair of separator rollers and past a double document detector. Upon detection of more than one document passing through the separator rollers, a clutch is energized to cause one of the rollers to rotate in a direction opposite the other to separate the several bills and allow only the top one to be forwarded into a flat belt transport. As a piece of paper currency passes through the flat belt transport, spaced detectors produce a signal that indicates an overlapping or trailing document condition. This overlapping or trailing condition is measured by the spacing of detectors in the flat belt transport.