Abstract: One or more keys (101, 102, 103) can be integrally formed of a card cage and positioned to extend into the card-receiving openings of the card slots that comprise the card cage. The cards can then have key-receiving openings (112, 114, 116) that accommodate such keys. By matching the keys to particular physical and electrical functionality and compatibility attributes of a given card slot, such key-receiving openings can be similarly shaped and sized to assure that such cards cannot be inadvertently (or purposely) placed in an inappropriate card slot. In varying embodiments, such keys can be formed of a cable trough, a front panel, and a card guide seating surface.

Abstract: One or more keys (101, 102, 103) can be integrally formed of a card cage and positioned to extend into the card-receiving openings of the card slots that comprise the card cage. The cards can then have key-receiving openings (112, 114, 116) that accommodate such keys. By matching the keys to particular physical and electrical functionality and compatibility attributes of a given card slot, such key-receiving openings can be similarly shaped and sized to assure that such cards cannot be inadvertently (or purposely) placed in an inappropriate card slot. In varying embodiments, such keys can be formed of a cable trough, a front panel, and a card guide seating surface.

Abstract: A system and a method for sorting are provided for distributing articles, such as mail pieces or other flats, to predetermined destinations. At the destination, the particular article is raked by a raking assembly from a carrier for placement into a container. The container, when full, is gravity fed onto a discharge conveyor and automatically replaced with a new empty container. The carrier operates on two levels for delivery of articles to containers on two levels while maintaining the carriers in a horizontal position throughout the sorting process. A sloped front end of the carrier allows the articles to be transported at a rapid speed and in a continuous fashion.

Abstract: A system and a method for sorting are provided for distributing articles, such as mail pieces or other flats, to predetermined destinations. At the destination, the particular article is raked by a raking assembly from a carrier for placement into a container. The container, when full, is gravity fed onto a discharge conveyor and automatically replaced with a new empty container. The carrier operates on two levels for delivery of articles to containers on two levels while maintaining the carriers in a horizontal position throughout the sorting process. A sloped front end of the carrier allows the articles to be transported at a rapid speed and in a continuous fashion.

Abstract: An orientation chute is provided for a sorting machine which has a horizontal conveyor. The chute positively guides the objects as they leave the conveyor such that the relative orientation of successive objects leaving the container is maintained as the objects are deposited at a point of collection. A curved panel is used to intercept the objects as they leave the conveyor and to redirect them toward a stop member which stops their horizontal inertial velocity. The panel is sloped from the vertical to balance gravitational and centrifugal forces to maintain the object essentially horizontally as it moves across the panel. Once the object is stopped, it falls under the force of gravity along a slide portion of the chute to be deposited in a collection container.