Abstract: A system for automatic positioning, wrapper and strap cutting, wrapper removal, wrapper and strap takeaway, and debundled stack positioning and delivery of bound mail pieces, magazines, catalogs, brochures and other similar flat items (collectively “bundles”) for subsequent sorting and processing, all without damaging the contents within the bundle. Incoming bundles are supported on two supporting plates configured to move horizontally toward and away from each other, and spaced to expose a portion of the bottom surface of the bundle. A cutting device cuts the wrapping and straps on the exposed bottom portion of the bundle, and the supporting plates are moved away from each other to increase the spacing. As the spacing is increased gripping devices atop both supporting plates grab and pull the cat edges of the wrapping, until the bundle falls through to a holding device.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer program products for inspection of objects or items in a conveyance system. Presence (or absence) of an object/item or objects/items is detected sensed and also one or more characteristics of the object/item can be determined based image detection of characteristics of one or more laser lines projected on a conveyance surface of the conveyance system.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for detecting overlapped items in a sequence of items moving along a conveying path based on rigidity and thickness contour measurements.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer program products for inspection of objects or items in a conveyance system. Presence (or absence) of an object/item or objects/items is detected sensed and also one or more characteristics of the object/item can be determined based image detection of characteristics of one or more laser lines projected on a conveyance surface of the conveyance system.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for automatically removing wrapping and straps from a bundle of items.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for detecting overlapped items in a sequence of items moving along a conveying path based on rigidity and thickness contour measurements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting articles to a delivery point sequence includes at least one article sorter adapted to sort articles and a conveying system operable to arrange and convey containers of articles sorted in a first sort pass to an induct of the article sorter for a second sort pass or process of the articles. The system or method automatically sorts and conveys trays containing sorted articles from a discharge of at least one sorting assembly to an induct of the at least one sorting assembly. The conveying assembly may have a generally continuous conveying track and is operable to automatically provide the trays to the induct of the at least one sorting assembly in a sequenced manner.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer program products for item handling, including in-feeding and individually out-feeding of items, such as pieces of mail, parcels, or articles of manufacture. Destacking each successive leading item, individually, in a stack or series of items by automatically adapting, in real time, to varying item presentment conditions. Each successive leading item can be moved and output without unwanted or unacceptable movement of any following item or items, by selective activation of components to move and/or assist with moving the leading item for output therefrom. Selective activation can be based on presentment information associated with each leading item in the stack or series, and the leading item can be output after a series of controlled movements thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting articles to a delivery point sequence includes at least one article sorter adapted to sort articles and a conveying system operable to arrange and convey containers of articles sorted in a first sort pass to an induct of the article sorter for a second sort pass or process of the articles. The system or method automatically sorts and conveys trays containing sorted articles from a discharge of at least one sorting assembly to an induct of the at least one sorting assembly. The conveying assembly may have a generally continuous conveying track and is operable to automatically provide the trays to the induct of the at least one sorting assembly in a sequenced manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting articles to a delivery point sequence includes at least one article sorter adapted to sort articles and a conveying system operable to arrange and convey containers of articles sorted in a first sort pass to an induct of the article sorter for a second sort pass or process of the articles. The system or method automatically sorts and conveys trays containing sorted articles from a discharge of at least one sorting assembly to an induct of the at least one sorting assembly. The conveying assembly may have a generally continuous conveying track and is operable to automatically provide the trays to the induct of the at least one sorting assembly in a sequenced manner.

Abstract: A sortation assembly includes a plurality of chutes which are movable along a continuous loop and along and over a plurality of sort stations. The chutes are operable to deposit articles, such as mail or flats mail or the like, to appropriate bins or trays positioned at the sort stations. The sort stations are configured to support a tray thereon for filling of the tray by the chutes. At least some of the chutes include an electronic tray fill level sensor, which is operable to detect the level of articles deposited within the tray at which the chute is positioned, while being spaced from the tray and the articles. Also, at least some of the sort stations may include an electronic tray present sensor, which is operable to detect the presence of a tray at the respective sort station while being spaced from the tray at the sort station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting articles to a delivery point sequence includes at least one article sorter adapted to sort articles and a conveying system operable to arrange and convey containers of articles sorted in a first sort pass to an induct of the article sorter for a second sort pass or process of the articles. The conveying system may include at least one transport conveyor and a plurality of zone conveyors or staging zones. The transport conveyor conveys trays from the discharge of the article sorter to the induct of the article sorter, and the zone conveyors are positioned along the transport conveyor. The conveying system is operable to arrange and accumulate trays in a sequenced manner on the transport conveyor. The transport conveyor is operable to discharge the sequenced trays to the induct of the article sorter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting articles to a delivery point sequence includes at least one sortation assembly adapted to sort articles and a buffer. The buffer is operable to arrange and convey containers of articles sorted in a first sort pass to an induct of the at least one sortation assembly for a second sort pass or process of the articles. The buffer automatically arranges the containers in an arranged manner prior to conveying the containers and articles to the induct of the at least one sortation assembly for the second sort process. The second sort process is then performed to sort the articles to a delivery point sequence or carrier walk sequence depth of sort. A conveyor assembly may be operable to convey containers to an appropriate one of multiple sortation assemblies and/or buffers to increase the sequencing matrix capability of the apparatus.

Abstract: A tray destacker is operable to separate individual trays from a stack of trays and to discharge the individual trays. The tray destacker includes a tray separating device which engages an edge or handle of the individual tray and moves the tray away from the stack of trays, while a tray retaining device engages a next tray adjacent to the individual tray and retains the remaining trays of the stack. The tray separating device may be biased toward an engaging position so as to engage the individual tray when the trays and the tray separating device are in an appropriate position relative to one another. The tray retaining device may also be biased to engage the next tray and may release the next tray in response to the tray separating device returning to the stack of trays to remove the next tray from the stack.

Abstract: A sortation assembly for sorting articles includes first and second substantially straight sections and a curved section between the first and second straight sections. The sortation assembly includes a plurality of chutes that are movable along the first and second straight sections and the curved section in a continuous loop. Each of the straight sections includes a plurality of sort stations along at least one side. The chutes are movable along and over the sort stations of both straight sections and are operable to deposit articles to bins or trays positioned at the sort stations. The curved connecting section guides the chutes between the first and second straight sections, which may be arranged at an angle relative to one another.

Abstract: A sortation assembly includes a plurality of chutes which are movable along a continuous loop and along and over a plurality of sort stations. The chutes are operable to deposit articles, such as mail or flats mail or the like, to appropriate bins or trays positioned at the sort stations. The sort stations are configured to support a tray thereon for filling of the tray by the chutes. At least some of the chutes include an electronic tray fill level sensor, which is operable to detect the level of articles deposited within the tray at which the chute is positioned, while being spaced from the tray and the articles. Also, at least some of the sort stations may include an electronic tray present sensor, which is operable to detect the presence of a tray at the respective sort station while being spaced from the tray at the sort station.

Abstract: A crank shaft thrust bearing half includes a semi-cylindrical bearing shell carrying a pair of radially outwardly projecting thrust flanges having outer thrust surfaces. Radial grooves are formed in the thrust face to divide the surface into thrust pads. Each thrust pad has hydrodynamic contours which provide a hydrodynamic wedging action during rotation of the shaft to support high thrust loads. The thrust pad at the trailing end of the flange has an elevated land area spaced about 30° away from the trailing end and includes a long relief area from the land to the end to provide a no contact zone of the flange. Locating the land away from the trailing end and providing the relief zone shifts the peak pressure location away from the end and toward the middle of the bearing to relieve the trailing end from stress. Having radially oriented oil grooves with suitable width enables adequate oil supply and improved hydrodynamic oil film generating capability.

Abstract: A tray destacker is operable to separate individual trays from a stack of trays and to discharge the individual trays. The tray destacker includes a tray separating device which engages an edge or handle of the individual tray and moves the tray away from the stack of trays, while a tray retaining device engages a next tray adjacent to the individual tray and retains the remaining trays of the stack. The tray separating device may be biased toward an engaging position so as to engage the individual tray when the trays and the tray separating device are in an appropriate position relative to one another. The tray retaining device may also be biased to engage the next tray and may release the next tray in response to the tray separating device returning to the stack of trays to remove the next tray from the stack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting articles to a delivery point sequence includes at least one sortation assembly adapted to sort articles and a buffer. The buffer is operable to arrange and convey containers of articles sorted in a first sort pass to an induct of the at least one sortation assembly for a second sort pass or process of the articles. The buffer automatically arranges the containers in an arranged manner prior to conveying the containers and articles to the induct of the at least one sortation assembly for the second sort process. The second sort process is then performed to sort the articles to a delivery point sequence or carrier walk sequence depth of sort. A conveyor assembly may be operable to convey containers to an appropriate one of multiple sortation assemblies and/or buffers to increase the sequencing matrix capability of the apparatus.

Abstract: A crank shaft thrust bearing half includes a semi-cylindrical bearing shell carrying a pair of radially outwardly projecting thrust flanges having outer thrust surfaces. Radial grooves are formed in the thrust face to divide the surface into thrust pads. Each thrust pad has hydrodynamic contours which provide a hydrodynamic wedging action during rotation of the shaft to support high thrust loads. The thrust pad at the trailing end of the flange has an elevated land area spaced about 30° away from the trailing end and includes a long relief area from the land to the end to provide a no contact zone of the flange. Locating the land away from the trailing end and providing the relief zone shifts the peak pressure location away from the end and toward the middle of the bearing to relieve the trailing end from stress. Having radially oriented oil grooves with suitable width enables adequate oil supply and improved hydrodynamic oil film generating capability.