Patents by Inventor Steve Archer

Steve Archer 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: 7663072
    Abstract: A delivery point packaging system and method of preparing and sorting mail pieces sorts, packages and assembles mail pieces into a predetermined delivery point order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Bowe Bell & Howell Company
    Inventors: Walter S. Conard, Rich Wojdyla, Steve Archer, Brian Bowers, John Overman
  • Publication number: 20090014364
    Abstract: A delivery point packaging system and method of preparing and sorting mail pieces sorts, packages and assembles mail pieces into a predetermined delivery point order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Walter S. Conard, Rich Wojdyla, Steve Archer, Brian Bowers, John Overman
  • Patent number: 7220093
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for collating a plurality of separate groups or bundles of similar flats mailpieces arranged in a predetermined delivery point sequence, each mailpiece imprinted with a distinct delivery point or address indicia, to produce a single stream of mailpieces in new groups, where each new group comprises a plurality of mailpieces all addressed to a distinct delivery point. The apparatus comprises a plurality of feed units, each unit configured to process a quantity of similar mailpieces, each with a distinct delivery point indicia on the face of the mailpiece, and to deposit each mailpiece in a distinct pocket on a collation conveyor which traverses all of the plurality of feed units. Each pocket will ultimately contain different mail pieces, all addressed to the same delivery point Multiple new groups of mailpieces are then automatically placed in containers in a sequence corresponding to a predetermined delivery route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Bowe Bell & Howell Postal Systems Company
    Inventors: John Overman, George Rabindran, Steve Archer, Dan Rice, Tom Wells, Ken Guenther
  • Patent number: 7210893
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for combining multiple small stacks of flats mailpieces into a single large stack of mailpieces and then transferring the large stack to a standard flats mail tray, all while maintaining the sequence order of the mail in the accumulated stack. The apparatus is comprised of three primary subsystems: a bridge conveyor, a stack accumulator, and an output tray station. The bridge conveyor carries mailpieces from the exit conveyor of a mail processing machine such as a collator, to the stack accumulator. The stack accumulator combines small stacks of mailpieces into large stacks in a desired sequence. The output tray station provides support for an empty tray as the accumulated mail stack is transferred to the tray, and then releases the filled tray in a controlled manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell Postal Systems Company
    Inventors: John Overman, George Rabindran, Steve Archer, Sherrie Rice, legal representative, Mike Stollenwerck, Mike Ogarek, Dan Rice, deceased
  • Publication number: 20040186616
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for collating a plurality of separate groups or bundles of similar flats mailpieces arranged in a predetermined delivery point sequence, each mailpiece imprinted with a distinct delivery point or address indicia, to produce a single stream of mailpieces in new groups, where each new group comprises a plurality of mailpieces all addressed to a distinct delivery point. The apparatus comprises a plurality of feed units, each unit configured to process a quantity of similar mailpieces, each with a distinct delivery point indicia on the face of the mailpiece, and to deposit each mailpiece in a distinct pocket on a collation conveyor which traverses all of the plurality of feed units. Each pocket will ultimately contain different mail pieces, all addressed to the same delivery point Multiple new groups of mailpieces are then automatically placed in containers in a sequence corresponding to a predetermined delivery route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: BOWE BELL + HOWELL POSTAL SYSTEMS COMPANY
    Inventors: John Overman, George Rabindran, Steve Archer, Dan Rice, Tom Wells, Ken Guenther
  • Patent number: 6748294
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for collating a plurality of separate groups or bundles of similar flats mailpieces arranged in a predetermined delivery point sequence, each mailpiece imprinted with a distinct delivery point or address indicia, to produce a single stream of mailpieces in new groups, where each new group comprises a plurality of mailpieces all addressed to a distinct delivery point. The apparatus comprises a plurality of feed units, each unit configured to process a quantity of similar mailpieces, each with a distinct delivery point indicia on the face of the mailpiece, and to deposit each mailpiece in a distinct pocket on a collation conveyor which traverses all of the plurality of feed units. Each pocket will ultimately contain different mail pieces, all addressed to the same delivery point. Multiple new groups of mailpieces are then automatically placed in containers in a sequence corresponding to a predetermined delivery route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell Postal Systems Company
    Inventors: John Overman, George Rabindran, Steve Archer, Dan Rice, Tom Wells, Ken Guenther