Patents by Inventor United States Postal Service

United States Postal Service 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).

  • Publication number: 20140271090
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for shingulating, singulating, and synchronizing articles in an article feeder system are disclosed. The article feeder system may include a shingulating device configured to receive a stack of articles and to produce a positively lapped stack of articles, a plurality of picking devices configured to pick one or more articles from the positively lapped stack of articles and to produce one or more singulated articles, and one or more synchronization devices configured to deliver the one or more singulated articles to one or more sorter windows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: United States Postal Service
  • Publication number: 20140271088
    Abstract: An automatic stack feeder having a moveable stack or product guide is disclosed. The automatic stack feeder may be configured to receive a stack of articles and a container enclosing a stack of articles. To ensure the stack of articles is properly supported following unloading from the container, the stack guide is moveable between a first and a second position, wherein the stack guide is in contact with the stack of articles while in the first position, and not in contact with the stack when in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: United States Postal Service
  • Publication number: 20140270356
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for item processing. The systems can include a PASS module that can include features that receive inputs relating to an item for processing and provide those inputs to other components and/or modules of a PASS system and/or of another system. The PASS system can include a variety of modules, including the PASS module, and can collect information and/or inputs from the variety of modules of the PASS system and use that information in item processing. The methods of item processing can use the PASS system and the PASS module to perform a variety of functions including, for example, revenue protection, sorting of items, task management, sampling and data collection, redirecting if enroute items, and personnel management.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: United States Postal Service
  • Publication number: 20140271089
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for unloading articles from a container of items for use in an automatic stack feeder are disclosed. The automatic stack feeder may comprise a belt, a moveable lower paddle, and a moveable upper paddle, wherein the lower paddle is configured to partially extend through a belt of the automatic stack feeder. The movement of the belt, the lower paddle, and the upper paddle are coordinated such that there is no need to interrupt the operation of the automatic stack feeder to unload the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: United States Postal Service
  • Publication number: 20140012804
    Abstract: A method and system for tracking the status of a label. The system can include a memory with a database. The database can include an indicator of the label status. The system can additionally include a processor that operates in accordance with instructions stored in the memory. The processor can receive a request to generate a label, update the first database with an identifier that indicates the existence of the label, receive a signal indicating that a service requested by the label has been provided, and update the identifier in the first database to indicate that the requested service has been provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: United States Postal Service
  • Publication number: 20130226823
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manifesting mailpieces, processing mailpieces from a mail system, and certifying a mail system are provided. A mailpiece is received at a manifest mailing system and mailing information from the mailpiece is obtained. manifest of the mailpiece is created and the mail piece is then delivered using the manifest. Based on a certification of the mail system, an accuracy of a portion of the manifest may be selectively determined. Based on the accuracy of the portion of the manifest, the mailpieces are then conditionally delivered using the manifest. To determine a certification, test information may be provided to a mail system. A manifest generated by the mail system is then received. The accuracy of the manifest based on the test information is determined and a certification level is then assigned to the mail system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: United States Postal Service
  • Publication number: 20130166060
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for use in delivery of items to a storage unit. The storage unit may include one or several storage receptacles and a control unit that controls and monitors the status of the one or several storage receptacles. The storage unit may be included in a storage unit system that may include one or several storage units and a central control unit. The central control unit may communicate with the one or several storage units, and may receive status and availability updates from the one or several storage units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: United States Postal Service
  • Publication number: 20130166067
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for use in delivery of items to a storage unit. The storage unit can include one or several storage receptacles and a control unit that controls and monitors the status of the one or several storage receptacles. The storage unit may be included in a storage unit system that can include one or several storage units and a central control unit. The central control unit can communicate with the one or several storage units, and can receive status and availability updates from the one or several storage units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: United States Postal Services
    Inventor: United States Postal Services
  • Publication number: 20130144428
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for use in delivery of items to a storage unit. The storage unit can include one or several storage receptacles and a control unit that controls and monitors the status of the one or several storage receptacles. The storage unit can be included in a storage unit system that can include one or several storage units and a central control unit. The central control unit can communicate with the one or several storage units, and can receive status and availability updates from the one or several storage units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: United States Postal Service