Abstract: A method and apparatus for checking an envelope for contents is provided to determine whether or not an envelope has been completely emptied. The thickness of the envelope is measured at a plurality of points along the envelope. From the measured thickness, the thickness, or an integer multiple of the thickness, of the material of the envelope is determined. The thickness of the envelope measured at the plurality of points is compared with the determined material thickness, or integer multiple of the thickness, of the envelope. On the basis of that comparison, a determination is made as to whether or not the envelope has contents therein. The apparatus and method do not rely on measuring the opacity of the envelope.

Abstract: The apparatus of the invention for discriminating mail in a paper envelope from mail in a plastics envelope makes use of a pneumatic technique. In particular, the apparatus comprises a pneumatic system suitable for deforming the envelope to be inspected by applying suction and for measuring variation in pressure associated with said deformation, whereby the inspected envelope is detected as being a paper envelope or as being a plastics envelope. This pneumatic detector may be associated with a detector operating by means of an optical effect for the purpose of controlling a labelling device in equipment for processing flat articles.

Abstract: The sorting apparatus includes a plurality of conveyable-article carriers (FT) which circulate on at least one conveying device (FE) and are intended for receiving, for transporting and for discharging, in a controllable manner, the conveyable articles to sorting containers (SB),the conveyable-article carriers (FT) circulating, via at least one vertical deflection of the conveying device (FE), in at least two planes (E1, E2), andthe sorting containers (SB) being provided in at least two levels (ET1, ET2) assigned to the planes (E1, E2) of the conveying device (FE). The guidance of the conveying device (FE) in at least two planes (E1, E2), and the provision of sorting containers (SB) in at least two levels (ET1, ET2) assigned to said planes (E1, E2) makes it possible, with the same surface area on which to set up the sorting apparatus, for the number of sorting containers (SB) available for sorting purposes to be doubled or multiplied.

Abstract: An apparatus has a transport mechanism for transporting mailpieces to a printing and weighing station. The apparatus also includes a weighing device; a printing mechanism operatively associated with the weighing device to form the printing and weighing station; a carriage assembly moveably mounted in the apparatus, the printing mechanism removeably supported on the carriage assembly to move therewith between the printing and weighing station and at least a second station; and structure to transfer complete support of the printing mechanism from the carriage assembly to the weighing device during movement of the printing mechanism into the printing and weighing station.

Abstract: A device for measuring the thickness of objects to be handled in mail processing machines, particularly collating machines, inserters and the like, has a relatively-stationary back-up part; a gripper jaw; a rotating axis for mounting the gripper jaw pivotably in relation to the back-up part, whereby an object to be handled is engagable between the gripper jaw and the back-up part; an actuator system operatively connected between the back-up part and the gripper jaw for generating pivotal movement of the gripper jaw between an engagement position and an open position in relation to the back-up part; a movement-transmission part fastened to the rotating axis; and, a measuring device provided operatively between the movement-transmission part and the back-up part, the measuring device providing position-detector signals corresponding to predetermined pivotal positions of the gripper jaw in relation to the back-up part.

Abstract: The video coding system picks up the whole image of postal matter, inputs the picked image to a character/code & image reader to read a user code on the postal matter, prints bar code information corresponding to the read result on the postal matter, and sorts the postal matter according to the bar code information. In this system, a display device displays the whole image of postal matter from which the user code cannot be read, and user code candidate characters, together with a user code input area for inputting the user code, an image of a specific user code location, and images of a plurality of user code candidate areas. An operator inputs the user code, which the character/code & image reader failed to read, in the user code input area while visually checking the displayed whole image and the images of the user code candidate areas. The input user code is stored in a memory.

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: Disclosed is a method for sorting a set of mail items according to a predefined delivery sequence, including the steps of generating first sequence number for each subset of mail according to its destination address, sorting the first subset into batches according to the first sequence number, associating one of the first sequence numbers corresponding to the destination addresses of the mail items in the first subset, generating a second sequence number sorting the second subset into batches according to the second and first sequence numbers disregarding N of the most significant digits of the first sequence number, interleaving the batches of mail items from the first and second subset; and sorting the mail items according to the N most significant digits of the first sequence numbers. In this way, all the mail is sorted in sequence, but sorting of the mail can begin prior to all the mail being physically present at the sorter or its location in the sorting scheme being known.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating, feeding and sorting stacked products utilizes a computer controlled conveyor transport path. The transport path includes infeed, separating and output sections. The infeed section includes an infeed conveyor and feed roller to regulate downstream movement into the separating section. The separating section includes a plurality of individually and selectively controlled friction feeder rolls arranged on a laterally tilted incline plane. The method and apparatus includes sensors along the separating section for determining position and relative movement of products. Through computer control, individual feeder rolls or sets of feeder rolls on the inclined plane are selectively energized to separate underlying products from stacked overlying or overlapping products. The foregoing process is repeated until all products in a stack have been separated into individual units.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for checking whether documents have been separated from an opened envelope includes conveying an envelope past an input transducer which measures a characteristic, based on light shown through the envelope, of each individual envelope along a measuring path parallel to the direction of movement of the envelope. From the measured characteristic, a value profile is determined, from which a reference value for each envelope is determined. The value profile is used then to calculate an extreme limit value for each envelope. An envelope-suspect signal is generated if the value profile lies beyond the limit value over a specified minimum substantially continuous measuring distance. The system calculates the values for each envelope, and accordingly, envelopes of greatly diverse characteristics may be reliably checked in random order.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a two tier gate device that is adapted to be removably secured to an existing mail sorting machine. The two tier gate device of the present invention includes a first gate and a second gate. The first gate is secured to the conventional mail sorting machine while the second tier is attached to the first tier so that the front end of the second gate is co-planar with the first tier while the second end of the second tier is off-set with the first tier. By providing for this design and configuration, the two tier gate device of the present invention will prevent flats, large letters, magazines, catalogs, or other various documents from turning sideways, rolling up, and to eventually jam the machine, while still enabling the pusher finer on the conventional machine to pass the gate device without interference.

Abstract: An apparatus for ensuring proper registration of a mailpiece in a feed path of a postage meter prior to printing includes a printing mechanism; detecting structure which detects first and second edges of the mailpiece in the feed path, the detecting structure initiating printing by the printing mechanism on the mailpiece at times when the first and second edges are concurrently detected in the feed path by the detecting structure and inhibiting printing by the printing mechanism at times when the first and second edges are not concurrently detected in the feed path by the detecting means. A method accomplishes the function of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating, feeding and sorting stacked products utilizes a computer controlled conveyor transport path. The transport path comprises infeed, separating and output sections. The infeed section includes an infeed conveyor and feed roller to regulate downstream movement into the separating section. The separating section includes a plurality of individually and selectively controlled friction feeder rolls arranged on a laterally tilted incline plane. The method and apparatus includes sensors along the separating section for determining position and relative movement of products. Through computer control, individual feeder rolls or sets of feeder rolls on the inclined plane are selectively energized to separate underlying products from stacked overlying or overlapping products. The foregoing process is repeated until all products in a stack have been separated into individual units.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises a movable member (60) having an outer circumferential surface which engages a collated assemblage (20) on a collating conveyor (14) to compress the collated assemblage when the member is moved towards the collated assemblage. A light source (36) directs light (37) toward the outer circumferential surface of the member. The outer circumferential surface includes a light reflective surface (83) portion against which the light is directed and then reflected. The reflected light (38) has a characteristic which varies as a function of the thickness of the collated assemblage. The reflected light is sensed and a first electrical signal (42) is provided which varies as a function of the characteristic of the reflected light and thus as a function of the thickness of the collated assemblage.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting sheet-like items, in which the items, which are to be sorted to plural collecting sections, can be easily recycled to a feeder for sorting the items in multiple sorts in accordance with a desired sorting order or sequence. A stacker is provided on an upper portion of feeder. By pulling out a bottom plate of the stacker, the once sorted items in the stacker are caused to fall down into the feeder. The items can thus be rapidly recycled to the feeder for another sort, thereby reducing the time required for complete sorting or sequencing of the mail.

Abstract: A mailing machine includes a digital printer for printing a postage indicia on a mail piece. The mailing machine including a controller for controlling the operations of the mailing machine and a printer transport for transporting the digital printer to a cleaning station when the printer is not in use. A sensor is positioned at the cleaning station for sensing the presents of the printer and generating an output to the mailing machine controller in response. The mailing machine power supply includes a main transformer and a plurality of secondary transformer in parallel electrical communication over first and second electrical lines. A single-pole-double-throw switch has its first input and output stage interposed between the first electrical line between the main transformer and one of the second transformers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sorting documents is provided. A document transport on the apparatus conveys documents along a selected path of movement from an input bin to a series of output bins. An optical scanner, such as a video camera, is positioned along the selected path to capture images of the documents. The captured images are displayed on a display monitor to permit an operator to inspect portions of the documents for a desired characteristic. The operator activates a push button on a selector switch depending on the presence of the desired characteristic. Bins are provided for stacking and separating documents having the desired characteristic from those documents lacking the desired characteristic. Gates are provided for directing the documents to the appropriate output bin.

Abstract: A postal indicia is disclosed that contains markings thereon which may be used to distinguish between availability or non availability of additional security and sorting information. The foregoing will make the handling of the mail faster and more efficient. The ink that is used to print portions of the indicia is fluorescent for conventional indicia printing and fluorescent and phosphorescent for value added bit map generated printing.

Abstract: A mail aperture assembly for a mail sorting system includes a long, narrow aperture mounted on a transport surface. The assembly includes at least two surfaces and a belt mounted juxtaposed to the aperture. A belt is in contact with at least two surfaces of the aperture. At least one surface is not in the same plane as the aperture, preferably in the direction of the belt.

Abstract: A document sorting section for sorting flat documents wherein a plurality of primary document conveying paths are interposed between rows of opposing document stacking elements and document diverters are positioned in the primary paths. Each of the primary conveying paths are in conveying communication with separate diverters and corresponding sorting paths, such as angularly disposed sorting paths, wherein each of the sorting paths is in conveying communication with either of the primary conveying paths, but not both. A primary pivotal diverter, located upstream from the first and second primary conveying paths, diverts documents from the main transport path to either of the primary conveying paths.

Abstract: A method for sorting items provided with address information includes passing the items successively through a scanning device for generating a video image of each item, a mechanical storage track and a printing station. The video images are supplied to a device for automatically reading the address information and assigning a corresponding code. The printing station prints the corresponding code on the items for which the address information can be read within a predetermined time. The video images of the items for which the address information cannot be automatically read within the predetermined time is stored in a buffer.

Abstract: An automatic mailing machine includes a mail transport device for moving individual pieces of mail, which can be of varying shapes and sizes, from a mail bundle to an oppositely disposed apparatus for weighing such pieces of mail and to then move same to a further station for additional processing. The automatic mailing machine may include apparatus for detecting the size of the piece of mail being processed and weighed which then compares that information against a norm. The automatic mailing machine is configurable to occupy a much smaller space than conventional mailing machines.

Abstract: A buffered stacking system for selectively diverting horizontally disposed documents from a generally horizontal main conveying path, stacking the documents in a horizontal orientation and dropping the documents into replaceable receiving receptacles is provided. The system has a primary horizontal conveyor belt with a lower horizontal reach defining a horizontal primary conveying path. A plurality of sorting stations are located serially along and below the primary conveying path. Each of the sorting stations has at least one diverter arm disposed along the conveying path. The diverter arms are selectively movable from a generally horizontal position which allows passage of the documents along the conveying path to an inclined position to divert the document into the corresponding sorting station. The diverter arms divert the document in a downwardly inclined direction into a stacking station.

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: According to the bill processing apparatus of the present invention, the damage of bills picked one by one by the bill processing apparatus and the kind of bills are discriminated by a discriminating and judging section, and stacked in a stacking section by damaged and the kind of bills. The stacked bills are bundled by a predetermined number of bills by a binding unit, and stored in a predetermined safe. At this time, a mark is printed on the bundle of improper bills bundled by a predetermined number. Also, when the bundling state of the proper bills is not favorable, the form of the bundle of the proper bills is selected by a bundle form sensor, and stored in the same storing section as the case of the improper bills. Moreover, in dispensing each bundle, the bundling state of the bundle to be dispensed is checked by the bundle form sensor.

Abstract: A mail sorting system includes a transport surface on which the items of mail are moved in series past a reading station having an aperture where information on the items of mail is read by a reader to assist in the sorting of the mail. The lighting assembly is mounted in the reading station. The lighting assembly includes at least one light or light emitter which directs a path of light toward the aperture. A light diffusion partition is mounted between the light emitter and the aperture for diffusing the path of light before it reaches the aperture. The lighting assembly is mounted displaced from the reader with the light emitter at an angle to the reader to provide the reader with a clear, unobstructed view of the aperture and with the path of light from the light emitter being deflected away from the reader.

Abstract: A modular mail processing method and control system for sorting pieces of incoming, internal, and outgoing mail including a plurality of sorting bins which correspond to either mail stops or zip codes depending on which sort plan is selected. The modular mail processing method and control system permitting mixed pieces of mail of various sizes to be sorted. Additionally, an internal mail envelope, which has address regions consisting of blocks, may be utilized in connection with the modular mail processing method and control system in order to allow accurate detection of handwritten addresses.

Abstract: In a method for the automated processing of bulk mail, envelopes are transferred to a receiving apparatus in bulk fashion (from incoming mail trays or the like) for the extraction of documents contained by the envelopes, and the extracted documents are delivered to a remittance processing device, preferably both automatically and without the need for human intervention. Subsequent processing of the extracted documents within the remittance processing device then proceeds in usual fashion, completing the acquisition of information which is necessary to ready such documents for deposit into the banking system. Also disclosed are various presorting functions so that only envelopes containing documents of a specified type will be fully processed, other sorting functions such as the identification of specific types of documents (invoices or checks) for separate processing, and the use of a single extraction device to deliver extracted documents to either one, or a series of remittance processing devices.

Abstract: A wide variety of product types, sizes and shapes are sorted into designated destination bins or other outputs utilizing a computer controlled transport path that includes an infeed section and a pinch roller diverting section. The infeed section receives a singulated stream of products to be sorted, optically scans each product for a destination code and transports the products downstream to the diverting section. The diverting section consists of a series of individually and selectively controlled roller pairs in combination with a number of diverting gates. Each roller pair includes an upper foam covered pinch roller and a lower friction drive roller oriented such that products moving downstream pass between each roller pair until diverted from the transport path. An array of photoelectric detectors provide product position information to identify and track product movement through the apparatus.

Abstract: Business forms having machine readable elements, such as zipcodes, are separated into discrete groups by laterally shifting one end of a carriage onto which the forms travel from forms handling equipment. The carriage has a first end which is oscillated in a generally horizontal plane by an eccentric and arm driven by a stepper motor in response to sensing of the zipcodes by an optical scanner. A second end of the carriage is mounted for only limited oscillatory movement. A number of endless conveyor tapes are associated with the carriage, extending around a first grooved roller mounted at the first end of the carriage, and around a driven second grooved roller mounted on a frame distinct from the carriage adjacent the second end of the carriage. The tapes are circular in cross-section and disposed at an angle of between about 2.degree.-5.degree.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing dual sliding windows for the purpose of determining postage discount qualifications across invalid and unreadable mail pieces and determining the number of mail pieces to be placed in a mail tray for receiving the maximum postage discount. This is accomplished by storing the criteria for postal discounts in a controller and determining the number of mail pieces that can be received in a tray based upon the thickness of the mail pieces. The system includes a scale that weighs the mail pieces, from which weight the thicknesses of the mail pieces can be determined on an individual basis, and an OCR reader that reads the zip codes in the address block of the mail pieces to assure they are valid and readable, and a controller for performing the necessary computations.

Abstract: A document or package sorting workstation (10), ergonomically designed to maximize manual or machine-assisted sorting efficiencies and throughput, while minimizing or eliminating opportunities for losses or mis-sorts and improved methods for sorting documents and packages. The workstation (10) is made of an upper workstation (32) which is an inclined chute (14) with dividers (12) placed parallel to flow of documents or packages, and front stop (29); a lower workstation (28) having a support frame and receptacle for bag holder (24); a bag holder (24) having supporting frames and a glider (22); an accessory holder (30); and a loading shelf (16).

Abstract: A system is shown and described wherein a portable printer is used to produce tags for attachment to mail trays. The printer is uploaded with plans that are the same as sort plans stored in the memory of a sorting machine with which the printer is to be used. The same sort plan that is selected for operation of the sorting machine will be input into the printer so that tags can be printed and attached to mail trays on an as needed basis. These tags can be colored coded so that the targeted day of delivery of the mail can be indicated. Act tags can be printed by scanning the mail tray tags.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automated processing of bulk mail in a continuous and automatic procedure includes an operative combination of processing stations including an input station for receiving incoming mail in bulk fashion and for separating the pieces of mail for individual delivery to the remainder of the apparatus; a station for detecting irregularities in the contents of the envelopes, such as metal items, folded contents, or oversized items; a station for out-sorting envelopes rejected in accordance with the determinations made at the detection station; a station for opening the envelopes, preferably along multiple edges; a station for removing the contents from the opened envelopes, for subsequent processing of the contents; and a series of stations for handling and orienting the contents for subsequent delivery to a plurality of output stackers.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automated processing of bulk mail which incorporates a number of operating stations that serve to accomplish the various aspects of mail extraction, as well as the subsequent processing of extracted documents, and which are operatively associated with one another to serially process envelopes and extracted documents in continuous fashion and substantially independent of their characteristic features. To this end, the operating stations of the apparatus are configured to be as independent as possible of the characteristics of the envelopes and their contents so that envelopes and contents of varied characteristics can be effectively handled by the apparatus without requiring any significant adjustments.

Abstract: There is provided a system for processing international mail. The system includes a weigh in station for weighing the total weight of received mail, a recordal station for recording the total number of pieces of received mail and for establishing criteria to identify the mail in the system, an affixing station, located downstream of the weighing and recordal stations, for affixing an indicia onto the mail and a sorting station, located downstream of the affixing station, for sorting the mail by country. The system also includes a processing unit that stores received information and processes the stored information to derive processed information, and a weighing and processing station located downstream of the sorting station.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining whether a sheet is of a first type or a second type, the sheet including two marks printed on opposite halves of the sheet. The apparatus includes a thickness detector for detecting a thickness of the sheet to detect parts greater than a predetermined thickness, an image input unit for imaging the two marks of the sheet, a judging unit for determining a check condition when any part thicker than the predetermined thickness is located between the two marks and extend between lengthwise edges of the sheet, a comparison unit for comparing the images of the two marks of the sheet imaged by the image input unit when the judging unit determines the check condition and for providing a result signal representative of whether the two marks correspond to each other, and a determining unit for determining in response to the result signal that the sheet is of the first type when the two marks correspond to each other and of the second type when the two marks do not correspond to each other.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the cancellation of stamps and printing of pre-programmable messages on envelopes. The apparatus comprises structure for feeding a plurality of envelopes in singulated manner to a sensing assembly, which detects the leading and top edges of the envelope and trigger printing structure which cancels the stamp and/or prints on a pre-programmable message. The apparatus and method is of value when envelopes of different sizes, generally having the stamp in a common region, i.e. upper right-hand corner, as part of the plurality of envelopes are present.

Abstract: An apparatus for presenting documents to a remittance processing device includes an arm for receiving a plurality of the documents for presentation to the remittance processing device and a conveyor for drawing the received documents along the arm and to a delivery point adjacent to the remittance processing device, for serial presentation at the remittance processing device for remittance processing of the received documents. The apparatus can also operate to stack received documents, to separate paired documents, and to justify documents to a reference surface, for eventual presentation to the arm and its conveyor.

Abstract: An extraction apparatus for the automated processing of bulk mail includes a first pair of rollers forming a nip for receiving each of a plurality of envelopes, with their contents. The envelopes, which have been opened along plural contiguous edges, are then passed to a second pair of rollers following the first pair of rollers, for receiving the opened envelopes (with the contents) from the first pair of rollers. The second pair of rollers are spaced from one another and each include a suction cup for engaging faces of the opened envelope responsive to an applied vacuum, and for spreading the faces of the envelope apart. A third pair of rollers following the second pair of rollers forms a nip for receiving the contents from between the second pair of rollers, thereby removing the contents from the envelope.

Abstract: An accumulating device having ten accumulating units connected at the input to a conveyor belt system and designed to house a number of mail items. Each accumulating unit comprises a conveyor system composed of two belts contacting each other along a substantially straight portion and having a sensor for generating an enabling signal upon a mail item being fed into the accumulating unit. As a consequence of the enabling signal, the belts are shifted one discrete step so that the mail items fed into the accumulating unit are inserted between the two belts and overlap one another.

Abstract: A mail sorting apparatus includes a video signal conversion section for photoelectrically converting and quantizing characters, codes, and the like on a mail item into a video signal, a blank area detection section for detecting a blank area where characters, codes, and the like are not described on the basis of the video signal output from the video signal conversion section, a printing area designation section for designating a bar code printing area in the blank area detected by the blank area detection section, and a bar code printing section for printing a bar code corresponding to an address of the mail item on the printing area designated by the printing area designation section. Further, the printing area designation section designates the bar code printing area from a blank area obtained by excluding a window area detected by a window position detection section from the blank area detected by the blank area detection section.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inserter based system that performs automated sorting of mailpieces in accordance with predetermined postal discount requirements. The system comprises an inserter for assembling the mailpieces and a sorter coupled to the inserter. The sorter includes a sorter controller and a plurality of on-edge sorting bins. The system also includes communicating mailpiece data and configuration data to the sorter controller. The sorter controller controls the sorting of mailpieces received from the inserter into sort groups according to postal discount requirements. A turn-up and alignment device and a vertical transport are located between the inserter and the sorter. The turn-up and alignment device turns the mailpieces from a horizontal alignment out of the inserter to a vertical alignment. The vertical transport transports the mailpieces on-edge to the sorter. The sorter further includes a scanner for scanning codes printed on the mailpieces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a document storage device which allows for temporary and secure storage of a number of documents upon their exit from a document processor. The device (10) is comprised of a document stack system (12), a retrieval system (14), and a control unit (16) for tracking the position of each document in the stack. As documents are deposited into the document stack, an identifier is attached to each document's position in the memory of the control unit (16). After deposit of a first document, a first pair of separator sheets (6a, 6b) are deposited above the document. A second document can then be deposited above the first pair of separator sheets. Thereafter, a second pair of separator sheets are deposited above the second document. One sheet from each pair acts as the top or bottom cover for the document (5) against which it is in contact. This deposit process can be continue for additional documents.

Abstract: The present invention comprises apparatus for identifying, intercepting and forwarding incorrectly addressed mailpieces having either a machine readable or non-machine readable address. The apparatus reads (either mechanically or manually) the addressee name and the mailpiece destination marking address for processing in a database and comparison to a list of names and former addresses in the USPS National Change of Address database of persons who have requested mail forwarding service. If the read name and address match a name and former address in the database, then the mailpiece is identified as having an incorrect address and intercepted from the mail stream. The apparatus then searches the NCOA database for a forwarding address and delivery point ZIP code corresponding to the address. The forwarding address and delivery point ZIP marking number are printed on the mailpiece in place of the incorrect address and the mailpiece is returned to the mail stream for delivery to the addressee.

Abstract: In the method of the invention for sequencing parcels in mail-sorting facilities having rows of stacking compartments, a sorting plan is used for sorting the parcels in which an overfilling of the individual stacking compartments is avoided so that, during one sorting procedure, the stacking compartments are not emptied, and that, after a sorting procedure has ended, an in-sequence transfer of the parcels is effected from the stacking compartments into a conveying device disposed opposite the stacking compartments or into containers.

Abstract: A card convey device includes a first convey path, a second convey path, a third convey path, jam detector, convey controller, and card sorter. The first convey path conveys a loaded card. The second convey path is branched from the first convey path and conveys a non-defective card distributed from cards conveyed from the first convey path. The third convey path is branched from the first convey path and conveys a defective card distributed from the cards conveyed from the first convey path. The jam detector detects jam of a card occurring in each of the first, second, and third convey paths. The convey controller conveys a card through each of the first, second, and third convey paths at a predetermined speed, stops a convey operation of the card when the jam detector detects jam of the card, and reconveys the card in response to a reconvey command.

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: In accordance with the present invention, a system for automated intelligent traying of mailpieces in accordance with predetermined postal discount requirements comprises an inserter for assembling the mailpieces and a trayer coupled to the inserter. The trayer includes a traying controller and a plurality of on-edge stacking bins. A supervisor is operatively coupled to the trayer controller for communicating mailpiece data and configuration data to and from the trayer controller. The trayer controller controls the sorting of mailpieces received from the inserter into tray groups according to postal discount requirements. In an alternate embodiment, the trayer is coupled to an on-edge mailpiece feeding structure such that the trayer is coupled to a system supervisor for performing automated intelligent traying separately from an inserter.

Abstract: An electronic mail tracking system having automatic zip code break marking capability. A series of optical sensors along the mail piece transport path of the tracking system track the progress of the mail pieces. A felt tip marker removably mounted to a solenoid is selectively extended and retracted to mark zip code breaks and the mail pieces are then transported to a stacker. The system provides high speed, reliable and low cost zip break marking and tracking of mail piece.