Sort mechanism and method of use
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- at least one unload module;
at least two sorters; and
an intermediate sort conveyor configured to receive product from the at least one unload module and divert the product to either of the at least two sorters via a plurality of induction units in a transportation path with the at least two sorters.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for sorting product. The apparatus comprises at least one unload module and at least two sorters. An intermediate sort conveyor is configured to receive product from the at least one unload module and divert the product to either of the at least two sorters via a plurality of induction units in a transportation path with the at least two sorters.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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at least one unload module;
at least two sorters; and
an intermediate sort conveyor configured to receive product from the at least one unload module and divert the product to either of the at least two sorters via a plurality of induction units in a transportation path with the at least two sorters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for sorting product, comprising:
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at least three sorters, including a first sorter, a second sorter and a third sorter;
a first intermediate sort conveyor having induction units for inducting product to either of the first sorter and the second sorter;
a second intermediate sort conveying having induction units for inducting product to either of the second sorter and the third sorter; and
a pre-sorter loop configured to;
receive non-inducted product from the first intermediate sort conveyor which is to be inducted onto the third sorter;
receive non-inducted product from the second intermediate sort conveyor which is to be inducted onto the first sorter; and
discharge non-inducted product from the first and second intermediate sort conveyors to the first sorter and the third sorter. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for sorting mail, comprising:
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a sorting mechanism comprising n+1 sorters;
an intermediate conveying system having (n+1)-1 conveyors, each of the conveyors being alternatively positioned with the n+1 sorters and having induction units to induct mail pieces to each adjacent sorter; and
at least one unload module configured to induct the mail pieces to each of the (n+1)-1 conveyors, the at least one unload module configured to have a capacity which is equal to or less than a throughput of the n+1 sorters. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A method of sorting mail using a plurality of sorters, comprising:
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obtaining product information from mail pieces;
inducting the mail pieces onto at least one intermediate sort conveyor;
determining whether the mail pieces should be inducted onto one of at least two adjacent sorters, for sequencing or sorting to another depth level; and
at least one of;
if the determining step is affirmative, inducting the mail pieces onto one of at least two adjacent sorters for the sequencing or sorting to another depth level;
if the determining step is negative, inducting the mail pieces onto an intermediate conveyance from the at least one intermediate sort conveyors, and transporting the mail pieces to another sorter, which was not originally in a transportation path with the at least one intermediate sort conveyors, and inducting the mail pieces onto the another sorter.
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Specification