MAILPIECE CONTAINER FOR STACKING MIXED MAIL AND METHOD FOR STACKING MAIL THEREIN
First Claim
1. A containment device for use in an automated sorting apparatus having a plurality of clamp assemblies for transporting, sorting, and depositing mailpieces in the container, the containment device comprising:
- a base and a plurality of vertical walls projecting from the base to define an enclosure for containing mailpieces therein; and
at least one of the vertical walls including a vertical slot for accepting a clamp assembly when mailpieces are stacked within the container and when the edges are aligned along the vertical wall of the mailpiece container.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system is provided for stacking mail having an escort assembly for handling each mailpiece. The system comprises a containment device, a transport mechanism and a detachment mechanism. The containment device includes a base, vertical walls extending from the base and an open end for accepting the mailpieces therein, The containment device, furthermore, has a slot formed in at least one of the vertical walls thereof. The transport mechanism includes first and second transport segment, the first transport segment conveying escort assemblies and respective mailpieces over an open end of the containment device and the second transport segment lowering the escort assemblies and respective mailpieces into the open end of the containment device, The transport mechanism furthermore aligns the edges of the mailpieces along one of the vertical walls of the containment device and positions the escort assembly through the slot of the containment device. The detachment mechanism is operative to release the mailpieces from the respective escort assembly and move the escort assemblies through the slot of the containment device.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A containment device for use in an automated sorting apparatus having a plurality of clamp assemblies for transporting, sorting, and depositing mailpieces in the container, the containment device comprising:
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a base and a plurality of vertical walls projecting from the base to define an enclosure for containing mailpieces therein; and at least one of the vertical walls including a vertical slot for accepting a clamp assembly when mailpieces are stacked within the container and when the edges are aligned along the vertical wall of the mailpiece container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A containment device, comprising:
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a base; vertical walls extending from the base to form an open end for accepting mailpieces; a recess extending on an underside of the base between the vertical walls; a lip extending outward from an edge of the vertical walls; detents provided in the lip of opposing vertical walls of the vertical walls; protrusions extending beyond the base and structured and adapted to mate with detents of a lower container in a stacked configuration of containers. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification