MAILPIECE CONTAINER FOR STACKING MIXED MAIL AND METHOD FOR STACKING MAIL THEREIN

• US 20090152804A1
• Filed: 02/20/2009
• Published: 06/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: STEMMLE, Denis J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,231,002 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 271/207
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 3/008 Means for collecting objects, e.g. containers for sorted mail items pile receivers in general B65H31/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/323 Hanging
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/4212 of articles substantially horizontal
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/422548 filling or loading process
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/422615 from opposite part-support elements, e.g. operated simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2405/55 Rail guided gripping means running in closed loop, e.g. without permanent interconnecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2801/78 Mailing systems
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 29/003 by grippers B65H29/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 31/10 and applied at the top of the pile
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 31/22 removable or interchangeable
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 31/3018 from opposite part-support elements, e.g. operated simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 31/34 Apparatus for squaring-up piled articles

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.

Claims

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.

2. The containment device according to claim 1, wherein the slot defines a width dimension greater than a width dimension of the clamp assembly.

3. The containment device according to claim 1, wherein the containment device is a transport container for delivering mailpieces along a delivery route.

4. The containment device according to claim 1, wherein the containment device is an interim container for depositing mailpieces in a transport container.

5. The containment device according to claim 4, wherein the interim container includes at least one pivotable base, an actuator for pivoting the base mechanism from a closed to an open position, and a controller for issuing an input command to the actuator for moving the base mechanism to an open position to deposit the mailpiece from the interim container to a transport container.

6. A containment device, comprising:

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.

7. The containment device according to claim 6, wherein the recess extends across the base to opposing vertical walls.

8. The containment device according to claim 6, further comprising a slot in one of the vertical walls.

9. The containment device according to claim 8, wherein the one of the vertical walls is positioned between vertical walls that include the detents.

10. The containment device according to claim 6, wherein a width of the recess is larger than a width of the lip.

11. The containment device according to claim 6, further comprising at least one pivotable base.

12. The containment device according to claim 6, wherein the at least one pivotable base includes a pair of trap doors which are pivoted to an open position by rotary actuators.