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Transport/stacker module for mail processing system

  • US 5,293,983 A
  • Filed: 08/09/1991
  • Issued: 03/15/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A transport/stacker module comprising:

  • a support frame having a front end and a rear end, the front end being adjacent a mail induction system;

    a first pair of front sprockets mounted in the front end of the frame for rotation about a horizontal axis transverse the frame;

    a first pair of rear sprockets mounted on the rear end of the frame for rotation about a horizontal axis transverse the frame;

    an endless loop conveyor running between the first pairs of front and rear sprockets and defining a first run and a second run vertically above the first run;

    a plurality of horizontally oriented carriers attached to the conveyor at spaced intervals, each carrier receiving a mail piece from the mail induction system;

    a plurality of bins disposed between the first and second runs, each having an open top disposed below the second run;

    drive means for rotating one of the first pairs of front and rear sprockets thus moving the carriers along a transport path; and

    a plurality of rake mechanisms, one being disposed above each of the plurality of bins and above the second run, each rake mechanism being selectively actuated to rake a mail piece from a corresponding one of the carriers into a designated one of the bins as the drive means positions the corresponding carrier over the designated bin;

    wherein each carrier has two opposite ends, a bottom, a pair of opposite sides extending upwardly from the bottom, and two openable and closable doors, one being disposed at each end.

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