Storage rack for storing sorted mailpieces

• US 6,435,353 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2001
• Issued: 08/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: Schulz, Kenneth A., Steinmetz, John H., Ryan, William E. Jr., Shaw, Lyle W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walsh, Donald P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RODRIGUEZ, JOSEPH C
• Application Number:
  US09/922,031
• Publication Number:
  US 20010042706A1
• Time in Patent Office: 382 Days
• Field of Search: 209/703, 209/704, 209/706, 209/707, 209/900, 209/911, 211/59.2, 211/90.2, 211/107
• US Class Current: 209/706
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 1/025 Devices for the temporary stacking of objects provided with a stacking and destacking device (interstack device)
• 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: Y10S 209/90 Sorting flat-type mail

Abstract

This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing an apparatus that will assist in sorting mailpieces which increases the efficiency of the mail sorting apparatus, provides an organized space for intermediate storage of mailpieces and provides ergonomic features that reduce injury to the mail sorting apparatus operator and increases productivity. The present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a mailpiece storage rack. The storage rack is used to hold partially sorted mailpieces between sorting passes in multiple pass sorting of mailpieces using a mail sorting apparatus or stores mailpieces after sortation and prior to delivery. The storage rack maintains the grouping, sequence and stack quality or alignment of partially sorted mailpieces which provides for more efficient refeeding. The rack is designed ergonomically for easy transferring of mail into and out of storage and also provides for organized workflow. The storage rack may be configured to accept containers such as, for example, standard tubs used by national posts, and/or custom tubs designed for mailer environments.

Claims

1. A rack for storing sorted mailpieces that have been sorted by an automated mail sorting apparatus comprising:

a plurality of shelves each comprising an upper end and a lower end and configured to accept and store mail containers;

a shelf extension projecting from the lower end of at least one shelf of the plurality of shelves for holding at least one of the mail containers at a compound angle, each shelf extension comprising at least one rest for holding one of the mail containers for facilitating access by an operator;

the compound angle comprising the angle of the extension to the horizontal axis of between greater than about 0 degrees and not more than about 50 degrees and an angle of the rest with respect to a front edge of the rack of between greater than about 0 degrees and less than about 90 degrees.

2. The rack as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

a ridge secured at the lower end of at least one of the plurality of shelves to keep a forward most mail container on the shelf from sliding onto the extension.

3. The rack as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of shelves further comprises at least a portion that has an anti-friction configuration.

4. The rack as claimed in claim 3 wherein the anti-friction configuration is Delrin®

brand acetal polymer resin.

5. The rack as claimed in claim 3 wherein the anti-friction configuration comprises a ball bearing mechanism.

6. The rack as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of shelves comprises a top, middle and lower shelf, the top shelf positioned at an angle of about 13 degrees to horizontal, the middle shelf positioned at an angle in the range of about between 10 and 15 degrees to horizontal and the lower shelf is positioned at an angle of about 13 degrees to horizontal.

7. The rack as claimed in claim 6 wherein the shelf extension projecting from the lower end of the upper shelf is at an angle of about 50 degrees to horizontal.

8. The rack as claimed in claim 7 wherein the shelf extension projecting from the lower end of the middle shelf is at an angle of about 30 degrees to horizontal.

9. The rack as claimed in claim 8 wherein the shelf extension for the top shelf projects from the top shelf at a first horizontal distance and the shelf extension for the middle shelf projects from the middle shelf at second horizontal distance which is greater than the first horizontal distance.

10. The rack as claimed in claim 1 further comprising adjustable feet for the rack height.