Method of removing a flat article from a holder

• US 7,547,174 B1
• Filed: 06/23/2006
• Issued: 06/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Korber Supply Chain LLC (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Mondie, George R., Isaacs, Gerald A., Kechel, Ottmar K., Redford, Dale E., Pippin, James M., Worth, Floyd W. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Adams; Gregory W
• Application Number:
  US11/474,250
• Time in Patent Office: 1,089 Days
• Field of Search: 209/509, 209/584, 209/900, 414/265, 414/280, 414/281, 414/593, 414/807, 414/661, 198/514, 198/626.1, 198/626.2, 198/626.5, 198/726, 198/803.3, 198/867.02, 198/512, 198/517, 294/100, 534/51, 532/47, 535/42
• US Class Current: 414/280
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 3/02 Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 3/087 the objects being taken up in transport files or holders which are not part of the conveyor belts cable post B65G
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/321 Standing on edge
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/4214 of articles on edge
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/424 in sorter
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2404/2615 arranged on a movable frame, e.g. pivoting
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2405/20 Cassettes, holders, bins, decks, trays, supports or magazines for sheets stacked on edge
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2405/3521 rail guided means, e.g. without permanent interconnection
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2408/11 Sorters or machines for sorting articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2801/78 Mailing systems
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 29/14 and introducing into a pile
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 29/60 diverting the stream into alternative paths B65H29/62 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 31/02 with stationary end support against which pile accumulates
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 31/24 multiple or compartmented, e.d. for alternate, programmed, or selective filling
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 39/115 in juxtaposed carriers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 209/90 Sorting flat-type mail

Abstract

A method for sorting mail to a case having a plurality of slots is described, wherein each slot corresponds to a destination. The method includes steps of loading a mail piece to be sorted into a delivery robot, determining for the mail piece a destination slot the mail piece is to be delivered to, moving the delivery robot along a rail disposed at the front of the case near the slots into proximity with an open end of the destination slot, inserting the mail piece from the delivery robot into the associated slot, and returning the delivery robot to a loading station whereby the cycle may be repeated. Such a method, when using a large number of robots moving along a common rail system, can sort a large volume of mail in carrier delivery order.

Claims

1. A method of removing a flat article from the exit opening of a holder, comprising:

providing a holder comprising a pair of flat, rigid, spaced apart side walls, each comprising a flexible surface element in the form of a flexible belt wrapped around each side wall in a lengthwise direction of the holder with each belt in sliding contact with inner and outer surfaces of one side wall, such that the flat article is disposed in contact with the flexible belts on opposite sides, and the belts are joined together by a web into a single H-belt, and the flat article is disposed between the web and the exit opening;

moving the flat article and the flexible surface elements relative to the side walls and in the same direction at the same velocity such that there is no relative movement between the flexible surface elements and the flat article; and

driving the H-belt far enough to urge the flat article from the exit opening of the holder; and

pulling the flexible moveable surface elements around edges of the side walls adjacent the exit opening of the holder such the flexible surface elements change direction, pulling away from the flat article, wherein the surface elements move relative to the side walls, the surface elements carrying the flat article through the holder and ejecting it from the exit opening.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the flat article is a mail piece.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the web engages the flat article at its rear end during the driving step.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the web has a post set therein, further comprising

moving the side walls relative to the flat article while securing the post such that the surface elements move with the flat article in the holder, then change direction at the exit opening, pulling away from the flat article.

5. A method of removing a flat article from an exit opening of a holder, the comprising;

providing a holder comprising a pair of flat, rigid, spaced apart side walls and an H-belt comprising a pair of flexible belts wrapped about each side wall joined by a web disposed between the side walls, each belt in sliding contact with inner and outer surfaces of one side wall, and such that the flat article is disposed in contact with the flexible belts on opposite sides between the web and the exit opening, and the web engages the flat article at its rear end;

moving the flat article and the H-belt relative to the side walls and in the same direction at the same velocity such that there is no relative movement between the H-belt and the flat article;

driving the H-belt to urge the flat article from the holder; and

pulling the flexible belts around edges of the side walls adjacent the exit opening of the holder such the belts change direction, pulling away from the flat article, wherein the H-belt moves relative to the side walls, carrying the flat article through the holder and ejecting it from the exit opening.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the web has a post set therein, further comprising

moving the side walls relative to the flat article while securing the post such that the belts move with the flat article in the holder, then change direction at the exit opening, pulling away from the flat article.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the flat article is a mail piece.