Apparatus and method for positioning objects/mailpieces
First Claim
1. An apparatus for positioning objects at a desired reference position, comprising:
- a sensor for determining the length of each object from a leading to a trailing edge thereof and issuing signals indicative of length;
a transport mechanism for transporting the object, the transport mechanism including a positionable drive element, anda processor, responsive to the length signal, for issuing a position signal to the positionable drive element, the drive element operative to release the object upon reaching the desired reference position.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for positioning objects at a desired reference position, including a sensor for determining the length of each object/mailpiece from a leading to a trailing edge, a transport mechanism having a positionable drive element for transporting the object/mailpiece, and a controller or processor for controlling the position of the drive element to release the object/mailpiece at a desired reference position. The described embodiments of the invention relate to positioning an object/mailpiece in a clamp assembly of a mixed mail sorter. The jaws of the clamp assembly are separated to receive the object/mailpiece by a pair of spiral cams. The spiral cams interpose and engage tabs of each jaw to open and close the clamp assembly as they concomitantly effect translation of the clamp assembly linearly past the positioning apparatus. The apparatus and method ensures predictable conveyance and release of objects/mailpieces while being manipulated by automated handling equipment.
103 Citations
32 Claims
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1. An apparatus for positioning objects at a desired reference position, comprising:
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a sensor for determining the length of each object from a leading to a trailing edge thereof and issuing signals indicative of length; a transport mechanism for transporting the object, the transport mechanism including a positionable drive element, and a processor, responsive to the length signal, for issuing a position signal to the positionable drive element, the drive element operative to release the object upon reaching the desired reference position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for transporting and positioning mailpieces of variable size into a clamp assembly, comprising:
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a drive mechanism including a pair of rotating spiral cams engaging jaws of the clamp assembly, the spiral cams effecting separation and closure of the clamp assembly jaws; a mailpiece length sensor for determining the length of each mailpiece from a leading to a trailing edge thereof and issuing a signal indicative of the length of each mailpiece; a transport mechanism for transporting the mailpiece toward the clamp assembly, the transport mechanism including a positionable drive element, a processor, responsive to the length signal, for issuing a position signal to the positionable drive element, the drive element operative to move in response to the position signal and release the mailpiece to a desired reference position within the jaws of the clamp assembly. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for positioning an object to a reference position, the object having a leading and trailing edge, the method comprising:
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transporting the object; measuring a length dimension between the leading and trailing edges of the object during transport; calculating a desired position for a positionable drive element as a function of said measuring of the length dimension of the object; moving the positionable drive element to the desired position to release the object upon the object reaching the desired reference position. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for transporting and positioning mailpieces of variable length dimension into a clamp assembly, the method comprising:
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feeding mailpieces to a transport mechanism; transporting the mailpieces; measuring a length dimension between a leading and trailing edge of each mailpiece during transport; providing a plurality of clamp assemblies each having a pair of separable jaws; separating the jaws of each clamp assembly to receive each mailpiece; calculating a desired position for a positionable drive element; moving the positionable drive element to the desired position to release the mailpiece upon reaching the desired reference position. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An apparatus for positioning objects at a desired reference position, comprising:
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a transport mechanism for transporting objects in succession lengthwise along an object transport path; the transport mechanism comprising; a positionable drive element; a mechanism to position the positionable drive element selectively with respect to the object transport path in response to a position signal; a sensor for (1) determining object length from a leading edge to a trailing edge of each the object as each the object is transported along the object transport path, and (2) issuing an object length signal indicative the object length; a processor, responsive to the object length signal, for issuing the position signal to the positionable drive element to position the positionable drive element at a position as a function of the object length to release the object upon reaching the desired reference position.
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30. An apparatus comprising:
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a transport mechanism for transporting objects in succession lengthwise along an object transport path; a drive mechanism positioned to receive the objects from the transport mechanism and to drive the objects in succession along a direction transverse to the lengths of the objects with each of the objects being maintained in desired reference position while being driven by the drive mechanism; the transport mechanism comprising; a positionable drive element; a mechanism to position the positionable drive element selectively with respect to the object transport path in response to a position signal; a sensor for (1) determining object length from a leading edge to a trailing edge of each the object as each the object is transported along the object transport path, and (2) issuing an object length signal indicative the object length; a processor, responsive to the object length signal, for issuing the position signal to the positionable drive element to position the positionable drive element at a position as a function of the object length to release the object upon reaching the desired reference position to be driven by the drive mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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Specification