Mail sorter for simultaneous sorting using multiple algorithms
First Claim
1. A mail sorter for sorting inbound mail pieces and outbound mail pieces, the sorter comprising:
- a plurality of sorter modules that are arranged in cooperative engagement with each other, and are configured to receive mail pieces that are a mixture of both inbound mail pieces and outbound mail pieces, and configured to sort both the inbound mail pieces and the outbound mail pieces; and
at least one unsorted mail piece path utilized by both the inbound mail pieces and the outbound mail pieces,wherein the outbound mail pieces are mail pieces destined for sorting at a remote postal facility prior to delivery to destination addresses, and wherein the inbound mail pieces are other mail pieces.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mail sorter, method, and software product are used for sorting inbound mail pieces and outbound mail pieces. The mail sorter includes sorter modules cooperatively engaged with each other, so as to receive mail pieces that are a mixture of both inbound mail pieces and outbound mail pieces, and so as to sort both the inbound mail pieces and the outbound mail pieces. The mail sorter also includes an unsorted mail piece path that is utilized by both the inbound mail pieces and the outbound mail pieces. The outbound mail pieces are mail pieces destined for sorting at a remote postal facility prior to delivery to destination addresses, whereas the inbound mail pieces are mail pieces that are not destined for sorting at a remote postal facility prior to delivery to destination addresses.
128 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A mail sorter for sorting inbound mail pieces and outbound mail pieces, the sorter comprising:
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a plurality of sorter modules that are arranged in cooperative engagement with each other, and are configured to receive mail pieces that are a mixture of both inbound mail pieces and outbound mail pieces, and configured to sort both the inbound mail pieces and the outbound mail pieces; and at least one unsorted mail piece path utilized by both the inbound mail pieces and the outbound mail pieces, wherein the outbound mail pieces are mail pieces destined for sorting at a remote postal facility prior to delivery to destination addresses, and wherein the inbound mail pieces are other mail pieces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for sorting inbound mail pieces and outbound mail pieces, the method comprising:
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arranging a plurality of sorter modules in cooperative engagement with each other; receiving mail that is a mixture of both inbound mail pieces and outbound mail pieces; utilizing at least one unsorted mail piece path by both the inbound mail pieces and the outbound mail pieces; sorting both the inbound mail pieces and the outbound mail pieces using the plurality of sorter modules; and wherein the outbound mail pieces are mail pieces destined for sorting at a remote postal facility prior to delivery to destination addresses, and wherein the inbound mail pieces are other mail pieces. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method comprising:
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loading various size mail pieces into clamps; sorting the mail pieces into a desired order; further sorting the mail pieces into at least two mail streams based upon whether the size of each mail piece is above or below a specified size; and unloading and stacking the mail pieces using at least two different stacking methods for the at least two of the mail streams. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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Specification