Parcel handling methods
First Claim
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1. A method for handling parcels comprising:
- separating a mass flow of parcels into two or more individual streams of parcels;
singulating the parcels in each of the individual streams of parcels;
aligning the singulated parcels in each of the individual streams against a respective rail extending in a conveying direction;
accumulating the singulated and aligned parcels in each of the individual streams;
conveying the accumulated, singulated, and aligned parcels of each individual stream of parcels one at a time at a steady rate through a corresponding one of two or more individual culling and facing stations;
manually culling unacceptable parcels from the individual stream of parcels at each culling and facing station as the stream of parcels is conveyed through at the steady rate;
manually facing acceptable parcels at each culling and facing station so that identifying indicia on the parcels can be read downstream as the stream of parcels is conveyed through at the steady rate.
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Abstract
Methods for preparing parcels for final sorting. The methods include dividing a mass flow of parcels into individual streams, separating and singulating the parcels in each stream, delivering each stream at a steady rate to a human operator that faces and culls the parcels, reading identifying indicia on the parcels, delivering the scanned parcels to a presorter in parallel lanes, and selectively discharging parcels from the lane closest to a side of the presorter off the side at multiple discharge points.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for handling parcels comprising:
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separating a mass flow of parcels into two or more individual streams of parcels; singulating the parcels in each of the individual streams of parcels; aligning the singulated parcels in each of the individual streams against a respective rail extending in a conveying direction; accumulating the singulated and aligned parcels in each of the individual streams; conveying the accumulated, singulated, and aligned parcels of each individual stream of parcels one at a time at a steady rate through a corresponding one of two or more individual culling and facing stations; manually culling unacceptable parcels from the individual stream of parcels at each culling and facing station as the stream of parcels is conveyed through at the steady rate; manually facing acceptable parcels at each culling and facing station so that identifying indicia on the parcels can be read downstream as the stream of parcels is conveyed through at the steady rate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification