MAIL PIECE INSERTION MECHANISMS AND METHODS OF USE

• US 20100139221A1
• Filed: 12/04/2009
• Published: 06/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: GAUG, Mark, DALTON, Bryan, NASAKAITIS, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,695,313 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 53/473
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 3/02 Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/04 Packaging single articles

Abstract

A mail piece insertion mechanism is provided and, more particularly, mail piece insertion mechanisms and methods used for inserting mail pieces such as, for example, residual mail, into individual mail piece folders or containers is provided. The method of inserting mail pieces into folders includes opening the folders and aligning a mechanism with the opened folders and inserting the mail pieces therein. The insertion mechanism includes a mechanism configured open folders and a mechanism configured to insert mail pieces into the open folders.

Claims

1. A method of inserting mail pieces into folders comprising:

opening the folders; and

aligning a mechanism with the opened folders and inserting the mail pieces therein.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising placing the mail piece in a carrier.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the aligning includes placing the carrier over the opened folders.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising opening a bottom of the carrier when the carrier is over the opened folders to insert the mail pieces into the opened folders.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising opening a door or other blocking mechanism on a transport system to insert the mail pieces in the opened folders.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the aligning includes aligning the folders under a sliding mechanism.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising opening a door on the sliding mechanism in order to insert the mail piece into the opened folders.

8. An insertion mechanism, comprising

a mechanism configured to open folders;

and

a mechanism configured to insert mail pieces into the open folders.

9. The insertion mechanism of claim 8, wherein the mechanism configured to open the folders is a tab or protrusion configured to contact a object.

10. The insertion mechanism of claim 8, wherein the mechanism configured to open the folders is a floor which contacts a hinge mounted collapsible folder.

11. The insertion mechanism of claim 8, wherein the mechanism configured to insert mail pieces into the open folders includes a sliding mechanism aligned with the open folders.

12. The insertion mechanism of claim 8, wherein the mechanism configured to insert mail pieces into the open folders are carriers movable to be aligned with the open folders.

13. The insertion mechanism of claim 12, wherein the carriers have releasable bottoms.

14. The insertion mechanism of claim 12, wherein the carriers are aligned with slides.

15. The insertion mechanism of claim 8, wherein the mechanism configured to insert mail pieces into the open folders is an elongated slide with doors configured to be opened and closed.