System and method of article feeder operation

US11319174B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• United States Postal Service · US

Inventors

• John W. Brown · Flemington, US
• Edward F. Houston · Bristow, US
• Juan A. Roman · Fairfax, US
• Leung M. Shiu · Harrisburg, US
• Riley H. Mayhall · Germantown, US
• Thomas A. Hillerich · Jeffersontown, US
• Jacob L. Timm · Pasadena, US
• Matthew G. Good · Eldersburg, US
• William P. McConnell · Saint Augustine, US
• Robert L. Schlender · Columbia, US
• Christopher D. Austin · Parkville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 21, 2020
• Grant date: May 3, 2022
• Expiry date: Nov 3, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65H2701/1916
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Embodiments of a system and method for shingulating, singulating, and synchronizing articles in an article feeder system are disclosed. The article feeder system may include a shingulating device configured to receive a stack of articles and to produce a positively lapped stack of articles, a plurality of picking devices configured to pick one or more articles from the positively lapped stack of articles and to produce one or more singulated articles, and one or more synchronization devices configured to deliver the one or more singulated articles to one or more sorter windows.