Flats bundle collator
US6748294B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 23, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 8, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 23, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB07C3/00
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention relates to an apparatus for collating a plurality of separate groups or bundles of similar flats mailpieces arranged in a predetermined delivery point sequence, each mailpiece imprinted with a distinct delivery point or address indicia, to produce a single stream of mailpieces in new groups, where each new group comprises a plurality of mailpieces all addressed to a distinct delivery point. The apparatus comprises a plurality of feed units, each unit configured to process a quantity of similar mailpieces, each with a distinct delivery point indicia on the face of the mailpiece, and to deposit each mailpiece in a distinct pocket on a collation conveyor which traverses all of the plurality of feed units. Each pocket will ultimately contain different mail pieces, all addressed to the same delivery point. Multiple new groups of mailpieces are then automatically placed in containers in a sequence corresponding to a predetermined delivery route.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.