Sorting method and system with dynamically re-allocated sortation bins
US7923655B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 2004 |
| Grant date | Apr 12, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 31, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S209/90
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A sorter system includes a plurality of sortation bins with a feed path connected to the plurality of sortation bins for transporting media items to destination sortation bins. A controller is connected to control the plurality of sortation bins and is operable during a sortation process to reassign the destination sortation bin into which a media item is sorted. The system operation may employ a method for sorting media items where a plurality of media items are fed onto a transport system for sortation. Each media items is sorted into a destination sortation bin of a plurality of sortation bins connected to said transport system. Destination sortation bins for media items are dynamically reassigned based of the determined status of the media items in the sortation bins. The status of media items is sensed in each of said plurality of sortation bins may be determined based on sensors associated with the equipment or tracked by a controller or other techniques which track the mail pieces being processed. Destination sortation bins may be assigned to accommodate overflow capacity from existing bins thereby creating larger effective bins. They may also be assigned to allow the reuse …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.