Patent · US Active

Systems, devices and methods for receiving an item

US9505577B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
8References
31Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 9, 2015
Grant dateNov 29, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 9, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65H2701/1916
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Systems, devices and methods for receiving an item in a receptacle are disclosed. Features are disclosed for receiving and guiding an item in a receiving space of a receptacle so as to attenuate or remove the impact force of the item on the receptacle. Some embodiments of the disclosure include a bumper having an impact surface which absorbs most or all of the impact force of the item and thereby mitigates or removes the imposition of cyclic impact loads on the receptacle from repeated receipt of items. The bumper may be structurally and/or functionally de-coupled or otherwise physically separated from the receptacle such that an advantageous division of labor is created between absorbing the impact and receiving the item. This disclosure may be useful, for example, in modern industrial operations where a high volume of items are received daily, such as in mail sorting and handling operations.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.