System and method of unloading a container of items

US9943883B2 · 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
• William P. McConnell · Saint Augustine, US
• Matthew G. Good · Eldersburg, US
• Robert E. Hume · Granite, US
• Darin Dickey · Owings Mills, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 21, 2015
• Grant date: Apr 17, 2018
• Expiry date: May 21, 2035

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 unloading articles from a container of items for use in an automatic stack feeder are disclosed. The automatic stack feeder may comprise a belt, a moveable lower paddle, and a moveable upper paddle, wherein the lower paddle is configured to partially extend through a belt of the automatic stack feeder. The movement of the belt, the lower paddle, and the upper paddle are coordinated such that there is no need to interrupt the operation of the automatic stack feeder to unload the container.