Sheet feeding or delivering – Special articles – Envelope
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-20
2001-03-20
Ellis, Christopher P. (Department: 3651)
Sheet feeding or delivering
Special articles
Envelope
C271S299000, C271S177000, C271S188000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203002
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of article delivery, and more particularly, this invention relates to the field of sorting mail.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In current post office operations, in one aspect of mail processing, mail is delivered on a flat conveyor in a horizontal configuration where a label is applied onto the mail. A bar code is then placed on the label. After label application, the mail is stored in a mail bin. The mail is conveyed horizontally on a belt conveyor and then into a horizontal-to-vertical belt assembly that turns the mail 90 degrees to orient the mail vertically. The mail then passes through a feed belt assembly that is formed from parallel feed belts, which apply pressure to the mail between the feed belts and advance the mail into the mail bin.
Usually the mail is discharged by the feed belt assembly into a rectangular configured mail bin having two parallel side walls. The mail is discharged from the feed belt assembly against one of the side walls by injecting the mail vertically and engaging the side edge against the mail bin wall. As the individual mail pieces are discharged into the mail bin, an end wall, which is biased forward, is pressed backward by the mail that is discharged from the feed belt assembly. Each mail piece initially engages with its side edge the parallel side wall of the mail bin located at the far end from the belt conveyor. With foreign mail that is often placed in thin envelopes, the side edge portion of the mail piece that first engages the side wall crumbles or folds, and causes stacking problems and inherent damage to the mail, and slowing mail processing downstream.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for sorting mail that allows discharge of individual mail pieces from a feed belt assembly into a mail bin without damaging the side edge of an individual mail piece.
In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus sorts mail and includes a mail bin for receiving individual mail pieces. A feed belt assembly feeds individual mail pieces in vertical orientation along a predetermined path of travel. The feed belt assembly has a mail discharge end positioned adjacent the mail bin for discharging mail pieces into the mail bin. The feed belt assembly includes at least one brush roll positioned at the discharge end of the feed belt assembly for imparting a concave profile to the mail upon discharge to aid in reducing any damage to a side edge of each individual mail piece discharged into the mail bin.
In still another aspect of the present invention, at least one brush roll includes an upper brush and lower brush for pushing over upper and lower edge portions of an individual mail piece to impart a concave orientation to the mail piece. A second brush roll can be positioned adjacent the first brush roll. The second brush roll has upper and lower brushes. A feed belt can be positioned adjacent the first and second brush rolls such that mail is passed between the two brush rolls and the feed belt.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the mail bin comprises a rectangular configured holding bin having parallel side walls. The mail is discharged against one of the side walls. A biased end wall is moveable for expanding space within the mail bin upon discharge of individual mail pieces into the mail bin. At least one brush roll includes a flat belt pulley. The feed belt assembly includes a flat drive belt that is received over the flat belt pulley for rotating the brush roll as the feed belt assembly feeds individual mail pieces along the predetermined path of travel.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the first brush roll has a top belt pulley and the second brush roll has a top belt pulley. A drive belt is received over the top belt pulleys of first and second brush rolls such that as a driving force is imparted onto the flat belt pulley on the first brush roll, a driving force is imparted onto the second brush roll via the drive belt.
The second brush roll can be mounted on a slidable bracket. The slidable bracket can be slid forward and backward to move the second brush roll and adjust clearance between the second brush roll and the feed belt for accommodating mail pieces of different width. A tension arm is mounted on the bracket and has a top pulley on which the drive belt is received.
In still another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of mail bins can be positioned adjacent to each other for receiving mail pieces. Each mail bin can be fed mail from a respective feed belt assembly.
In a method aspect of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of feeding individual mail pieces in vertical orientation along a predetermined path of travel into a mail bin. While feeding the mail, a concave profile is imparted to the individual mail pieces upon discharge into the mail bin to aid in reducing any damage to a side edge of each individual mail piece. In still another aspect of the present invention, the method comprises the step of feeding the mail by driving a plurality of closely positioned drive belts for advancing individual mail pieces. In still another method aspect of the present invention, a concave profile is imparted by the step of pushing over upper and lower edge portions of individual mail pieces with at least one brush roller having upper and lower brushes that engage the upper and lower edge portions. The first brush roll can be driven with a flat belt pulley and a second brush roll can be driven from the first brush roll. One of the brush rollers can be mounted on a tension arm.
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Allen Dyer Doppelt Milbrath & Gilchrist, P.A.
Bower Kenneth W
Ellis Christopher P.
Profold, Inc.
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