Material or article handling – Device for emptying portable receptacle – For emptying contents thereof into portable receiving means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-10
2001-05-29
Olszewski, Robert P. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Device for emptying portable receptacle
For emptying contents thereof into portable receiving means
C414S421000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06238164
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a mail tray loader transfer apparatus and, more particularly, to a tray loader uniquely adapted to transferring letter mail from a mail cartridge to a convention mail tray while maintaining the orientation and the sequential position of the letter mail as loaded into the tray.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The United States Postal Service (USPS) uses a sorting system that arranges and positions letter mail into specially designed cartridges. The cartridges are designed to interface with the sorting system, and to maintain the orientation and position of the sorted letter mail. The cartridges are relatively expensive to manufacture. A typical cartridge contains components such as springs, levers and guides that interact with one another for the cartridge to function properly, retaining letter mail as loaded into the cartridge.
The sorting system is located at a central or regional processing center operated by the USPS. Approximately, 500 million pieces of letter mail a day may be sorted and positioned into the cartridges. Subsequent to the sorting process, the cartridges loaded with sorted letter mail are shipped from the regional processing center to other locations from which the mail is distributed to the population. A concern in transporting the cartridges from the regional processing center is the possibility that the cartridges may not be returned or if returned the cartridges may have been damaged during the transportation process. Another concern, is the relatively high transportation costs associated with moving the cartridges in part due to the weight of the cartridges, which are generally manufactured of metal.
Accordingly, there is a need for a tray loader or transfer apparatus that transfers letter mail located in a cartridge to a conventional lighter and less costly tray. Conventional letter mail trays may have different dimensions than a mail cartridge consequently any transfer apparatus should be able to handle both types of letter mail receptacles. Also there is a need to maintain the original orientation of the letter mail during the transfer process between the cartridge and the conventional tray. These and other needs are addressed by the tray loader of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides apparatus for handling letter mail, specifically for transferring letter mail from one container such as a mail cartridge to a second receptacle such as a tray, while maintaining the orientation and order of the individual mail pieces during the transfer. The tray loader includes a pair of coaxial shafts for rotating a transfer platform and intermediate receiving pan. One of the coaxial shafts is motor driven and a clutch selectively couples the other shaft to the first shaft for simultaneous rotation of the shafts. An intermediate transfer pan for receiving letter mail from a first receptacle or container is mounted on the second shaft. A platform adapted to receive a letter mail receptacle is mounted on the first shaft. An elevator moves the platform along a first or longitudinal axis to position a mail cartridge or tray adjacent to the intermediate receiving pan and the platform and pan are rotated around a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, enabling the transfer of letter mail from the mail cartridge to the intermediate receiving pan by gravity.
After the letter mail has been emptied from the cartridge into the intermediate receiving pan, the transfer platform is retracted and rotated to allow the cartridge to be replaced with a tray. The transfer platform is then elevated and rotated to position it adjacent to the intermediate receiving pan. The platform and receiving pan are then rotated back to allow the letter mail to transfer by gravity into the tray. Notably, the cartridge and tray typically have different dimensions. A clamping mechanism is provided to clamp the different sized containers to the platform during the process. The operation of the apparatus is controlled with a microprocessor or other machine controller using conventional technology.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1373604 (1921-04-01), Dyer
patent: 1879393 (1932-09-01), Miller
patent: 2164222 (1939-06-01), Rietfort
patent: 2410163 (1946-10-01), Howard
patent: 4095707 (1978-06-01), Kowtko
patent: 4295776 (1981-10-01), Payne et al.
patent: 5360309 (1994-11-01), Ishiguro
patent: 5601396 (1997-02-01), Staub
patent: 5772383 (1998-06-01), Kalika et al.
Jorgenson Edward I.
O'Connor Geraqld J.
Olszewski Robert P.
Philip G. Meyers Intellectual Property Law, P.C.
Siemens ElectroCom L.P.
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