公开(公告)号：US20210229930A1

公开(公告)日：2021-07-29

申请号：US17160555

申请日：2021-01-28

Applicant: United States Postal Service

Inventor： Thomas C. Potter ,  Daniel Mark

IPC: B65G47/26 ,  B65G47/31 ,  B65G47/49

Abstract: A sorting machine can include an output bin that includes a transport belt to transport a delivery item (e.g., a letter) from a distribution belt at a first speed. The output bin can include a braking roller to reduce the speed of the delivery item by operating at a second tangential speed that is slower than the first speed. The output bin can also include an auger assembly to apply a force to move at least the trailing portion of the item in a manner that clears the path to the braking roller for additional delivery items. The output bin can also include a bumper pad to stop the delivery item, where the delivery item is stopped against the bumper pad after being slowed down by contact with the braking roller. The slowed speed causes the delivery item to come to rest approximately in alignment with additional delivery items.

公开(公告)号：US10822185B2

公开(公告)日：2020-11-03

申请号：US16406350

申请日：2019-05-08

Applicant: United States Postal Service

Inventor： Christopher M. Stratton ,  Gregory J. Smith ,  Thomas C. Potter ,  Wayne R. Perry-Eaton

IPC: B65G65/34

Abstract: Features for loading, transporting and unloading of items are disclosed. Systems, devices and methods for such operations using a tray are described. In some embodiments, a tray having a moveable bottom allows for switching between a configuration for loading and unloading items in and out of the tray and a configuration for transportation of items inside the tray. The trays may also be stacked, for transportation of multiple trays at once, and nested, for saving space when storing the trays. In some embodiments, the trays may be used in conjunction with loading and unloading systems.

公开(公告)号：US20190091728A1

公开(公告)日：2019-03-28

申请号：US16205837

申请日：2018-11-30

Applicant: United States Postal Service

Inventor： Christopher M. Stratton ,  Gregory J. Smith ,  Thomas C. Potter

IPC: B07C3/08 ,  B07C3/06 ,  B07C3/00 ,  B07C5/00 ,  B07C5/04 ,  B07C5/38 ,  B07C3/18 ,  B65H43/00 ,  B07C3/02

CPC classification number: B07C3/087 ,  B07C3/00 ,  B07C3/008 ,  B07C3/02 ,  B07C3/06 ,  B07C3/18 ,  B07C5/00 ,  B07C5/04 ,  B07C5/38 ,  B65H43/00 ,  B65H2301/43 ,  B65H2301/432

Abstract: Sorting systems and methods for large quantities of items in industrial processes are described. The systems, devices and methods are for receiving, sorting and removing items dynamically. A first group of items, such as letters or other mail pieces, are injected by a belt into a pocket to a form a first stack, and a divider is extended near the first stack. The divider allows for a second group of items to either be injected to form a second stack behind the divider, or to be diverted and injected into another pocket. The first stack can be removed while the second group is being injected.

公开(公告)号：US20170354993A1

公开(公告)日：2017-12-14

申请号：US15610206

申请日：2017-05-31

Applicant: United States Postal Service

Inventor： Christopher M. Stratton ,  Gregory J. Smith ,  Thomas C. Potter

IPC: B07C3/06 ,  B07C3/00

CPC classification number: B07C3/06 ,  B07C3/00 ,  B07C3/003 ,  B07C3/008 ,  B07C3/02 ,  B07C3/08 ,  B07C3/087 ,  B07C3/18 ,  B07C5/00 ,  B07C5/04 ,  B07C5/38 ,  B65H43/00 ,  B65H2301/43 ,  B65H2301/432

Abstract: Sorting systems and methods for large quantities of items in industrial processes are described. The systems, devices and methods are for receiving, sorting and removing items dynamically. A first group of items, such as letters or other mail pieces, are injected by a belt into a pocket to a form a first stack, and a progressive displacement divider with amplified output for a given input is extended near the first stack. The divider allows for a second group of items to either be injected to form a second stack behind the divider, or to be diverted and injected into another pocket. The first stack can be removed while the second group is being injected.

公开(公告)号：USD804822S1

公开(公告)日：2017-12-12

申请号：US29569120

申请日：2016-06-23

Applicant: United States Postal Service

Designer： Christopher M. Stratton ,  Gregory J. Smith ,  Thomas C. Potter

公开(公告)号：USD780452S1

公开(公告)日：2017-03-07

申请号：US29540955

申请日：2015-09-29

Applicant: United States Postal Service

Designer： Christopher M. Stratton ,  Gregory J. Smith ,  Thomas C. Potter

公开(公告)号：USD924675S1

公开(公告)日：2021-07-13

申请号：US29726994

申请日：2020-03-06

Applicant: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE

Designer： Thomas C. Potter ,  Scott R. Bombaugh ,  Terry M. Gingell ,  Anthony Taylor ,  Christopher M. Stratton ,  Benjamin Schwind

公开(公告)号：US10913621B2

公开(公告)日：2021-02-09

申请号：US16132178

申请日：2018-09-14

Applicant: United States Postal Service

Inventor： Christopher M. Stratton ,  Gregory J. Smith ,  Thomas C. Potter ,  Wayne R. Perry-Eaton

IPC: B65G65/32

Abstract: Features for loading, transporting and unloading of items are disclosed. Systems, devices and methods for such operations using a tray are described. In some embodiments, a tray having a moveable bottom allows for switching between a configuration for loading and unloading items in and out of the tray and a configuration for transportation of items inside the tray. The trays may also be stacked, for transportation of multiple trays at once, and nested, for saving space when storing the trays. In some embodiments, the trays may be used in conjunction with loading and unloading systems.

公开(公告)号：US10722921B2

公开(公告)日：2020-07-28

申请号：US16678414

申请日：2019-11-08

Applicant: United States Postal Service

Inventor： Christopher M. Stratton ,  Gregory J. Smith ,  Thomas C. Potter

IPC: B07C3/06 ,  B07C3/08 ,  B07C5/04 ,  B65H43/00 ,  B07C3/00 ,  B07C3/18 ,  B07C5/38 ,  B07C3/02 ,  B07C5/00

Abstract: Sorting systems and methods for large quantities of items in industrial processes are described. The systems, devices and methods are for receiving, sorting and removing items dynamically. A first group of items, such as letters or other mail pieces, are injected by a belt into a pocket to a form a first stack, and a divider is extended near the first stack. The divider allows for a second group of items to either be injected to form a second stack behind the divider, or to be diverted and injected into another pocket. The first stack can be removed while the second group is being injected.

公开(公告)号：US10471475B2

公开(公告)日：2019-11-12

申请号：US16205837

申请日：2018-11-30

Applicant: United States Postal Service

Inventor： Christopher M. Stratton ,  Gregory J. Smith ,  Thomas C. Potter

IPC: B07C3/06 ,  B07C3/08 ,  B07C5/04 ,  B65H43/00 ,  B07C3/00 ,  B07C3/18 ,  B07C5/38 ,  B07C3/02 ,  B07C5/00

Abstract: Sorting systems and methods for large quantities of items in industrial processes are described. The systems, devices and methods are for receiving, sorting and removing items dynamically. A first group of items, such as letters or other mail pieces, are injected by a belt into a pocket to a form a first stack, and a divider is extended near the first stack. The divider allows for a second group of items to either be injected to form a second stack behind the divider, or to be diverted and injected into another pocket. The first stack can be removed while the second group is being injected.