A computer controlled mail piece assembly and wrapping system discloses a process for culling candidate mail pieces from bulk mail pieces, a mail piece feeder, a mail piece reader coupled to the feeder that identifies suitable candidate mail pieces, a collator coupled to the feeder for collating multiple identified mail pieces, a buffer coupled to the collator for regulating the delivery rate of the multiple mail pieces exiting to a wrap inserter, a wrap inserter coupled to the buffer for wrapping mail pieces and selected inserts into a mailing container, a printer interfaced with the wrap inserter for printing information onto the mailing container; an outstacker coupled to the wrap inserter for transferring envelope wrapped mail pieces and selected inserts to a desired location, and a computer with suitable programming for operating the system.

A computer controlled mail piece assembly and wrapping system discloses a process for culling candidate mail pieces from bulk mail pieces, a mail piece feeder, a mail piece reader coupled to the feeder that identifies suitable candidate mail pieces, a collator coupled to the feeder for collating multiple identified mail pieces, a buffer coupled to the collator for regulating the delivery rate of the multiple mail pieces exiting to a wrap inserter, a wrap inserter coupled to the buffer for wrapping mail pieces and selected inserts into a mailing container, a printer interfaced with the wrap inserter for printing information onto the mailing container; an outstacker coupled to the wrap inserter for transferring envelope wrapped mail pieces and selected inserts to a desired location, and a computer with suitable programming for operating the system.

A system includes an article supply location, wherein the article supply location includes a plurality of articles to be sorted, first and second transport vehicles, each having a first position in which an article is stowed about the vehicle and a second position in which the article is deposited into a proximal container. And a control system. The control system is configured to receive an order for a plurality of disparate articles, determine one destination container of a plurality of destination containers to direct the transport vehicle to deposit a selected article, direct the first transport vehicle to transport a selected article to the destination container and deposit the article by manipulation of the first transport vehicle from the first position to the second position for deposit of the selected article in the destination container.

A system includes an article supply location, wherein the article supply location includes a plurality of articles to be sorted, first and second transport vehicles, each having a first position in which an article is stowed about the vehicle and a second position in which the article is deposited into a proximal container. And a control system. The control system is configured to receive an order for a plurality of disparate articles, determine one destination container of a plurality of destination containers to direct the transport vehicle to deposit a selected article, direct the first transport vehicle to transport a selected article to the destination container and deposit the article by manipulation of the first transport vehicle from the first position to the second position for deposit of the selected article in the destination container.

A sorting device and a method for sorting articles at delivery points are shown, the sorting device having a conveying device comprising transport platforms that are movable along a transport direction for transporting the articles and for delivering the articles to the delivery points, with the transport platforms having a bearing surface for the articles and with at least one transport platform having a first delivery device for vertically delivering the articles from the bearing surface to at least one first delivery point. To provide a sorting device for reliable and careful joint sorting of articles with different transport and delivery requirements, at least one transport platform has a second delivery device for laterally delivering the articles from the bearing surface to at least one second delivery point.

A sorting device and a method for sorting articles at delivery points are shown, the sorting device having a conveying device comprising transport platforms that are movable along a transport direction for transporting the articles and for delivering the articles to the delivery points, with the transport platforms having a bearing surface for the articles and with at least one transport platform having a first delivery device for vertically delivering the articles from the bearing surface to at least one first delivery point. To provide a sorting device for reliable and careful joint sorting of articles with different transport and delivery requirements, at least one transport platform has a second delivery device for laterally delivering the articles from the bearing surface to at least one second delivery point.

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.

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.

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.

A device for feeding items to a sorting machine, including: a conveyor plane (26) for feeding items or parcels along an advancement direction (A1); an optical detection device (18), to allow the acquisition, while the items are in motion on the conveyor plane (26) of the three-dimensional coordinates of a determined number of points on the surface of the items and to organize them into coordinate vectors; a manipulator (19) provided to pick the items from the conveyor plane (26) and to place the items picked in a desired position; a control system, provided to process, for each item in motion on the conveyor plane (26), the coordinate vectors in order to obtain a three-dimensional representation of the item, including the information based on which the control system handles the manipulator for picking and placing the items.

The invention also relates to a sorting machine and a method for feeding items to a sorting machine aimed at increasing production capacity and accuracy thereof.