A method for rapidly stacking and dropping sheets is provided. The method comprises receiving a plurality of sheets from a sheet delivery device onto a landing platform of a stacking and dropping apparatus. The method also comprises lowering the landing platform from an original upper position. Lowering comprises maintaining a drop height between the sheet delivery device and a stack of delivered sheets. The method also comprises sending a delay signal that comprises a command to delay the receiving of the plurality of sheets from the sheet delivery device. The delay signal is sent in response to a detection of a predetermined stack height of the stack of delivered sheets. The method also comprises sending a movement signal, immediately following the sending of the delay signal. The movement signal comprises a command to move the landing platform, such that the plurality of sheets are received by a catch tray unit. The method also comprises dropping, utilizing the catch tray unit, the plurality of sheets onto a sheet receiving device. The method also comprises returning, automatically, the landing platform to the original upper position. The method also comprises sending a resume signal, that includes a command to the sheet delivery device to resume sheet delivery. The delay signal, movement signal and resume signal are sent by a central processor component of the stacking and dropping apparatus.

A device for the insertion of banknotes into containers in machines suitable for receiving and handling banknotes, comprises a container for the banknotes, adapted to be closed and removed from the machine once filled, and a loading path, diverting from a circulation path inside the machine and ending at said container, for the insertion of banknotes into the container. The device further comprises at least one scanner, placed along the loading path, for the optical detection of images of the banknotes entering into the container and a memory connected to the scanner for storing the images detected thereby.

Postal sorting equipment for sorting flat mailpieces comprises a postal sorting machine, a storage-tray conveyor for conveying open-topped storage trays filled with mailpieces stacked flat, a shuttle-tray conveyor for conveying substantially L-shaped open-fronted shuttle trays, and in which the mailpieces are placed on-edge in stacks, and a tray interchanger suitable for automatically transferring the mailpieces stored flat in an open-topped storage tray to an open-fronted shuttle tray, the feed inlet comprising an unstacker with a fork-shaped magazine with tines, each of which is constituted by a motor-driven belt, the shuttle tray and the fork-shaped magazine being designed so that, by advancing towards the unstacker, the shuttle tray is engaged by the motor-driven belts of the unstacker magazine that come to be inserted under the mailpiece stack disposed on-edge in the shuttle tray, the unstacker magazine including a conveyor section that is mounted to move in elevation under the magazine tines.

Presently disclosed embodiments are directed to a system and method for loading mail trays in a sorter without human intervention. Specifically, the disclosed embodiments utilize an automated mail tray having a bottom plate that is selectively moveable between an elevated position and a lowered position. The automated mail tray may be positioned on a shelf under a corresponding output pocket of a mail stacker, and the bottom plate may be elevated to receive mail product transferred from the output pocket to the automated mail tray. After receiving the mail product on the elevated bottom plate, the bottom plate of the mail tray may be lowered so that the mail product is transferred from the output pocket to a position fully situated in the automated mail tray. The mail tray filled with mail product may then be removed from the shelf and replaced with an empty automated mail tray.

Systems, devices and methods for receiving an item in a receptacle are disclosed. Features are disclosed for receiving and guiding an item in a receiving space of a receptacle so as to attenuate or remove the impact force of the item on the receptacle. Some embodiments of the disclosure include a bumper having an impact surface which absorbs most or all of the impact force of the item and thereby mitigates or removes the imposition of cyclic impact loads on the receptacle from repeated receipt of items. The bumper may be structurally and/or functionally de-coupled or otherwise physically separated from the receptacle such that an advantageous division of labor is created between absorbing the impact and receiving the item. This disclosure may be useful, for example, in modern industrial operations where a high volume of items are received daily, such as in mail sorting and handling operations.

Provided is a sheet storage apparatus capable of storing as many sheets as possible in a storage bag. The sheet storage apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a moving section that moves a sheet to a back side, in a storing direction, of a storage bag fixed so that the storing direction is horizontal or closer to horizontal than to vertical; a first storage bag support that supports a bottom surface of the storage bag; and a second storage bag support that is positioned on the back side from the first storage bag support in the storing direction and supports the bottom surface of the storage bag at a position lower than the first storage bag support.

Storage tray for automatically unloading stacks of flat articles stacked on edge, the storage tray having panels and a bottom plate provided with slots through which moving fingers can pass for moving the edges of the flat articles away from or towards the bottom plate and for automatically unloading the flat articles from the storage tray, and for automatically loading the flat articles into the storage tray, the panels defining bearing faces suitable for receiving the flanks of the stacks of flat articles and provided with grooves in register with the ends of the slots so that the moving fingers extend beyond the stack of flat articles into the grooves so as to ensure that all of the flat articles are moved. Also a method of loading and of unloading the storage tray.

The sheet storage apparatus of the present disclosure includes an attachment unit to which a storing bag for sheets is attached; a holding unit that holds the sheets toward an inner side in a storage direction of the storing bag attached to the attachment unit, the sheets being stacked and stored in the storing bag; and a closing unit that closes an entrance of the storing bag by sandwiching the storing bag from outside thereof. The closing unit closes the entrance by moving from a first position to a second position, the first position being a position before the closing unit starts sandwiching the storing bag, the second position being a position when the closing unit sandwiches the storing bag. The closing unit passes through the inner side in the storage direction than the first position between moving from the first position to the second position.

The filling of value documents cassettes involves a cassette receiving device for receiving a value document cassette and a gripping device for transporting a value document stack from a value document container into the value document cassette. The apparatus optionally has a formatting device for the automatic alignment of a value document stack removed from the value document container before the stack is inserted in the value document cassette. A finger element is attached to the transport device of the gripping device, and besides the gripping device, the finger element is guided into the value document cassette before the value documents are inserted.

The present invention guides an accommodation portion so that its insertion is not hindered when inserting it into a housing. An accommodation system includes an accommodation unit to hold recording material and a connection unit connected to the lower part of the accommodation unit. The accommodation unit includes a housing and an accommodation portion to hold the recording material and move between a first position pulled out from the housing and a second position inserted into the housing. The connection unit includes a guide portion to guide the accommodation portion's movement. In moving from the first to the second position, the accommodation portion contacts the guide portion and is guided upward.