REPOSITIONING AND RETAINING DEVICE FOR MAIL DELIVERY TRAYS AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME

Abstract

A repositioning and retaining device for a mail delivery tray is provided. The device includes a central body to receive at least one mailpiece thereagainst. The central body defines a substantially planar surface. The device also includes at least one intermediate portion operatively connected and arranged substantially perpendicular to the central body. The at least one intermediate portion provides a lateral boundary for the at least one mailpiece. The device further includes at least one peripheral guide extending outward from and in a direction transverse to the central body and operatively connected to the at least one intermediate portion. The at least one peripheral guide engages with a sidewall of the tray to orient and removably secure the device to the tray. A system for repositioning and retaining mail and a method of using the repositioning and retaining device for a mail delivery tray are also provided.

Claims

1. A repositioning and retaining device for a mail delivery tray, the device comprising: a central body configured to receive at least one mailpiece thereagainst, the central body defining a substantially planar surface; at least one intermediate portion operatively connected and arranged substantially perpendicular to the central body, the at least one intermediate portion configured to provide a lateral boundary for the at least one mailpiece; and at least one peripheral guide extending outward from and in a direction transverse to the central body and operatively connected to the at least one intermediate portion, the at least one peripheral guide configured to engage with a sidewall of the tray to orient the device relative to the tray and to removably secure the device to the tray.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device includes at least one retention feature, the at least one retention feature configured to interact with the tray to minimize undesired movement of the device relative to the tray.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the central body includes the at least one retention feature, and wherein the at least one retention feature includes a plurality of fins extending away from a bottom of the central body.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the at least one peripheral guide includes a downwardly extending flange, an interior surface of the flange configured to interact with an exterior surface of the sidewall of the tray, and wherein the flange includes the at least one retention feature.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the at least one retention feature includes a plurality of ridges extending from the interior surface of the flange towards the central body.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the at least one retention feature includes a protruding lip extending from a distal end of the flange towards the central body.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one peripheral guide includes a first peripheral guide and a second peripheral guide, the first peripheral guide and the second peripheral guide extending from opposing sides of the central body, and the first peripheral guide being parallel to the second peripheral guide.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is of unitary construction.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is formed by a process selected from the group consisting of: injection molding, vacuum forming, roto-molding, and 3D printing.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polycarbonate (PC), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), any derivative of Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polyamide (PA), and Polyoxymethylene (POM).

11. A system for repositioning and retaining mail, the system comprising: a mail delivery tray, the tray comprising: a bottom surface; and at least one sidewall extending away from the bottom surface; and a repositioning and retaining device, the device comprising: a central body configured to receive at least one mailpiece thereagainst, the central body defining a substantially planar surface, the surface arranged at an angle relative to the bottom surface of the tray and configured to arrange the at least one mailpiece at the angle; at least one intermediate portion operatively connected to the central body, the at least one intermediate portion configured to provide a lateral boundary for the at least one mailpiece; and at least one peripheral guide extending outward from and in a direction transverse to the central body and operatively connected to the at least one intermediate portion, the at least one peripheral guide configured to engage with the at least one sidewall of the tray to orient the device relative to the tray and to removably secure the device to the tray.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the angle between the surface and the bottom surface of the tray is between 45° and 90°.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the angle between the surface and the bottom surface of the tray is approximately 65°.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one peripheral guide includes a downwardly extending flange, an interior surface of the flange configured to interact with an exterior surface of the sidewall of the tray, wherein the peripheral guide forms a channel between the flange and the at least one intermediate portion, the channel configured to receive the sidewall of the tray therein, and wherein an exterior surface of the at least one intermediate portion is configured to interact with an interior surface of the sidewall of the tray.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the central body is configured to extend to the bottom surface of the tray to prevent the at least one mailpiece from passing between the bottom surface of the tray and the device.

16. A method of using a repositioning and retaining device for a mail delivery tray, the method comprising: providing the tray, the tray including a bottom surface and at least one sidewall extending away from the bottom surface; providing the device, the device comprising: a central body configured to receive at least one mailpiece thereagainst, the central body defining a substantially planar surface, the surface at an angle relative to the bottom surface of the tray and configured to arrange the at least one mailpiece at the angle; at least one peripheral guide extending outward from the central body, the at least one peripheral guide including a downwardly extending flange; and at least one retention feature, the at least one retention feature configured to interact with the tray to minimize undesired movement of the device relative to the tray; installing the device in the tray by engaging the at least one peripheral guide of the device with the sidewall of the tray to orient the device relative to the tray and to removably secure the device to the tray; and selectively translating the device along the tray.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one retention feature includes a plurality of fins extending away from a bottom of the central body, the plurality of fins engaging with a bottom surface of the tray.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one retention feature includes a plurality of ridges extending from the flange towards the central body, the plurality of ridges engaging with an exterior surface of the sidewall of the tray.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one retention feature includes a protruding lip extending from a distal end of the flange towards the central body, the lip engaging with the sidewall of the tray.

20. The method of claim 16, the method further comprising maintaining the at least one mailpiece at a constant angle with respect to the tray.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Various additional features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description of one or more illustrative embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0029] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a mail repositioning and retaining device according to principles of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the mail repositioning and retaining device according to principles of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the mail repositioning and retaining device of FIG. 1A.

[0032] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the mail repositioning and retaining device of FIG. 1B.

[0033] FIG. 3A is a front detailed view of the mail repositioning and retaining device of FIG. 1A.

[0034] FIG. 3B is a front detailed view of the mail repositioning and retaining device of FIG. 1B.

[0035] FIG. 4A is an environmental detailed view of the mail repositioning and retaining device of FIG. 1A.

[0036] FIG. 4B is an environmental detailed view of the mail repositioning and retaining device of FIG. 1B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The exemplary embodiments described herein are provided for illustrative purposes and are not limiting. Other embodiments are possible, and modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the Detailed Description is not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0038] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0039] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0040] In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefits and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

[0041] Beginning with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, two embodiments of the repositioning and retaining device 10 (“device”) for a mail delivery tray 12 (see FIGS. 4A and 4B), in accordance with principles of the invention, are depicted. The device 10 includes a central body 14, at least one intermediate portion 16 operatively connected and arranged substantially perpendicular to the central body 14, and at least one peripheral guide 18 extending outward from a side of the central body 14 and operatively connected to (at least) the intermediate portion 16. Advantageously, embodiments of the device 10 of the present invention avoid, alleviate, or otherwise minimize the drawbacks or shortcomings of existing devices for retaining and positioning mail. Other advantages and technical effects of the embodiments of this invention will become evident to one skilled in the art from the following description.

[0042] The central body 14 defines a substantially planar surface 20 (“surface”) at an angle relative to a portion of the tray 12. The central body 14 receives at least one mailpiece against the surface 20 and arranges the at least one mailpiece at an angle (e.g., the angle of the surface 20). The at least one intermediate portion 16, flanking the central body 14 on a side, provides a lateral boundary for the mailpiece received against the surface 20. In other words, the intermediate portion 16 maintains the mailpiece laterally within the extent of the central body 14. The at least one peripheral guide 18, connecting directly or indirectly to both the central body 14 and intermediate portion 16, engages with and extends along (e.g., in a direction transverse to the central body 14) a sidewall 22, extending away from a bottom surface 24 of the tray 12, to orient the device 10 relative to the tray 12 and to removably secure the device 10 to the tray 12. Specifically, in the depicted embodiments, the device 10 includes two peripheral guides 18. The peripheral guides 18 extend from opposing sides of the central body 14 in a direction transverse to the central body 14 such that the two peripheral guides 18 are arranged (or oriented) parallel to each other.

[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the Figures depict cross-sectional views of the embodiments of the device 10. As shown, the surface 20 extends downwardly at an angle to the bottom (interior) surface 24 of the tray 12. In this way, the mailpieces within the tray 12 are maintained at a constant angle (e.g., the angle of the surface 20) with respect to the tray 12. The angle and size of the surface 20 are selected for optimal positioning of mailpieces for ease of viewing and handling. The angle between the surface 20 and a bottom surface 24 of the tray 12 may be between 45° and 90°—the angle measured between the bottom surface 24 of the tray 12 and the surface 20 of the device 10 immediately above the bottom surface 24 of the tray 12. Specifically, the angle between the surface 20 and the bottom surface 24 of the tray 12 may be approximately 65°. Here, “approximately” should be understood to mean +/−5°. Further, it is to be understood that the surface 20 may be arranged at an alternate angle with respect to the bottom surface 24 of the tray 12. The surface 20 is dimensioned (e.g., large enough) to prevent mailpieces from unintentionally travelling over or under the device 10 where the mailpiece may, for example, become concealed in the empty space in the tray 12 behind the device 10.

[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the Figures depict front detailed views of the embodiments of the device 10. Specifically, the Figures show details of embodiments of the peripheral guide 18. When placing the device 10 into the tray 12, peripheral guides 18 grasp and straddle the sidewalls 22 of the tray 12. A flange 26 extends downwardly from the peripheral guide 18 such that an interior surface 28 of the flange 26 (or features thereof) interacts with the exterior surface 30 of the sidewall 22 of the tray 12. Similarly, an exterior surface 32 of the intermediate portion 16 (or features thereof) interacts with the interior surface 34 of the sidewall 22 of the tray 12. Further, the peripheral guide 18 forms a channel 36 between the flange 26 and the intermediate portion 16. The channel 36 receives the sidewall 22 of the tray 12 therein.

[0045] Broadly, friction and retention features 38 are utilized to retain the proper positioning or location of the device 10 within the tray 12 by the utilizing retention features 38 engaging with the sidewall 22 and/or bottom surface 24 of the tray 12. In the depicted embodiments, the flange 26 includes at least one retention feature 38 that engages with the sidewall 22 of the tray 12 to minimize undesired movement of the device 10 relative to the tray 12. Once the device 10 is placed onto the tray 12, the retention features 38 retain the device 10 onto the tray 12 and prevent the device 10 from falling out during use or by its own weight when the empty tray 12 is relocated (even if the tray 12 is inverted). FIG. 3A depicts a retention feature 38 in the form of a plurality of ridges 40. The ridges 40 extend from the interior surface 28 of the flange 26 towards the central body 14 (and the intermediate portion 16). The ridges 40 engage with the exterior surface 30 of the tray 12. FIG. 3B depicts a retention feature 38 in the form of a protruding lip 42. The lip 42 extends from a distal end 44 of the flange 26 towards the central body 14 (and the intermediate portion 16). Like the ridges 40, the lip 42 engages with the sidewall 22 of the tray 12.

[0046] With continued reference to FIG. 3B, the Figure also illustrates that the retention feature 38 need not be located on the flange 26. For example, the Figure depicts a retention feature 38 in the form of a plurality of fins 46 spaced apart from each other and extending away from a bottom 48 of the central body 14 towards a bottom surface 24 of the tray 12. Similar to the ridges 40 and lip 42 retention features 38, the plurality of fins 46 engage with the tray 12 to minimize undesired movement of the device 10 relative to the tray 12. However, the fins 46 engage with the bottom surface 24 of the tray 12 instead of with the sidewall 22 of the tray 12 (as with the ridges 40 and lip 42). Further alternative embodiments of retention features 38 are envisioned.

[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the Figures depict embodiments of the device 10 located within trays 12. The device 10 can be placed into an empty, partially filled, or full tray 12 behind the furthest back mailpiece. The mailpieces will then be located in the tray 12 in front of the device 10 and oriented against the surface 20 of the device 10. During the delivery process, as mailpieces are removed from the tray 12, the device 10 can be easily moved forward by grabbing the device 10 and sliding the device 10 forward towards a front 50 of the tray 12. At least because the peripheral guides 18 are rigidly affixed to the device 10 and arranged parallel to each other (and retain perpendicularity with the sidewall 22), the device 10 can easily be moved with a single hand.

[0048] The peripheral guides 18 utilize the retention features 38 along with friction caused by interfering surfaces (e.g., between the interior surface 34 of the tray 12 and the exterior surface 32 of the intermediate portion 16) between the device 10 and tray 12 to facilitate retention of the position that the delivery professional choses without compromising ideal orientation and positioning of the mailpieces left in front of the device 10 in the tray 12. The previously described features of the device 10 allow for the adjustment of the device 10 in the tray 12 in as many different locations and number of times as the delivery professional chooses to be optimal to their preferences. The previously described device 10 features also allow for the same device 10 to be removed and reinstalled to the same tray 12 and/or another tray 12 repeatedly without rendering the device 10 and/or tray 12 unable to be used again.

[0049] Referring generally to FIGS. 1A-4B, the depicted device 10 is of unitary construction. The device 10 can be injection molded, vacuum formed, roto-molded, or 3D printed out of a thermoplastic, for example. It is to be understood that the device 10 may also be formed by an alternative process or method. The material of construction for the device 10 may be filled or unfilled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polycarbonate (PC), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), any derivative of Polyethylene (PE) (including but not limited to LLDPE, HDPE, UHMWPE, etc.), Polypropylene (PP), Polyamide (PA), or Polyoxymethylene (POM), for example. It is to be understood that the device 10 may also be fabricated out of any form of wood, metal, or other alternative suitable material.

[0050] While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of various embodiments and while these embodiments have been described in some detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the invention to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope of the general inventive concept.