Patent ID: 9415423
Filing Date: 2016-08-16
CPC Classification: B07C

Claim Text:
1. A method performed by a sorter, the method comprising: receiving a plurality of mailpieces in an input of the sorter; performing a buffered sort process by transporting the mailpieces along a plurality of transport lanes, wherein each transport lane has an input, a buffer, and an output tray, wherein the mailpieces are selectively transported from the input of each transport lane directly to the output tray on the transport lane, or the mailpieces are first transported to the respective buffer and then to the output tray of the transport lane, wherein the plurality of transport lanes comprise a selected transport lane, wherein the mailpieces are not transported from the input to the output tray on the selected transport lane, and wherein during the buffered sort process, the mailpieces are transported from the buffer to the output tray on the selected transport lane; selecting a new selected transport lane of the plurality of transport lanes; and repeating the buffered sort process and transporting the mailpieces from the buffer to the output tray on the new selected transport lane.