Patent ID: 7227094
Filing Date: 2007-06-05
Classification: B07C,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for processing mail pieces with the aid of a sorting machine that sorts the mail pieces to a number of bins, each bin having a buffer storage unit at or below each sorting bin for holding a tray, comprising: (a) loading mail pieces that have been sorted to a bin from the bin into a tray positioned on the buffer storage unit for that bin; (b) discharging the tray loaded with mail from the buffer storage unit; (c) reading an identification code on an empty tray with a reading device; (e) reloading the empty tray onto the buffer storage unit; (f) activating a confirmation element upon arrival of the empty tray at the buffer storage unit, which confirmation element triggers a confirmation signal; (g) assigning a destination address or destination address area allocated to the sorting bin identified by the signal to the identification code on the tray; and (h) storing the assigned identification code in the sorting machine for use by the current sorting plan; and (I) repeating steps (a) to (h) for additional sorting bins as each bin becomes loaded with mail by the sorting machine.