Patent ID: 8504192
Filing Date: 2013-08-06
Classification: B07C

Abstract:
1. A method of sorting mailpieces amongst N logical sorting destinations with a sorting machine including a mailpiece conveyor that serves M sorting outlets, each of which is provided with a removable mailpiece storage tray that is handled by a tray conveyor, said method comprising the following steps: detecting that a current mailpiece to be sorted has a certain logical destination that is said to be “overbooked” and that is not associated with a sorting outlet; and in response to such detection: dynamically allocating to said overbooked logical destination a certain sorting outlet of the machine that is occupied by another logical destination, making a storage tray change in said certain sorting outlet by extracting a first partially filled storage tray from said certain sorting outlet and replacing the first storage tray with a second storage tray, and putting the first partially filled storage tray extracted from said certain sorting outlet on standby on a closed-loop of the tray conveyor, and re-circulating the first partially filled storage tray with empty trays on the closed-loop and bringing back said first partially filled storage tray as a replacement for a storage tray in a sorting outlet when a subsequent mailpiece to be sorted has a logical destination that is overbooked and not associated with a sorting outlet, wherein a limited quantity of empty trays is accepted on inner conveyor segments and, once a limit is reached, further comprising a step of placing additional storage trays on standby in an empty tray reserve.