Patent ID: 8283588
Filing Date: 2012-10-09
Classification: B07C

Abstract:
1. A method for sorting mail into groups based on predefined sets of physical attributes, wherein a first group has a first set of physical attributes such that mail pieces of the first group can be sorted by a first type of postal automated sorting machine, a second group has a second set of physical attributes such that mail pieces of the second group can be sorted by a second type of postal automated sorting machine, which second automated sorting machine has extended capability in comparison to the first automated sorting machine such that it can sort mail pieces having certain attributes outside of one or more of the first set of physical attributes, and a third group comprises mail pieces that fail to meet either of the first and second sets of physical attributes, comprising: feeding a series of singulated mail pieces into a conveyor system; measuring physical attributes of each mail piece as it is being conveyed on the conveyor system; analyzing the measured physical attributes of each mail piece to determine if it meets the first and second sets of physical attributes; segregating mail pieces of the third group from the mail pieces that meet either the first or second sets of physical attributes, wherein measuring the mail pieces of the third group is performed using successive steps of measuring length, height, width, stiffness, and weight, and the mail pieces of the third group are selectively diverted according to the measurements; and segregating mail pieces that meet the first set of physical attributes from mail pieces that meet the second set of physical attributes but do not meet the first set of physical attributes.