Abstract:
A fixture for rating mail pieces for determination of postage payments includes a generally planar member. The member has formed therein a recess defined at least partially by a floor and at least four side walls. The recess has at least some dimensions that correspond in magnitude to dimensions used to define a first postal category of mail pieces. A second, smaller recess may be nested inside the first recess to indicate the dimensions for another category of mail pieces.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   This invention is directed to a device that allows easy determination of the dimensional class of mail pieces. 
   Postal requirements in various countries are now utilizing dimensions of each mail piece, as well as the weight, to determine delivery charges. For purposes of dimensional mail piece rating, there are several different categories each bounded by maximum dimensions of length, width and thickness. 
   A simple, but not convenient or always effective, manner of determining the dimensions of a mail piece is to hold a ruler or tape measure to each of the three dimensions of the mail piece and to read the length/width/thickness of the mail piece from the rule/tape measure scale. If the thickness of the mail piece is greatest away from its periphery, it may not be feasible to get an accurate thickness measurement by this method. 
   A somewhat more sophisticated approach uses a cardboard template that has the length and width limits displayed together as a rectangle. The template may also include a slot through which the mail piece may be passed to test for compliance with the thickness limit. However, there is considerable room for error in attempting to match the edges of the mail piece to the sides of the template rectangle, or in the user&#39;s view point in trying to appraise whether the envelope fits within the rectangle boundaries in close cases. Also, it may be somewhat awkward to pass the mail piece through the slot, even assuming the mail piece is thin enough to fit. 
   SUMMARY 
   According to an aspect of the invention, a fixture for rating mail pieces for determination of postage payments includes a generally planar member. The member has formed therein a recess defined at least in part by a floor and at least four side walls. The recess has at least some dimensions that correspond in magnitude to dimensions used to define a first postal category of mail pieces. 
   The member, in addition to the recess previously mentioned, may have a second recess formed therein. The second recess is defined at least partially by a floor and at least four side walls. The second recess has at least some dimensions that correspond in magnitude to dimensions used to define a second postal category of mail pieces. The second recess is smaller than the first recess and may (but need not) be formed in the floor of the first recess. 
   The member may have a first slot that passes entirely through the member, with the first slot having at least one dimension that corresponds in magnitude to a dimension used to define the first postal category. The member may also have a second slot passing entirely through the member, with the second slot having at least one dimension that corresponds in magnitude to a dimension used to define the second postal category. The second slot may be smaller than the first slot. 
   In another aspect, a method of rating a mail piece includes providing a fixture which has a recess formed therein, and placing the mail piece in the recess to determine a postal rating category for the mail piece. 
   The fixture may have two recesses formed therein, and the mail piece may be placed in one of the recesses after being placed in another of the recesses. The fixture may include a slot, and the mail piece may be passed entirely through the slot. 
   Therefore, it should now be apparent that the invention substantially achieves all the above aspects and advantages. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Various features and embodiments are further described in the following figures, description and claims. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. As shown throughout the drawings, like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts. 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a mail piece dimensional rating fixture in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the fixture of  FIG. 1 , taken in a horizontal plane. 
       FIG. 3  is a flow chart that illustrates a process for using the fixture of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic side view showing a postal scale provided according to another embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The fixture of the present invention provides an easy way to determine into which category a mail piece belongs without having to measure each mail piece. A user of the fixture is able to make a reliable rating determination with a minimum of effort. The fixture has a top portion or member with a plurality of different sized recesses or wells, with the smaller recess or recesses located within the larger recess or recesses. The number of recesses is preferably equal to one less than the number of mail piece categories for purposes of postal rating by dimensions. 
   The largest recess is sized to hold a mail piece that falls into the second largest category for dimensional rating purposes. If a mail piece does not fit into the largest recess, it falls into the largest category for dimensional rating purposes. The remaining recess or recesses are located within the largest recess and are sized to hold mail pieces that fall into each respective dimensional rating category. The depth of each recess is preferably equal to the maximum thickness defined for the corresponding dimensional rating category. 
   To give a preview of a manner of using the fixture, a user may place a mail piece onto the fixture to determine into which of the recesses the mail piece fits. Based on the recess into which the mail piece fits, the user may determine the dimensional rating category that applies to the mail piece. Thus, if the mail piece fits into the smallest (or smaller) recess, the standard (smallest) size category applies, and an additional charge for oversize mail would not be applicable. If the mail piece does not fit in the smallest (smaller) recess, but fits into (one of) the large(r) recess(es), the user can easily determine the applicable size category based on the recess into which the mail piece fits. Thus determining which, if any, oversize surcharge applies is based on which recess the mail piece fits. If a mail piece does not fit in the largest (larger) recess, then the largest dimensional rating category applies. 
   The fixture preferably also includes slots that are sized according to thickness breaks for the dimensional rating categories. If the user is not sure, based on using the recesses, whether the thickness limit is met, the user may attempt to pass the mail piece through the corresponding slot. If the mail piece passes through the slot, then it does not exceed the maximum thickness allowed for the corresponding rating category. If the mail piece does not fit through the slot for a particular rating category, it must be rated in the next larger category. 
     FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a mail piece dimensional rating fixture  100  provided in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
   The fixture  100  includes a generally planar top member  102 . The top surface  104  of the member  102  has a recess  106  formed therein. The recess  106  is defined by a floor  108 , by length side walls  110 ,  112  and by width side walls  114 ,  116 . The width side walls  114 ,  116  are interrupted, respectively, by finger guides  118 ,  120  so that sub-walls  122 ,  124  are formed from width side wall  114  and sub-walls  126 ,  128  are formed from width side wall  116 . The side wall  110 , side wall  114  and floor  108  are mutually orthogonal. The side walls  110 ,  112  are parallel to each other and the side walls  114 ,  116  are parallel to each other. 
   The dimensions of the recess  106  correspond in magnitude to the maximum dimensions for a particular mail piece size rating category in a particular postal authority dimensional rating scheme. In one embodiment, the fixture is useful for a dimensional rating scheme proposed by the British Post Office, which calls for three size categories: “Letter”, “Large Letter” and “Parcel”, stated in order of increasing size. The recess  106  indicates the maximum dimensions for qualification for the “Large Letter” category. Accordingly, the length side walls  110  and  112  each have a length that is equal to the maximum length for the “Large Letter” category. The width side walls  114 ,  116  each have a length, measured from length side wall  110  to length side wall  112 , that is equal to the maximum width for the “Large Letter” category. The side walls  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116  each have a height (equal to the depth of the recess  106  as measured at the side walls) that is equal to the maximum thickness for the “Large Letter” category. 
   The floor  108  of the recess  106  has a smaller recess  130  formed therein. The recess  130  is defined by a floor  132 , by length side walls  134 ,  136  and by width side walls  138 ,  140 . The width side walls  138 ,  140  are interrupted, respectively, by finger guides  142 ,  144  so that sub-walls  146 ,  148  are formed from width side wall  138  and sub-walls  150 ,  152  are formed from width side wall  140 . The side wall  134 , side wall  138  and floor  132  are mutually orthogonal. The side walls  134 ,  136  are parallel to each other, and the side walls  138 ,  140  are parallel to each other. 
   The floor  132  of recess  130  is parallel in its orientation to the orientation of the floor  108  of recess  106 . The length side walls  134 ,  136  of recess  130  are parallel in their orientation to the orientation of length side walls  110 ,  112  of recess  106 . It follows from the mutual orthogonalities mentioned above that the width side walls  138 ,  140  of recess  130  are parallel in their orientation to the orientation of width side walls  114 ,  116  of recess  106 . 
   The dimensions of the recess  130  correspond in magnitude to the maximum dimensions for the “Letter” category and thus the recess  130  indicates the maximum dimensions for that category. Thus the length side walls  134 ,  136  each have a length that is equal to the maximum length for the “Letter” category. The width side walls  138 ,  140  each have a length, measured from length side wall  134  to length side wall  136 , that is equal to the maximum width for the “Letter” category. The side walls  134 ,  136 ,  138 ,  140  each have a height (equal to the depth of the recess  130 ) that is equal to the maximum thickness for the “Letter” category. 
   The member  102  also has slots  154 ,  156  which pass entirely through the member  102  from its top surface  104  to its bottom surface (not visible in drawing). Slot  154  has a horizontal cross-section which corresponds to its opening and which has a length and width which are equal respectively to the length and height of the side walls  110 ,  112  of the recess  106 . Thus the width of the slot  154  is equal to the maximum thickness for the “Large Letter” rating category, and the length of the slot  154  is equal to the maximum length for the “Large Letter” category. 
   The slot  156  has a horizontal cross-section which corresponds to its opening and which has a length and width which are equal respectively to the length and height of the side walls  134 ,  136  of the recess  130 . Thus the width of the slot  156  is equal to the maximum thickness for the “Letter” category, and the length of the slot  156  is equal to the maximum length for the “Letter” category. 
   Of course, the depth of each slot, from top opening to bottom opening, is equal to the thickness of member  102 , and is not critical. 
   In one embodiment, for the above mentioned Letter/Large Letter/Parcel rating scheme, the maximum dimensions for the “Large Letter” category, and hence the dimensions of the recess  106 , are 353 mm×250 mm×25 mm; the maximum dimensions for the “Letter” category, and hence the dimensions of the recess  130 , are 240 mm×165 mm×5 mm. 
   The finger guides  118 ,  120 ,  142 ,  144  are optionally provided to make it easier for the user to remove mail pieces from the recesses. Each finger guide slopes in a curved manner inwardly and downwardly to the floor of its respective recess. 
   The fixture  100  may further include a frame  160  which supports the top member  102 . In some embodiments, the member  102  rests on the frame  160  without being secured thereto. The frame  160  may include a base  162 , side walls  164 ,  166  and a rear wall  168  ( FIG. 2 ; a small portion of rear wall  168  also visible through slot  154 ,  FIG. 1 ). The walls  164 ,  166 ,  168  rise from the periphery of base  162  and may be integrally formed therewith. The member  102  is supported on the tops of the walls  164 ,  166 ,  168 . 
   It will be recognized that the frame  160  may have many other configurations besides the solid/continuous walls/base illustrated. For example, the rear wall  168  and base  162  may be omitted with the member  102  supported on legs at its corners, the legs being joined by cross-braces at the top. However, the solid walls shown may be advantageous, particularly the rear wall, in containing a mail piece passed through one or the other of the slots  154 ,  156 . 
   The frame  160  may be dimensioned such that the height of the walls  164 ,  166 ,  168  is greater than the maximum length for the “Large Letter” rating category (i.e., greater than the length of the slot  154  and of the recess  106 ) to allow a mail piece in the “Large Letter” category to pass entirely through the slot  154  even if inserted therein lengthwise. 
   The layout of the recesses and the slots on the member  102  may also readily be varied. In some embodiments, writings, markings and/or labels and the like may be present on the top surface of member  102  to remind/instruct the user as to specific ratings determinations to be made according to which recess/slot the mail piece fits in or passes through. 
   Either or both of the member  102  and the frame  160  may be made of molded plastic or of another material or materials. 
     FIG. 3  is a flow chart that illustrates a process for using the fixture  100 . Each of the actions, decisions and conclusions indicated in  FIG. 3  may be performed or determined by an individual user of the fixture  100 . 
   In the first instance, it will be assumed that the user recognizes that the mail piece to be rated is rather close to the maximum size for the “Letter” category. Accordingly, the user proceeds, as indicated at  302  in  FIG. 3 , to try to fit the mail piece in recess  130 . In doing so, the user first passes the mail piece through the space defined by the side walls of recess  106 . Thus mail piece is effectively placed first in the larger recess  106  and then, if possible, in the smaller recess  130  formed in the floor of recess  106 . 
   At  304 , the user determines whether the length and width of the mail piece are such that the mail piece fits in the recess  130 . If so, then the user considers, at  306 , whether the thickness of the mail piece is such that it is not clear whether the upper surface of the mail piece extends above the side walls of the recess  130  when the mail piece rests on the floor of recess  130 . If it is clear that the thickness of the mail piece does not cause it to extend above the recess  130 , then the user concludes at  308  that the mail piece is small enough to be categorized in the “Letter” category. 
   If at  306  the user has a question as to whether the mail piece is too thick for the “Letter” category, then he/she may, at  310 , try to pass the mail piece through the slot  156 . Decision block  312  represents the user&#39;s determination as to whether the mail piece fits through slot  156 . If the mail piece fits through the slot  156 , the user concludes ( 308 ) that the mail piece is in the “Letter” category. If the mail piece does not fit through the slot  156 , then the user concludes ( 314 ) that the mail piece is in the “Large Letter” category. 
   Considering again the determination at  304 , if either or both of the length and width of the mail piece are such that the mail piece does not fit in the recess  130 , then the user concludes ( 314 ) that the mail piece is in the “Large Letter” category. 
   Let it next be assumed that the mail piece to be rated is clearly too large to fit in the small recess  130  but is somewhat or very close in size to the large recess  106 . In that case, the user may perform the process set forth in  FIG. 3 , but with respect to the large recess  106  instead of the small recess  130  (for block  302 ) and/or with respect to the large slot  154  instead of the small slot  156  (for block  310 ). In this case the process of  FIG. 3  is further modified such that the conclusion the user draws at  308  is that the mail piece is in the “Large Letter” category, or the conclusion the user draws at  314  is that the mail piece is in the “Parcel” category. 
   One other possible process modification should also be considered, for the case where the length and width of the mail piece are small enough to fit the small recess  130 , but the thickness is considerably greater than the small slot  156  would accommodate. The user should be alert in this case also to try the mail piece in the large slot  154 , and to rate the mail piece as a “Parcel” if the mail piece does not pass through the large slot  154 . 
     FIG. 4  is a schematic side view showing a postal scale  400  provided according to another embodiment of the invention. The postal scale includes a weighing unit  402  (comprising a load cell, e.g., which is not separately shown) and a dimensional rating fixture  404  supported on the weighing unit  402 . The rating fixture  404  may take the form of the member  102  shown in  FIG. 1  or alternatively may comprise as well a frame such as frame  160  with a member like member  102  supported thereon. The weighing unit  402  may be operative to generate a weight signal and/or weight data that represents the weight of a mail piece (not shown) placed on the rating fixture  404 . The rating fixture  404  facilitates dimensional rating of the mail piece. With the postal scale illustrated in  FIG. 4 , postal rating of a mail piece both by weight and dimensions may be conveniently performed in a single operation or group of operations. It will be appreciated that the postal scale  400  may also have conventional features and components, such as a user interface, which have not been mentioned hereinabove. 
   As indicated above, the number of recesses and/or slots provided in the dimensional rating fixture may depend on the number of mail piece dimensional rating categories established by the postal authority for the country in which the fixture is to be used. The configuration illustrated in  FIG. 1  is suitable for a three-category dimensional rating scheme. For a rating scheme with only two categories, only one recess and/or slot may be needed. For a rating scheme with four categories, it may be desirable to provide three recesses and/or slots. If three or more recesses are provided, it may be desirable to nest them, as in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , so that each recess other than the largest is formed in the floor of the next larger recess. With this arrangement, the top member of the fixture need not be much larger than the maximum size for the second largest rating category. 
   A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Other variations relating to implementation of the functions described herein can also be implemented. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.