US20020053533A1 - Method and system for collecting and pooling unqualified batches of mail for pre-sorting - Google Patents

Method and system for collecting and pooling unqualified batches of mail for pre-sorting Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20020053533A1
US20020053533A1 US10/013,105 US1310501A US2002053533A1 US 20020053533 A1 US20020053533 A1 US 20020053533A1 US 1310501 A US1310501 A US 1310501A US 2002053533 A1 US2002053533 A1 US 2002053533A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
mail
sorting
rate
containers
senders
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/013,105
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Christopher Brehm
Stanley Engel
Michael McAlpin
Sandy Pittman
Joseph Teate
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
United Parcel Service of America Inc
Original Assignee
United Parcel Service of America Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by United Parcel Service of America Inc filed Critical United Parcel Service of America Inc
Priority to US10/013,105 priority Critical patent/US20020053533A1/en
Assigned to UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC. reassignment UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BREHM, CHRISTOPHER S., ENGEL, STANLEY A., MCALPIN, MICHAEL T., PITTMAN, SANDY L., TEATE, JOSEPH C.
Publication of US20020053533A1 publication Critical patent/US20020053533A1/en
Priority to US11/510,381 priority patent/US7522971B2/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C3/00—Sorting according to destination
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S209/00—Classifying, separating, and assorting solids
    • Y10S209/90—Sorting flat-type mail
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S209/00—Classifying, separating, and assorting solids
    • Y10S209/933—Accumulation receiving separated items

Definitions

  • the postal regulations typically include a list of published rates which are correlated to the degree of pre-sorting accomplished and other factors. For example, a batch of two thousand or more mail pieces, of similar weight and size, may qualify for a lower rate such as 32.2 cents instead of the first-class or full rate of 34.0 cents.
  • the customer must learn and comply with the regulations and published rates of the local postal service, apply postage to each mail piece at the published rate using a postage meter to accommodate a decimal rate such as 32.2 cents, pre-sort the entire batch as required, prepare documents such as a certificate and/or a manifest certifying compliance with the applicable postal regulations, and then deliver the sorted batch to the local post office because such a batch would be too large for collection by a mail carrier.
  • the low-volume customer therefore, is faced with multiple barriers to entry when seeking a reduced postage rate. From the pre-sorting task to the burden of transporting the batch to a post office, the low-volume customer is prohibited in many cases from obtaining a reduced postage rate in an economically feasible manner.
  • the pre-sorting business applies the program rate of postage to each mail piece, after which the cost of the postage applied, plus an additional fee, may be charged to the sender.
  • the transport business provides empty containers to the senders.
  • the containers may be pre-addressed to a particular holding facility.
  • the transport business collects containers from the senders and transports the containers to one of the holding facilities. For this service, the sender pays a transport fee for each container.
  • the transport fee is either a flat fee or a variable fee based on the weight of the container. In either case, the transport fee is paid in exchange for shipping one container, regardless of the number of mail pieces inside the container.
  • the transport business ships the pool from the holding facility to the mail pre-sorting facility.
  • the pre-sorting business may collect the pools from the holding facilities.
  • the pre-sorting facility receives the pool of containers and sorts the mail pieces into a pre-sorted batch.
  • the pre-sorting business officially tenders the pre-sorted batch to the postal service, along with a certificate or manifest certifying that the pre-sorted batch is qualified for mailing at an entry rate of postage.
  • the entry rate is governed by postal regulations and is generally less than the full rate. Preferably, the entry rate is less than the program rate.
  • the transport business receives a transport fee from each mail sender in exchange for collecting and transporting the container, regardless of the number of mail pieces inside the container.
  • the transport fee is either a flat fee or a variable fee based on the weight of the container. In either case, the number of mail pieces inside the container need not be counted.
  • the transport business may transport the pools of containers to the mail pre-sorting business or, alternatively, the mail pre-sorting business may collect the pools.
  • the transport business receives a transporter rebate from the mail pre-sorting business in exchange for the pools of containers gathered by the transport business.
  • the method includes opening the containers, sorting the mail pieces into a pre-sorted batch, preparing a certificate or manifest, tendering the batch to a postal service, and receiving a rebate from the postal service which represents the difference between the entry rate and the program rate, times the number of mail pieces in the pre-sorted batch.
  • the method may include commingling the mail pieces before sorting.
  • the rebate preferably, is greater than the transporter rebate.
  • the pre-sorting business also applies the program rate of postage to each mail piece after opening each container.
  • the pre-sorting business receives a fee from each sender, for each container, in the amount of the cost of the postage applied to each mail piece plus an additional fee.
  • a system for financing the collection, pooling, and processing of mail pieces into a pre-sorted batch includes a program rate of postage, a transport fee, a transporter rebate, a rebate, and one or more agreements between and among the senders, the transport business, and the mail pre-sorting business.
  • the program rate of postage is applied to each mail piece by the sender.
  • the program rate is less than the full rate of postage for unsorted mail, but greater than the entry rate expected to be earned by pre-sorting.
  • the transport fee is paid by each senders to a transport business in exchange for shipping a container filled with mail pieces.
  • the transport fee may be a flat fee or a variable fee based on the weight of the container.
  • the number of mail pieces inside the container need not be counted.
  • the transporter rebate is paid by the mail pre-sorting business to the transport business in exchange for the pools of containers gathered by the transport business.
  • the rebate is paid by the postal service to the pre-sorting business in exchange for tendering a pre-sorted batch of mail sorted according to postal regulations.
  • the rebate represents the difference between the entry rate and the program rate, times the number of mail pieces in the batch.
  • the rebate is greater than the transporter rebate.
  • the program cost to the sender is less than the cost of applying the full postage rate to each mail piece.
  • the program cost includes the program rate times the number of mail pieces, plus the transport fee.
  • the present invention creates a cooperative of mail senders, transport businesses, and mail pre-sorting businesses, working together to pool small batches of unsorted mail into one or more larger, pre-sorted batches for mailing at a reduced entry rate of postage.
  • the cooperative is bound by one or more agreements between and among the participants.
  • the agreement provides that the transport business may receive requests from senders who want to join the cooperative, provide a plurality of empty and pre-addressed containers to each sender, establish the program rate based upon operating conditions, communicate the program rate to each sender, receive a transport fee from each sender for each container collected, and receive a transporter rebate from the pre-sorting business in exchange for the collection of the containers into one or more pools.
  • a medium-sized batch is generally defined by a lower limit and an upper limit.
  • the lower limit depends in part upon the total sorting load at the postal service facility on a particular day.
  • the upper limit depends in part upon the sorting capacity and the total sorting load at the mail pre-sorting facility on a particular day.
  • the method of the present invention further includes transporting the pool to a mail pre-sorting facility, where it is sorted into a pre-sorted batch suitable for mailing at an entry rate of postage.
  • the method of the present invention further includes transporting the pool to a mail pre-sorting facility, where it is sorted into a pre-sorted batch suitable for mailing at an entry rate of postage.
  • the postal service pays a rebate to the pre-sorting business.
  • the rebate per mail piece represents the difference between said entry rate and said program rate.
  • the transport business receives a transporter rebate from the mail pre-sorting business in exchange for the pools of containers gathered by the transport business.
  • a mail pre-sorting business accomplishes a method of collecting mail pieces from a plurality of mail senders.
  • the method includes receiving the pools of containers, opening the containers, sorting the mail pieces into a pre-sorted batch, and tendering the pre-sorted batch to the postal service facility for mailing at an entry rate of postage.
  • the method may further include commingling the mail pieces with others.
  • the method may also include preparing a certificate or manifest certifying that the pre-sorted batch is qualified for mailing at the entry rate.
  • FIG. 1 depicts the flow of mail pieces according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 shows the handling and processing of mail pieces in detail, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 depicts the flow of funds and information between and among the participating entities, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of mail according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the system 10 contemplates participation by a plurality of mail senders 100 , a transport business 200 , one or more pre-sorting businesses 300 , and a postal service 400 .
  • the flowchart in FIG. 1 is generally divided into four columns, each containing the facilities of the four participants in the system 10 .
  • the mail processing generally proceeds from left to right.
  • FIG. 1 depicts a variety of mail senders 100 , including without limitation individual consumers, small or large businesses, and small or large organizations.
  • One type of mail sender 100 who may benefit from participation in the system 10 typically has a batch of mail that is too small to be accepted for processing by a mail pre-sorting business 300 .
  • Many mail pre-sorting businesses 300 only serve senders 100 who have large batches of mail; for example, greater than two thousand pieces.
  • a mail sender 100 with a substantial batch of mail, such as fifteen hundred pieces, may benefit from participation in the system 10 because such a batch is too large for the sender 100 to pre-sort in an economically feasible manner.
  • a batch of unsorted mail pieces 95 may be described as a medium-sized batch because it is too small by itself for pre-sorting, yet too large for economical handling by the sender 100 .
  • a medium-sized batch of unsorted mail pieces 95 can be described as having a quantity between a lower limit and an upper limit. The lower limit depends in part upon the sorting load experienced on a particular mailing day. For example, on a high load day, a postal service 400 may find it efficient to divert batches of as few as two hundred pieces for pre-sorting elsewhere, whereas batches as high as one thousand pieces might be pre-sorted at the postal facility 45 when the load is low.
  • the upper limit generally depends in part upon the capacity of the mail pre-sorting facility 75 and upon the number of mail pieces required for acceptance by a mail pre-sorting business 300 . If, for example, the batch must contain at least two thousand pieces before a mail pre-sorting business 300 will accept it for pre-sorting, then batches below this upper limit may be diverted and pooled with other such batches until the pool contains a sufficient quantity of mail pieces to be accepted for pre-sorting.
  • each participating sender 100 places unsorted mail into a container 50 .
  • the containers 50 are collected and transported to a holding facility 70 , where the containers 50 are gathered into one or more pools 80 .
  • the pools 80 are then collected and transported to a mail pre-sorting facility 75 , where the pools 80 are commingled and sorted into one or more pre-sorted batches 90 .
  • the pre-sorted batches 90 are then transported to a postal facility 45 for delivery at a reduced postage rate without requiring a significant amount of further processing. Diversion of mail in this manner reduces the postal service's reliance upon its own mail sorting equipment and personnel.
  • the transport business 200 may include a transport office 20 and one or more holding facilities 70 .
  • the holding facilities 70 are regional or local hubs of the transport business 200 .
  • the holding facilities 70 are part of the postal service 400 .
  • the holding facility 70 might also be a separate, independent entity, such as a temporary warehouse.
  • the act of receiving may include collecting and transporting.
  • the pre-sorting business 300 may include a pre-sorting office 30 and a plurality of regional and local pre-sorting facilities 75 .
  • the pre-sorting business 300 may include one or more holding facilities 70 used in the system 10 .
  • the act of receiving may include collecting and transporting.
  • the pre-sorting facility 75 is part of the postal service 400 . Where the pre-sorting facility 75 is described as being separate from the postal service facility 45 , it should be understood that the two facilities may reside in the same building or they may be physically separated. The concept of separation implies a division of the sorting tasks, not necessarily a division of the structure where such tasks are performed.
  • the postal service 400 generally includes a postal office 40 and a plurality of regional and local postal service facilities 45 . Although one postal service facility 45 is shown in FIG. 1, it should be understood that the system 10 may include multiple postal service facilities 45 . In one embodiment, the postal service 400 extends beyond the border shown in FIG. 1 to include one or more mail pre-sorting facilities 75 and one or more holding facilities 70 . It should be understood that various government postal services 400 include a variety of systems and facilities that may be adapted to operate according to the system 10 of the present invention.
  • the transportation steps between and among the facilities in the system 10 include, from left to right on FIG. 1, container transport 53 , pool transport 55 , and batch transport 58 .
  • Container transport 53 includes the collection and shipment of containers 50 from senders 100 to one or more holding facilities 70 via one or more container transport vehicles 24 .
  • Pool transport 55 includes the collection and shipment of pools 80 from holding facilities 70 to one or more pre-sorting facilities 75 via one or more pool transport vehicles 34 .
  • Batch transport 58 includes the collection and shipment of pre-sorted batches 90 from mail pre-sorting facilities 75 to one or more postal service facilities 45 via one or more batch transport vehicles 44 .
  • Container transport 53 transfers containers 50 from a postal facility 45 to one or more holding facilities 70 after a medium-sized batch of unsorted mail has been identified and diverted.
  • container transport 53 is accomplished by the transport business 200 in one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the transport office 20 may dispatch a fleet of container transport vehicles 24 on a plurality of routes, some of which may include regular customers of the transport business 200 .
  • a participating sender 100 may submit a request 110 to the transport office 20 (see FIG. 3) to pickup one or more containers 50 .
  • a participating sender 100 may drop a container 50 at a designated location 120 such as a retail mailing center or a drop box, where containers 50 may be routinely collected at a regular time by a container transport vehicle 24 .
  • Pool transport 55 in one embodiment, is accomplished by the mail pre-sorting business 300 .
  • Pool transport 55 may be accomplished by the transport business 200 , by another carrier, or by a combination of these, depending upon the number, location, and size of the pools 80 to be collected for processing. It should be understood that multiple pre-sorting businesses 300 may participate in the system 10 of the present invention.
  • every step of the described method and system 10 is completed within a twenty-four-hour period.
  • the mail sender 100 may receive same-day processing and transportation of the mail pieces to the postal service 400 .
  • each sender 100 may use a postage machine to meter 51 postage onto each mail piece. It should be understood that the decimalization (including tenths of a cent) of reduced postal rates established by the postal service 400 typically requires the sender 100 to use a postage machine instead of a stamp for applying postage to each mail piece. The sender might also obtain a postage label electronically.
  • the term “meter” as used herein includes any and all methods of applying postage to a mail piece.
  • the unsorted mail pieces 95 are metered 51 at a program rate 60 (see FIG. 3).
  • the program postage rate 60 in some cases, may be the same as the first-class or full postage rate 64 .
  • the sender 100 then fills 52 a container 50 with the unsorted mail pieces 95 .
  • the sender 100 applies no postage before filling 52 the container 50 with the unsorted mail pieces 95 .
  • the step of metering 51 the program rate 60 onto each mail piece is performed by the pre-sorting business 300 , after which the cost of the postage applied (plus an additional fee, perhaps) is charged to the sender 100 .
  • this alternative requires an additional billing step, it relieves the sender 100 of the burden of purchasing or leasing and maintaining a postage machine and eliminates the task of metering 51 postage onto each mail piece 95 .
  • each container 50 may be pre-addressed to a particular holding facility 70 .
  • the transport business 200 may provide a plurality of empty containers 50 to one or more participating mail senders 100 .
  • the containers 50 may be durable and suitable for repeated uses.
  • Each container 50 may be encoded for tracking purposes in a manner known to those skilled in the art.
  • the tracking system may include scanning the unique code on each container 50 at key checkpoints along the way and may further include making such information available to the mail senders 100 , thereby allowing the sender 100 to follow the progress of each container 50 .
  • the system 10 operates efficiently and economically without the need to count the number of unsorted mail pieces 95 in each container 50 .
  • the transport fee 102 for shipping preferably, is paid on a flat rate, per-container basis instead of on a per-mail-piece basis, thereby eliminating the need for the sender 100 or the transport business 200 to count mail pieces in order to calculate a fee.
  • the batch of unsorted mail pieces 95 is described herein as being “unqualified” because it does not qualify for a discount, if any, offered by the postal service 400 for pre-sorted mail.
  • a completely unsorted batch of mail would not qualify as pre-sorted mail. It should be understood, however, that a batch of mail may be sorted to some degree, but still not qualify as a pre-sorted batch under the regulations of the postal service 400 .
  • the term unqualified as used herein includes partially sorted batches of mail.
  • the collected containers 50 are gathered or pooled 54 into a pool 80 at a holding facility 70 .
  • the transport business pools 54 the containers 50 .
  • the pool 80 is held in a designated location for later pickup and transport.
  • the pool 80 may be held on a particular loading dock at the holding facility 70 or, in some cases, at the mail pre-sorting facility 75 .
  • the containers 50 are not opened during the pooling 54 step.
  • the act of pooling 54 may be as simple as putting the containers 50 in a designated bin, or as elaborate as queuing the containers 50 in a staging area into different pools 80 for pickup by certain pool transport vehicles 34 (shown in FIG. 1).
  • the pool transport 55 step moves the pools 80 from the holding facility 70 to a mail pre-sorting facility 75 .
  • the containers 50 collected from a plurality of mail senders 100 participating on a given day may contain different types of mail pieces.
  • the mail pieces 95 in a certain container 50 may be unsorted or partially sorted.
  • the container 50 may contain many mail pieces 95 or relatively few.
  • the plurality of containers 50 received at a holding facility 70 may include an unknown quantity of mail pieces 95 in an unknown or mixed sort condition.
  • the mixing of mail pieces may occur in the ordinary manner, by filling a bin or hopper with the unsorted mail pieces 95 .
  • the physical mixing of mail pieces may occur only during an ongoing pre-sorting process 57 .
  • the steps of commingling 56 and pre-sorting 57 may occur simultaneously instead of as discrete tasks. In either instance, the commingling 56 occurs when the unsorted mail pieces 95 are incorporated into the system used by the particular mail pre-sorting business 300 .
  • the pre-sorting facility 300 at some place and time, officially tenders 136 the pre-sorted batch 90 to the postal service 400 .
  • the official tender 136 may take place, for example, on the loading dock at the pre-sorting facility 75 if the postal service 400 has sent a batch transport vehicle 44 to collect the batch 90 .
  • the tender 136 may occur at the loading dock of the postal service 400 if the pre-sorting facility 75 delivers the batch 90 .
  • the act of tendering 136 may include a transporting the batch 90 .
  • the tender 136 is shown taking place inside the mail pre-sorting facility 75 in FIG. 3, it should be understood that the tender 136 may occur at any location.
  • the participating mail sender 100 is relieved of the step of transporting its mail pieces and tendering the batch to the local postal service facility 45 .
  • the burden of transporting a relatively small batch of mail is another one of the administrative tasks that a mail sender 100 need not perform if it participates in the inventive system 10 .
  • the tender 136 of the batch 90 is typically accompanied by a sorting certificate 36 (see FIG. 3).
  • the information required in a sorting certificate 36 may be contained in a manifest or in another shipping document describing the attributes of the pre-sorted batch 90 in sufficient detail.
  • the term “certificate” shall include a certificate, a manifest, or other documentation required to satisfy the regulations of the postal service 400 .
  • the certificate 36 must be in proper form to earn a rebate 42 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) from the postal service 400 .
  • the pre-sorting business 30 is already accustomed to and equipped for preparing certificates 36 in the most cost-effective way.
  • the burden and complexity of preparing a proper certificate 36 is one of the administrative tasks that a mail sender 100 need not perform when it participates in the inventive system 10 .
  • the postal service 400 receives the batch 90 when it is tendered 136 by the pre-sorting business 300 .
  • the batch 90 is then inspected 59 by the postal service 400 to determine the entry rate 62 (see FIG. 3) for the mail pieces contained within the batch 90 .
  • the step of inspecting 59 the batch 90 generally includes an examination of the certificate 36 .
  • the batch 90 is then readied for delivery to the individual addressees.
  • the system 10 of the present invention may begin with a request 110 from a mail sender 100 who wants to participate in the system 10 .
  • the request 110 may be directed toward the transport business 200 which, in one embodiment, acts as the administrator of the system 10 .
  • the request 110 may be directed toward the postal service 400 which administers the system 10 and selects batches of unsorted mail pieces 95 to be diverted for pre-sorting.
  • the administrator of the system 10 may notify 160 the participating senders 100 of the program postage rate 60 to be metered 51 onto each unsorted mail piece 95 .
  • Setting the program rate 60 may include an analysis of a variety of system factors, including the number of senders 100 , the expected contents of the pools 80 for a given day, the location and number of holding facilities 70 required to handle the volume, the location and number of pre-sorting facilities 75 required to pre-sort the mail pieces, and the location and number of postal service facilities 45 where the pre-sorted batches 90 will be received for delivery.
  • the program rate 60 may remain generally constant. The program rate 60 , however, may range from zero cents (unstamped) to the full rate 64 , depending upon conditions within the system 10 .
  • the task of metering 51 is included in FIG. 3 as a step in the flow of funds because the mail sender 100 is applying postage at a cost equal to the program rate 60 to each mail piece.
  • Metering 51 is the first step, in one embodiment, in the flow of funds in the system 10 of the present invention.
  • each sender 100 pays a transport fee 102 to the transport business 200 , preferably to a transport business office 20 , in exchange for the collection and transportation of each container 50 to the holding facility 70 .
  • the transport fee 102 includes not only the fee for the container transport 24 but also compensates the transport business 200 for administering and monitoring the system 10 .
  • the transport fee 102 is lower than the additional operating costs per piece that would be incurred to accomplish the pre-sorting of unqualified mail pieces 95 by the sender 100 internally.
  • the transport fee 102 is not based on the number of unsorted mail pieces 95 in each container 50 , thereby eliminating the need for any participant to count the mail pieces 95 .
  • the transport fee 102 is paid on a flat rate, per-container basis, allowing the insertion of a maximum number of mail pieces 95 regardless of number or weight.
  • the transport fee 102 is paid according to the weight of the container 50 , allowing the economical transport of smaller, lightweight batches of unsorted mail pieces 95 .
  • the pre-sorted batch 90 is officially tendered 136 to the postal service facility 45 , as described above, along with the sorting certificate 36 .
  • the information contained in the certificate 36 allows the postal service 400 to determine the entry rate 62 for the mail pieces contained in the pre-sorted batch 90 .
  • the entry rate 62 is based upon the degree of pre-sorting accomplished.
  • the mail pre-sorting business 30 receives a rebate 42 from the postal service 400 .
  • the rebate 42 generally represents the difference between the entry rate 62 and the metered program rate 60 on each mail piece, times the number of mail pieces.
  • the postal service regulations may allow mail pieces initially metered at a program rate 60 of 32.2 cents to be mailed at a entry rate 62 of 28.0 cents, resulting in a rebate 42 to the pre-sorting business 300 in the amount of 4.2 cents per mail piece.
  • the rebate 42 is realized not in cash but in the form of reduced demand placed upon the mail sorting machinery and personnel at the postal service facility 45 .
  • the solution offered by the system 10 of the present invention helps reduce the expense of postage and reduce delays in mail delivery.
  • the mail pre-sorting business 300 pays a transporter rebate 32 to the transport business 200 .
  • the transporter rebate 32 may be thought of as a portion of the rebate 42 earned by the pre-sorting business.
  • the terms and amount of the transporter rebate 32 are agreed upon between the transport business 200 and the pre-sorting business 300 .
  • the transporter rebate 32 may be a flat fee tied to the number of pools 80 created, or it may be a per-piece fee based upon the number of mail pieces in the batch 90 , or it may be a fixed percentage of the rebate 42 received from the postal service 400 .
  • the transporter rebate 32 compensates the transport business 200 for accomplishing the container transport 53 step, for pooling 54 the containers 50 into a pool 80 , and for administering and monitoring the system 10 .
  • the amount of the transporter rebate 32 is preferably larger than the amount of the rebate 42 .
  • the rebate 42 paid by the postal service 400 is generally a per-piece rebate because the mail pieces 95 were initially metered at the program rate 60 by the sender 100 .
  • the transporter rebate 32 may be paid per-piece, as a flat rate, or as a percentage of the rebate 42 , depending upon the agreement between the transport business 200 and the pre-sorting business 300 .
  • the transporter rebate 32 is realized not in cash but in the form of reduced demand placed upon the mail sorting machinery and personnel at the postal service facility 45 .
  • the transporter rebate 32 can be seen in the reduced expenses of processing and in the delays avoided because of more efficient transportation and handling of medium-sized batches of mail.
  • the inventive system 10 creates a silent cooperative of participating mail senders 100 working together to earn a lower effective postage rate, while the senders 100 remain unidentified and unknown to one another.
  • the invention therefore, takes advantage of the power of a cooperative venture without the usual burden on its members of finding similarly-situated mail senders 100 with similar needs. Also, the participants may change from day to day, freely entering or exiting the cooperative without the barriers to entry sometimes present in more formalized cooperatives.
  • a distinct advantage of the system 10 is that the amount of the rebate 42 is high enough to profitably fund the pre-sorting and the transportation, while also allowing the participating mail sender 100 to meter its unsorted mail pieces 95 at a reduced, program rate 60 .
  • the total program cost to the sender 100 of applying the program postage rate 60 to each mail piece 95 and paying the transport fee 102 is, preferably, less than the cost of applying the full rate 64 to each mail piece 95 .
  • the amount of the rebate 42 enables all the participants in the system to continue doing what they do best, without increased burdens or additional tasks.
  • the mail pre-sorting business 300 is already in the business of commingling and pre-sorting large quantities of mail.
  • the transport business 200 is already in the business of collecting, tracking, and monitoring the delivery of containers.
  • the mail sender 100 by participating in the system 10 , is free to concentrate on its ongoing business rather than learning the complex pre-sorting regulations, preparing sorting certificates 36 , and transporting small batches of mail to the postal service facility 45 every day.
  • the mail sender 100 may meter its mail at the lower program rate 60 without incurring additional operating costs, in exchange for the payment of the transport fee 102 to the transport business 200 .
  • the transport fee 102 is lower than the additional operating costs that would have been necessary to accomplish the pre-sorting internally.
  • the sender's mail pieces become part of a larger commingled batch that is pre-sorted to a high level of classification, thereby facilitating quicker delivery, which is a benefit to mail recipients as well.
  • the reduced program postage rate 60 provides an immediate savings for the sender 100 for each mail piece 95 .
  • the mail sender 100 need not count the number of mail pieces 95 being placed into each container 50 because, preferably, the transport fee 102 for shipping is paid on a per-container basis.
  • This aspect of the preferred pricing structure, together with the reduced program postage rate 60 per piece, allows the sender 100 to offset the cost of the transport fee 102 against the savings (per piece) provided by the program rate 60 .
  • a relatively small difference between the full rate 64 and the program rate 60 such as 1.8 cents per mail piece, may offset a transport fee 102 of $8.00, for example, if the quantity of mail pieces is sufficiently large.
  • a batch of eight hundred mail pieces, for example, at a gross savings of 1.8 cents per mail piece would yield a total savings of $14.40 which, offset against a transport fee of $8.00, would yield a net savings of $6.40.
  • the transport fee 102 is paid according to the weight of the container 50 instead of a flat rate.
  • the by-weight pricing structure allows the sender 100 to offset the cost of the transport fee 102 (per ounce, for example) against the savings (per piece) provided by the program rate 60 .
  • a sender 100 has a very small batch of two hundred mail pieces 95 .
  • Using a gross savings of 1.8 cents per mail piece would yield a total savings of only $3.60, which would not fully offset a flat-rate transport fee 102 of $8.00.
  • the alternative per-ounce transport fee 102 might be less than $3.60, resulting in a net savings for the sender 100 when sending a small batch.
  • the transport business 200 by participating in the inventive system 10 , receives a transport fee 102 from the sender 100 and a transporter rebate 32 from the mail pre-sorting business 300 .
  • the fees earned by the transport business 200 provide a profit over and above the cost of collecting and pooling the containers 50 and, in one embodiment, administering the system 10 .
  • the transport business 200 may establish a relationship with a plurality of participating mail senders 100 and develop good will for other services to be offered.
  • the present invention provides a comprehensive system 10 in which cooperating mail senders 100 , service businesses 200 , 300 , and in some cases the postal service 400 , may collect and pool mail pieces, earn a rebate 42 by commingling and sorting the mail pieces into a large, qualified, pre-sorted batch 90 , and distribute the rebate 42 and/or the intangible savings among the participants in the system 10 according to agreed terms.
  • the inventive system 10 reduces reliance on the sorting apparatus and personnel at the main postal service facility 45 , provides economical transportation of the unsorted mail pieces 95 in a standard container 50 , diverts the sorting of medium-sized batches to a separate mail pre-sorting facility 75 , and accomplishes the delivery of pre-sorted mail to the postal service 400 within a twenty-four-hour period.

Landscapes

  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Warehouses Or Storage Devices (AREA)
US10/013,105 2000-11-06 2001-11-06 Method and system for collecting and pooling unqualified batches of mail for pre-sorting Abandoned US20020053533A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/013,105 US20020053533A1 (en) 2000-11-06 2001-11-06 Method and system for collecting and pooling unqualified batches of mail for pre-sorting
US11/510,381 US7522971B2 (en) 2000-11-06 2006-08-24 Method and system for collecting and pooling unqualified batches of mail for pre-sorting

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US24630400P 2000-11-06 2000-11-06
US10/013,105 US20020053533A1 (en) 2000-11-06 2001-11-06 Method and system for collecting and pooling unqualified batches of mail for pre-sorting

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/510,381 Division US7522971B2 (en) 2000-11-06 2006-08-24 Method and system for collecting and pooling unqualified batches of mail for pre-sorting

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20020053533A1 true US20020053533A1 (en) 2002-05-09

Family

ID=22930099

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/013,105 Abandoned US20020053533A1 (en) 2000-11-06 2001-11-06 Method and system for collecting and pooling unqualified batches of mail for pre-sorting
US11/510,381 Expired - Lifetime US7522971B2 (en) 2000-11-06 2006-08-24 Method and system for collecting and pooling unqualified batches of mail for pre-sorting

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/510,381 Expired - Lifetime US7522971B2 (en) 2000-11-06 2006-08-24 Method and system for collecting and pooling unqualified batches of mail for pre-sorting

Country Status (11)

Country Link
US (2) US20020053533A1 (zh)
EP (1) EP1339505B1 (zh)
JP (1) JP2004512934A (zh)
CN (1) CN1471441A (zh)
AT (1) ATE289881T1 (zh)
AU (1) AU2002228875A1 (zh)
CA (1) CA2428156C (zh)
DE (1) DE60109192T2 (zh)
ES (1) ES2237613T3 (zh)
MX (1) MXPA03003990A (zh)
WO (1) WO2002036274A2 (zh)

Cited By (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040064326A1 (en) * 2002-09-26 2004-04-01 Vaghi Family Intellectual Properties, Llc System and method for processing mail including pre-sorted mail, and a smart mail box adaptable for use with the system and method
US20040215480A1 (en) * 2003-04-22 2004-10-28 United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. Computer system for routing package deliveries
US20050119786A1 (en) * 2003-04-22 2005-06-02 United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. System, method and computer program product for containerized shipping of mail pieces
US20050256812A1 (en) * 2004-05-13 2005-11-17 Yuill James A L Method and system for collecting and processing qualified and unqualified pre-sorted rated mail and courier envelopes and packages using a multi-use drop box system
US20060080266A1 (en) * 2004-10-08 2006-04-13 Shahrom Kiani Mailer detection and manifest system
EP1659541A2 (en) 2004-11-22 2006-05-24 Bowe Bell + Howell Company Mail piece consolidation and accountability using advanced tracking methods
US20060136346A1 (en) * 2004-09-23 2006-06-22 Dennis Gilham Method of electronically consolidating mail items
US20080015735A1 (en) * 2006-07-13 2008-01-17 Pitney Bowes Incorporated Apparatus and method for positioning objects/mailpieces
US20080093273A1 (en) * 2004-07-21 2008-04-24 Stemmle Denis J Carrier Delivery Sequence System And Process Adapted For Upstream Insertion Of Exceptional Mail Pieces
US20080164185A1 (en) * 2004-12-07 2008-07-10 Stemmle Denis J Clamp for Mixed Mail Sorter
US20090000996A1 (en) * 2005-04-07 2009-01-01 Pitney Bowes Inc. Macro Sorting System and Method
US7527261B2 (en) 2006-07-13 2009-05-05 Lockheed Martin Corporation Mailpiece container for stacking mixed mail and method for stacking mail therein
US20090218262A1 (en) * 2004-11-22 2009-09-03 Bowe Bell + Howell Company System and method for tracking a mail item through a document processing system
US20090294338A1 (en) * 2004-11-22 2009-12-03 Bowe Bell + Howell Company System and method for validating mailings received
US7769765B2 (en) 2006-07-25 2010-08-03 Lockheed Martin Corporation Method and system for sorting mail
US7820932B2 (en) 2006-07-13 2010-10-26 Lockheed Martin Corporation Mail sorter, method, and software product for a two-step and one-pass sorting algorithm
US7937184B2 (en) 2006-10-06 2011-05-03 Lockheed Martin Corporation Mail sorter system and method for productivity optimization through precision scheduling
US20110106596A1 (en) * 2009-10-29 2011-05-05 Rodger Cosgrove System and Method of Generating Postal Mailers for Free
US7947916B2 (en) 2006-10-06 2011-05-24 Lockheed Martin Corporation Mail sorter system and method for moving trays of mail to dispatch in delivery order
US8556260B2 (en) 2006-05-26 2013-10-15 Lockheed Martin Corporation Method for optimally loading objects into storage/transport containers
US10543513B1 (en) * 2013-08-02 2020-01-28 Broadridge Output Solutions, Inc. Commingling optimization of mail

Families Citing this family (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN1471441A (zh) 2000-11-06 2004-01-28 ��ϰ�� 用于缓解邮政分拣设备负担过重的系统
JP4231720B2 (ja) * 2003-03-28 2009-03-04 株式会社リコー 郵送書類発行方法及び郵送書類発行プログラム
US20070192258A1 (en) * 2005-03-18 2007-08-16 Pitney Bowes Incorporated Method for controlling when mail is received by a recipient
DE102006057643A1 (de) * 2006-12-05 2008-06-12 Deutsche Post Ag Verfahren und System zur Überwachung eines Behälters
US8170712B2 (en) * 2007-06-26 2012-05-01 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for non-linear unit-level sortation in order fulfillment processes
US20090119117A1 (en) * 2007-11-06 2009-05-07 Pitney Bowes Inc. Supplying pre-sort discount rate data to postage meter
US20090157745A1 (en) * 2007-12-13 2009-06-18 Pitney Bowes Inc. Address correction optimization system and method
US20130204828A1 (en) * 2012-02-08 2013-08-08 Grayhair Software, Inc. System and Method for Enhanced, Flexible Mail Address Validation and Hygiene
US20140101059A1 (en) * 2012-10-05 2014-04-10 Chien-Hua Hsiao Leasing method for lessees to exchange their shipping containers
US9607312B2 (en) * 2013-03-14 2017-03-28 Lsc Communications Us, Llc Methods and apparatus for increasing co-mailing discounts
JP7129342B2 (ja) * 2016-05-03 2022-09-01 オペックス コーポレーション 動的に構成可能な仕分け列を用いてアイテムを仕分ける材料取り扱い装置及びその方法
US20190352094A1 (en) * 2016-09-29 2019-11-21 Hitachi Transport System, Ltd. Management System, Management Method, and Management Program
DE102017117713A1 (de) * 2017-08-04 2019-02-07 Vanderlande Industries B.V. Matrixsorter

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5042667A (en) * 1989-11-13 1991-08-27 Pitney Bowes Inc. Sorting system for organizing in one pass randomly order route grouped mail in delivery order
US5072401A (en) * 1989-10-03 1991-12-10 Pitney Bowes Inc. Optimizing mail delivery systems by logistics planning
US5667078A (en) * 1994-05-24 1997-09-16 International Business Machines Corporation Apparatus and method of mail sorting
US6167326A (en) * 1998-10-23 2000-12-26 Quad/Graphics, Inc. Multi-mailer combining pre-personalized items with items not pre-personalized to produce zip code bundles
US6457012B1 (en) * 1997-06-10 2002-09-24 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and system of updating address records utilizing a clientserver interface
US6816838B1 (en) * 1998-12-30 2004-11-09 Pitney Bowes Inc. Production mail system having subsidies for printing of third party messages on mailpieces

Family Cites Families (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4862386A (en) * 1987-03-13 1989-08-29 Pitney Bowes Inc. Apparatus for preparing a letter
US4800506A (en) * 1987-03-13 1989-01-24 Pitney Bowes Inc. Apparatus for preparing mail pieces
US4853869A (en) * 1987-03-13 1989-08-01 Pitney Bowes, Inc. System and method for processing a letter for bulk mailing
US4997337A (en) * 1988-10-03 1991-03-05 Rubber Band Technology, Ltd. High-speed mail stacking and separating apparatus
US5161109A (en) * 1988-12-16 1992-11-03 Pitney Bowes Inc. Up/down loading of databases
US5060165A (en) * 1989-10-03 1991-10-22 Pitney Bowes Inc. Optimizing mail processing by matching publisher and printer entities
US5058030A (en) * 1989-10-03 1991-10-15 Pitney Bowes Inc. Optimizing mail processing by matching publisher and inserter entities
US5051914A (en) * 1989-10-03 1991-09-24 Pitney Bowes Inc. Optimizing mail delivery systems by merging mailings
US5377120A (en) * 1992-06-11 1994-12-27 Humes; Carl L. Apparatus for commingling & addressing mail pieces
US5446667A (en) * 1992-06-18 1995-08-29 Pitney Bowes Inc. Just-in-time mail delivery system and method
NL1001862C2 (nl) * 1995-12-08 1997-06-10 Nederland Ptt Werkwijze voor het verzamelend en distributief verwerken van poststuk- ken.
US5661653A (en) * 1996-03-04 1997-08-26 Pitney Bowes Inc. Custom class selection in automated mail processing
US5918220A (en) * 1996-12-24 1999-06-29 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and system for worldwide media selection, production, and delivery
US6674038B1 (en) * 1999-09-24 2004-01-06 Siemens Dematic Postal Automation, L.P. Information based network process for mail sorting/distribution
CN1471441A (zh) 2000-11-06 2004-01-28 ��ϰ�� 用于缓解邮政分拣设备负担过重的系统

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5072401A (en) * 1989-10-03 1991-12-10 Pitney Bowes Inc. Optimizing mail delivery systems by logistics planning
US5042667A (en) * 1989-11-13 1991-08-27 Pitney Bowes Inc. Sorting system for organizing in one pass randomly order route grouped mail in delivery order
US5667078A (en) * 1994-05-24 1997-09-16 International Business Machines Corporation Apparatus and method of mail sorting
US6457012B1 (en) * 1997-06-10 2002-09-24 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and system of updating address records utilizing a clientserver interface
US6167326A (en) * 1998-10-23 2000-12-26 Quad/Graphics, Inc. Multi-mailer combining pre-personalized items with items not pre-personalized to produce zip code bundles
US6816838B1 (en) * 1998-12-30 2004-11-09 Pitney Bowes Inc. Production mail system having subsidies for printing of third party messages on mailpieces

Cited By (68)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040064326A1 (en) * 2002-09-26 2004-04-01 Vaghi Family Intellectual Properties, Llc System and method for processing mail including pre-sorted mail, and a smart mail box adaptable for use with the system and method
US8712922B2 (en) 2003-04-22 2014-04-29 United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. Computer system for routing package deliveries
US8712923B2 (en) 2003-04-22 2014-04-29 United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. Computer system for routing package deliveries
US8924312B2 (en) 2003-04-22 2014-12-30 United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. Computer system for routing package deliveries
US20040215480A1 (en) * 2003-04-22 2004-10-28 United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. Computer system for routing package deliveries
US20110125664A1 (en) * 2003-04-22 2011-05-26 Nagesh Kadaba Computer system for routing package deliveries
US20110125665A1 (en) * 2003-04-22 2011-05-26 Nagesh Kadaba Computer system for routing package deliveries
US9798998B2 (en) 2003-04-22 2017-10-24 United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. Computer system for routing package deliveries
US20050119786A1 (en) * 2003-04-22 2005-06-02 United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. System, method and computer program product for containerized shipping of mail pieces
US20100223173A1 (en) * 2003-04-22 2010-09-02 United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. Computer system for routing package deliveries
US20110029447A1 (en) * 2003-04-22 2011-02-03 United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. Computer system for routing package deliveries
US8918340B2 (en) 2003-04-22 2014-12-23 United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. Computer system for routing package deliveries
US7739202B2 (en) 2003-04-22 2010-06-15 United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. Computer system for routing package deliveries
US9779380B2 (en) 2003-04-22 2017-10-03 United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. Computer system for routing package deliveries
US20050256812A1 (en) * 2004-05-13 2005-11-17 Yuill James A L Method and system for collecting and processing qualified and unqualified pre-sorted rated mail and courier envelopes and packages using a multi-use drop box system
US7858894B2 (en) 2004-07-21 2010-12-28 Lockheed Martin Corporation One-pass carrier delivery sequence sorter
US20090078618A1 (en) * 2004-07-21 2009-03-26 Pitney Bowes Inc. System and process for reducing number of stops on delivery route by identification of standard class mail
US7868264B2 (en) 2004-07-21 2011-01-11 Lockheed Martin Corporation System and process for reducing number of stops on delivery route by identification of standard class mail
US20080093274A1 (en) * 2004-07-21 2008-04-24 Stemmle Denis J One-Pass Carrier Delivery Sequence Sorter
US20080093273A1 (en) * 2004-07-21 2008-04-24 Stemmle Denis J Carrier Delivery Sequence System And Process Adapted For Upstream Insertion Of Exceptional Mail Pieces
US8138438B2 (en) 2004-07-21 2012-03-20 Lockheed Martin Corporation Carrier delivery sequence system and process adapted for upstream insertion of exceptional mail pieces
US20060136346A1 (en) * 2004-09-23 2006-06-22 Dennis Gilham Method of electronically consolidating mail items
US7739200B2 (en) * 2004-09-23 2010-06-15 Neopost Technologies Method of electronically consolidating mail items
US20060080266A1 (en) * 2004-10-08 2006-04-13 Shahrom Kiani Mailer detection and manifest system
EP1659541A3 (en) * 2004-11-22 2009-08-05 Bowe Bell + Howell Company Mail piece consolidation and accountability using advanced tracking methods
US8063332B2 (en) 2004-11-22 2011-11-22 Bell And Howell, Llc Mail piece consolidation and accountability using advanced tracking methods
US20090294338A1 (en) * 2004-11-22 2009-12-03 Bowe Bell + Howell Company System and method for validating mailings received
US7741575B2 (en) 2004-11-22 2010-06-22 Bowe Bell + Howell Company Mail piece consolidation and accountability using advanced tracking methods
EP1659541A2 (en) 2004-11-22 2006-05-24 Bowe Bell + Howell Company Mail piece consolidation and accountability using advanced tracking methods
US20090218262A1 (en) * 2004-11-22 2009-09-03 Bowe Bell + Howell Company System and method for tracking a mail item through a document processing system
US8977385B2 (en) 2004-11-22 2015-03-10 Bell And Howell, Llc System and method for tracking a mail item through a document processing system
US8129646B2 (en) 2004-11-22 2012-03-06 Bell And Howell, Llc System and method for validating mailings received
US8143548B2 (en) 2004-12-07 2012-03-27 Lockheed Martin Corporation Clamp for mixed mail sorter
US20080230449A1 (en) * 2004-12-07 2008-09-25 Stemmle Denis J System and Method for Full Escort Mixed Mail Sorter Using Mail Clamps
US20080164185A1 (en) * 2004-12-07 2008-07-10 Stemmle Denis J Clamp for Mixed Mail Sorter
US7928336B2 (en) 2004-12-07 2011-04-19 Lockheed Martin Corporation Clamp for mixed mail sorter
US20110095154A1 (en) * 2004-12-07 2011-04-28 Lockheed Martin Corporation Clamp for mixed mail sorter
US20090005900A1 (en) * 2004-12-07 2009-01-01 Stemmle Denis J Method and System for Gps Augmentation of Mail Carrier Efficiency
US8022329B2 (en) 2004-12-07 2011-09-20 Lockheed Martin Corporation System and method for full escort mixed mail sorter using mail clamps
US8326450B2 (en) 2004-12-07 2012-12-04 Lockheed Martin Corporation Method and system for GPS augmentation of mail carrier efficiency
US8369985B2 (en) 2005-04-07 2013-02-05 Lockheed Martin Corporation Mail sorter for simultaneous sorting using multiple algorithms
US20100070070A1 (en) * 2005-04-07 2010-03-18 Stemmle Denis J System for responding to fulfillment orders
US8013267B2 (en) 2005-04-07 2011-09-06 Lockheed Martin Corporation Macro sorting system and method
US20090000996A1 (en) * 2005-04-07 2009-01-01 Pitney Bowes Inc. Macro Sorting System and Method
US9044786B2 (en) 2005-04-07 2015-06-02 Lockheed Martin Corporation System for responding to fulfillment orders
US8731707B2 (en) 2005-04-07 2014-05-20 Lockheed Martin Corporation System for responding to fulfillment orders
US20100049360A1 (en) * 2005-04-07 2010-02-25 Stemmle Denis J Mail sorter for simultaneous sorting using multiple algorithms
US8556260B2 (en) 2006-05-26 2013-10-15 Lockheed Martin Corporation Method for optimally loading objects into storage/transport containers
US7778728B2 (en) 2006-07-13 2010-08-17 Lockheed Martin Corporation Apparatus and method for positioning objects/mailpieces
US20090152804A1 (en) * 2006-07-13 2009-06-18 Lockheed Martin Corporation Mailpiece container for stacking mixed mail and method for stacking mail therein
US8261515B2 (en) 2006-07-13 2012-09-11 Lockheed Martin Corporation Mailpiece container for stacking mixed mail and method for stacking mail therein
US20080015735A1 (en) * 2006-07-13 2008-01-17 Pitney Bowes Incorporated Apparatus and method for positioning objects/mailpieces
US9359164B2 (en) 2006-07-13 2016-06-07 Lockheed Martin Corporation Mailpiece container for stacking mixed mail and method for stacking mail therein
US7820932B2 (en) 2006-07-13 2010-10-26 Lockheed Martin Corporation Mail sorter, method, and software product for a two-step and one-pass sorting algorithm
US20090159481A1 (en) * 2006-07-13 2009-06-25 Lockheed Martin Corporation Mailpiece container for stacking mixed mail and method for stacking mail therein
US20090162185A1 (en) * 2006-07-13 2009-06-25 Lockheed Martin Corporation Mailpiece container for stacking mixed mail and method for stacking mail therein
US8079588B2 (en) 2006-07-13 2011-12-20 Lockheed Martin Corporation Mailpiece container for stacking mixed mail and method for stacking mail therein
US8231002B2 (en) 2006-07-13 2012-07-31 Lockheed Martin Corporation Mailpiece container for stacking mixed mail and method for stacking mail therein
US20090152811A1 (en) * 2006-07-13 2009-06-18 Lockheed Martin Corporation Mailpiece container for stacking mixed mail and method for stacking mail therein
US7527261B2 (en) 2006-07-13 2009-05-05 Lockheed Martin Corporation Mailpiece container for stacking mixed mail and method for stacking mail therein
US7769765B2 (en) 2006-07-25 2010-08-03 Lockheed Martin Corporation Method and system for sorting mail
US7937184B2 (en) 2006-10-06 2011-05-03 Lockheed Martin Corporation Mail sorter system and method for productivity optimization through precision scheduling
US7947916B2 (en) 2006-10-06 2011-05-24 Lockheed Martin Corporation Mail sorter system and method for moving trays of mail to dispatch in delivery order
US20110106596A1 (en) * 2009-10-29 2011-05-05 Rodger Cosgrove System and Method of Generating Postal Mailers for Free
US10543513B1 (en) * 2013-08-02 2020-01-28 Broadridge Output Solutions, Inc. Commingling optimization of mail
US10981199B2 (en) * 2013-08-02 2021-04-20 Broadridge Output Solutions, Inc. Commingling optimization of mail
US20210237124A1 (en) * 2013-08-02 2021-08-05 Broadridge Output Solutions, Inc. Commingling optimization of mail
US20230201880A1 (en) * 2013-08-02 2023-06-29 Broadridge Output Solutions, Inc. Commingling optimization of mail

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1471441A (zh) 2004-01-28
CA2428156C (en) 2006-03-21
ES2237613T3 (es) 2005-08-01
WO2002036274A2 (en) 2002-05-10
JP2004512934A (ja) 2004-04-30
DE60109192D1 (de) 2005-04-07
US7522971B2 (en) 2009-04-21
ATE289881T1 (de) 2005-03-15
DE60109192T2 (de) 2006-04-06
AU2002228875A1 (en) 2002-05-15
MXPA03003990A (es) 2003-08-19
WO2002036274A3 (en) 2003-01-03
CA2428156A1 (en) 2002-05-10
US20060287968A1 (en) 2006-12-21
EP1339505B1 (en) 2005-03-02
EP1339505A2 (en) 2003-09-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7522971B2 (en) Method and system for collecting and pooling unqualified batches of mail for pre-sorting
US6674038B1 (en) Information based network process for mail sorting/distribution
US9779380B2 (en) Computer system for routing package deliveries
US5058030A (en) Optimizing mail processing by matching publisher and inserter entities
US5068797A (en) Optimizing mail delivery systems by routing
US5072401A (en) Optimizing mail delivery systems by logistics planning
CN107563699A (zh) 一种物流系统和配货运输流程
US5060165A (en) Optimizing mail processing by matching publisher and printer entities
US20020019759A1 (en) Transportation planning, execution, and freight payments managers and related methods
MX2007006483A (es) Sistema, metodo y producto de programa de computadora para el envio contenerizado de piezas de correo.
US7698147B2 (en) Information based network process for mail sorting/distribution
US8412641B2 (en) Surface air management systems and methods
CN106709684A (zh) 一种快递整合方法
Rogerson et al. Economies of scale and scope and competition in postal services
US20050256812A1 (en) Method and system for collecting and processing qualified and unqualified pre-sorted rated mail and courier envelopes and packages using a multi-use drop box system
EP1086754A2 (en) Mail item distribution method and device
McKeague et al. The Canadian grain grading system and operational efficiency within the vancouver grain terminals
Lu An overview of the USPS network and its path forward
Knop et al. Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, Bulletin no. 682, October 1970: Optimum organization and operation of Oklahoma country grain elevators with sideline activities
Williams Costs and returns to Alabama milk distributors
Layzer et al. Evaluation of Alternatives-to Commodity Donation in the _ National School Lunch Program
Bertram Covered Hopper Car Supply For Grain: Impacts On The State Of North Dakota
Ladd et al. Factors affecting the bargaining power of some dairy bargaining cooperatives
CHARTERING Foreign Trade, 1977, No. 2

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC., GEORGIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:BREHM, CHRISTOPHER S.;ENGEL, STANLEY A.;MCALPIN, MICHAEL T.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:012375/0625

Effective date: 20011106

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION