| CPC B07C 3/18 (2013.01) [B07C 3/008 (2013.01); B07C 3/087 (2013.01)] | 15 Claims |
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1. A method for distribution of parcels which avoids repeated sorting steps at downstream distribution hubs by segregating said parcels at a first distribution hub according to a final destination such that said segregated parcels are distributed at downstream distribution hubs without re-sorting said segregated parcels, said distribution method comprising:
providing a plurality of delivery bins each having a base assembly and a pair of side walls extending upwardly from said base assembly and having a top wall extending between the upper ends of said pair of side walls, said each delivery bin defining a height, a width, and a depth,
each delivery bin having (1) a first door that is selectively movable between an open configuration allowing front access to an interior area and a closed configuration blocking front access to said interior area and (2) a second door that is selectively movable between an open configuration allowing back-side access to said interior area and a closed configuration blocking back-side access to the interior area;
positioning said plurality of delivery bins immediately adjacent to one another in a forward-facing configuration such that a front of one delivery bin is immediately adjacent a rear of a forwardly adjacent delivery bin;
opening a respective first door of a respective delivery bin into communication with the interior area defined by a forwardly adjacent delivery bin when said plurality of delivery bins are positioned immediately adjacent to one another:
opening a respective second door of a respective delivery bin so as to allow access to the interior area of the respective delivery bin;
wherein said first and second doors each have a double-hinged configuration that enables 180° movement and overlapping configurations;
wherein said interior area is a void configured to allow passage through a respective delivery bin when said first and second doors are opened, respectively;
initially sorting a plurality of packages according to a final delivery destination associated with a respective package, thereby segregating said sorted packages;
storing said segregated packages having a common final delivery destination in respective delivery bins;
designating with indicia that said respective delivery bin is for delivery to said final delivery destination;
loading said designated delivery bin onto a delivery trailer if said delivery trailer is scheduled to provide downstream delivery service to said final delivery destination;
receiving at a regional delivery hub a plurality of delivery bins from a plurality of delivery trailers each originating remotely from said regional delivery hub that, together, include respective delivery bins having a plurality of disparate final delivery destinations;
utilizing a bin sort procedure, consolidating said received delivery bins onto at least one auxiliary delivery trailer containing only delivery bins having said common final delivery destination; and
extending an elongate conveyor belt assembly simultaneously through respective interior areas of said consolidated delivery bins when said respective first and second doors of said plurality of delivery bins are in said open configurations, respectively, and while said consolidated delivery bins are still situated atop said auxiliary delivery trailer.
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