Method and apparatus for sorting flat articles

摘要

A method and apparatus (10) for automatically sorting and feeding flat articles (75). The method stacks flat articles (75) into cartridges (25) in output compartments (20) of a sorting machine (15), robotically (30) transfers filled cartridges (25) from the output compartments (20) of a sorting machine (15) to a buffer shelf (40); and from the buffer shelf (40) to a docking station (55) of a cartridge unloader (275) and automatic feeder (50) to the input of the sorting machine (15), and for transferring empty cartridges (25) from the docking station (55) to either the buffer (40) or the output compartments (20) of the sorter.