A method for processing a batch of mail wherein a mail sorting machine
sorts the batch of mail to a plurality of sorting bins according to a
predetermined sorting plan includes steps of reading an identification
code from an empty mail tray, loading the empty tray in a buffer storage
unit associated with one of the sorting bins, activating a switch
associated with the buffer storage unit to confirm that the mail tray is
positioned in the buffer, assigning the tray identification code to a
destination associated with the sorting bin in the sorting plan, and then
sorting mail to the sorting bin and transferring sorted mail from the
sorting bin into the mail tray.