Parallel path weight measurement system for sheet handling devices

A weighing system is provided to measure the article weight by first and second weight measurement devices (30a, 30b). The first and second weight measurement devices each include a platform (32D) adapted to accept an article (20) traveling along an upstream processing path (FPU) and a device (46) for sensing article weight as the article (20) traverses the platform (32D). Furthermore, the platforms of the first and second weight measurement devices define weight acquisition paths (WP1, WP2) which are substantially parallel to one another. A diverter mechanism (52) is provided to direct articles from the upstream processing path (FPU) to one of the first or second weight acquisition paths (30a, 30b). The diverter mechanism (52) is controlled by a system processor (26) which directs articles to one of the weight measurement devices depending upon its status, i.e., whether the path is available to receive another article for measuring weight. By diverting mailpieces to parallel weight acquisition paths, throughput is enhanced by multiple weight measurements occurring simultaneously.