EP0099434A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sorting system
Assignee: Post Office
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Filing: 1982-11-03
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2002-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A sorting system for generally flat articles includes a number of receptacles (2) mounted on a conveyor (1) each of which is disposed to receive and convey an article to be carried lying with its surface of maximum size perpendicular to the conveyor line of travel and which are each angularly displaceable about an axis extending lengthwise of the conveyor between two positions in which a controllable discharge outlet (9) of the receptacle is positioned on opposite sides respectively of the conveyor.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Marshall Emsley
- 👤 Derek Cardigan Pitt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:33
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C3/00; B07C3/02; B07C3/08; B07C3/082; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S209/00; Y10S209/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A sorting system for generally flat articles, including a number of conveyor mounted receptacles (2) each of which is disposed to receive and convey an article to be carried lying with its surface of maximum size perpendicular to the conveyor line of travel, characterised in that the receptacles (2) are each angularly displaceable about an axis extending lengthwise of the conveyor between two positions in which a controllable discharge outlet (9) of the receptacle is positioned on opposite sides respectively of the conveyor (1).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
A sorting system for generally flat articles, including a number of conveyor mounted receptacles (2) each of which is disposed to receive and convey an article to be carried lying with its surface of maximum size perpendicular to the conveyor line of travel, characterised in that the receptacles (2) are each angularly displaceable about an axis extending lengthwise of the conveyor between two positions in which a controllable discharge outlet (9) of the receptacle is positioned on opposite sides respectively of the conveyor (1).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that each receptacle is biassed into each said angular position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that each receptacle is provided with retaining means for releasably holding the receptacle in each said angular position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the retaining means comprise spring detent means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
A system as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, characterised in that the conveyor has a loading station (3) and a number of destination points (4) on both sides of the conveyor and includes displacement means between the loading station and the destination points for displacing selected ones of the receptacles (2) from one said angular position to the other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the displacement means comprises a selective scroll ramp arrangement (12,13) and elements (14,15) on the receptacles for co-operating with the scroll ramp arrangement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system as claimed in claim 5 or 6, characterised in that means are also provided for returning the receptacles that have been displaced to their original position after the receptacles have left the destination points and before they return to the loading station.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
22 words
A system as claimed in claims 6 and 7, characterised in that the receptacle returning means comprise a further scroll ramp arrangement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system as claimed in claim 6 or in claim 7 or 8 when appended to claim 6, characterised by guide rail means to co-operate with said elements (14,15) so as to stabilize the receptacles over at least a part of the conveyor path except during passage of the receptacles through said displacement and returning means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
27 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that each destination point is provided with means for effecting opening of the outlets of selected receptacles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that each receptacle is mounted on the conveyor by means of a bracket which also carries a mechanism for opening the outlet of the receptacle, the mechanism being operable by an actuator at each destination point.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
19 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the receptacles are each of rectangular slab-like shape.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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