Parcel post singulating and orienting apparatus

Claim 2

A singulating and orienting apparatus for handling a plurality of multisided items, with each item having an identifiable mark located in one quadrant on one side thereof, said apparatus comprising: handling means, including a moving platform, for receiving said items and for arranging them in spaced, single-file relationship on said platform, scanning means positioned near said platform and adapted to view selected sides of said items as they pass thereby on said platform to search for said mark; and item-manipulating means operative in response to said scanning means for withdrawing a selected item from said platform and for rotating it about its own vertical and horizontal axes, when necessary, and for returning said item to said platform so as to position said side containing said mark in a predetermined orientation thereon; said handling means comprising: at least one conveyor means for moving said items towards said moving platform, which has an input end and an output end; a pair of discs adapted to be rotated in opposite directions and to receive the items from said conveyor means; and a narrow belt means located downstream from said discs and upstream from said moving platform; said discs having driving means for rotating them in opposite directions so that an item received by said discs will tend to be centered thereon and driven onto said narrow belt means; said narrow belt means being aligned with said moving platform so as to enable said belt means to discharge items carried thereby onto the input end of said moving platform.

Claim 3

The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said narrow belt means is sufficiently narrow for the items being handled thereby so as to support only those items which are substantially centered thereon by said discs, those items not substantially centered on said belt means having a tendency to fall thereoff.

Claim 4

The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said handling means further comprises: means for driving said narrow belt means; and control means for energizing said means for driving said narrow belt means so as to transfer the items carried thereby to said input end of said moving platform in timed relationship therewith.

Claim 5

The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said conveyor means further comprises deflector means positioned at the sides of said conveyor means so as to aid in positioning said items carried thereby in the center thereof and so as to deflect said items so that they come to rest on one of their more stable sides for those items which have stable and unstable sides.

Claim 6

The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which said handling means further comprises recirculating means for retrieving those items falling off said narrow belt means and for recycling them through said handling means.

Claim 7

The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which said discs have axes of rotation which are vertical, and in which said discs lie in a plane which is substantially parallel to a plane in which said narrow belt means lies, said handling means also including a narrow center belt means positioned between adjacent peripheries of said discs so as to assist in the transfer of items from said discs to said narrow belt means.

Claim 8

A singulating and orienting apparatus for handling a plurality of multisided items, with each item having an identifiable mark located in one quadrant on one side thereof, said apparatus comprising: handling means, including a moving platform, for receiving said items and for arranging them in spaced, single-file relationship on said platform, scanning means positioned near said platform and adapted to view selected sides of said items as they pass thereby on said platform to search for said mark; and item-manipulating means operative in response to said scanning means for withdrawing a selected item from said platform and for rotating it about its own vertical and horizontal axes, when necessary, and for returning said item to said platform so as to position said side containing said mark in a predetermined orientation thereon; said item-manipulating means including first and second manipulating means; said first manipulating means including first endless belt means and a first diverter means for transferring selected items from said moving platform to said first endless belt means; said first endless belt means being adapted to rotate an item transferred thereto about a horizontal axis through an angle of 90* and to return the item so transferred to said moving platform; and said second manipulating means including a second diverter means, and being effective to rotate an item transferred thereto by said second diverter means, about the item''s own vertical axis through an angle of 90* and to return the item so transferred to said moving platform.

Claim 9

A singulating and orienting apparatus for handling a plurality of multisided items, with each item having an identifiable mark located in one quadrant on one side thereof, said apparatus comprising: handling means, including a moving platform, for receiving said items and for arranging them in spaced, single-file relationship on said platform, scanning means positioned near said platform and adapted to view selected sides of said items as they pass thereby on said platform to search for said mark; and item-manipulating means operative in response to said scanning means for withdrawing a selected item from said platform and for rotating it about its own vertical and horizontal axes, when necessary, and for returning said item to said platform so as to position said side containing said mark in a predetermined orientation thereon; said item-manipulating means including first and second manipulating means; said first manipulating means including first endless belt means and a first diverter means for transferring selected items from said moving platform to said first endless belt means; said first endless belt means being adapted to rotate an item transferred thereto about a horizontal axis through an angle of 90* and to return the item so transferred to said moving platform; and said second manipulating means including a second diverter means, and being effective to rotate an item transferred thereto by said second diverter means, about the item''s own vertical axis through an angle of 90* and to return the item so transferred to said moving platform.

Claim 10

The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which said first endless belt means is positioned along a side of said moving platform and has an upstream roller and a downstream roller on which said first endless belt means is supported, said upstream roller being horizontally positioned and said downstream roller being vertically positioned so as to produce a 90* twist in said first endless belt means, to effect the 90* rotation of an item transferred thereto; said endless belt means having means for driving one of said upstream and downstream rollers.

Claim 11

The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which said downstream roller is driven and in which the speed thereof is such as to enable said first endless belt means to move an item transferred thereto at a velocity so as to reposition said last-named item on said moving platform at a location thereon which location the item would have occupied had it not been transferred therefrom.

Claim 12

The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, in which said second manipulating means comprises: a 90* conveyor section having an input end and an output end and means for driving said section; input belt means for receiving an item transferred from said moving platform and for delivering it to the input end of said conveyor section; said diverter means associated with said second manipulating means being adapted for transferring an item from said moving platform to said input belt means; and an output belt means for receiving an item from the output end of said conveyor section and returning it to said moving platform.

Claim 13

The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which said 90* conveyor section, input belt means, and output belt means are driven at speeds so as to enable an item transferred thereto to be repositioned on said moving platform at substantially the same location thereon which the item would have occupied had it not been transferred therefrom.

Claim 14

The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which said scanning means include first, second, and third scanning means positioned along the length of said moving platform, each of the first, second, and third scanning means having a housing which has entrance and exit openings therein through which an item may pass while being transported on said moving platform; said first, second, and third scanning means and said item-manipulating means being positioned along said moving platform as follows: said first scanning means being located near said input end of said moving platform and being adapted to scan the left and top sides of an item as viewed from a viewing point looking downstream along the moving platform and looking at the entrance openings of said first, second, and third scanning means; one of said first manipulating means being positioned downstream from said first scanning means and adapted to rotate an item transferred thereto in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed from said viewing point, for said angle of 90*; said second scanning means being positioned downstream from said last-named first manipulating means, and adapted to scan the right and top sides of an item passing therethrough as viewed from said viewing point; one of said second manipulating means being positioned downstream from said last-named second scanning means and adapted to rotate an item transferred thereto in a clockwise direction as viewed from said viewing point for said angle of 90*; said third scanning means being positioned downstream from said last-named second manipulating means and adapted to scan the left and top sides of an item passing therethrough as viewed from said viewing point; one of said first manipulating means being positioned downstream from said third scanning means and adapted to rotate an item transferred thereto in a clockwise direction as viewed from said viewing point for said angle of 90*; and one of saId first manipulating means being positioned downstream from said last-named first manipulating means and adapted to rotate an item transferred thereto in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from said viewing point for said angle of 90*.

Claim 15

The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which said mark has matter therein which will fluoresce when subjected to light energy and which will also phosphoresce when said energy is removed therefrom, each said first, second, and third scanning means having detection means therein to detect said mark and to operate in fluorescent, phosphorescent, and reflective modes.

Claim 16

The apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which each said first, second, and third scanning means has an ultraviolet energy source means therein adapted to illuminate the appropriate sides of an item to be scanned by the associated scanning means, said detection means of each of said first, second, and third scanning means having a first photosensor means for receiving light energy from said mark when operating in said fluorescent mode, and also having a second photosensor means for receiving light energy from said mark when operating in said phosphorescent mode, said energy source means being deenergized during said phosphorescent mode.

Claim 17

A singulating an orienting apparatus for handling a plurality of multisided items, with each item having an identifiable mark located in one quadrant on one side thereof, said apparatus comprising: handling means, including a moving platform, for receiving said items and for arranging them in spaced, single-file relationship on said platform, scanning means positioned near said platform and adapted to view selected sides of said items as they pass thereby on said platform to search for said mark; item-manipulating means operative in response to said scanning means for withdrawing a selected item from said platform and for rotating it about its own vertical and horizontal axes, when necessary, and for returning said item to said platform so as to position said side containing said mark in a predetermined orientation thereon; quadrature scanning means located along said platform downstream of said item-manipulating means and adapted to determine in which quadrant said mark is located; and second item-manipulating means operative in response to said quadrature scanning means for rotating an item, when necessary, about its vertical axis so as to orient said mark in a predetermined orientation with reference to said platform.

Claim 18

A singulating an orienting apparatus for handling a plurality of multisided items, with each item having an identifiable mark located in one quadrant on one side thereof, said apparatus comprising: handling means, including a moving platform, for receiving said items and for arranging them in spaced, single-file relationship on said platform, scanning means positioned near said platform and adapted to view selected sides of said items as they pass thereby on said platform to search for said mark; item-manipulating means operative in response to said scanning means for withdrawing a selected item from said platform and for rotating it about its own vertical and horizontal axes, when necessary, and for returning said item to said platform so as to position said side containing said mark in a predetermined orientation thereon; quadrature scanning means located along said platform downstream of said item-manipulating means and adapted to determine in which quadrant said mark is located; and second item-manipulating means operative in response to said quadrature scanning means for rotating an item, when necessary, about its vertical axis so as to orient said mark in a predetermined orientation with reference to said platform.

Claim 19

The apparatus as claimed in claim 15 in which said scanning means have detection means for operating in fluorescent, phosphorescent, and reflective modes.

Claim 20

A singulating and orienting apparatus for handling a plurality of multisided items, which each item having an identifiable mark located in a quadrant on one side thereof, said device comprising: first handling means for receiving said items in a random order; second handling means for receiving said items from said first handling means and for arranging said items in spaced single-file relationship thereon; an endless conveyor means having a receiving end and a discharge end, and driving means for driving said conveyor means at a constant velocity; control means for controlling the operation of said first and second handling means so as to discharge said items onto said receiving end of said conveyor means in timed relationship therewith; a plurality of scanning means positioned along the length of said conveyor means for searching for said mark on each item being transported thereon; at least one first manipulating means acting in response to said scanning means for withdrawing a selected item from said conveyor means and for rotating it approximately 90* about a horizontal axis of said item and for returning it to said conveyor means so as to present to a subsequent scanning means at least one side of said selected item hitherto unseen by a preceding scanning mEans; and at least one second manipulating means acting in response to certain of said scanning means for withdrawing a selected item from said conveyor means and for rotating it approximately 90* about a vertical axis of said item and for returning it to said conveyor means so as to present to a subsequent scanning means at least one side of said selected item hitherto unseen by a preceding scanning means; said first and second manipulating means and said plurality of scanning means being adapted to orient each said selected item so as to place that side of the item containing the mark in a predetermined orientation on said conveyor means as the items progress downstream thereon.

Claim 21

A singulating and orienting apparatus for handling a plurality of multisided items, which each item having an identifiable mark located in a quadrant on one side thereof, said device comprising: first handling means for receiving said items in a random order; second handling means for receiving said items from said first handling means and for arranging said items in spaced single-file relationship thereon; an endless conveyor means having a receiving end and a discharge end, and driving means for driving said conveyor means at a constant velocity; control means for controlling the operation of said first and second handling means so as to discharge said items onto said receiving end of said conveyor means in timed relationship therewith; a plurality of scanning means positioned along the length of said conveyor means for searching for said mark on each item being transported thereon; at least one first manipulating means acting in response to said scanning means for withdrawing a selected item from said conveyor means and for rotating it approximately 90* about a horizontal axis of said item and for returning it to said conveyor means so as to present to a subsequent scanning means at least one side of said selected item hitherto unseen by a preceding scanning mEans; and at least one second manipulating means acting in response to certain of said scanning means for withdrawing a selected item from said conveyor means and for rotating it approximately 90* about a vertical axis of said item and for returning it to said conveyor means so as to present to a subsequent scanning means at least one side of said selected item hitherto unseen by a preceding scanning means; said first and second manipulating means and said plurality of scanning means being adapted to orient each said selected item so as to place that side of the item containing the mark in a predetermined orientation on said conveyor means as the items progress downstream thereon.

Claim 22

The apparatus as claimed in claim 17 in which said plurality of scanning means include first, second, and third scanning means positioned along the length of said conveyor means, each of said first, second, and third scanning means having a housing which has entrance and exit openings therein through which an item may pass while being transported on said conveyor means, said housing having means for making it substantially lightproof as said items pass therethrough.

Claim 23

The apparatus as claimed in claim 18 in which each of said first, second, and third scanning means has detection means therein to detect said mark and to operate in fluorescent, phosphorescent, and reflective modes, said fluorescent and reflective modes occurring at the same point in time.

Claim 24

The apparatus as claimed in claim 19 in which said first, second, and third scanning means having shift register means associated therewith for transferring information about said items from said first to said second and third scanning means, and for transferring information about said items from said second to said third scanning means.

Claim 25

The apparatus as claimed in claim 20 in which said first, second, and third scanning means have means for determining the length of said items passing therethrough.

Claim 26

The apparatus as claimed in claim 17 further comprising: quadrature scanning means located downstream from said first and second manipulating means and said plurality of scanning means, and being adapted to determine in which quadrant said mark is located; and third manipulating means acting in response to said quadrature scanning means for rotating said items about a vertical axis, when necessary, so as to orient said mark in a predetermined orientation with reference to said conveyor means.

Claim 27

The apparatus as claimed in claim 22 in which said quadrature scanning means has second detection means for operating in fluorescent, phosphorescent, and reflective modes.

Claim 28

The apparatus as claimed in claim 23 in which said second detection means has circuit means for determining the length of an item as measured along the length of said conveyor means, and for determining the width of said item as measured across the width of said conveyor means, and for determining the location of said mark relative to said length and width of said item.

Claim 29

A singulating and orienting apparatus for handling a plurality of multisided items, with each item having an identifiable mark located on one side thereof, comprising: an endless conveyor means and means for driving it at a constant velocity; means for delivering said items to the input end of said conveyor means in timed relationship therewith so as to position said items in spaced, predetermined locations on said conveyor means; scanning means positioned along said conveyor means for searching for said mark; item-manipulating means adapted to rotate said items about their own vertical and horizontal axes, when necessary, so as to position said mark in a predetermined orientation with reference to said conveyor means; and control means operatively connecting said scanning means with said item-manipulating means so as to interpret the output from said scanning means and actuate said item-manipulating means so aS to effect said predetermined orientation of said mark with reference to said conveyor means; said scanning means including at least one scanning unit comprising: a housing positioned at said conveyor means and having entrance and exit openings through which an item may pass while being transported on said conveyor means; light source means within said housing adapted to illuminate at least one side of an item passing therethrough; and a scanning member means positioned within said housing and adapted to scan at least said one side of said item passing therethrough; said scanning member means comprising: first and second light-responsive members; rotating mirror means adapted to scan at least said one side of an item to obtain information thereon; and an optical imaging system adapted to transfer said information from said rotating mirror means to said first and second light-responsive members to produce an output therefrom; the output from said first and second light-responsive members being used by said control means to operate in fluorescent, phosphorescent, and reflective modes.

Claim 30

A singulating and orienting apparatus for handling a plurality of multisided items, with each item having an identifiable mark located on one side thereof, comprising: an endless conveyor means and means for driving it at a constant velocity; means for delivering said items to the input end of said conveyor means in timed relationship therewith so as to position said items in spaced, predetermined locations on said conveyor means; scanning means positioned along said conveyor means for searching for said mark; item-manipulating means adapted to rotate said items about their own vertical and horizontal axes, when necessary, so as to position said mark in a predetermined orientation with reference to said conveyor means; and control means operatively connecting said scanning means with said item-manipulating means so as to interpret the output from said scanning means and actuate said item-manipulating means so aS to effect said predetermined orientation of said mark with reference to said conveyor means; said scanning means including at least one scanning unit comprising: a housing positioned at said conveyor means and having entrance and exit openings through which an item may pass while being transported on said conveyor means; light source means within said housing adapted to illuminate at least one side of an item passing therethrough; and a scanning member means positioned within said housing and adapted to scan at least said one side of said item passing therethrough; said scanning member means comprising: first and second light-responsive members; rotating mirror means adapted to scan at least said one side of an item to obtain information thereon; and an optical imaging system adapted to transfer said information from said rotating mirror means to said first and second light-responsive members to produce an output therefrom; the output from said first and second light-responsive members being used by said control means to operate in fluorescent, phosphorescent, and reflective modes.

Claim 31

The apparatus as claimed in claim 25 in which said scanning member means further comprises: a standardization lamp adapted to provide a standardization signal to said first and second light-responsive members for said fluorescent, phosphorescent, and reflective modes; and a timing disc means associated with said rotating mirror means and adapted to provide a clocking pulse for said control means.