US3628659A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sorter device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-10-22
•
Granted: 1971-12-21
•
Expires: 1989-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A sorting tray having a bottom and two upstanding converging sides secured thereto. The ends of these sides which approach each other do not meet but are closely spaced from one another, thereby forming an exit opening. The bottom has a plurality of low transverse upstanding ribs secured thereto defining separate sorting compartments in serial relationship to one another for releasable retention of articles.
Inventors
- 👤 Emanuel M Mitchell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:15
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C99/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S209/00; Y10S209/929
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A sorting tray having a storage position and a discharge position which is angularly related to said storage position, said tray comprising a. a bottom; b. two upstanding, converging sides secured to the bottom and having ends closely spaced from one another, thereby forming an exit opening; and c. a plurality of transverse ribs upstanding from the bottom for defining successive separate sorting compartments for releasably retaining articles dependent on the orientation of said bottom, said compartments being arranged successively toward said exit opening, the contour of said ribs being sufficient to serially transfer said articles from the preceding compartment to the successive compartment in the direction of said exit opening when said bottom is oriented in said discharge position and to retain said articles in said compartments when said bottom is in said storage position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A sorting tray having a storage position and a discharge position which is angularly related to said storage position, said tray comprising a. a bottom; b. two upstanding, converging sides secured to the bottom and having ends closely spaced from one another, thereby forming an exit opening; and c. a plurality of transverse ribs upstanding from the bottom for defining successive separate sorting compartments for releasably retaining articles dependent on the orientation of said bottom, said compartments being arranged successively toward said exit opening, the contour of said ribs being sufficient to serially transfer said articles from the preceding compartment to the successive compartment in the direction of said exit opening when said bottom is oriented in said discharge position and to retain said articles in said compartments when said bottom is in said storage position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The tray of claim 1, wherein said converging sides form a portion of a continuous peripheral wall comprising additional sides about the bottom, said exit being the only opening in said peripheral wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tray of claim 2, wherein the two converging sides and the additional sides define unequal angles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The tray of claim 3 wherein the unequal angles are 135* and 120*.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The tray of claim 3 wherein the unequal angles are 135* and 90*.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The tray of claim 3 wherein the unequal angles are 120* and 90*.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The tray of claim 3 wherein the transverse rib closest to the exit opening has an opening therein whereby to provide unimpeded communication between the two compartments closest to said exit opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The tray of claim 7 wherein there are four sides, two of said sides being parallel to each other, and wherein said transverse ribs are disposed perpendicularly to said parallel sides.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tray of claim 3 wherein each of the transverse ribs has an opening therein whereby to provide unimpeded communication between the compartments.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The tray of claim 9 wherein there are five sides, two of said sides being parallel to each other, and wherein said transverse ribs are disposed perpendicular to said parallel sides, said openings in said ribs being aligned one with another to form an aisle, said aisle being in unimpeded communication with said exit opening and said compartments.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2492564A
Cited
US3409140A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-20 | 1975-06-21 | 1975-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-20 | 1979-06-21 | 1979-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-20 | 1983-06-21 | 1983-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |