US3743090A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for selectively removing pre-identified articles from a conveyor system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-04-28
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Granted: 1973-07-03
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Expires: 1991-04-28
Abstract
Abstract An article-sorting conveyor system is provided in which articles are identified by type as they randomly enter the system and are thereafter selectively removed from the system by type and quantity at one or more diverting stations. This permits pre-set ''''orders'''' for given quantities of given types of the articles to be filled at each diverting station. The article carries an identifying code, such as a binary code, which is read when the article first enters the system to give an article identification signal. This signal passes down the system through a series of shift registers, or the like, at the same rate as the article moves down the system. The article identification signal is checked at each diverting station, and, if the identified type of article is necessary for the predetermined quantity of articles at that station, the article is diverted and counted; if not, the article continues on the conveyor. Once diverted, the article identification signal is deleted from the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Yang Lu Chien
- 👤 M Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:26
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10861; B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/34; B65G47/46; B65G47/48; B65G47/49; B65G47/493; B65G47/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
267 words
A system for selecting and grouping articles bearing coded indicia, said system including a conveyor to receive and carry said articles, an article identification station adjacent said conveyor, said article identification station including a detector for reading said coded indicia and producing an article identification signal corresponding thereto, at least one diverting station adjacent said conveyor located after said article identification station, said diverting station including a diverter, a diverter control, an article presence detector, said presence detector operating with said diverter control to actuate said diverter, means for passing said article identification signal from said identification station to said diverting station so that said signal will be at said station at the same time as said identified article, a programmer adapted to be pre-set for predetermined number and types of said articles to actuate said diverter control, said programmer including a counter for each said type of article, means associated with said programmer to deactivate said diverter control for specific types of articles when said predetermined number of said articles have been diverted at said diverter station, means for indicating when said diverter control has been deactivated for all possible article identification signals and thereby indicating when all deSired articles of a given type have been diverted, means for erasing said article identification signal from said system when said signal has been used to actuate said diverter control, and means for recycling those said articles not diverted at any of said diverting stations to said initial detection station, whereby said articles may again pass through said system for possible diverting at one of said diverting stations.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
267 words
A system for selecting and grouping articles bearing coded indicia, said system including a conveyor to receive and carry said articles, an article identification station adjacent said conveyor, said article identification station including a detector for reading said coded indicia and producing an article identification signal corresponding thereto, at least one diverting station adjacent said conveyor located after said article identification station, said diverting station including a diverter, a diverter control, an article presence detector, said presence detector operating with said diverter control to actuate said diverter, means for passing said article identification signal from said identification station to said diverting station so that said signal will be at said station at the same time as said identified article, a programmer adapted to be pre-set for predetermined number and types of said articles to actuate said diverter control, said programmer including a counter for each said type of article, means associated with said programmer to deactivate said diverter control for specific types of articles when said predetermined number of said articles have been diverted at said diverter station, means for indicating when said diverter control has been deactivated for all possible article identification signals and thereby indicating when all deSired articles of a given type have been diverted, means for erasing said article identification signal from said system when said signal has been used to actuate said diverter control, and means for recycling those said articles not diverted at any of said diverting stations to said initial detection station, whereby said articles may again pass through said system for possible diverting at one of said diverting stations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 in which said means for passing said article identification signal includes sequential shift registers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as set forth in claim 2 in which said shift registers are controlled by said article presence detector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as set forth in claim 2 in which said shift registers are controlled by clock pulses.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-02 | 1977-01-01 | 1977-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-02 | 1981-01-01 | 1981-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-02 | 1985-01-01 | 1985-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |