US3789571A — Processor{40 s photographic print sorting and pac…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 181 words

Photograph packing apparatus and the like comprising means for positioning a protective carrier in opened receiving position at a loading station, a directionally discharging loader having a discharge opening, said loader being movably mounted adjacent said loading station and operable for combined bodily reciprocative translational and angular movements between a first position offset from said loading station wherein it has a first orientation and is adapted to receive and hold photographs with parallel orientation and a second position proximate to said open carrier, and wherein it is differently oriented with its discharge opening now directed to discharge photographs into the carrier edgewise in the direction of their parallel orientation, means to feed at least one group of photographs into the loader in its first position, and drive means operable thereafter to move the loader toward its second position for directional discharge of the photographs into the carrier, said drive means decelerating the loader approaching said second position at a rate at which the photographs eject endwise from the loaer into the carrier aided at least in substantial part by their momentum.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 181 words

Photograph packing apparatus and the like comprising means for positioning a protective carrier in opened receiving position at a loading station, a directionally discharging loader having a discharge opening, said loader being movably mounted adjacent said loading station and operable for combined bodily reciprocative translational and angular movements between a first position offset from said loading station wherein it has a first orientation and is adapted to receive and hold photographs with parallel orientation and a second position proximate to said open carrier, and wherein it is differently oriented with its discharge opening now directed to discharge photographs into the carrier edgewise in the direction of their parallel orientation, means to feed at least one group of photographs into the loader in its first position, and drive means operable thereafter to move the loader toward its second position for directional discharge of the photographs into the carrier, said drive means decelerating the loader approaching said second position at a rate at which the photographs eject endwise from the loaer into the carrier aided at least in substantial part by their momentum.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 84 words

Apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the means to feed photographs into the loader includes a conveyor along which the photographs are moved toward the loader, and diverter means interposed between the loader and said conveyor, said diverter means being selectivey operable between a first position directing individual photographs to the loader and a second position intercepting other individual photographs, and photosensor means operable in response to grade marks pre-applied to the moving photographs and arranged thereby to control operation of said diverter means.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 52 words

The apparatus defined in claim 1, further including mechanical means operable with motion of the loader approaching its second position to move relative to the loader and hammer against the same physically so as to apply a jarring effect thereto which further assists in such discharge of the photographs from the loader.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 60 words

The apparatus defined in claim 3 wherein the loader has a compartment one side of which facing in the direction of motion from the first to the second position is open and is normally covered by an orientation and motion actuated mechanical gate means opened as the loader approaches its second position, said gate means comprising the aforesaid mechanical means.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 63 words

The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the loader is formed and disposed in its first position to hold the photographs laid horizontally in a stack therein, and in moving it to its second position is guided to turn substantially through an angle of the order of 90* so as to eject the prints therefrom in a downward direction aided also by gravity.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus defined in claim 5, wherein the loader is mounted to pivot on a generally horizontal axis for movement between its first and second positions.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 52 words

The apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein the drive means comprises a crank rotatable without interruption through substantially a complete turn to effect reciprocation of the loader from its first position to its second position and back to its first position so as to actuate the loader in a simple harmonic motion.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 104 words

The apparatus defined in claim 6 combined with means to feed elongated, multi-leaf, paper-like carrier stock progressively lengthwise in a generally horizontal direction substantially parallel to the loader pivot axis, the leaves of said stock being interjoined at one longitudinal edge, guide means operable to support the stock generally in upright position with its leaves spread to form upwardly open pockets at the loading station so as to recieve the photographs from the loader at such station, saId feed means being operable to engage the carrier stock adjacent its interjoined lower edge and to feed the stock progressively to and beyond such loading station.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 46 words

The apparatus defined in claim 8, wherein the feed means comprises an elongated feed chain having a series of pins extending along one side thereof adapted to engage respective holes in the carrier stock of a series extending along the interjoined lower edge of such stock.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 140 words

The apparatus defined in claim 9, wherein the feed chain comprises an endless chain guided to move in a generally horizontal plane with guide means disposing a first stretch of chain in position to advance carrier stock into the loading station, a second stretch of chain generally aligned with the first stretch and disposed to advance carrier stock beyond the loading station, and a connecting portion of chain intermediate the first and second stretches thereof deflected out of alignment therewith in a bend formation, and means operable to effect abrupt separation movement between the chain stretches in order thereby to tear from the body of stock engaged by the first stretch of chain a section of stock engaged by the second stretch of chain with the stock having a transverse line of weakening preformed therein generally intermediate the chain stretches.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 80 words

The apparatus defined in claim 10, wherein the guide means includes sprockets engaged by the chain at the mutually adjacent ends of the first and second stretches, and a third sprocket engaged by the chain intermediate the first two sprockets to form the bend in the chain, and wherein the means operable to effect abrupt relative separation movement bettween the streches comprises reciprocation mechanism and an actuator therefor operable at intervals in timed relationship with feed motion of the chain.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 116 words

The apparatus defined in claim 11, including guide means operably associated with the second stretch of chain having longitudinally extending elements engaging respectively opposite sides of the carrier stock along the series of holes thereof engaged by the pins, the longitudinally extending element opposite the chain normally maintaining the stock against separation thereof from the pins, and the other longitudinally extending element being mounted for movement in the direction toward the first-mentioned element to effect detachment of the carrier stock from such pins, and means operable in timed relationship to feed movement of the chain, and after operation of the means effecting abrupt separation movement between the stretches, to so move the second-mentioned longitudinally extending element.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 144 words

The apparatus defined in claim 9, wherein the guide means comprises an elongated V-shaped trough having upwardly divergent opposite side walls extending in the direction of feed motion of the stock, with the bottom of the trough being slotted lengthwise through and wherein the elongated feed chain extends lengthwise beneath the bottom slot, said guide means further including a cover guide extending lengthwise of such chain to engage the stock on the side thereof opposite the chain, and being retractably mounted in relation to the chain so as to permit threading of the carrier stock over the chain pins in said guide means, said guide means further including elements extending lengthwise of the direction of feed overlying the upper edge portions of the opposite outer leaves of the carrier stock and adapted to maintain such outer leaves against the respective sides of said trough.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 88 words

The apparatus defined in claim 13, wherein the guide means is adapted for operation with carrier stock having opposite outer leaves and one or more intermediate leaves, said guide means further including inverted trough-like elements mounted intermediate the opposite sides of the guide trough and extending lengthwise in parallel relation to said sides, said elements engaging the respective edge portions of said intermediate leaves in order to maintain them spread apart from each other and fRom the opposite, outer leaves of the carrier stock at the loading station.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 113 words

The apparatus defined in claim 2, wherein the loader has a plurality of compartments and the diverter means is operable between at least three selected positions, two of which direct the photographs selectively into respectively different compartments of the loader, and wherein the photosensor means includes detectors stationed to scan respectively opposite sides of the advancing photographs for grade marks pre-applied thereto, one such detector being operable to position the diverter means in one such position, the second such detector being operable to position the diverter in a second such position, and the diverter being operable to return to a third position in the absence of detection signals from either such photosensor detector.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 340 words

In combination, apparatus for longitudinal feeding of a strip series of photographic prints and cutting the individual prints from the strip in response to associated cutter marks of a first color applied to one side margin of the strip and wherein selected prints in the strip also bear sorting marks applied to the same side margin and of a second color contrasting with the first color, and apparatus for automatically sorting the cut prints including means to advance the cut prints from the first apparatus in successive order to a movable diverter means having first and second sorting positions, and means connected and operable to control positioning of the diverter means including a photosensor having optical means stationed ahead of the diverter means to scan said side margin, and having color-selective photoelectric detector means responsive by color to the sorting marks and unresponsive by color to the cutter marks, selected prints in the strip also bearing on said opposite side margin sorting marks of a second color contrasting with the last-mentioned first color, said combination further including packing mechanism with means providing a plurality of receiving compartments for sorted prints, the diverter means having a third sorting position in which it is adapted to direct prints into one such compartment while being adapted in one of its first two mentioned positions to direct prints into a different compartment, said combination further including packing mechanism with means providing a plurality of receiving compartments for sorted prints, and wherein the apparatus for feeding and cutting the prints responds also to end-of-order marks of a first color applied to the opposite side margin of the strip for stopping such latter apparatus at the end of a customer''s order, and a further means connected and operable to control positioning of the diverter means including a photosensor having optical means stationed ahead of the diverter means to scan said opposite side margin, and having color selective photoelectric detector means responsive by color to the second-mentioned sorting marks and unresponsive by color to the end-of-order marks.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 340 words

In combination, apparatus for longitudinal feeding of a strip series of photographic prints and cutting the individual prints from the strip in response to associated cutter marks of a first color applied to one side margin of the strip and wherein selected prints in the strip also bear sorting marks applied to the same side margin and of a second color contrasting with the first color, and apparatus for automatically sorting the cut prints including means to advance the cut prints from the first apparatus in successive order to a movable diverter means having first and second sorting positions, and means connected and operable to control positioning of the diverter means including a photosensor having optical means stationed ahead of the diverter means to scan said side margin, and having color-selective photoelectric detector means responsive by color to the sorting marks and unresponsive by color to the cutter marks, selected prints in the strip also bearing on said opposite side margin sorting marks of a second color contrasting with the last-mentioned first color, said combination further including packing mechanism with means providing a plurality of receiving compartments for sorted prints, the diverter means having a third sorting position in which it is adapted to direct prints into one such compartment while being adapted in one of its first two mentioned positions to direct prints into a different compartment, said combination further including packing mechanism with means providing a plurality of receiving compartments for sorted prints, and wherein the apparatus for feeding and cutting the prints responds also to end-of-order marks of a first color applied to the opposite side margin of the strip for stopping such latter apparatus at the end of a customer''s order, and a further means connected and operable to control positioning of the diverter means including a photosensor having optical means stationed ahead of the diverter means to scan said opposite side margin, and having color selective photoelectric detector means responsive by color to the second-mentioned sorting marks and unresponsive by color to the end-of-order marks.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 269 words

Photographic print packing apparatus comprising means to feed elongated multi-leaf paperlike carrier stock progressively lengthwise of itself in a generally horizontal direction, the leaves of said stock being interjoined at one longitudinal edge, being unjoined continuously along the length of the stock at and adjoining the opposite longitudinal edge, and being weakened transversely for tearing of the stock into sections at intervals along the length thereof, guide means operable to support the advancing stock generally in an upright position and to continuously engage the stock during its progressive feed for maintaining its leaves spread apart to form at least one upwardly open reentrant pocket in each of successive length portions of said stock being fed past a loading station, loader means positioned at said station and normally in a photograph receiving position, said loader means being adapted to retain a stack of photographs inserted into the same, means to insert photographs into the loader means when in Its receiving position, means cooperable with the means to feed carrier stock and operable at intervals during advancement of such stock to move the loader means bodily into a discharge position wherein it ejects the photographs edgewise downwardly into the reentrant pockets of successive sections of stock arriving at said loading station and thereupon to return the loader means to its receiving position, and severing means also cooperable with the means to feed carrier stock and intermittently operable to engage separately each section of stock containing photographs and the succeeding stock and to sever such section tearing it apart from the succeeding stock in timed relation with progressive advancement of the stock.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 269 words

Photographic print packing apparatus comprising means to feed elongated multi-leaf paperlike carrier stock progressively lengthwise of itself in a generally horizontal direction, the leaves of said stock being interjoined at one longitudinal edge, being unjoined continuously along the length of the stock at and adjoining the opposite longitudinal edge, and being weakened transversely for tearing of the stock into sections at intervals along the length thereof, guide means operable to support the advancing stock generally in an upright position and to continuously engage the stock during its progressive feed for maintaining its leaves spread apart to form at least one upwardly open reentrant pocket in each of successive length portions of said stock being fed past a loading station, loader means positioned at said station and normally in a photograph receiving position, said loader means being adapted to retain a stack of photographs inserted into the same, means to insert photographs into the loader means when in Its receiving position, means cooperable with the means to feed carrier stock and operable at intervals during advancement of such stock to move the loader means bodily into a discharge position wherein it ejects the photographs edgewise downwardly into the reentrant pockets of successive sections of stock arriving at said loading station and thereupon to return the loader means to its receiving position, and severing means also cooperable with the means to feed carrier stock and intermittently operable to engage separately each section of stock containing photographs and the succeeding stock and to sever such section tearing it apart from the succeeding stock in timed relation with progressive advancement of the stock.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 130 words

The apparatus defined in claim 17, wherein the feed means comprises an elongated feed chain having a series of pins extending along one side thereof adapted to engage respective holes in the carrier stock adjacent to the interjoined lower edge thereof, said chain having a first stretch extending into the loading station, a seond stretch generally aligned with the first stretch and extending beyond the loading station, and a bend portion intermediate the first and second stretches which is deflected out of alignment therewith in a bend formation, and including means operable to effect abrupt relative separation movement between the chain stretches in order thereby to tear from the body of stock engaged by the first stretch of chain a section of stock engaged by the second stretch of chain.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1977-02-04	1977-08-06	1978-02-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1981-02-04	1981-08-06	1982-02-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1985-02-04	1985-08-06	1986-02-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Processor{40 s photographic print sorting and packaging machine and method

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