US3889811A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flat-article sorting apparatus for an automatic mail handling system and the like
Assignee: NEC Corp
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Filing: 1973-06-18
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Granted: 1975-06-17
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Expires: 1993-06-18
Abstract
Abstract A flat-article sorting apparatus for automatic mail handling systems and the like is provided in which the mail sorting pockets are divided into a plurality of groups. Each flat-article or article of mail is provided with coded data which is detected by a character recognition circuit and converted to a binary code. The binary code is divided into two codes, one corresponding to the group into which the flat-article is to be sorted and the other corresponding to the pocket within the group. The flat-articles are conveyed along a branching transport path provided with photoelectric detectors which detect the leading edge of the articles. The photoelectric detectors are connected to pulse circuits for generating shift pulses which cause the data detected by the character reader to be shifted in a plurality of parallel shift registers in synchronism with the movement of the articles in the transport path. Code detectors are connected to the shift registers and responsive to particular binary codes to actuate deflecting mechanisms to divert the articles first, into the appropriate group according to the first code, and then into the appropriate pocket according to the second code. Monitoring and alarm circuitry are provided to detect erroneous operation of the apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Syoichiro Yoshimura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:29
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C3/00; B07C3/003; B07C3/006; B07C3/02; B07C3/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S209/00; Y10S209/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
286 words
A flat-article sorting apparatus for an automatic mail handling system and the like, comprising: a plurality of groups of flat-article receiving pockets; means for detecting coded data on flat-articles to be sorted, said data identifying the pockets into which said flat articles are to be diverted and comprising a first and a second coded data identifying one of said groups and one of said pockets in said group, respectively; first means connected to said detecting means for temporarily storing said data; means for conveying said flat articles along a transport path, said transport path having a main path and branching paths, each branching path corresponding to one of said groups; means installed on said transport path for detecting said flat articles and producing first shift pulses; means for delaying said first shift pulses and producing second shift pulses; second means for storing and transferring said data stored in said first storing means in response to said first and second shift pulses, said second storing means having a plurality of storing stages, said first shift pulses being applied to storing stages of said second storing means which are not adjacently positioned, said second shift pulses being applied to storing stages of said second storing means adjacent to said storing stages to which said first shift pulses are applied; and means responsive to said data transferred in said second storing means for diverting flat-articles into branching paths and pockets within said branching paths; said pockets being positioned so that the distances of the pockets having an identical second code from coded data detecting means are equal to each other; said flat-article detecting means being installed at intervals equal to an integral multiple of the interval of said pockets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
286 words
A flat-article sorting apparatus for an automatic mail handling system and the like, comprising: a plurality of groups of flat-article receiving pockets; means for detecting coded data on flat-articles to be sorted, said data identifying the pockets into which said flat articles are to be diverted and comprising a first and a second coded data identifying one of said groups and one of said pockets in said group, respectively; first means connected to said detecting means for temporarily storing said data; means for conveying said flat articles along a transport path, said transport path having a main path and branching paths, each branching path corresponding to one of said groups; means installed on said transport path for detecting said flat articles and producing first shift pulses; means for delaying said first shift pulses and producing second shift pulses; second means for storing and transferring said data stored in said first storing means in response to said first and second shift pulses, said second storing means having a plurality of storing stages, said first shift pulses being applied to storing stages of said second storing means which are not adjacently positioned, said second shift pulses being applied to storing stages of said second storing means adjacent to said storing stages to which said first shift pulses are applied; and means responsive to said data transferred in said second storing means for diverting flat-articles into branching paths and pockets within said branching paths; said pockets being positioned so that the distances of the pockets having an identical second code from coded data detecting means are equal to each other; said flat-article detecting means being installed at intervals equal to an integral multiple of the interval of said pockets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
126 words
A flat-article sorting apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said second storing means comprises: a plurality of parallel shift registers connected to two serial divisions, the first of said divisions transferring said first coded data for diversion into one of said branching paths, and the second of said divisions transferring said second coded data for diversion into one of said pockets; and further comprising: first means for monitoring said second coded data transferred by the second of said divisions of said parallel shift registers; and first alarm means connected to said first monitoring means and said detectIng means for producing a first alarm whenever a specific coded data is detected by said first monitoring means and no flat-article is detected for a predetermined time period.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
A flat-article sorting apparatus as recited in claim 2, further comprising: second means connected to the last storing stage of said second storing means for monitoring said second coded data transferred to the last stage; and second alarm means for producing a second alarm when the coded data other than that representing the last pockets of said branching paths is detected.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |