US4090611A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for sorting documents
Assignee: PHERIPHERAL SCIENCES Inc
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Filing: 1976-10-12
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Granted: 1978-05-23
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Expires: 1996-10-12
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for separating bundles of envelopes containing information-bearing documents according to preselected sorting scheme. Documents are marked with iron particle deposits, in coded format, prior to being placed in the envelopes. The locations of the deposits correspond to the information of interest. After the marked documents are sealed in envelopes the locations of the iron particle deposits are sensed to control sorting apparatus for separating the documents according to the sensed information.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon W. McKinney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:19
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C3/00; B07C3/18; B07C3/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
Apparatus for sorting a bundle of envelopes according to particular information contained in documents within said envelopes, said apparatus comprising: means for sensing a storage medium to extract said particular information; means responsive to said sensing means for depositing iron particles on said documents in discrete locations corresponding to a coded format of said sensed information; means for depositing said documents individually in envelopes; means for magnetically sensing said documents to extract said particular information; and means responsive to said magnetic sensing means for sorting said envelopes in accordance with a predetermined pattern.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus for sorting a bundle of envelopes according to particular information contained in documents within said envelopes, said apparatus comprising: means for sensing a storage medium to extract said particular information; means responsive to said sensing means for depositing iron particles on said documents in discrete locations corresponding to a coded format of said sensed information; means for depositing said documents individually in envelopes; means for magnetically sensing said documents to extract said particular information; and means responsive to said magnetic sensing means for sorting said envelopes in accordance with a predetermined pattern.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said storage medium is a stack of punched data processing cards and said first sensing means is an optical card reader.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said storage medium is a magnetic storage and said first sensing means is a magnetic head reader.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said documents are punched data processing cards.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said particular information corresponds to zip codes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3609694A
Cited
US3895220A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-05-22 | 1981-11-21 | 1982-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-22 | 1985-11-21 | 1986-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-22 | 1989-11-21 | 1990-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |