Patent US5620102A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5620102A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conveyor sorting system for packages
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-02-22
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Granted: 1997-04-15
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Expires: 2015-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus are provided for directing a parcel to a correct station from a conveyer. A parcel guide is actuated to move transversely across the conveyer adjacent the correct station.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter F. Finch, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:13
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/36; B07C5/361; B07C5/362; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S209/00; Y10S209/942
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for directing a parcel to a correct station from a powered conveyor which comprises: a first step of identifying an identification characteristic of a parcel positioned adjacent a parcel stop means, said stop means being positioned adjacent an entrance to said conveyor, a second step of identifying a presence of said parcel at said stop means, moving said stop means to permit said parcel to enter said conveyor in response to said first and second steps of identifying, moving said parcel along said conveyor to sensor means which sense a position of said parcel on said conveyor, determining a correct position of said parcel on said conveyor in response to said sensor means, and activating an activating means to move said parcel across at least a portion of the width of said conveyor to said correct station in response to determining said correct position of said parcel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for directing a parcel to a correct station from a powered conveyor which comprises: a first step of identifying an identification characteristic of a parcel positioned adjacent a parcel stop means, said stop means being positioned adjacent an entrance to said conveyor, a second step of identifying a presence of said parcel at said stop means, moving said stop means to permit said parcel to enter said conveyor in response to said first and second steps of identifying, moving said parcel along said conveyor to sensor means which sense a position of said parcel on said conveyor, determining a correct position of said parcel on said conveyor in response to said sensor means, and activating an activating means to move said parcel across at least a portion of the width of said conveyor to said correct station in response to determining said correct position of said parcel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first step of identifying an identification characteristic of a parcel comprises generating an input from a keyboard.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first step of identifying an identification characteristic of a parcel comprises scanning a code on said parcel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first step of identifying an identification characteristic of a parcel comprises a voice activation means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a plurality of parcels are caused to enter said conveyor seriatim and wherein a correct position of each parcel on said conveyor is determined.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said activating means is confined within a volume having one dimension comprising the width of said conveyor during said activating step.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for directing a parcel to a correct station from a conveyor which comprises: a powered conveyor a stop means adjacent an entrance to said conveyor for stopping said parcel, first identifying means for identifying presence of a parcel adjacent said stop means, second identifying means for identifying an identification characteristic of said parcel, means for moving said stop means in response to said first identifying means and said second identifying means to permit said parcel to enter said conveyor, a plurality of stations configured to receive a parcel from said conveyor, sensor means for determining a correct position of said parcel on said conveyor, and activating means for moving said parcel across at least a portion of the width of said conveyor to said correct station in response to said sensor means determining said correct position of said parcel on said conveyor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for directing a parcel to a correct station from a conveyor which comprises: a powered conveyor a stop means adjacent an entrance to said conveyor for stopping said parcel, first identifying means for identifying presence of a parcel adjacent said stop means, second identifying means for identifying an identification characteristic of said parcel, means for moving said stop means in response to said first identifying means and said second identifying means to permit said parcel to enter said conveyor, a plurality of stations configured to receive a parcel from said conveyor, sensor means for determining a correct position of said parcel on said conveyor, and activating means for moving said parcel across at least a portion of the width of said conveyor to said correct station in response to said sensor means determining said correct position of said parcel on said conveyor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said activating means comprises a plate means mounted on activatable levers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said plate includes a plate section extending from a mid-section of said plate away from a mid-section of said conveyer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said levers are confined within a volume having one dimension comprising the width of said conveyor when said levers are activated and when said levers are at rest.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said levers are confined within a volume having one dimension comprising the width of said conveyor when said levers are activated and when said levers are at rest.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of any one of claims 7, 8, 9, 11, or 10 wherein said powered conveyor is a powered roller conveyor.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of any one of claims 7, 8, 9, 11 or 10 wherein said powered conveyor is a belt conveyor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said activating means for moving said parcel across at least a portion of the width of said conveyor to said correct station is confined within a volume having one dimension comprising the width of said conveyor when said activating means is activated and when said activating means is inactive.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3642117A
Cited
US3955678A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-04-14 | 2000-10-14 | 2001-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-04-14 | 2004-10-14 | 2005-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-04-14 | 2008-10-14 | 2009-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |