GB1111061A - System for sorting postal documents or letters - Google Patents

Abstract

1,111,061. Sorting machines. DE STAAT DER NEDERLANDEN, TEN DEZE VERTEGENWOORDIGD DOOR DE DIRECTEUR-GENERAAL DER POSTERIJEN TELEGRAFIE EN TELEFONIE. 14 June, 1965 [26 June, 1964], No. 24967/65. Heading G4M. In a letter-sorting machine, the transport path is divided into equal sections, and the entry of a letter into each section is detected by respective photo-cells #1-#8 and #1.1-#1.8 to #8.1-#8.8, Fig. 1, which control the advance of sort-control signals through a pair of shift registers a, b so as to operate deflectors at the appropriate times. Register b controls the main path deflectors k1-k7 and register a controls the branch path deflectors k1.1-k8.8. Each stage S1b-S7b of register b controls the associated deflector through a decoding logic circuit, whereas each stage, escept S1a of register a controls a pair of branch path deflectors such as k1.1, k1.2 through respective decoding circuits, Fig. 5 (not shown). After passing read-station l, a letter, which is to be sorted into the third compartment of the second branch path, covers f thereby causing the sort-control signals binary " 2 " and binary " 3 " to be entered in stages S1b, S1a respectively. The decoding circuit associated with S1b can only produce an output in response to binary " 1," k1 is not actuated and the letter proceeds to the next main path section. When #2 is covered, the sort-control signals are advanced to S2b, S2a and k2 is actuated by the decoding circuit associated with S2b. The next photo-cell covered by the letter is #2.1 which advances the sort control signal to S3b, S3a. Neither k2.1 nor k2.2 is actuated and the letter proceeds to #2.2 which advances the sort-control signals to S4b, S4a, the decoding circuit associated with S4a then actuating k2.3. Any letters which are not directed to a compartment are fed on to return path r. Logic circuits are also illustrated in Fig. 5 for indicating malfunction of the machine. If a letter which should have been deflected e.g. by k2.1 or k2.2 subsequently covers #2.2, a lamp is lit to indicate incorrect operation at junction k2.1, k2.2. Conversely, if the letter should have passed k2.1, k2.2 but does not subsequently cover #2.2 the same lamp is also lit (indicating a jam).