GB2286585A

GB2286585A - Apparatus for sorting objects which differ in size

Info

Publication number: GB2286585A
Application number: GB9402945A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Wilcox
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-02-16
Filing date: 1994-02-16
Publication date: 1995-08-23
Also published as: GB9402945D0

Abstract

Apparatus for sorting security labels from their smaller fastenings comprises a table 4 which includes an open-ended inclined chute 3 formed with longitudinal guideways 9 which are dimensioned to receive side pieces of the labels and to convey these to a discharge outlet 10 at the foot of the chute. The chute is formed with an opening 11 in its under surface through which the fastenings leave the chute and pass to opening 11. The angle of inclination of the chute is between 30 DEG and 50 DEG to the horizontal. The chute guideway and opening is of cruciform section. <IMAGE>

Description

APPARATUS FOR SORTING OBJECTS WHICH DIFFER IN SIZE This invention relates to apparatus for sorting objects which differ in size. More especially, the invention concerns apparatus for separating such items as security markers from price and identification labels or tags (hereinafter referred to simply as tags) pinned to articles of clothing and other items displayed openly in shops and stores on racks and shelves Electronic security markers are used in many shops and stores as a deterrent to theft. These markers are conventionally of button or similar shape and are generally adapted to be securely attached to pins carried by generally rectangular or square tags of plastics or card which include price and other data relevant to the items to which they are attached.The pins pass through the clothing or other item of merchandise to define with the markers a clasp which can only be removed with difficulty.

One specie of security marker includes teeth which grip firmly around the pin of a tag and can only effectively be removed by magnets which operate to open the teeth and release the pin. For this purpose, magnetic devices are conveniently sited at checkout counters of the store in question.

Bny other attempt to remove a security marker will inevitably cause damage to the item in question because of the presence of the pin and any attempt to leave the shop or store with an article having an electronic security marker in place will cause an alarm to operate to attract the relevant security personnel.

Electronic markers (and tags) are reusable items and particularly in the case of the former represent, in volume, assets of a value which warrant collection ready for re-use.

Presently, at a checkout counter the security markers are magnetically or -otherwise removed from the pins of the tags by a member of staff and are collected together in a single container for subsequent sorting. While this process is generally acceptable, sorting of the security markers from the tags is a lengthy and costly operation particularly for larger stores having high volumes of sales.

The present invention sets out to provide apparatus by use of which security markers and pin tags are automatically sorted for collection in separate containers.

According to the present invention in one aspect there is provided apparatus for sorting first and second objects which differ in size, the apparatus comprising a housing including an open-ended inclined chute formed with lengthwise extending guideways which extend over substantially the full length of the chute and which are dimensioned to receive side pieces of first objects and to convsyLthese objects to a discharge outlet at the foot of the chute, the chute having an opening formed in its under surface through which second objects leave the chute and pass to another discharge outlet of the housing.

The guideways may be channel-shaped and may extend over substantially the entire length of the chute. The opening formed in the undersurface of the chute is preferably positioned generally centrally of the chute and the angle of inclination of the chute is preferably between 30 and 50 to the horizontal.

In another aspect, there is provided apparatus for sorting security markers and identification labels, the apparatus comprising an inclined chute housed within a casing and including lengthwise extending guideways positioned to receive side edges of identification labels introduced into the chute through an upper opening and to convey these labels to an opening positioned at or towards the lower end of the chute, and a further opening positioned in the underface of the chute between the upper and lower openings through which security markers introduced into the chute can pass.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view from above of apparatus in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is a side view in section of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1.

The apparatus illustrated in the drawings comprises a generally rectangular housing 1 whose sides 2 support an open-ended inclined chute 3. The angle of inclination of the chute to the horizontal is typically between 20 and 50 and preferably approximately 300. The housing is typically produced from wood, plastics, medium density fibre board or a metallic material; any other suitable materials may however be employed. The top of the casing is closed by a cover 4. Positioned over the upper open end of the chute 3 is a plate 5 formed with a cruciform opening 6 into which objects to be sorted can be inserted. The plate 5 may be pressed from a suitable metal, e.g. brass, copper, chromium or-mild steel.

As mentioned previously, apparatus in accordance with this invention is particularly useful for sorting generally rectangular plastics or card tags which include integral fastening pins and relatively small button-shaped security markers including teeth, the markers having previously been removed magnetically from the pins of the tags at a checkout counter of a shop or store.

The cruciform opening 6 is dimensioned to enable the tags to pass through the shorter arm 7 of the opening when inclined generally in the direction of the chute with the sides of the tag close to the ends of the arm 7 with the fastening pin passing through the longer arm 8 of the opening.

In line with the ends of the arm 7 are channel shaped guideways 9 each of which is dimensioned to receive one side edge of a tag as it is introduced through the cruciform opening 6 and to convey this tag along the length of the chute for discharge through an outlet 10 at the foot of the chute. An opening 11 is formed in the underside of the chute at a generally central position and is dimensioned to enable electronic markers introduced through the opening 6 to be collected within a receptacle (not shown) positioned below an outlet 12 of the housing. The opening 11 and outlet 12 communicate one with the other via a passageway 14.

In use, separated tags and security markers are simply inserted into the housing 1 through the cruciform opening 6 at a checkout counter. Because of their shape, as the tags are introduced so their sides enter the guideways 9 thereby enabling the tags to pass along the full length of the chute for discharge through the opening 10 at the foot of the chute. The smaller markers, however, are not retained by the guideways and consequently leave the chute through the opening 11. Thus, the tags and security markers are automatically sorted and can be collected in separate receptacles positioned between the outlets 10 and 12.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of apparatus in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Apparatus for sorting first and second objects which differ in size, the apparatus comprising a housing including an open-ended inclined chute formed with lengthwise extending guideways which extend over substantially the full length of the chute and which are dimensioned to receive side pieces of first objects and to convey these objects to a discharge outlet at the foot of the chute, the chute having an opening formed in its under surface through which second objects leave the chute and pass to another discharge outlet of the housing.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the guideways are channel-shaped and extend over substantially the entire length of the chute.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the opening formed in the undersurface of the chute is positioned generally centrally of the chute.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the angle of inclination of the chute is between 30 and 50 to the horizontal.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein an opening of generally cruciform configuration is formed in the housing above the upper end of the chute.

6. Apparatus for sorting security markers and identification labels, the apparatus comprising an inclined chute housed within a casing and including lengthwise extending guideways positioned to receive side edges of identification labels introduced into the chute through an upper opening and to convey these labels to an opening positioned at or towards the lower end of the chute, and a further opening positioned in the underface of the chute between the upper and lower openings through which security markers introduced into the chute can pass.

7. Apparatus for sorting first and second objects which differ in size substantially as herein described and as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.