GB887648A - Article sorting control apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

887,648. Letter sorting apparatus. STANDARD TELEPHONES & CABLES Ltd. April 9, 1958 [April 9, 1957], No. 11174/58. Class 40(3). Sorting apparatus, particularly for sorting letters in accordance with the position of a stamp thereon, comprises an arrangement for conveying letters past photo-electric detecting means and means for routing letters to different containers in response to control signals derived from the detector means. Letters to be sorted arrive at A, Fig. 1, aligned along a longitudinal edge and are fed in turn past a sizing and spacing detector B which includes a number of light barriers b1-b6 each comprising a light source and a photo transistor. The output of the transistors is applied to an evaluating arrangement C (Fig. 3, not shown) which actuates a routing device W0 to prevent letters exceeding a predetermined size or too closely spaced being fed to the following stamp position detectors. The stamp is assumed to be in one of four areas, i.e. at the top right or bottom left on either side of the envelope and one stamp position detector is allocated to each area These detectors (two only, L,E and D,K, shown) are disposed between switches W0 and W1 and each, e.g. the detector allocated to search the top right hand area of one side, Fig. 2a, comprises a number of photoelectric scanning devices F1-F4 and a number of light barriers (photo transistors P1-P6 only shown). The outputs of the scanning devices F1-F4 in unit E are controlled by gate circuits H1 which are in turn controlled by the operation of the light barriers. Light barriers P1, P6 and P5 determine the height of the letter and, by gating the outputs of the scanning devices, determine which pair of scanning devices, i.e., F4, F3, F2,F3 or F2, F1, will provide an output to evaluating means. The area is scanned in two parts, when P1 is observed the gate associated with the first of the scanning devices is opened and the device scans part of the area during transit of the leading edge of the letter from P1 to P2. When P2 is observed the gate associated with the first scanning device is closed and that associated with the second device opened. The second device scans the other part of the area during transit of the leading edge of the letter from P2 to P3. When P3 is observed the second gate is closed. As stated, the output of the gate circuits is applied to evaluating means A which is of the type described in Specification 887,649. If a stamp signal is detected in the scanned area ' the validity of the signal is determined by the evaluating means and if' correct a control signal is applied via a storage circuit R to an arrangement K controlling switch W1 and via a second storage circuit S to an arrangement Y controlling switch W2 whereby the letter is Touted to one of containers M, Z, N in accordance with the stamp position.