APPARATUS FOR CLASSIFYING PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS OR THE LIKE

• US 3,631,979 A
• Filed: 03/12/1970
• Issued: 01/04/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Franz Wiesbeck, Gerhard Frankiewicz
• Original Assignee: Franz Wiesbeck, Gerhard Frankiewicz
• Inventors: Wiesbeck, Franz, Frankiewicz, Gerhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Knowles, Allen N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Church, Gene A.
• Application Number:
  US05/018,904
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 209/74,88 83/79,80,105,106,365,210 198/31A
• US Class Current: 209/554
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 31/24 multiple or compartmented, e.d. for alternate, programmed, or selective filling
• CPC Class Codes: G03D 15/005 Order systems, e.g. printsorter
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/2024 Responsive to work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/2083 Deflecting guide

Abstract

An automatic classifying apparatus for segregating unsatisfactory prints from satisfactory prints subsequent to severing of a strip which consists of randomly distributed satisfactory and unsatisfactory prints. Each unsatisfactory print is identified by a graphite line or another suitable mark which is detected by a scanning unit and serves to initiate the generation of a signal transmitted to a motor for a pivotable platform which directs satisfactory prints into a first tray and defective prints into a second tray. The trays are located downstream of the station where the strip is severed during intervals between stepwise advances by the length of a print.

Claims

1. Apparatus for classifying photographic prints or analogous reproductions wherein first reproductions exhibiting first characteristics as to quality are in random distribution and form a succession of reproductions with second reproductions exhibiting different second characteristics as to quality and wherein the second reproductions are provided with detectable identifying indicia, comprising transporting means arranged to transport successions of randomly distributed first and second reproductions along a predetermined path located in a substantially horizontal plane and having a discharge end;

severing means arranged to Subdivide each succession into discrete parts each of which encompasses one of the reproductions;

scanning means adjacent to said path and arranged to produce signals in response to detection of said indicia; and

a sorting device arranged to segregate said second reproductions from said first reproductions in response to said signals, said sorting device comprising a guide which is adjacent to the discharge end of said path and is movable in response to said signals from a first position in which it directs said first reproductions to a first collecting station to a second position in which it directs said second reproductions to a second collecting station, said guide being disposed at a level below said plane and including a platform which is pivotable between said first and second positions about a substantially horizontal axis which is at least substantially parallel to the direction of transport of reproductions along said path, said platform including two elongated edge portions substantially parallel with and flanking said axis, one of said edge portions being closely adjacent to said plane in one position and the other edge portion being closely adjacent to said plane in the other position of said platform.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said successions of reproductions forms a strip of exposed photographic prints and wherein said transporting means is arranged to transport the strips stepwise, always by the length of a print.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said sorting device further comprises means for biasing said guide to one of said positions.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said platform is pivotable between said first and second positions through an acute angle.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said angle is between 60* and 70*.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising first and second receptacles respectively disposed at said first and second collecting stations and respectively arranged to receive and to stack said first and second reproductions.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said receptacles are immediately adjacent to each other.