DEVICE WHICH SCANS AND DETECTS FOR CONTENTS IN A PACKAGE

• US 3,712,468 A
• Filed: 02/24/1971
• Issued: 01/23/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ara Bouloutian, Brian J. Stuhlmuller, Paul Zakarian, William Wenner
• Original Assignee: Ara Bouloutian, Brian J. Stuhlmuller, Paul Zakarian, William Wenner
• Inventors: Zakarian, Paul, Wenner, William, Stuhlmuller, Brian J., Bouloutian, Ara
• Primary Examiner(s): Schacher, Richard A.
• Application Number:
  US05/118,369
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 53/53 209/74,82,88
• US Class Current: 209/551
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 1/00 Measures preceding sorting according to destination
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 1/16 Sorting according to thickness or stiffness
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/083 Mechanically moved sensing devices, the movement of which influences the electric contact members
• CPC Class Codes: B43M 7/02 Devices for both opening envelopes and removing contents

Abstract

There is disclosed herein a device that scans for contents or lack of contents in an enclosed package such as a postal envelope and separates those items which have contents from those which do not. Contents or lack of contents are determined by sensing the thickness of the package over a specified length. If the detection of thickness occurs over a distance less that that specified, it is determined that the package has no contents and therefore, the package is directed into the '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'normal'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' receptacle. Conversely, those packages with contents are directed into the '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'exception'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' receptacle. The disclosed device also provides for the use of multiple sensors so that various portions of the enclosed package may be simultaneously scanned for thickness. Unless one or more of the sensors provides a positive indication of contents over the specified length and distance of travel, the device will again place the package in the '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'normal'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' receptacle. There is also disclosed means of assuring that those packages which have been scanned for contents or lack of contents are correctly separated into the appropriate receptacle. If proper sorting does not occur, the device is automatically stopped. In addition, there is disclosed for inventory purposes an arrangement which counts the total pieces that are scanned by the device as well as those pieces which are sorted into the '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'exception'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' receptacle.

Claims

1. A sorting device comprising:

a. a package means for carrying contents, said package means having a varying thickness;

b. a scanning means for detecting contents as well as the lack of contents within said package, said package means moving relative to said scanning means at a pre-determined speed;

c. means coupled to said scanning means to produce a first signal determined by said speed and the length of said relative movement to indicate the presence of said contents, said coupled means producing a second signal determined by said speed and relative movement to indicate the absence of contents;

d. means to receive said first signal for diverting said package with contents into a first receptacle, means to receive said second signal for diverting said package without contents into a second receptacle.

2. The sorting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said scanning means includes pre-set switching means to pass a minimum thickness package, whereas, said pre-set means upon exceeding said minimum thickness producing a switching signal.

3. The sorting device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said coupled means includes a resistance-capacitance timing circuit.

4. The sorting device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said switching means is connected to a flip-flop circuit, said switching signal causing said flip-flop circuit to be activated to a set condition, the set condition of said flip-flop initiating said timing circuit, whereas the termination of said switching signal causes said flip-flop and said timing circuit to be re-set.

5. The sorting device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said scanning means further includes a roller means which passes over a discrete area of said package means, said roller means activating said switching device to produce said switching signal when said package means exceeds said pre-set minimum thickness for a pre-determined length.

6. The sorting device in accordance with claim 5 wherein error checking means are connected to said coupled means, said error checking means generating an error signal when said package with contents enters said second receptacle and said package means without contents enters said first receptacle.

7. The sortinG device in accordance with claim 6 wherein a circuit breaker means is coupled to said error checking means, said error signal when applied to said circuit breaker means causing said sorting device to become inoperative.

8. The sorting device in accordance with claim 7 wherein a first photocell is located near said scanning means and a second photocell is located near said first receptacle.

9. The sorting device in accordance with claim 8 wherein first and second counting means are coupled to said respective first and second photocells, said first counting means determining the number of package means being scanned and said second counting means determining the number of package means entering said first receptacle.

10. A sorting device comprising:

a. a package means for carrying contents;

b. a plurality of scanning means for detecting said contents as well as the lack of contents within said package, said last mentioned means scanning discrete areas of said package means;

c. means coupled to said scanning means to generate respective first signals to indicate that contents are present in said discrete areas, said coupled means producing respective second signals to indicate the lack of contents in said discrete areas;

d. means for decoding said respective first signals, said decoding means decoding X out of Y wherein X represents any number other than zero of first signals which are generated and Y represents the total number of scanning means;

e. means for diverting said envelope into a first receptacle after said decoding means has decoded X out of Y, said means for diverting directing said package into a second receptacle when all of the signals decoded by said decoder means are said second signals.