Sorting module installation
First Claim
1. A sorting module for use with an associated supporting structure, the sorting module comprising, in combination:
- a shelf means,a series of separator panel means,a frontal connection means extending transversely of the shelf means, and movably connected to the series of separator panel means in a manner permitting them to move transversely of the shelf means and rotationally with respect to the frontal connector means,a rearward connection means extending transversely of the shelf means, and movably connected to the series of separator panel means in a manner permitting them to move transversely of the shelf means,the frontal connection means being supportively connected to the shelf means,the connection of the series of separator panel means to the frontal connection means and the rearward connection means providing that the series of separator panel means may move into and between a sorting position extending fore-and-aft with respect to the shelf means and an upraised releasing position at least about 90°
from the sorting position,the arrangement being such that when the series of separator panel means is in its sorting position the separator panel means provides a transversely extending series of sorting regions extending from the shelf means upwardly therefrom, for the user to deposit work objects selectively in an appropriate sorting region, the shelf means providing a rest for the work objects, but the series of separator panel means may be then rotated from that sorting position to their releasing position, during which movement the work objects will remain resting on the shelf means, in a condition of sorting which has been given to the work objects by their being deposited into the respective sorting regions while the series of separator panel means is in its said sorting position, for subsequent removal of the work objects while they are still in their sorted condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and procedure for sorting mail and the like rapidly and accurately. An array of sorting modules each contain a shelf or base and a series of vertical separator panels which divide the shelf area into a plurality of bins into which individual mail items may be selectively placed. A frontal connection feature extends transversely of the shelf, holding all of the grid of panels for movability as a set upwardly away from the shelf, but also individually movable transversely to give a bin-size adjustment to individual bins automatically in accordance with respective bins'"'"' needs. The frontal connection provides for the upward rotation with respect to the shelf, from a fore-and-aft panel-position which provides the sorting bins to move to an upraised position in which the panels are freed from the sorted mail batches so that the full set of sorted mail batches may be bundled as a group of code sets. An array of such shelf-and-panel modules are releasably retained on a large rack, by which the individual modules may be positioned and removed. The various features provide a sorting station installation particularly beneficial to that of a U.S. Post Office facility, although the concepts are not limited to that type of use.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A sorting module for use with an associated supporting structure, the sorting module comprising, in combination:
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a shelf means, a series of separator panel means, a frontal connection means extending transversely of the shelf means, and movably connected to the series of separator panel means in a manner permitting them to move transversely of the shelf means and rotationally with respect to the frontal connector means, a rearward connection means extending transversely of the shelf means, and movably connected to the series of separator panel means in a manner permitting them to move transversely of the shelf means, the frontal connection means being supportively connected to the shelf means, the connection of the series of separator panel means to the frontal connection means and the rearward connection means providing that the series of separator panel means may move into and between a sorting position extending fore-and-aft with respect to the shelf means and an upraised releasing position at least about 90°
from the sorting position,the arrangement being such that when the series of separator panel means is in its sorting position the separator panel means provides a transversely extending series of sorting regions extending from the shelf means upwardly therefrom, for the user to deposit work objects selectively in an appropriate sorting region, the shelf means providing a rest for the work objects, but the series of separator panel means may be then rotated from that sorting position to their releasing position, during which movement the work objects will remain resting on the shelf means, in a condition of sorting which has been given to the work objects by their being deposited into the respective sorting regions while the series of separator panel means is in its said sorting position, for subsequent removal of the work objects while they are still in their sorted condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification