Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for controlling a buffer stock of flat objects

US6024355A · kind A · utility

3Cited by
6References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 16, 1996
Grant dateFeb 15, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 16, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65H2557/23
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

For temporarily storing sheets, envelopes and the like, the objects are received one by one in a buffer apparatus and delivered one by one from that apparatus. For each object, a code associated with that object is determined, which code is stored in accordance with the order of receipt of the objects. Each object that is discharged is scanned and the scanning result is compared with a code that on the basis of order information is supposed to be associated with that object. If a particular minimum extent of agreement between the compared data is found, a normal operating status is adhered to. If less than the particular extent of agreement between the compared data is found, an error message status is selected. There is also described a buffer apparatus for temporarily storing the objects. Different objects can indiscriminately be processed in an irregular order and checked for separation.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.