Apparatus for and method of merging stream of presorted pieces into an ordered row
US6059091A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 1, 1997 |
| Grant date | May 9, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 1, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB07C3/02
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus and and a method for merging streams of presorted pieces provided with addresses into a row of pieces in accordance with a predetermined sequence of possible addresses, starting from at least two presorted rows in which the pieces are sorted in accordance with the predetermined sequence. The apparatus includes receiving elements which are transported successively along a conveying path, and transfer devices arranged at transfer points along the conveying path, wherein the number of transfer devices is equal to the number of presorted rows. The receiving elements are conveyed past the transfer devices in a timed sequence determined by the transport along the conveying path. The transfer devices can be actuated selectively for transferring a sorted piece each from the respective presorted row into one of the receiving elements as the receiving element travels past the transfer device. The apparatus further includes a control device for actuating the transfer devices in a timed sequence in which the pieces of all presorted rows are arranged in the receiving elements in accordance with the predetermined sequence and which is adjusted to the timed sequence of the transport …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.