Abstract: A magnetic sensor device includes: a magnetic field generator, disposed at one surface side of a sheet-like to-be-detected object including a magnetic component, to generate an intersecting magnetic field intersecting the object; and a magnetoresistive effect element disposed between the object and the magnetic field generator, having a resistance value changing in accordance with change of a component of the intersecting magnetic field in a conveyance direction along which the object is conveyed, when the object is conveyed. The magnetoresistive effect element includes resistive elements adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction and interconnected by a bridge, disposed in linear symmetry relative to an axis perpendicular to the conveyance direction and extending through a center of the bridge. A position in the conveyance direction of the bridge center of the magnetoresistive effect element coincides with a position in the conveyance direction of the magnetic field generator center.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor device includes: a magnet; yokes arranged on the magnet; and a magnetoresistance effect element to which is applied a leakage magnetic field emitted from the yokes to an exterior thereof. A detection region of the magnetoresistance effect element is at the side opposite to the magnet. The magnetoresistance effect element detects a change of a bias magnetic field of the magnetoresistance effect element that occurs when the object to be detected including the hard magnetic material passes through the detection region. The magnetic sensor device can accurately detect an object to be detected using a hard magnetic material.

Abstract: A magnetic field generator disposed on one surface side of a sheet-shaped object-to-be-detected contains a magnetic component. The magnetic field generator includes a first magnetic pole part that forms a first magnetic pole, and a second magnetic pole part that forms a second magnetic pole with reverse polarity of the first magnetic pole. The magnetic field generator generates a cross magnetic field that crosses the object-to-be-detected. An MR element is disposed between the first magnetic pole part and the object-to-be-detected. The resistance value of the MR element changes according to a change in a component of the cross magnetic field in a conveying direction. The position of the MR element in the conveying direction is position shifted along the conveying direction from the center position of the first magnetic pole part in the conveying direction, and located between both ends of the first magnetic pole part in the conveying direction.

Abstract: By providing a first magnet and a second magnet on wall surfaces of a hollow section where paper money is conveyed such that different magnetic poles face each other, a gradient magnetic field is formed wherein both a magnetic field component in an opposing direction to the magnets and a magnetic field component in a conveyance direction of the paper money include a zero point. An AMR element is provided between the paper money and the first magnet. The AMR element is enclosed by a multi-layered substrate and covered with resin. The AMR element is provided in an area where the magnetic field intensity is weak, which is where the magnetic field intensity in the gradient magnetic field in the conveyance direction is near zero. The paper money passes through an area where the magnetic field intensity of the gradient magnetic field is strong.

Abstract: A compact media processing device enables recording on a process medium and then processing the process medium based on the result of recording. The media processing device conveys a process medium and processes the conveyed process medium by a first process unit disposed to the conveyance path, and an operation selection unit then determines the content of the next operation based on the result of the first process. After the next operation is determined, the conveyance control unit conveys the process medium upstream to or upstream of the process position of a second process unit. A process control unit then applies the selected operation to the process medium by the second process unit that is disposed downstream from the first process unit on the conveyance path of the process medium.

Abstract: A utensil dispensing tray that cooperates with a dispenser. The tray includes at least one feature that causes the utensil, such as a knife, fork, spork, or spoon, to rotate from a first orientation to a second orientation for presentation as the utensil drops into the tray. The tray also includes one or more features that result in the utensil being consistently positioned in its second orientation within a dispensing area of the tray.

Abstract: A method is provided of operating an image-based check processing system to detect a double feed condition of carrier envelopes. An example method includes attempting to read a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) codeline from a first predefined area of an image of a document item, determining if the document item is a carrier envelope, concluding that the document item is not a double-fed item when a determination is made that the document item is a carrier envelope, and concluding that the document item is potentially a double-fed item when a determination is made that the document item is not a carrier envelope.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and sorting disks includes a wheel having at least one well for receiving a disk, a motor coupled to the wheel, a collecting device positioned relative to the wheel, a disk sensor, an ejector, and a controller. The collecting device has at least a first collector and a second collector configured for receiving disks. The disk sensor is configured to detect a value of a parameter of a disk received in the well and generate a parameter value signal. The ejector is coupled to the wheel proximate the well and configured to eject a disk from the well in a plane parallel to a bottom surface of the wheel in response to an eject signal. The controller is operably coupled with the disk sensor and the ejector.

Abstract: A sorting device includes a feed mechanism, a plurality of unloading mechanisms, a support mechanism, a measurement mechanism, a marking mechanism, and a plurality of transfer mechanisms. The plurality of transfer mechanisms is between the support mechanism and the feed mechanism or the plurality of unloading mechanisms, the measurement mechanism and the marking mechanism are on one side of the support mechanism and aim at different stations of the support mechanism.

Abstract: A magnetic verification system for a bill acceptor includes a magnetic induction circuit, a signal amplifying and regulating circuit, and a magnetic field generating circuit. The signal amplifying and regulating circuit has a D/A converter, and the magnetic induction circuit has a magnetic device adapted for scanning the magnetic ink of the bill to be verified. The magnetic device is adapted to write a magnetic field reference value from the magnetic field generating circuit into the D/A converter, for enabling the D/A converter to adjust the intensity of light being emitted by a LED of the signal amplifying and regulating circuit onto a photoresistance of the signal amplifying and regulating circuit so as to cause the photoresistance to change the resistance thereof subject to the intensity of light from the LED, so that an operation amplifier at the output end of the magnetic induction circuit obtains the correct magnetic field signal value to verify the authenticity of the inserted bill.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sorting postal articles on automatic sorting devices. According to the invention, the postal articles are read in one or several sorting devices and are pre-sorted in sorting terminal stations according to distributing areas. The pre-sorted postal articles are then conveyed to the sorting devices assigned to the respective distributing areas and are finely sorted based on the applied barcode that indicates the online-read or offline-read address. In order to provide an additional time for offline video encoding before the fine sorting, the postal articles, during the pre-sorting for each distributing area, are sorted in terminal stations for already completely read postal articles and in terminal stations for incompletely read postal articles. This permits the completely read postal articles to be immediately subjected to a fine sorting and enables this time to be used for offline video encoding the incompletely read postal articles.

Abstract: Systems and methods that allow for orienting and delivering mail between a postage verifier and a mail sorter. A postage verifier incudes an optical character reader for decoding addresses on mail pieces that do not have bar codes. A reverter orients mail from the postage verifier into a position required for processing by the mail sorter. A combination of mail carrying modules carry the mail from the reverter to the mail sorter. The mail sorter prints bar code information on mail lacking bar codes, when the data is available, and sorts the mail based on the bar code information.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for controlling a continuous movement of an object with symmetry of revolution (1) comprising a conveyor (5), characterized in that the conveyor comprises two parallel guides (6) and at least one pair of belts (8) stretched on the guides, between and on which these objects move at the level of the guides, these belts forming an angle (11) between a top track and a lower track of each of the belts, the belts in the pair having the same direction of rotation around the guides, the same value of the measured angle (11) from the upper track to the lower track, and the same displacement speed. Preferably, the pair of belts consists of a single folded belt.

Abstract: Systems and methods that allow for orienting and delivering mail between a postage verifier and a mail sorter. A postage verifier incudes an optical character reader for decoding addresses on mail pieces that do not have bar codes. A reverter orients mail from the postage verifier into a position required for processing by the mail sorter. A combination of mail carrying modules carry the mail from the reverter to the mail sorter. The mail sorter prints bar code information on mail lacking bar codes, when the data is available, and sorts the mail based on the bar code information.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor for detecting magnetic fields deriving from a magnetic body to detect any magnetic body on a non-magnetic body by moving relative to the non-magnetic body in prescribed relative moving directions along the surface of the non-magnetic body includes a magnetizing magnet in which a line connecting the N and S poles thereof is a direction substantially orthogonal to, and of which one pole is arranged either in contact with or in proximity to, the surface of the non-magnetic body; and a magnetism detecting element having two magnetic detectors arranged along a magnetic field detecting direction, the magnetic field detecting direction being orthogonal to the relative moving directions in a surface parallel to the surface of the non-magnetic body, wherein the magnetic body is magnetized by the magnetizing magnet along with the movement relative to the non-magnetic body, and magnetic fields according to the quantity of the magnetized part of the magnetic body are differentially detected by the two m

Abstract: An apparatus for the automated processing of bulk mail in a continuous and automatic procedure includes an operative combination of processing stations including an input station for receiving incoming mail in bulk fashion and for separating the pieces of mail for individual delivery to the remainder of the apparatus; a station for detecting irregularities in the contents of the envelopes, such as metal items, folded contents, or oversized items; a station for out-sorting envelopes rejected in accordance with determinations made at the detection station; a station for opening the envelopes, preferably along multiple edges; a station for removing the contents from the opened envelopes, for subsequent processing of the contents; and a series of stations for handling and orienting the contents for subsequent delivery to a plurality of output stackers.

Abstract: An automatic teller machine has an input hopper (20) into which checks and banknotes for deposit can be put. An imaging and sorting device (22) separates the banknotes and checks from each other. The banknotes are fed to a temporary banknote storage device (24) and the checks are fed to a temporary check storage device (26). A receipt for the number of items of each kind deposited is issued to the depositor. A further imaging device (28) may be provided for subsequent more detailed examination and further sorting of the deposited items. The subsequent examination preferably takes place when the machine is not being used by a customer.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for sorting a group of documents contained with an envelope into selected batches of documents. An envelope feeder feeds a group of envelopes containing documents onto a document transport. A document extractor positioned along the path of movement extracts the documents from the envelopes. A system controller identifies the documents extracted from each respective envelope as a single transaction along the path of movement. An orientation detector including a magnetic image reader and an optical image reader determines the orientation of selected documents along the path of movement. A document orientor changes the orientation of documents along the path of movement into a desired orientation. A document feeder is positioned downstream from the envelope feeder to selectively feed batch identification pieces into the path of movement.

Abstract: A process for characterization of magnetic materials for validating documents carrying marks which include magnetic materials is based on an analysis of signals supplied by an oscillator generating a low frequency signal supplying emitter windings and receiver windings that have different conformations. The receiver windings (A) and (B) are joined to an amplifier that has two outputs (S1) and (S2), output (S2) yielding, upon conformation, a signal (X) that is used as a time reference, and output (S1) yielding, after various transformations, two signals (Y) and (Z), each of which is entered into a microprocessor which, together with valid magnetic marker data, generate signals accepting or rejecting the document.

Abstract: In airports, large amounts of luggage have to be sorted and transported. Departing the luggage comes from check-in areas (14) to various finger conveyors (4) that radiate from a central area. A large amount of transit luggage must be handled directly between different finger conveyors (4). Arriving luggage comes from the finger conveyors for delivery to a central delivery area. The invention provides for a transportation system having a high degree of simplicity and clearness both in construction and in operative control. A central rotating conveyor system (2) receives luggage both from the check-in areas (14) and from individual conveyor loops (4) that extend along the separate finger conveyors, whereby departing luggage, as well as transit luggage can easily be sorted out to the correct finger conveyors (4), and arriving luggage conveyed to the central delivery area.

Abstract: A method for sorting items provided with address information includes passing the items successively through a scanning device for generating a video image of each item, a mechanical storage track and a printing station. The video images are supplied to a device for automatically reading the address information and assigning a corresponding code. The printing station prints the corresponding code on the items for which the address information can be read within a predetermined time. The video images of the items for which the address information cannot be automatically read within the predetermined time is stored in a buffer.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a member having a magnetic contour anisotropy. A counterpart yoke is disposed above a magnet. The thickness of the counterpart yoke is equal to or slightly smaller than the resolution. The counterpart yoke has a magnetic contour anisotropy for restraining the divergence of the magnetic flux from the magnet. The resolution can be prevented from being reduced depending on the distance between a medium and a magnetic sensing element. At the same time, the magnet can be miniaturized.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a document having a magnetic character on the document comprises measuring by testing equipment, magnetic flux level of a known current passed through a specified conductor to establish a first signal having a first signal strength represented by a unit value, passing the document through the testing equipment to provide a second signal having a second signal strength produced by magnetic flux of the character and assigning a value to the second signal strength in comparison to and shown in units as a percentage of the unit value of the first signal strength.

Abstract: In an apparatus for testing test objects equipped with magnetic properties, the magnetic circuit with an air gap having a detector consists of at least a soft-magnetic material and a permanent-magnetic material, whereby the static magnetic field produced by the permanent-magnetic material penetrates the magnetic circuit. The air gap is preferably formed between an end of the soft-magnetic material and a pole of the permanent-magnetic material.

Abstract: A deposit processing module comprising a first transport having a first end for receiving envelopes and single document deposits and a second end from which the deposits are discharged, and a second transport operatively positioned for receiving and returning single document deposits to and from the first transport. A printing device is provided for printing deposit information on the deposits, a magnetic charge/read head is provided for charging and reading magnetic information on the single document deposits and an imager is provided for imaging one side of the single document deposits. A gate mechanism associated with the second end of the first transport is movable between a first position wherein envelopes and single document deposits may be discharged from the module and a second position wherein single document deposits may be transported between the first transport to the second transport.

Abstract: An electronic mail tracking system having automatic zip code break marking capability. A series of optical sensors along the mail piece transport path of the tracking system track the progress of the mail pieces. A felt tip marker removably mounted to a solenoid is selectively extended and retracted to mark zip code breaks and the mail pieces are then transported to a stacker. The system provides high speed, reliable and low cost zip break marking and tracking of mail piece.

Abstract: A large-volume container has a receptacle, which is closed by a suspended cover, and an unloading catch, which is secured to the receptacle beneath its filling opening and which is formed as a collar-like hollow profile having a wall with an aperture, through which a radially expandable case of an identification unit is inserted into the cavity of the hollow profile.

Abstract: A device for the identification of a roller shell includes a microchip incorporated into a flexible material roller shell for printing presses. A scanning device excites the microchip for emitting signals permitting a definite identification of the microchip and of the roller shell.

Abstract: An apparatus for classifying photographic films in which cartridges are classified according to a customer's order information, each cartridge storing a photographic film having a recording portion on which a customer's order information is magnetically recorded. The apparatus includes a plurality of classifying portions, a selector unit for selecting one of the plurality of classifying portions based on the customer order information read from the recording portion of the film, and a transfer unit for moving the cartridge into the selected classifying portion. In consequence, the cartridge can be automatically classified.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjustably positioning a scanner along a transport deck includes a cartridge; and a belt structure rotatably mounted in said cartridge, for positioning the scanner transversely along the transport deck. The belt structure includes a reach parallel to the transport deck having an aperture at which the scanner can be mounted. There is adjustment structure, adjacent the belt structure, for rotating the belt structure to adjust the position of the aperture.

Abstract: A specimen sorting apparatus sorts specimens such as blood or urea from different subjects into predetermined classes according to examination items.

Abstract: A plant for the sorting of suspended articles (a, b, . . . z), e.g. hanger-suspended clothing (10), where each article is provided with an identification, which at a lead-in conveyor (12) is introduced into the plant's electronic control system (14, 15, 16, 19) by a scanning element (17), comprises a number of sorting section (1, 2, 3, . . . n) coupled in series and each comprising at least one conveyor and at least one intermediate store parallel herewith. In front of each sorting section there is provided a switchpoint, and each section is provided with stop elements, scanning elements for the passage of articles and separator elements. All of the elements are controlled and scanned by a programmable electronic control system (14, 15, 16, 19).

Abstract: A one-pass sorting system for sorting mail pieces in a sequence corresponding to a mail carrier's route includes storage media for storing a database containing a delivery sequence for each address on the carrier's route. As mail pieces to be delivered by the carrier are fed into the system, each of the mail pieces are transported to an multiline optical character reader (MLOCR) which reads the address printed on the mail piece. A processor operatively connected to the MLOCR and the storage media determines the sorting sequence representative of the delivery order sequence for each of the mail pieces which are then stored in a temporary storage bin until the sorting sequence has been determined for all the mail pieces. The mail pieces are then removed from the temporary storage bin and deposited into final sorting bins in an order corresponding to a sorting scheme corresponding to the delivery sequence in the carrier's route.

Abstract: A memory chip for storing information relating to an individual textile package and a device for manipulating the package and a chip reading device to access the information stored on the memory chip are provided. The memory chip can be loaded with individual package information such as, for example, the time, date and machine location at which the package was produced and the information can preferably be extinguished from the memory chip for loading of the memory chip with individual information concerning another package. To this end, the memory chip is preferably removably secured to the textile material or the tube of the textile package for subsequent removal for reuse on another package. The manipulating device moves the package and the chip reading device relatively to one another so that the chip reading device enters a reception area of predetermined size and location relative to the memory chip in which it can read, extinguish or supplement the information stored on the memory chip.

Abstract: A data bearing card having first contacts connected to an integrated circuit on the card is read and confiscated if invalid or bogus. The card is translated in a first direction from an admission chamber to a reading station having second contacts adapted to engage the first contacts so data signals can be coupled between the integrated circuit and a data processor. After data stored in the integrated circuit have been read through the contacts the card is fed in a second direction of travel from the reading station back toward the admission chamber until the card has been completely extracted from the reading station. If the card is bogus, the reading station pivots to open a path for the card to a confiscation bin located beneath the reading station. The bogus card is then fed in the first direction into the confiscation bin.

Abstract: Sheets or a web of bank note imprints are advanced in single file through an indexing station where a unique identifying index is applied to each imprint. The indexed imprints are stacked as a pile of strips, downstream of the indexing station, and the pile of strips cut into piles of individual indexed bank notes.Strips containing imprints with printing blemishes or incorrect indexes are rejected before reaching the stacking station. Computer-control of the indexing units in the indexing station maintains an unbroken sequence of indexes on the imprints advanced to the stacking station despite the presence of reject strips.

Abstract: A novel tear strip or sealing strip for a package or container is disclosed. The tear strip or sealing strip comprises a plastic film substrate upon which a magnetizable metal oxide coating has been deposited. The coated strip may be adhered to the package or the flexible wrapping material for the package or container. Optionally, the strip may be coated with a pigment or metallized or printed with graphic indicia or any combination of these features. Information may be recorded on the magnetic coating during packaging and handling for subsequent readout.

Abstract: An arrangement for sorting vehicle bodies by the colors of coating expected thereon in a vehicle body coating line, comprises vehicle body conveying equipment including a plurality of branch conveyers disposed in parallel with one another for transporting and storing temporarily thereon vehicle bodies carried into the arrangement through a bringing-in conveyer and supplying the vehicle stored temporarily to a coating process through a bringing-out conveyer, and a control device for storing therein data indicative of color of coating expected on each of the vehicle bodies on said branch conveyers, with reference to a position of each of the vehicle bodies on the branch conveyers, and driving each of the branch conveyers selectively in accordance with the data stored therein so as to transport the vehicle bodies on the branch conveyers to the bringing-out conveyer in such a manner that the vehicle bodies from the branch conveyers are sorted in dependence on the colors of coating expected on the vehicle bodies.

Abstract: A document reader module which provides precise alignment for the document being read and the associated reader, like an optical reader. An integrated frame member provides accurate control surfaces for the precise alignment mentioned. An elevator mechanism mounted on the frame member provides an apparatus for adjusting the read head relative to the line of data on the documents being read. A special pinch roller construction, which can be locked in a retracted position, facilitates the removal of jammed documents from the associated document track.

Abstract: An elevator for adjusting the elevation of a code reader of a high speed mail sorting machine. The elevator is powered by a reversible DC electric motor which operates an extensible and retractable linear actuator. The actuator connects with a platform on which the reader is mounted. A control circuit for the motor includes a digital comparitor which compares the desired elevation of the reader with the actual elevation sensed by a potentiometer. A transistorized motor drive circuit controlled by the comparitor applies current to the motor in opposite directions to cause extension or retraction of the actuator, depending upon whether the reader is below or above the desired elevation. Upper and lower limit switches limit the range of movement of the reader.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to rapidly and automatically scan the UPC, or bar code, from a series of containers and maintain talleys of the brands and types of containers processed. A guide is placed diagonally across the top of the conveyor to catch and direct any containers moving along the conveyor. Continued motion of the conveyor beneath the containers at an angle relative to the guide causes each container to rotate as it slides along the guide toward the edge of the conveyor. One or more UPC scanners are positioned to read the UPC from each container as it slides along the guide. Because of the rotation of the containers, the entire sidewall of each container is exposed to the scanners. Any containers that are not successfully read by the scanners are rejected for subsequent manual processing.

Abstract: Processing is based on print carriers in the form of security paper webs or security paper sheets, containing security paper prints which are arranged in the manner of matrices in transverse rows and longitudinal rows and on which spoilt notes are identified by a mark which can be read by a reading instrument. The print carriers pass, in succession, by a reading instrument which detects the positions of the spoilt notes and feeds them into a computer for storage, a cancellation printer controlled by this computer, which provides spoilt notes with a cancellation print, and a numbering machine. The numbering mechanisms of this numbering machine are moved forward by the computer in such a way that always the satisfactory security paper prints, placed in succession in any longitudinal row, are serially numbered, the spoilt notes being neglected.

Abstract: A sorting device for sorting out a multiplicity of pieces such as tickets, for example, according to their size includes a frame, a drum rotatably mounted in the frame for storing therein pieces such as tickets having different sizes to be sorted out, a sorter on the drum including openings of different dimensions for passing therethrough pieces of different sizes, respectively, and a collector disposed peripherally around the drum in radial alignment with those openings of one dimension for collecting pieces of a particular size passing through the last-mentioned openings. The drum is rotated by a motor about its own axis to cause the pieces of the particular size to be discharged through the openings of the one dimension out of the drum. The sorting device also has a separator for separating superimposed sorted-out pieces from each other. Magnetic or optical information recorded on sorted-out pieces is read by a magnetic or optical reader.

Abstract: A method and device for sorting flat and indexed articles are disclosed, the method involving two passes. In the first pass, articles having a destination common to a very large member of articles are sorted and distributed to N/2 receptacles (10), the receptacles being fewer in number than the total number (N) of possible destinations for the articles, while the other articles are put aside in a buffer receptacle (12). In the second pass, a control circuit (7) assigns new destinations to the sorting receptacles, placing a marker (16) after each pack of articles contained in the receptacles, and the articles initially set aside (21) are resorted to the new destinations. The invention is particularly applicable to mail sorting.

Abstract: In a system for conveying objects bearing indicia of destination addresses to associated receptacles, the indicium on each object is converted to an address code identifying a particular receptacle, and the code is fed to a control device for storage. The objects are then moved sequentially past a meter which reads and feeds their indicia to the control device and counts the objects as they pass on to a succession of uniformly spaced containers traveling in a continuous, closed path near the receptacles. All objects passing the meter thus become associated with respective containers, and their number equals the number of containers sequentially passing an arbitrary metering point along the closed path. Any container carrying an object reaches a point over its target receptacle when the meter count for that object corresponds to the indicium/address code which associates that object with that receptacle.

Abstract: A device for classifying handled objects. This device comprises a mechanical sorting system and an electronic control system. The former comprises two storage devices, each organized in the form of a queue or line, i.e., the objects can be removed in the order in which they are entered, and a third storage device organized in the form of a stack or pile, i.e., the objects can be removed in the opposite order to that in which they entered. The mechanical system also comprises conveyors for transferring the objects between the different storage devices. The electronic system comprises a control computer, equipped with two memory zones organized in the form of a queue, and a third memory zone organized in the form of a stack, in which are stored the codes allocated to each object. The computer controls the transfer of codes from one memory zone to another, in order to sort in one of them the codes in a given order, and controls the corresponding displacement of the objects carrying the codes.

Abstract: A ticket handling system for use in a ticket preparation system that includes a signal processor for providing print signals to indicate information to be printed on the tickets and write signals to indicate information to be encoded on the tickets; a printer for printing information on ticket stock in response to the print signals; and a transducer for encoding information on the ticket stock in response to the write signals. The ticket handling system includes a feeder module including a feed system for feeding a strip of ticket stock; a cutter module; a cutting device for cutting ticket blanks of a given length from the fed end of the strip; a printer module including the printer for printing ticket information on the ticket blanks in response to the print signals; and a transport module including the transducer for encoding ticket information on the ticket blanks in response to the write signals.

Abstract: When the number of pieces of postal matter stacked at a stacking section in a sorter with an automatic push-out apparatus of the invention reaches a number which allows a push-out operation before or after a full-stack operation, the postal matter is transferred to a corresponding empty tray. The postal matter which is to be stacked at this stacking section during the push-out operation is stacked at a preliminary stacking section. After the stacking section is restored, the postal matter stacked at the preliminary stacking section is transferred to the empty tray.

Abstract: The invention provides a sorter with an automatic push-out apparatus. The postal matter is transferred to an empty tray after the corresponding stacking section is full of postal matter. When the number of pieces of postal matter to be stacked at the stacking section within a push-out time duration is above or below a predetermined value before a full-stack status of the stacking section, a control circuit and detectors operate to transfer the postal matter to a corresponding empty tray.

Abstract: Rows (14, 16) of documents are conveyed in a shingled "two-up" fashion between low speed input rollers (18) and then to high speed rollers (22) which burst the shingled documents. After bursting, coded indicia (44) on each document are read by a photocell assembly (40). After bursting and reading, each document is individually folded in a folder (24). Documents are then delivered to a two-stage collector assembly (26). Documents having like indicia are passed through the collector assembly (26) to a lower collector stage (30). Upon bursting, documents whose indicia (44) indicate that they do not belong to a preceding group of documents are folded and then retained in an upper collector stage (28) until documents belonging to a preceding group of documents have been dumped on an insert track (32).