Abstract: An apparatus for the separate collection of rubbish includes a containing structure provided with an internal compartment in which there are a plurality of rubbish collection containers and at least a first and a second aperture for access to the internal compartment from the outside, in order to introduce the rubbish.

Abstract: System includes an article supply location that includes a plurality of articles to be sorted, first and second transport vehicles, each having a first position in which an article is stowed about the vehicle and a second position in which the article is deposited into a proximal container, and one or more removal devices that transport the container to a location of further processing. System further includes a control system configured to receive an order for a plurality of disparate articles, determine one destination container of a plurality of destination containers to direct the transport vehicle to deposit a selected article, direct the first transport vehicle to transport a selected article to the destination container, deposit the article in the destination container, and transport the destination container to a location for further processing by manipulation of the removal device.

Abstract: In a method of sorting mailpieces, in which method the mailpieces sorted into the sorting outlets of a postal sorting machine are transferred from said sorting outlets to an unstacker magazine of the machine, or to an unstacker magazine of another sorting machine for the purpose of being sorted again into sorting outlets, said mailpieces are handled by means of shuttle trays of variable storage capacity for the purpose of transferring them from the sorting outlets to the unstacker magazine.

Abstract: A multi-pharmaceutical dispensing station includes a circular platform around which a plurality of individual dispensers is arrayed at a convenient loading height. Cylindrical, empty prescription containers bearing indicia of the patient and pharmaceutical to be dispensed into each container. Incident containers first enter an entraining column, where sensors detect the indicia and determine the proper dispenser to which to direct the container. The containers then drop into a dispersion wheel which translates them around the circular station and aligns them with a vertical chute leading to the designated dispenser. Slidable gates cover the chutes until the transport system determines they are above the proper dispenser, then open to drop the containers into the designated dispenser. The dispersion wheel may be used in other applications, such as container content verification, and may include container processing stations along its perimeter for processing the containers before sending them on.

Abstract: A magnetic sweeper includes an upper body portion and a base assembly disposed below the upper body portion and a frame. The body defines a cavity with an open bottom portion. The base assembly includes a non-magnetizable frame and a magnetizable plate supported by the frame and a non-magnetizable collection basket disposed below and offset from the magnetizable plate. A pair of wheels and handle are provided for guiding and propelling the sweeper over a selected area of ground. In addition, the sweeper includes a battery and a solar cell for charging and recharging the battery as well as a pair of coils connected to the battery for generating a magnetic field to thereby magnetize the plate to attract ferro-metallic debris. Further, a mechanism is provided for dropping the ferro-metallic material into a collection basket.

Abstract: An open configuration is provided for the housing of a particulate material dedusting apparatus through which particulate material passes to be cleaned by air passing through wash decks to separate dirt and debris from the particulate material for discharge from the housing. The front wall and side access doors of the housing are configured to be openable for full access to the front and rear chambers. The primary wash deck is detachably mounted within the housing for removal for cleaning purposes. The generally horizontal floors of the housing are formed with a slope to allow water to drain from the housing. The open configuration of the deduster housing facilitates cleaning, draining and drying of the housing to expedite changeover from one material to another. Furthermore, the open configuration allows access for improved welding to eliminate cracks and openings in joints which accumulate dirt and debris during operation.

Abstract: A sorting system for flat items of mail has N1?2 parallel-connected groups of storage modules for simultaneously storing a multiplicity of items of mail. The items of mail are fed through N2?1 parallel mail feeders to in each case a plurality of groups, and discharged via N3?2 parallel mail dischargers from in each case a plurality of groups. A process controller controls a joint storing of items of mail from a stream of mail into storage modules belonging to at least one group and simultaneously controls discharging of jointly deposited items of mail from storage modules belonging to at least one other group. It is thus possible to intersperse the streams of mail with little or no intersecting, accompanied by a high throughput rate through the sorting system.

Abstract: A sorting installation includes separate collection receptacles into which mail is sorted. The collection receptacles are automatically removed from the output stations of the installation and transported on a transport path to a peripheral transfer mechanism, in which the mail articles are removed from the collection receptacles with the aid of a gripper and are transferred into transport receptacles of the installation. The transfer mechanism is box-shaped and includes a hinged bottom that slides under the mail in the collection receptacles.

Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing an apparatus that will assist in sorting mailpieces which increases the efficiency of the mail sorting apparatus, provides an organized space for intermediate storage of mailpieces and provides ergonomic features that reduce injury to the mail sorting apparatus operator and increases productivity. The present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a mailpiece storage rack. The storage rack is used to hold partially sorted mailpieces between sorting passes in multiple pass sorting of mailpieces using a mail sorting apparatus or stores mailpieces after sortation and prior to delivery. The storage rack maintains the grouping, sequence and stack quality or alignment of partially sorted mailpieces which provides for more efficient refeeding. The rack is designed ergonomically for easy transferring of mail into and out of storage and also provides for organized workflow.

Abstract: A mail case system includes facilitates sequence-sorting various types of mail together into individual bags that each represent unique delivery points. The mail case uses multi-bag inserts so that the bags for several stops can be set up quickly for sorting. At the end of the sorting operation, the entire insert may be pulled down from the case as a single unit to maintain the established delivery point sequence. This eliminates the carrier's need to find separation points or to combine selections from multiple sequenced stacks of mail during the delivery operation. This results in a dramatic improvement in delivery efficiency.

Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing an apparatus that will assist in sorting mailpieces which increases the efficiency of the mail sorting apparatus, provides an organized space for intermediate storage of mailpieces and provides ergonomic features that reduce injury to the mail sorting apparatus operator and increases productivity. The present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a mailpiece storage rack. The storage rack is used to hold partially sorted mailpieces between sorting passes in multiple pass sorting of mailpieces using a mail sorting apparatus or stores mailpieces after sortation and prior to delivery. The storage rack maintains the grouping, sequence and stack quality or alignment of partially sorted mailpieces which provides for more efficient re-feeding. The rack is designed ergonomically for easy transferring of mail into and out of storage and also provides for organized workflow.

Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing an apparatus that will assist in sorting mailpieces which increases the efficiency of the mail sorting apparatus, provides an organized space for intermediate storage of mailpieces and provides ergonomic features that reduce injury to the mail sorting apparatus operator and increases productivity. The present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a mailpiece storage rack. The storage rack is used to hold partially sorted mailpieces between sorting passes in multiple pass sorting of mailpieces using a mail sorting apparatus or stores mailpieces after sortation and prior to delivery. The storage rack maintains the grouping, sequence and stack quality or alignment of partially sorted mailpieces which provides for more efficient re-feeding. The rack is designed ergonomically for easy transferring of mail into and out of storage and also provides for organized workflow.

Abstract: The device for sorting objects, for example mail items, includes a conveyor (1) that directs the objects to be sorted to sorting output receptacles (7) associated with corresponding sorting outputs and in which the sorted objects are stored. A buffer receptacle (11) is provided at each sorting output. Each buffer receptacle (11) has a retractable bottom (12) and temporarily stores sorted objects before they are transferred into a sorting output receptacle and/or while that sorting output receptacle is replaced by an empty receptacle. Because of these buffer receptacles, the throughput of the sorting device may remain constant while sorting output receptacles are replaced.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for distributing articles to be sorted to physical target locations. The articles to be sorted are delivered to a number of receiving elements that move along a conveying path past the physical target locations. The receiving elements are controlled so that the physical target locations are assigned dynamically and in dependence on the operating sequence for the sorting operations to the logical sorting targets, which optimizes the capacity of the arrangement and the operating sequence.

Abstract: A waste chute for a multistory building is made up of modules stacked one upon the other. Each module has a vertical section of waste chute enclosed within a fire safe room. The chute sections are arranged to nest together to form a continuous chute when the modules are positioned on one another. Each room is provided with a door providing access to the room. The chute section is provided with a self closing access door. An alternative embodiment of the invention provided a module for more than one story. The multistory module has a room for each story. By integrating the chute section with the chute room in a prefabricated module, the construction of a building is facilitated. The costs and complications of having multiple trades working on the chute system are avoided. The invention may be practiced with a system for collecting different types of trash in different receptacles beneath the chute. Prewired controls in the module at each chute access door select the receptacle beneath the chute.

Abstract: A recycle trash collector for holding and segregating recyclable materials includes a plurality of stackable modular containers having a first door hingedly attached to a front of the containers in covering relation to an open mouth and a second smaller door hingedly attached to the first door in covering relation to a geometrically shaped opening formed in the first door. The first and second doors are structured for swinging movement between open and closed positions. The second door and the corresponding geometrically shaped opening on each container are specifically sized and shaped to identify a particular type of recyclable material and to allow the material to be deposited therein.

Abstract: A system uses a single chute in a multi-story building to collect into separate large receptacles different categories of wastes already separated by the tenant for recycling. A turntable carries a large receptacle for each category of waste. Controls on each floor enables a tenant to operate the turntable to position a selected receptacle beneath the turntable to receive a particular category of waste. A microprocessor controller and interlocks on the access doors prevent conflicts between floors. A reciprocating ram automatically compacts the waste in the receptacle after a predetermined number of deposits into the receptacle. The compaction operation is delayed by preset time intervals to avoid conflicts with tenant use. One of those time intervals is proportional to the floor elevation to give waste a time to fall though the chute. The compression apparatus may be arranged to apply different compressive forces to different types of waste and to signal when a container is full.

Abstract: A modular chute assembly section has a tubular shape with an axial bore. When joined together, one atop the other, a multistory gravity conveyor chute is formed for deposit of waste through an access door at any floor that will fall to a basement receiver. In the basement, a receptacle mover has a number of different receptacles thereon, one for each type of separated waste. Controls at each access door enable the waste depositor to selectively move a waste receptacle beneath the chute to correspond to the type of waste being deposited. Controls for locking the access door, selecting a particular waste receptacle, sensing when the door is closed, and signalling apparatus for informing a depositor of system operating conditions are enclosed in a housing attached to the section adjacent the access door.

Abstract: A system to separate and store trash which has been segregated into various categories for use in a multi-floor building. The system has a vertical waste chute with at least one access door to the chute located at each floor of the building. The chute has an upper and lower portion and two paths therethrough. The first path permits vertical disposal of the trash and the second path is angled to the first to permit designated trash to follow a different pathway for disposal. The system further includes a diverter located adjacent the lower portion of the chute for diverting the path of the trash placed into the chute from a first location containing a plurality of trash receptacles located on a platform to a second location having at least one trash receptacle, such as a trash compactor. The system also includes a receptacle mover to move a selected trash receptacle beneath the chute to receive a particular category of trash deposited into the chute.

Abstract: A novel mail carrier sorting case arrangement facilitates the sorting of mail according to current conditions. Compartments formed in a case by vertical dividers are provided for each delivery address. Flags reflecting special current delivery situations with respect to particular addresses are temporarily placed across the entrances to corresponding compartments which must be noted by the sorting mail carrier when inserting the mail. The flags are obstructions which will be noticed physically if not visually, and may be readily deflected. The flags are formed of a strip of flexible material mounted on one end on a spring clip readily attachable to and removable from a divider. A flag has one bending point about which the free end of the strip moves inward facilitating the easy insertion of a single piece of mail into the compartment. The strips may be color coded to indicate broad categories of special situations, and may bear readily mounted and removed information cards which carry detailed instructions.

Abstract: An installation for accepting, sorting and storing recyclable materials, and providing a convenient method for third party collection. The device is comprised of a depository opening into which the waste materials are entered, a chute along which the materials travel, a series of inclined gate mechanisms which facilitate the segregation of the materials, and a divided storage area featuring a number of bins into which the segregated materials are deposited and stored. The depository is located preferably inside a building in an accessible common area. It is connected to a chute which descends through an exterior wall to connect to the storage area outside. The storage area is divided into a number of bins. The storage area can be configured to meet the requirements of the consumer, that is the number and arrangement of bins is variable. Each bin is accessible through a door on its exterior.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for performing multiple level sortation operations upon a number of randomly ordered garments. The garments are identified by unique identification data, which can be scanned and entered into a computer. The computer remembers the order in which garment identification data has been. The garments are then transferred in their entered order to a first sortation assembly in which a rotating wheel assembly accepts and selectively releases garments during indexed rotation of the wheel at one of a number of stop points. Each stop point has associated with it a receiving rail, where each rail represents a different group within a first sortation level. The computer recognizes which receiving rail is the correct rail for each garment according to the first sortation criteria and signals the release of the garment at the correct stop point. The garments collected on each receiving rail comprise a group of first sorted garments according to the first sortation criteria.

Abstract: A case for organizing and sorting small articles includes a body and a hinged lid with a latch mechanism for closing securely. A plurality of web portions in the inside surface of the lid align with matching web portions in the inside surface of the bottom of the case, forming a plurality of cells in the lid and bottom of the case. An article container fits into each cell, and is sealed at the top by the case lid when it is closed, and is restrained from movement by the top and bottom web. The top surface of the lid includes a recessed article sorting tray, which tapers as a funnel toward the rear of the case and terminates in a chute. An article container is placed in a recessed loading channel at the rear of the body. Small articles can be sorted or selected in the sorting tray in the case top and then returned to the container by lifting the lid.

Abstract: A high rise recycling system for a multi-story building comprises a vertical chute extending from the bottom to top floor, discharge openings on each floor, a rotatable chute at the lower end to discharge garbage into a compactor and to discharge recyclable glass, paper, aluminum and plastic into a selective discharge assembly which selectively discharges each of the separate items into respective containers for such separate items. A control circuit having control switches on each floor controls operation of the selective discharge assembly. A power circuit drives a conveyor belt which carries the recyclable items through the selective discharge assembly to their respective discharge outlets for deposit into their respective containers.

Abstract: An apparatus which collects recyclable refuse in sorted compartments. Through either automatic sensors or through an operator panel, the apparatus determines the contents of the refuse and directs it to the proper compartment or container. In this manner, recyclable material such as aluminum cans, glass bottles, plastics, etc. are easily sorted to encourage the recycling of this material. Further, periodically, the refuse within the compartments are compacted and disinfected to reduce handling requirements and odors.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for storing and collecting separated solid waste. The apparatus is a chambered container which includes a container body defining a first chamber for receiving a first waste, and a lid covering an open end of the body. The lid includes a base portion for defining a second chamber for receiving a second waste and a cover for covering the base portion. The system further includes a collection vehicle divided into two compartments, a robot arm for hoisting the chambered container up and over the vehicle, and a pair of guide rails for engaging the lid of the container for causing the contents of the first chamber to fall into one compartment of the vehicle and for causing the contents of the second chamber to fall into the other compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: A control method for a sheet sorter including a plurality of sorting bins, a sheet discharger for discharging sheets to the sort bins and a driver for moving the sort bins to present the sort bins to the discharger includes moving the sorting bins at a first speed in association with receipt of the sheet by one of the sorting bins and moving the sorting bins at a second speed in association with a discharge interval between the sheets discharged by the sheet discharger, by controlling the driver.

Abstract: A system uses a single chute in a multi-story building to collect into separate large receptacles different categories of wastes already separated by the tenant for recycling. A turntable carries a large receptacle for each category of waste. Control means on each floor enables a tenant to operate the turntable to position a selected receptacle beneath the turntable to receive a particular category of waste. A microprocessor controller and interlocks on the access doors prevent conflicts between floors.

Abstract: A currency sorter and storage device 10 which includes a lockable storage container 11 having a front plate 12 which further has a plurality of currency receiving slots 13 therein. A pair of rollers, one being drive roller 18 and the other idler roller 17, are disposed in parallel spaced relationship directly behind and on the interior side of currency receiving slots 13. An electric motor 19 provides a source of rotation for drive roller 18. A partitioned currency bin 14 having currency receiving chutes 15 therein, is disposed within lockable storage containing 11 such that currency receiving chutes 15 each lie directly below a particular currency receiving slot 13. A rotatable shaft 23 having one end extending through the side of lockable storage container 11 has a plurality of biasing dogs 22 radially attached. Biasing dogs 22 are disposed along rotatable shaft 23 to each engage a stack of currency 1 located in a particular currency receiving chute 15.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting and sorting drills oriented in the same direction in a hopper assembly. The hopper assembly feeds the drills, one at a time, and places them in a predetermined ready location. A camera, part of the inspection assembly, mounted directly over the predetermined ready location, takes preliminary measurements and alerts the system controller that a drill is available for a high resolution second inspection for wear and then for sorting. A robot assembly then picks up the drill from the ready location and orients it in front of two high resolution cameras, also part of the inspection assembly, for a visual inspection for wear. A control assembly then analyzes the results of the inspection and determines the drill size and whether or not it needs to be re-ground. The robot assembly then sorts the drill into an appropriate predetermined bin within a bin assembly as a function of size and wear. The process is then repeated.

Abstract: Garbage collection device for a built-in sink unit with a garbage discharge opening which is integrated into its top surface and below which a holder is arranged for several waste containers, one of which can be loaded with garbage through the discharge opening. To enable easy sorting of the garbage to be disposed of through the garbage discharge opening, the holder comprises a waste container support in the form of a merry-go-round and an actuating means for the support in order to selectively bring one of several waste containers into the position below the discharge opening.

Abstract: A parcel sorting and distributing apparatus includes a plurality of inclined chutes which receive parcels at their open upper ends. Each parcel slides down a chute into a receptacle such as a mail hamper. The chutes are vertically stacked and arranged in a spoke-like fashion about a circle with the aggregate of their upper ends forming a cylindrical surface. A rotatable vertical mast at the axis of the cylinder includes a pivotally mounted carrier. In one position the carrier retains a parcel; when it pivots to a second position, the parcel spills out into one of the chutes. A first motor causes the mast to rotate and a second motor drives the carrier vertically along the mast. A parcel which has been identified as to its destination is loaded into the carrier, and a controller controls the first motor, the second motor and the carrier pivot so as to convey the parcel to the appropriate receptacle.

Abstract: A device for stacking plates or sheet metal blanks cut in guillotine shears includes a rotatable drum with radially outwardly extending partitions defining a number of compartments located around the circumferential outside surface of the drum and extending in the axial direction of the drum. Each compartment receives a cut plate in a first position, carries the plate to a second position where the plate is moved by a displacement device in the axial direction of the drum into a location corresponding to a stacking position, and then with further rotation of the drum, the compartment reaches a third position where the plate is removed to the stacking position. Further, conveyor belts can be used to receive plates from the compartments in the drum and to carry the plates to stacking positions spaced from the drum.

Abstract: A sorting method and apparatus for sorting steel products such as bars, rods, shapes and tubular products which are delivered in a random manner, according to the ordered lengths, sizes and so forth. The steel products are made to stay on a sorting apparatus temporarily. Then, pieces of products of the same class are successively selected and forwarded to a bundling bed from the sorting apparatus, while the latter receives a new piece of steel products. This operation is repeated for successive classes to sort the steel products into a plurality of classes having different ordered lengths, sizes or other sorting condition. The sorting apparatus has a vertically movable sorting roller table and a sorting truck arranged in a side-by-side relation to the sorting roller table and movable in the direction normal to the direction of movement of the steel products.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting stones contained within a supply reservoir by viewing the stones individually through a microscope includes a pick-up tube having a first opening disposed at one end thereof, the first opening adapted to form a substantially airtight seal with one of the stones. A vacuum source is connected to a second opening disposed at the other end of the pick-up tube, the second opening being in communication with the first opening. The apparatus further includes support apparatus connected to the other end of the pick-up tube for moving the one end of the tube between a first position disposed at a transfer location whereat the one end is exposed to the stones within the supply reservoir, and a second position outside the reservoir whereat the one end is positioned exactly within the field of view of an objective of the microscope such that a stone held adjacent the first opening is disposed precisely at the focal length of the microscope objective.

Abstract: A guide unit (9) for the flat objects, the unit includes a plurality of guide paths (12,15,16) and movable along one side of a magazine for holding flexible flat objects transversely to the one side in locations spaced along the one side of the magazine, it being thus possible to place a first such guide path (12) opposite a first such location (6), the other guide paths of the guide unit, which diverge away from the first guide path being placed simultaneously opposite the locations (5,7) adjacent the first location.An ejection device (10) moves any flat objects (8) contained in the neighbouring locations (5,7) outward from the one side of the magazine into the divergent paths (15,16) of the guide unit to provide a clear opening before an object is inserted in the first location.

Abstract: A machine for sorting objects of various destinations, particularly for bulky postal correspondence. A guide defines a path passing through at least one loading station and at least one sorting station. At least one succession of compartments for containing individual objects is moved along said guide. Each compartment is in the form of a narrow pigeon hole, which has its surface of maximum size perpendicular to the direction of movement of the compartment and is provided with an operable base wall.