Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of fitness and exercise equipment. More particularly, the invention relates to an easily removable and reusable absorbent fitness and exercise equipment cover with an integrated releasably attached towel for selectively covering a portion of exercise and fitness equipment during use. The invention provides for sweat absorption, enhanced grip on handgrips, the secure safe storage of the towel, and prevents user contact with bodily fluids of other uses that may be present on a surface of the exercise and fitness equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for transporting textile items into sorting bins with reduced energy consumption and improved load measuring accuracy and which provides textile item counting and sorting for a commercial laundry using vacuum air systems to move textiles into sorting bins and using a variable frequency drive to increase on/off response time of vacuum in the system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for obtaining recycled mixed cullet at a beneficiator and/or a material recovery facility (MRF). The composition of the cullet, or portions thereof, can be certified for use by a party other than the beneficiator and/or the MRF. The recycled mixed cullet can be used, for example, by glass plants to make new glass articles, such as beverage bottles.

Abstract: A device for sorting of laundry pieces comprises a transport device for transporting different types of laundry pieces, a first collection device for receiving a first type of laundry pieces and disposed in a receiving relationship to the transport device, a second collection device for receiving a second type of laundry pieces and disposed in a receiving relationship to the transport device, and a recognition device disposed near the transport device such that laundry pieces disposed on the transport device are recognizable for the recognition device. A register device is predisposed to the first collection device and to the second collection device for registering of the laundry pieces disposed in the transport device and for generating a corresponding register signal.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and methods for separating an article of laundry from a bundle of articles. The bundle is located in a truck which is clamped into a carriage by means of clamping arm or attached to guide rails. The truck is moved by suitable drive means in a controlled manner beneath a grip device which is movable into and out of the truck. The grip device is mounted on a carriage which is movable upwards relative to a frame by means of a winch and downwards by gravity. The grip device picks the article from the bundle using a dual clamp structure and lifts the article up past an adjacent conveyor which is mounted so as to oscillate about a roller. An air jet means is also provided to blow the article into a nip defined between the conveyor belt and a spring loaded nip roller. Sensors are provided for sensing overload conditions for the conveyor and the grip device.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus comprising a material delivery configuration configured with a first end and a second end, a transfer configuration connected to the first end of the garment delivery rail, a movable material handling arrangement configured to transfer at least one set of material on hangers supported by the arrangement, a computer, a user interface configured to accept, process and provide data to a user, the user interface connected to the computer to transfer and receive data, a clearing arrangement configured to remove material from the material delivery configuration; and an enclosure configured to separate a user from the movable material handling arrangement.

Abstract: A method for processing garments. Soiled garments corresponding to a route are received and washed. The garments are configured for processing and stored based on the route. From storage, the garments may be transferred to a sorter and sorted based on a determined sequence within the route, transferred to a repair station, transferred to a steaming station or transferred to a delivery vehicle for delivery. After sorting, repairing or steaming, the garments may be conveyed back to storage or loaded onto a delivery vehicle for delivery. Also, from storage, garments may be added or removed from the route and the garments may be sorted or re-sorted based on the new number of garments in the route.

Abstract: A combined hamper and wash bag which provides a convenient arrangement for separating and maintaining separation of pairs of socks or small laundry items from large items prior to washing and throughout the washing and drying process. The bag comprises a mesh bag portion having one open end, having drawstrings for the closures, and zippers for closures. A center webbing, used to secure the several bags in place, and a hanging feature used for hanging the invention on a hook for easy access. The openings comprising the mesh bag are of adequate size to allow sufficient water flow. The bags are filled with one pair of socks, placed with the laundry into the washer and dryer thereby maintaining separation and eliminating the loss of socks. The pre and post sorting of socks will not be needed and the time spent to do this task is virtuously gone forever.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and methods for separating an article of laundry from a bundle of articles. The bundle is located in a truck which is clamped into a carriage by means of clamping arm or attached to guide rails. The truck is moved by suitable drive means in a controlled manner beneath a grip device which is movable into and out of the truck. The grip device is mounted on a carriage which is movable upwards relative to a frame by means of a winch and downwards by gravity. The grip device picks the article from the bundle using a dual clamp structure and lifts the article up past an adjacent conveyor which is mounted so as to oscillate about a roller. An air jet means is also provided to blow the article into a nip defined between the conveyor belt and a spring loaded nip roller. Sensors are provided for sensing overload conditions for the conveyor and the grip device.

Abstract: A multi-spectral imager and the applications of same for the marking and coding of, for example, textiles, linens, garments, documents and packages for high-speed machine identification and sortation. Specific uses include garment and textile rental operations, laundry operations, and the postal and mail sortation of documents and packages. Methods and apparatus are provided to identify items via information encoded within an applied mark, as well as a novel mark reading/decoding scheme. A method is disclosed for printing fluorescent marks on an item, such as a heat-sealable label, to generate a unique identification number or indicia, as well as a reader system for reading applied marks.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently laundering multiple loads of household laundry at commercial facilities. By using the advantages of modules having at least one dirty laundry working surface and at least one clean laundry working surface disposed between at least one washing machine and at least one dryer reduces the inefficiencies associated with previous arrangements. A plurality of these modules allows for the sharing of a partial common perimeter to increase workspace efficiency. In a preferred embodiment, the inclusion of at least one common transport medium and/or identification system allows for further improvements.

Abstract: A marking system for use with a multi-spectral imager for use in high throughput sortation of articles having distorted or irregular surfaces is disclosed. Specific uses include, but are not limited to, document sorting, garment and textile rental operations, laundry operations, and mail and package sorting and identification. Methods and apparatus are provided to remotely identify items via information that is wavelength-encoded within an applied mark, as well as a mark reading/decoding scheme. In the preferred embodiment the marks are multi-dimensional. In one preferred embodiment the marks are used to realize multi-dimensional wavelength-enabled coding schemes. The marks can be overlayed one upon another and/or they can contain one or more key regions having at least one predetermined spectral characteristic for providing information related at least to reading and/or decoding the marks.

Abstract: A method for organizing the picking up of soiled garments, cleaning them and returning of them to a customer is disclosed that greatly improves the efficiency and speed of current methods by retaining the garments of a specific route together in an identifiable collection and working in a just in time flow. Upon the arrival of the soiled garments at the cleaning plant, garments from each route are cleaned and dried in identifiable collections according to the route on which the garments were picked up. The garments are then sorted by customer on each route and wearer at each customer at which point the garments are ready for return to the customer.

Abstract: A recycling system particularly useful for using, sorting and reusing large quantities of animal identification tags for use by producers, feedlots and packing plants is described. In one aspect of the invention, a plurality of unsorted, previously used and cleaned identification tags are passed through a tag aligner that aligns the tags in series. The aligned tags are fed to a tag sorter that includes a plurality of sorting bins for storing the sorted tags. A tag reader reads the identification tags and passes identification information stored on the tags to a controller. The controller analyzes the identification information from the tags and determines in which one of the sorting bins each tag should be stored. When each tag is adjacent the proper sorting bin, the controller signals the sorter to eject the tag into such bin. After sorting, the tags are redistributed to their original users for reuse.

Abstract: A carrier assembly including a carrier container (e.g., a box) and a bag (e.g., a flexible transparent plastic bag) for holding an article, e.g., a garment belt. The garment belt has scanner-readable indicia associated with it (e.g., a bar code is disposed on a hang tag secured to the belt's buckle). The carrier assembly is arranged to be used with other such assemblies, each holding an article (e.g., a garment belt), by an automatic dispensing machine to select the carrier assembly from other similar carrier assemblies and to dispense the selected carrier assembly therefrom based on the scanner readable indicia. The automatic dispensing machine includes a scanner for scanning the scanner-readable indicia. The bag is adapted to hold the garment belt in a compact, e.g., coiled, configuration therein. The bag with the coiled belt therein is located within the interior of the hollow carrier container and is held in place therein (e.g.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the online processing of mail items to be forwarded. In the process, an image of the mail item is taken and the mail item is stored in an intermediate storage area. Following digitizing, the areas with interesting information are determined and forwarding instructions, names and addresses of recipients and, in the case of a return notation by a delivery person, the sender address are read automatically. The results are checked against a name address data bank and, if they do not coincide, are checked against a forwarding directory. Items that are not read clearly automatically, but for which at least one forwarding instruction exists for possible delivery locations, are evaluated with priority in a multistage video coding process by taking into account the printed-on instructions for forwarding and return.

Abstract: A recycling system particularly useful for using, sorting and reusing large quantities of animal identification tags for use by producers, feedlots and packing plants is described. In one aspect of the invention, a plurality of unsorted, previously used and cleaned identification tags are passed through a tag aligner that aligns the tags in series. The aligned tags are fed to a tag sorter that includes a plurality of sorting bins for storing the sorted tags. A tag reader reads the identification tags and passes identification information stored on the tags to a controller. The controller analyzes the identification information from the tags and determines in which one of the sorting bins each tag should be stored. When each tag is adjacent the proper sorting bin, the controller signals the sorter to eject the tag into such bin. After sorting, the tags are redistributed to their original users for reuse.

Abstract: A garment sorter for semi-automating the sorting of bulk used clothing, and a method of sorting such clothing. Bales of clothing are uncompressed, and single articles of clothing are fed to an operator. Equally, the system can be used for sorting loose clothing. The operator identifies the article verbally, or by keypad entry. Voice recognition software, or other appropriate application software, recognizes the identification, and associates an address with the identified article. The article is then fed to a compacting device that ensures that it is retained within a certain length along a transfer conveyor. The compacted article is then transported to transfer station where a pneumatic pusher, under the control of a PLC, pushes the identified article off the conveyor into a bin, or secondary sort system.

Abstract: An automated laundry sorting system is disclosed of the type wherein previously-laundered laundry items on hangers are tagged with electronic identification devices and sorted into predetermined groups. The improvement includes an automatic joining apparatus for electronically separating the predetermined groups from each other and then physically joining together the laundry items representing a single group, such as garments belonging to a single employee.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor system is disclosed having a computer controlled first sort conveyor stage and a final sort conveyor stage. Articles to be sorted are identified and loaded onto a first sort conveyor which sorts the articles into groups and routes each group to one or more holding rails coupled via a transfer rail to one or more final sort conveyors. As a complete group of articles is assembled on one or more holding rails, the group of articles is transferred to a final sort conveyor. Identification information for each article transferred to the final sort conveyor is also transferred to the final sort conveyor. The final sort conveyor then performs a final sort on each group of articles transferred thereto.

Abstract: Described is a method of sorting a plurality of individually conveyed articles in groups in at least one sorting step in a suspension-type conveyor, the articles being introduced in substantially unsorted manner into a first conveyor circle and being delivered from said circle in sorted fashion to at least one second conveyor circle, with an identification source identifying every article to be conveyed individually. To be able to use such a method in a universal manner and to accelerate the sorting process, the articles are delivered in a partial quantity containing a predetermined number in a first sorting step, independently of the loaded state of the first conveyor circle, from the first conveyor circle to the second conveyor circle as soon as the partial quantity of articles to be sorted in the first sorting step has been identified on the first conveyor circle.

Abstract: This invention involves a procedure for efficiently reading chips sewn on garments placed in the collection chamber of automatic sorting systems, consisting in moving said garments with ID chip in the collection chamber when the chips are not read by the reading device with which the chamber is equipped.

Abstract: A feeding system for a sorting conveyor is provided which includes a feeder having a tubular support member upon which a plurality of unordered hangers is supported. The tubular support member is inclined and is joined to an inclined slide rail which allows the hangers to slide downward along the tubular support and inclined slide rail to a collection station. The feeder has a retractable first stop member which prevents the downward movement of the plurality of unordered hangers from moving downward along the tubular support member. While the plurality of unordered hangers is prevented from downward movement by the first stop member, a separating member is interposed between a forward hanger of the plurality of hangers. The separating member prevents downward movement of the remaining plurality of unordered hangers after the first stop member releases the forward hanger so that the forward hanger can slide along the inclined slide rail to the sorting conveyor.

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: There is described a method of sorting a plurality of individually conveyed articles in a suspension-type conveyor apparatus, wherein the articles circulate along a first conveyor circuit in unsorted fashion and are transferred from there individually and automatically to at least a second conveyor path and arranged in groups. To make such a method more simple and less troublesome, it is suggested that the second conveyor path be designed as a second conveyor circuit along which the articles circulate and that an automatically switchable shunt be provided between the first and second conveyor circuits. Both, the first conveyor circuit and the second conveyor circuit, are closed loop and reversibly driven.

Abstract: A sorting system in which uniquely coded garments are hung on transport carriers, also having unique identification bar codes. The garment transport carriers include a connector for removably attaching garments or garment hangers and a hook which engages the transport rails so that the carrier can be moved along the rails and throughout the sorting system. Such a hook is used with slick-type rails, screw-type conveyor rails and even channel-type rails, or a rotatable wheel may be mounted on the carrier for movement of the carrier along rails, including channel-type rails. The transport carrier bar code is read as it progresses through the sorting system and is compared with a computer data base of garment information to determine the sorting route. The garment identification is initially correlated in the computer data base before sorting with the carrier identification code.

Abstract: An apparatus for detangling a plurality of conventional garment hangers located on a common supporting rail, comprising a generally cylindrical elongated rigid barrel having a plurality of spaced elongated bristles fixedly attached to the barrel projecting radially from the surface of the barrel, the bristles being spaced substantially around the circumference of the barrel; and, a motor for rotating the barrel about its axis. Hangers presented to the apparatus, such as by a conveyor, are supported by the barrel. The bristles turn in the direction of the hanger hook curve and any crossed hangers are automatically combed apart and separated. The hangers are moved from the front end toward and off the rear end of the barrel during rotation.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor for hanger-supported goods with sorting stations on opposite sides of the conveyor including a track, a moving chain supported by the track with a plurality of hanger pendants extending from the chain for transporting the goods, the pendant having an inclined support bar open in a rearward direction for supporting the hangers, each support station having a pick-off rail extending laterally away from the conveyor to a collection point, the end of each pick-off rail being bent normally to form an engaging probe for passing through and engaging the hook of the moving clothes hanger and tripping the hanger from its pendant onto the pick-off rail and actuator means for moving the engaging probe of each pick-off rail into the path of the clothes hanger hook.

Abstract: A system and method and loading articles onto a sorting conveyor. An exemplary embodiment of the system includes a computer processor to control system function, a scanning device for identifying articles to be sorted, a conveyor for transporting articles loaded thereon, and a loading device for accomplishing the physical loading of articles onto the conveyor. The computer processor controls the motion of the conveyor, receives information from the scanning and loading devices and builds a database therewith useful for sorting the articles loaded onto the second conveyor.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for sorting garments of different types and sizes. The garments are sorted according to different selection criteria, such as type and size, and put together in delivery groups respectively assigned to one buyer. To make such a method and such an apparatus more simple, also for a great number of buyers, the garments should be sorted in at least two steps, sorting being performed in the first step according to a first selection criterion and pre-groups being formed, and sorting being performed in the second step according to a second selection criterion and second pre-groups being formed, with intermediate groups being formed within the second pre-group and containing the garments of a specific size and a specific type respectively assigned to a specific buyer. All intermediate groups assigned to a specific buyer are subsequently combined to obtain the delivery group.

Abstract: An overhead system for sorting clothing items held by hooks, having a closed circuit conveyor belt with openings which carries the single items to the final station. The items--loaded randomly and in large quantities on the system--are transported to this belt one at a time, after having been separated from the others and identified electronically within specific operating stations installed before the conveyor belt. A first operating station has a pair of rods which slide vertically and select a single item to advance onto the conveyor belt. An optical reader is at a second operating station to identify each item. A series of extracting units are installed along the belt to unload the item form the belt.

Abstract: An apparatus loads hooked members supporting articles onto a conveyor. The conveyor has a plurality of latches, wherein each latch is adapted to receive and support a respective hooked member. A loading member is adapted to successively receive the hooked members and, in turn, load the hooked members one after another into the latches. The free end of a piston is coupled to the loading member and is operated to drive the loading member between a first position for receiving a hooked member, and a second position for loading the hooked member into a latch. A scanning device is adapted to scan coded labels on articles supported on the hooked members and, in turn, generate output signals indicative of the identifying information coded on the labels. A computer is coupled to the scanning device and to the conveyor, and is adapted to store the output signals and, in turn, sort the articles loaded onto the conveyor.

Abstract: A carrier assembly is adapted to releasably support hooked members for supporting articles to be conveyed. Each carrier assembly has a frame and several integral biasing and latch members, each pivotally supported on the frame by a pin member. Each pin member is releasably coupled to the frame to facilitate the removal of each integral biasing and latch member from the frame for repair or replacement. Each integral biasing and latch member has a latch portion and integral biasing portion. The biasing portion normally biases the latch portion into a first position for supporting a hooked member, and the latch portion is adapted to be flexed relative to the biasing portion into a second position for receiving or releasing a hooked member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for sorting laundry. The method includes laundering a plurality of items each having a separable tag portion of a laundry ticket bearing bar coded identification data associating an item of laundry with a laundry ticket, arranging tickets for the plurality of items into a randomly ordered stack, and scanning bar coded identification data from the randomly ordered stack of tickets for the laundered items into a control computer. The method includes scanning identification data for each laundered item into the computer, placing the scanned items onto a rotating pickup assembly, and bringing collector arms, one at a time, toward the rotating pickup assembly. The method also includes removing the items, one at a time, from the rotating pickup assembly to the collector arms according to the identification data so that items may be assembled with the associated ticket without altering the rotational speed of the rotating pickup assembly.

Abstract: A sorting system in which uniquely coded garments are hung on trolleys, also having unique identification bar codes. The trolley bar code is read as it progresses through the sorting system and is compared with a computer data base of garment information to determine the sorting route. The garment identification is initially correlated in the computer data base before sorting with the trolley identification code. Once all garment trolleys and associated garments of a lot have been identified and correlated by the computer, an algorithm is carried out for assigning a sort value to each trolley. A master distributor switch then distributes the garment trolleys a first time to a plurality of sort paths based upon a least significant digit of the sort value. Second and subsequent digits of the sort value of each trolley are employed to recirculate and resort the garment trolleys to the plural sort paths to complete the sorting operation with the parallel paths.

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: Improved methods and apparatus are provided for sorting and arranging garments in a selected order which have been sequentially placed in an unordered sequence. The garments are identified by a marking affixed to each garment, and each garment is arranged in its identified sequence on a sorting conveyor having a multiplicity of movable carriers each for receiving a garment. Identification signals are rearranged in a preselected order, and a plurality of arranged signals are assigned to each one of a corresponding plurality of pick-off mechanisms positioned along the sorting conveyor. A computer calculates bidirectional movement of the sorting conveyor to minimize conveyor movement for positioning a garment for pick-off in its proper sequence by a respective one of the pick-off mechanisms. The conveyor is driven in a bidirectional mode to properly position the garment, and a pick-off mechanism is activated to remove the garment from the sorting conveyor and position the garment on an unloading conveyor.

Abstract: The demountable frame apparatus has front and back support rails thereon. A plurality of laundry bags each has an open top, closed bottom and continuous sidewalls. The sidewalls have support loops adjacent the open mouth. Two rods support each laundry bag, with a rod going through each support loop. The rods engage upon the support rails and are slidable along the length of the support rails to permit spacing of the plurality of laundry bags, and permit the rods to be moved along the length of the support rails for opening and closing the mouths of the laundry bag and the direct juxtapositioning of the open mouths for ease of laundry sorting. Each of the laundry bags has a carrying handle adjacent its mouth and an emptying handle adjacent its bottom. The rods preferably engage on the support rails in such a way as to prevent the rods from falling off of the support rails by canting of the rods. The frame preferably has a hinged lid and is preferably demountable for compact storage.

Abstract: This apparatus for separating wet laundry articles (e.g.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus are provided for sorting and arranging garments in a selected order which have been sequentially placed in an unordered sequence. The garments are identified by a marking affixed to each garment, and each garment is arranged in its identified sequence on a sorting conveyor having a multiplicity of movable carriers each for receiving a garment. Identification signals are rearranged in a preselected order, and a plurality of arranged signals are assigned to each one of a corresponding plurality of pick-off mechanisms positioned along the sorting conveyor. A computer calculates bidirectional movement of the sorting conveyor to minimize conveyor movement for positioning a garment for pick-off in its proper sequence by a respective one of the pick-off mechanisms. The conveyor is driven in a bidirectional mode to properly position the garment, and a pick-off mechanism is activated to remove the garment from the sorting conveyor and position the garment on an unloading conveyor.

Abstract: The invention includes an apparatus for and method of moving textile articles such as pieces of laundry or the like comprising an enclosed passageway having two opposing open ends, and at least one bend between the two open ends; a vacuum source coupled with one of the two open ends and developing a subatmospheric pressure along the passageway and at the other open end of the passageway to draw textile articles into the other open end and through the passageway to the one open end; and a sensor located at the one bend and sensing textile articles drawn through the passageway. The sensor is coupled with an appropriate counter for accumulating a count of successive textile articles drawn through the passageway. A delay circuit is included between the sensor and the accumulator to inhibit successive detector outputs for a selectable but fixed time period, regardless of the size of the textile articles being passed and counted.

Abstract: A product transporting apparatus for transporting solid products of generally similar shape and/or size successively from a take-in station towards a take-out station, which has first and second rotary drums rotatable in the opposite directions to each other. The first and second rotary drums are of identical construction each having at least one circumferential row of tubular receptacles protruding radially outwardly from the outer periphery of the respective drum and circumferentially equally spaced from each other. The products can be successively supplied onto the first rotary drum and held by suction in position on the tubular receptacles then communicated with a vacuum source at the take-in station, which are in turn transported, during the rotation of the drums, to the transfer station where they are released from the receptacles on the first drum then communicated with a compressed air source, onto the respective tubular receptacles on the second rotary drum then communicated with the vacuum source.

Abstract: A method for linen handling in a hospital or similar institutions uses non-iron sheets with color coded thread and corresponding color net containers to simplify and facilitate handling and distribution of linens. A daily bed care unit has a set of linens for a complete bed change. In one embodiment, essentially all transport and laundering of linens takes place in net containers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for selectively distributing a plurality of unordered articles at a plurality of receiving stations in predetermined orders are provided in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The present invention contemplates a plurality of receiving stations wherein each receiving station is to receive a plurality of selectively distributed ones of a plurality of articles in a predetermined order. A conveyor system is provided for releasably supporting the plurality of unordered articles to be selectively distributed and for displacing releasably supported ones of the plurality of unordered articles in a path adjacent to the plurality of receiving stations. The conveyor system has at least one portion for receiving the plurality of unordered articles sequentially and releasably supporting the plurality of unordered articles in the sequence received.

Abstract: A method, system, and attachment for sorting articles, such as laundry or the like whereby each article includes as a part thereof a quantity of each of a number of different materials of the type which each produce secondary radiation at a characteristic energy level when x-ray, gamma or other radiation impinges thereon, the combination of materials forming a code uniquely identifing the article. Each article is passed through a pneumatic tube or on a conveyor line substantially one at a time past a source of radiation and a multi-channel energy level detector which produces an electrical output signal indicating the article, and also indicating when two or more combination codes are being simultaneously passed. The articles are then diverted in accordance with the electrical signal.