Sorting Type Patents (Class 211/10)
  • Patent number: 5097961
    Abstract: An organizer and reminder device for organizing mail and specifically bills, in a displayed manner in accordance with a particular day of the month when each of the bills is to be paid. A display board is supported in a generally upright position with individual envelopes containing the bills being held in pockets on the display board such that at least a portion of each of the envelopes extends out from a pocket in a readily visible, displayed manner. Each of the pockets has an assigned number indicating a particular day of the month, wherein a bill placed therein is to be paid by the date indicated. A receiving tray is attached along a lower edge of the display board for placement of incoming mail therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventors: Manuel A. Patino, Ricardo E. Patino
  • Patent number: 5042670
    Abstract: A rack structure constructed to support a TV remote controller, a VCR remote controller, a television program listing booklet, and a plurality of VCR cartridges. The rack structure can be positioned near a chair or couch occupied by a person while viewing a television receiver. Either controller can be operated by the person without removing the controller from the rack structure. Also, the person can read information from the television program booklet to select the program he wishes to turn on with the TV controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Inventor: Bonnie F. Timberlake
  • Patent number: 5033624
    Abstract: A file frame unit for spanning support between two desks or similar supports for carrying a group of hanging files. The frame unit having end pieces shaped to rest on the supports and capable of being releasably clamped to the supports. The file frame may be curved for location on and supported by supports positioned at angles to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Acco World Corporation
    Inventor: Jacob DeGelder
  • Patent number: 5000325
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the sorting of material in which a rigid rack includes a plurality of horizontally extending elements arranged in vertically spaced arrangement, and a plurality of bags are removably supported on the horizontally extending elements for receiving material therein. The horizontally extending elements and the bag members are respectively constructed and arranged to hold the bag members with their mouth portions stretched open and facing forwardly one above the other on the rack. The rack further includes elements for maintaining the bag members substantially horizontally one above the other with their mouth portions open. The bag members are selectively removed from the frame with the inserted material therein by horizontally sliding the bag member off the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Delco Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald J. D'Elia
  • Patent number: 4991914
    Abstract: A basket structure for supporting mail trays between varying elevations relative to a workplace supporting planar floor in cooperation with a mail sorting machine having a plurality of sorting bins disposed laterally in spaced relation along the horizontal axis of the sorting machine at a predetermined elevation. The basket structure is moveable between a storage position at a first lower elevation and an access position at a second higher elevation horizontally adjacent to the predetermined elevation of the bins whereby the mail in the bins can be readily moved by an operator between at least one of the bins to an adjacent at least one of the mail trays that is substantially horizontally aligned with the at least one bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Bell & Howell Co.
    Inventor: Melvin Kerstein
  • Patent number: 4949853
    Abstract: A desktop organizer comprising a pair of side wall panels attached to a rear wall which extends approximately the length of the back edge of a desk. The desktop organizer may include one or more shelves extending the full length of the organizer, or a portion of that length terminating in an intermediate wall panel, with the remainder of the length having a set of stacked shelves or other various modules. The desktop organizer may be open topped, or a top cap may be added which also serves to support additional items.Each of the shelves includes a multiplicity of slots extending partially across the depth of the shelf generally perpendicular to the front and back edges thereof. The dividers may be inserted into the slots, each divider having one or more notches defined in the front edge of the divider which receives a portion of the shelf, the top of the divider being longer than the slot to prevent the divider from passing entirely through the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Liberty Diversified Industries
    Inventors: Harold S. Klein, Marcus S. Lehman, Mark A. Feucht
  • Patent number: 4909399
    Abstract: There is disclosed a ticket rack for tickets to performances of sports events in a readily accessible manner which is modular in form so that the modules can be arranged together providing many individual compartments for respective rows, sections or the like of theaters or arenas. The compartments are arranged in rows and columns similar to office desk pigeonholes, but are obliquely oriented for greater convenience, and a particular feature of the apparatus provides removable vertical dividers or partitions between certain of the compartment columns whereby their widths may be adjusted to accommodate two or more different widths of admission tickets. Thus the racks may not only be combined in a manner to best facilitate selection of particular tickets in a particular theater or arena, but also each rack module may be adjusted for different sizes of tickets by rearranging the removable partitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Weldon, Williams and Lick, Inc.
    Inventors: Julian R. Dyrhood, James D. Walcott, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4907703
    Abstract: A desk storage system for efficiently organizing various office implements using modular components assembled in one of a plurality of configurations according to user preference. The desk storage system includes modular components attachable to one another by connectors mounted on the periphery of the modular components. The connectors enable lateral and, selectively, angular tilt adjustment of adjacent modular components. A strong, rigid shelf is also provided for supporting the modular components, while also allowing the lateral and angular tilt adjustment of the modular components. The system further includes stacked trays selectively adjustable relative to one another. The trays are stacked using stacking brackets readily engageable between paper trays, while providing a strong, rigid connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: Tenex Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew L. Alger, Marlan H. Polhemus, Albert B. Cheris, Richard L. Gibson
  • Patent number: 4838436
    Abstract: Three separate embodiments of file drawer fillers are provided in the invention. One filler is partially self-adjusting and two fillers are completely self-adjusting in length to accommodate variations in the number of documents in a file or desk drawer. A first embodiment is a substantially rectangular panel strip transversely fan-folded to form several connecting smaller panels of equal size. The folds are aligned horizontally with the two end panels positioned vertically to support filed materials in a vertical position. A second embodiment is provided in an elongated enclosed bellows endwardly connected to vertical end panels. The end panels form the document support surface. The bellows portion of the device is affixed with an air valve which allows the release or intake of air to adjust supporting length of the bellows. A third embodiment entails a horizontal compression spring endwardly attached to two vertical end panels with the end panels providing document support surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Inventor: Dan H. Bailey
  • Patent number: 4802593
    Abstract: A flexible desk top organizer comprising:a gridded planar base having a plurality of openings therein;the openings being of substantially the same configuration and comprising substantially the same shape;a plurality of functional modules capable of being located in various positions on the base;the modules containing protrusions on the bottom portions thereof;the protrusions being of substantially the same configuration as the openings, but being adapted so as to fit within the openings in the gridded base;the protrusions being of sufficient length in a vertical plane to effectively hold the modules in desired locations on the base; andthe modules being adapted to function as containers for a variety of desk implements or serving other functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Inventor: Nayla J. Romanos
  • Patent number: 4801022
    Abstract: A rack device for the storage, display, retrieval and replacement of articles of substantially two-dimensions with like shapes but of different contents like items of mail, cards or photographs and similar articles. The device is comprised of a support frame holding two substantially different mechanisms that comprise the device and retain said articles. One mechanism consists of a shelf that extends between the two sides of the support frame and contains vertical elements for the support of said articles. Another mechanism of the device is a removeable rod located below the aforementioned shelf and extending between the sides whereby said articles are suspended from this rod. The device may be employed as a free-standing device or may be flush-mounted on a vertical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Inventor: Kevin T. Colby
  • Patent number: 4795042
    Abstract: A mail sorting apparatus having a pair of opposing side panels, a top panel, a pair of opposing back panels, and a plurality of shelving members extending between the opposing side panels. The shelving members are supported by brackets having spaced apart shelf supporting tabs, the brackets being located along the opposing side panels and back panels. The shelving members are divided into compartments by a plurality of dividers, with the dividers being received within slots extending through the shelving members. The size of the compartments is adjustable by modifying the spacing of the shelving members and placement of the dividers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Liberty Diversified Industries
    Inventors: Harold S. Klein, Marcus S. Lehman
  • Patent number: 4775057
    Abstract: A shelf unit for visibly storing an assortment of elongated, generally cylindrically shaped articles, such as packaged syringes and syringe needles and the like shaped articles, is formed by a rear wall and opposed side walls, with a rearwardly tilting lower shelf, a rearwardly tilting intermediate shelf and a forwardly tilting upper shelf extending between the walls. A short, front wall extends between the side walls and the front lower edge of the upper shelf so that the front of the shelf unit is open below the shelf unit. Spaced apart vertical dividers are located in the spaces between the shelves to form separate, forwardly opening compartments of predetermined sizes adapted to receive and separate articles of different sizes within the compartments. A series of vertical dividers extend between the front short wall and the rear wall at the upper shelf to form upwardly opening compartments upon the upper shelf adapted to receive articles arranged generally parallel to the front wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Inventor: Emanuel R. Zingeser
  • Patent number: 4732279
    Abstract: A mail sorting case having a plurality of shelves, each of which is divided into a plurality of letter receiving slots defined by vertically extending, spaced, parallel partitions swingably supported from above, includes mechanism to swingingly withdraw the partitions to substantially horizontal position against the underside of the top panel of their respective shelves to provide for the sorting of flat mail by placement on the bottom panel of the respective shelves. Mechanism is also included for simultaneously erecting flats divider partitions swingingly supported against the bottom panel of the shelves and normally lying flat thereagainst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Inventor: David E. Gurkin
  • Patent number: 4505395
    Abstract: A unitary, molded, vending and article display tray, for flat articles such as magazines provides a substantially horizontal tray means for receiving, supporting, and holding, in a somewhat confined manner, but providing easy customer manual access to, a plurality of such articles. The head end of the display tray is provided with an upright retaining wall for the tray that has integrally formed therewith a pair of laterally spaced clip segments that operate to hold an exemplar of the tray-held articles at an upright display attitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter Nathan
  • Patent number: 4484685
    Abstract: A mail sorting rack is provided utilizing a rack structure with a plurality of parallel divider blades between which the postal worker inserts mail pieces for various addresses in order, there being a tray in the instant invention underlying the mail which enables the worker to pull the tray free of the extending blades, eliminating the dividers from the sorted mail so that he may more easily group and band them for delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1984
    Inventor: James Williams
  • Patent number: 4390100
    Abstract: A mail sorter made up of a plurality of identical leaves each coded to one or more addresses with a flexible and expandable bellows binding joining the leaves into a book whereby the leaves may be arranged on a flat surface in staggered, stair step, offset fashion for sorting of mail by insertion of individual mail pieces between the leaves, whereupon the leaves may be gathered into superposed relationship and turned to a vertical orientation with the mail between the leaves, whereupon the resultant neat stack of sorted, superposed mail pieces may be easily removed from the mail sorter book. Identical, aligned apertures may be formed through the leaves to facilitate removal of sorted mail from the book, as by insertion of a pencil or the like through the apertures and movement of the pencil, against the sorted mail, towards the open end of the mail sorter book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1983
    Inventor: Darlene M. Petron
  • Patent number: 4380296
    Abstract: The invention comprises a circular, transparent, plastic disc having a plurality of circular holes located equidistant from the center of the disc and being substantially equidistant from each other. A plurality of radial tabs equal in number to the number of holes and located on radii corresponding to respective holes provides a device wherein a plurality of strands of yarn are cut into substantially equal lengths and divided by color. The yarn of like color is inserted through a hole, and a central portion of the yarn is pulled over a tab corresponding with the hole on its radius, thus locking the strands in place relative to each other and the disc. The disc can be mounted on posts extending from a "lazy-Susan" base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1983
    Inventors: James F. Murray, Geneva A. Murray
  • Patent number: 4337866
    Abstract: A system for routing correspondence from a first location including a plurality of slot entries to a predetermined conveyor path to a second, discharge location. A collection assembly is disposed at the discharge location for collection of routed correspondence along two adjacent conveyor paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Assignee: Acme Visible Records, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Suling, Charles W. Tomlinson, Winfred G. Fields
  • Patent number: 4254875
    Abstract: A sorting apparatus and method for sorting mail matter. The apparatus comprises a cabinet including a series of rows of pigeonholes, each pigeonhole having in registry therewith indicia provided on a shiftable support setting forth destination information, as well as related code information, for the mail matter to be placed therein. One indicia-bearing support is provided for each row of pigeonholes, and the indicia are arranged thereon in sets. The full complement of indicia-bearing supports are simultaneously shiftable between multiple given positions corresponding to the number of sets of indicia.The method is carried out by first positioning the full complement of supports to display a primary set of indicia. The destination of the uncoded mail matter to be sorted is matched with the indicia of the primary set and deposited in the appropriate pigeonhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1981
    Inventor: Emery Varhelyi
  • Patent number: 4232596
    Abstract: A fry basket for supporting food items, such as pies and fish filets, to be cooked in an immersed position in a cooking medium. The fry basket has a generally rigid frame presenting parallel, spaced-apart transverse support members. A unitary sheet of low heat capacity flexible material is supported from the transverse frame members to form a plurality of pouches. Each pouch has a pair of opposed sidewalls and a bottom portion with each of the sidewalls of each pouch hanging from a transverse frame member of define, together with the pouch bottom portion, a pouch having a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Kroll, James C. Schindler
  • Patent number: 4184727
    Abstract: A device for facilitating the sorting of documents is disclosed. The device includes a housing and a drawer selectively positionable both within the housing and extending from the housing. The housing includes a document accepting portion above and supported by a frame. Both the drawer and the document accepting portion include a series of slots for receiving and temporarily retaining the documents as they are being sorted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1980
    Inventor: Felix S. Guerra
  • Patent number: 4011952
    Abstract: A manual sorter and reproducing machine including the sorter. The sorter has a plurality of sheet receiving bins arranged one behind the other from front to back. The bins include sheet supporting surfaces which are oriented to provide efficient sheet stacking and jogging as well as ease of use and operator convenience. The sorter is adapted to be positioned adjacent the sheet output device of the machine with its front to back direction being transverse to the direction in which sheets are generally fed into or removed from the sheet output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1977
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Craig A. Smith, Leonard Schachner
  • Patent number: 3972094
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for securing a matched pair of socks, particularly during laundering, and for storing them after the laundering is completed. The socks are secured by a clip having three lips forming an integral part thereof. A compartmentalized box is provided for storing the secured socks. The box is adapted to engage the lips on the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1976
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Fuller
  • Patent number: 3966050
    Abstract: The structure of the present invention comprises an index file in the form of a shiftable table longitudinally operable upon a support base. The table is shiftable upon antifriction means, and may be releasably locked in position. Means is provided for sectionalizing the index cards or data folders carried by the table to maximize accessibility and minimize operator fatigue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1976
    Inventor: Robert M. Dahl