Abstract: A system and apparatus for processing recyclable materials, including a header box, a plurality of routing channels connected to the header box, and a temporary storage container for each routing channel. During use, a user deposits one or more recyclable items into an intake header box, and the user then presses a selected button, corresponding to the material of the item, to control routing of the deposited item to a pre-sorted storage area. The header box includes a mirror, showing the routing channels, to allow a user to determine if the system is clear or blocked. The routing channels are made from modular units, so that the apparatus can be modified or adapted to meet the needs of different users, or the changing needs of a single user.

Abstract: System and method for modular sorting stations. A sorting station may be subdivided into two or more modular bins. A modular bin may be partitioned into compartments. Each compartment may be configured to receive one order including one or more items. Modular bins may be partitioned into compartments of different sizes to receive orders of different sizes. A modular bin may be removed from a sorting station and conveyed to a packing station for packing or other sorting station to continue sorting. Picked items may be received and sorted for rebinning into the modular bins manually or using an automated sorting mechanism. A control system may direct the sorting and rebinning operation. Modular sorting stations may be located adjacent to packing stations or, alternatively, away from packing stations and, when a modular bin is complete, it may be conveyed to an appropriate packing station for packing.

Abstract: System and method for modular sorting stations. A sorting station may be subdivided into two or more modular bins. A modular bin may be partitioned into compartments. Each compartment may be configured to receive one order including one or more items. Modular bins may be partitioned into compartments of different sizes to receive orders of different sizes. A modular bin may be removed from a sorting station and conveyed to a packing station for packing or other sorting station to continue sorting. Picked items may be received and sorted for rebinning into the modular bins manually or using an automated sorting mechanism. A control system may direct the sorting and rebinning operation. Modular sorting stations may be located adjacent to packing stations or, alternatively, away from packing stations and, when a modular bin is complete, it may be conveyed to an appropriate packing station for packing.

Abstract: Movable containers are provided over one part of the section conveyor on which the mail items are filed according to the distribution sequence, said moveable containers circulating in an enclosed transport path and each having several compartments controlled to open downwards for each respective mail item. The compartments can only be emptied if the containers are in the neutral position at a sorting station. Automatic emptying takes place on the sections assigned to the delivery points according to the known destination address of the mail items. After a container has been emptied, it can be driven to a loading station at which the compartments are filled with mail items, the compartments with the mail items being assigned to the delivery points according to the respective destination address and this assignment is transmitted to a device for the controlled opening of the compartments.

Abstract: A system and method are set out for automatically extracting pods from a carousel shaped casing tower which include elements for engaging and moving the pods within the carousel while the carousel maintains its place. The pods travel on a track within the carousel which comprises six layers of pods. The extracting is performed in an extraction zone which may be located at least one end of the carousel while the loading of pods occurs at other locations. The pods include pockets for accommodating articles. The articles may be mail pieces.

Abstract: An automated storage system for storing and picking articles delivered on incoming load carriers such as pallets comprises a device (depalletizer) for separating the article packing units, a tray storage facility (130) for storing the packing units (15) on trays (10), a take-off conveying system (42, 45, 135) for removing and feeding the packing units (15) in sequence for loading onto order load carriers, and a loading station (140) for loading the packing units (15) in a defined loading sequence onto order load carriers (20) for dispatch e.g. by lorry. The invention enables fully mechanized and automated storage and picking of the articles.

Abstract: A postal sorting machine (1) comprises sort outlets (7) distributed in one or more horizontal rows that are superposed and parallel. A bin transfer structure (3) is placed along said rows of sort outlets (7), said transfer structure (3) comprising one or more superposed bin conveyors (9) extending parallel to respective rows of sort outlets and one or more superposed gangways (10) that are movable along the rows of sort outlets (7), each extending between a row of sort outlets (7) and a corresponding bin conveyor (9) to enable at least one storage bin (4) to be transferred from a sort outlet (7) to a corresponding bin conveyor (9).

Abstract: A classifying station for classifying a piece of wood in a wood processing plant, the classifying station including an area for an operator, a conveyor for transversely conveying pieces of wood before the area, and a console for entering classification related to a piece of wood to be classified, where the classifying station includes a dynamic classification zone located in front of the area having a predetermined length. The station also includes illumination elements adapted to selectively illuminate a piece of wood to be classified when the piece of wood is in the dynamic classification zone, the illumination elements being adapted to illuminate another piece of wood when the piece of wood has been classified; and control means for controlling the illumination means and operatively associated with the console in order to associate the illuminated piece of wood with information related to classification of the piece of wood entered by the user while the piece of wood is lit.

Abstract: In order to provide a method of detecting protrusion of an inspection object from a palette improved to be capable of making highly precise detection and reducing a socket breakage ratio, an inspection object is introduced into each of a plurality of pockets provided on the surface of a palette, which in turn is transported. A reflection level of the inspection object stored in each of the plurality of pockets is measured every palette with a reflection type photoelectric sensor. The maximum value and the minimum value of the reflection level are obtained from data of every palette, for calculating a dispersion width defined by the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value. The dispersion width is compared with a previously set determination threshold, for determining whether or not the dispersion width is greater than the determination threshold.

Abstract: A mail sorting and delivery system in which a portable mail tray is filled with sorted mail while positioned in a compartment having mail dividers. After the portable mail tray has received the sorted mail it is completely removed from the housing along with the mail in the portable mail tray and employed to deliver the mail.

Abstract: A system for collecting items is configured based on the realization that operators for manually moving the items from position bins to packing material can be positioned in only selected areas on both sides of the conveyor, with batch-forming areas being located on each side only at locations opposite the operator area on the opposite side. For instance, a first operator can serve the first two positions from a first side of the conveyor and a second operator can serve the following two positions from the second side of the conveyor and so on. This arrangement leaves free space, e.g., for packing material, for the second operator on the second side of the conveyor opposite the first operator's two positions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for automatically creating and enriching a data base in a system for sorting mail items linked, through an INTRANET communications network, to computer stations of addressees of these mail items and comprising reading means for recognizing postal data printed on these mail items, processing means in order, in relation with a work data base comprising identification data relative to the addressees of the mail items, to identify the individual addressee of a determined mail item, and sorting means for allocating this mail item to the addressee thus identified, process in which there is firstly automatically sent to the electronic mail address of each addressee, a determined electronic message requesting him to be connected on a WEB page of the sorting system in order to enter personal identification data, and, once entered, these data are then automatically stored in a temporary data base for comparison with the data present in the work data base in order thus to ensure autom

Abstract: A system and method for sorting recyclable materials is portable, modular, and easy to install and/or remove. Generally, a variety of sorting equipment is placed upon a portable platform that may be loaded or unloaded from a roll-off truck. When at the desired location, the portable platform may be removed and the sorting equipment set up for use. The sorting equipment may include an infeed conveyor, a sorting conveyor, and a variety of automatic sorting equipment such as an aluminum blower, a magnet separator, and an eddy-current separator. The platform may be simply placed on the floor or ground at the desired location or it may be elevated by a plurality of supports.

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: A commercial article sorting system is provided. The system comprises a belt conveyor to transfer a plurality of articles of the same kind put in a tray, a sorting rack provided along the belt conveyor and having a plurality of slots, a scanner provided to the sorting rack to read the data necessary for sorting the articles from the tray to the slots, at least one direction indicator each thereof is mounted to approximately center of the one block of the slots to provide a visual direction signal to the hauler, entry indicators each thereof is mounted to each slot to provide a visual location signal to the hauler, and a controller to control the direction indicator and the entry indicators based on the data read from the label.

Abstract: A process for handling articles in the mail order business, particularly soft-good articles and hard-good articles, whereby each article is chaotically entered into a receptacle that holds only one article and this receptacle is incorporated into a commissioning device that has a plurality of receptacles, during which process the identifier of the receptacles and the identifier of the article are married to one another by a computer unit.

Abstract: A method of automatically sorting and placing parts for inspection is described which includes orienting the parts within a feeder and delivering the oriented parts from the feeder to an escapement. Once the parts are delivered, they are advanced from the escapement, one at a time, down a ramp, and caught by a resilient material. The parts are then transferred ring from the resilient material to a parts fixture and positioned for inspection in the parts fixture within ±0.001 inch in a vertical direction and within 0.002 inches in x and y directions, x and y defining a horizontal plane.

Abstract: An article sorting system is provided. The system comprises a first conveyor; a plurality of sorting lines; a reading device to read the identification information of a tray conveyed by the first conveyor; a memory to store an article information table connecting the identification information of a tray with the information of the articles contained in the tray, and the arrangement pattern of the slots of each of the plurality of sorting line; a sorter control device to determine an appropriate sorting line for a tray and control the sorter to guide the tray to the sorting line, after having referred to the identification information of the tray read by the reading device, and the article information table and the arrangement patterns of slots stored in the memory; and a direction indicating device to provide each article introduced into the sorting rack with an arrow to indicate a direction towards a nominated slot and a number of the nominated slot for the article.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a management system using multiple reusable containers. The reusable containers are box structures that include materials and components that protect its contents from electrostatic discharge and at least two identifiers affixed to the reusable container. The ESD-protective components enable the safe handling of the full container inside of a manufacturing facility. The first identifier indicates an associated materials storage facility; the second identifier indicates an associated supplier. A third identifier may also be included that indicates an associated divider disposed within the reusable container. The first identifier, second identifier, and third identifier facilitate a two stage return process after the reusable container has been emptied of its contents.

Abstract: The invention pertains to mail distribution information recognition technology, involving video-coding stations. According to the invention, the distribution information is fed into the screen of a video-coding unit by means of a speech input unit comprising a microphone (60), a speech recognition module (70) and, if need be, a key board (50). The input data are compiled to a list covering all possible proposals concerning the recognition of the distribution information, said proposals being assessed according to the plausibility criterion. After removal of the little plausible proposals, the selected ones are displayed.

Abstract: A direction indicator placed on one site of a sorting block indicates, for a given good, the direction towards a nominated slot through which the good is to be placed in the block. This arrangement makes it possible for the hauler to immediately put a good into a nominated slot without looking around at sorting blocks at large, which will lead to the improvement of work efficiency. Moreover, because this will moderate the burden imposed on the hauler, the number of wrongly hauled goods would be greatly reduced.

Abstract: Method and system for identifying and facilitating access to computer printouts contained in an array of printout bins. Each printout is provided with indicium information concerning the project and/or the user for whom the printout was prepared. When the printout is placed in a bin, the indicium information is entered and displayed adjacent to the printout bin. A user examines the bin displays, identifies the bin(s) containing the user's printout(s), removes the printout and advises the system that the printout has been removed. Thereafter, the display no longer includes indicium information for the removed printout. One or more bins for confidential printouts can be locked, with bin access allowed only if (1) acceptable confidential user identification is presented and (2) at least one printout for that user is presently contained in the locked bin. Indicium information can be communicated to the printout bin or to a project monitor independently of whether a printout is prepared.

Abstract: In the method, each envelope (1) is provided with an envelope number that can be read by humans and by machine. The control system of a sorting machine (4) is coupled to an e-mail system. The sender (3) looks for the addressee in the e-mail system and enters the number (2) of the envelope (1) to be sent. He then transmits a message with the addressee and the envelope number (2) to the control system of the sorting machine. In the control system there is a file (6) for the sorting plan, which allocates sorting compartments to the addressees. By means of the message from the e-mail system, the sorting compartment of the addressee is also allocated the envelope number (2), so that after the machine-readable number (2) of the envelope (1) has been read, the envelope can be led into the compartment belonging to the addressee. This allocation is then deleted again. In this way, the difficulties in reading the handwritten addresses are avoided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling physical communications. A physical communication, such as a letter or a package is received and sorted. The sorting includes assigning one or more of a plurality of predetermined values to each of one or more of a plurality of predetermined characteristics relating to the physical communication. A handling procedure, including one or more handling steps is selected for the communication based on the values assigned in said assigning step and rules correlating the values to a handling procedure. The handling procedure can be modified based on destination specific rules.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting products, such as magazines, newspapers and books, CDs and/or diskettes, includes a separation station arranged for making single items of the products supplied in stacks, a conveyor arranged for conveying one by one the products coming from the separation station, and a number of sorting stations arranged adjacent the conveyor. The sorting stations are connected to the conveyor such that a product located on the conveyor can be supplied from the conveyor to a desired sorting station for forming a sorted collection of products in the respective sorting station. The apparatus further includes a control. The control is arranged for controlling at least the conveyor and the sorting stations, such that at least two sorting functions can be performed.

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: The present invention relates to a compound induction system for feeding articles to a material handling system. This induction system includes an input station with a reversing buffer belt. Articles placed on this belt will be fed to one of at least two downstream feeding sections. From these feeding sections, the articles will be transported to a material handling system such as a tilt tray sorter. The present invention can avoid the need, as well as its associated additional product damage and higher labor costs, for presorting of articles.

Abstract: Reticles are selected for use in a wafer processing system based on the wafer-processing recipe and on the level of degradation exhibited by the reticle after multiple exposures to light and constant physical handling. In an example embodiment of an integrated reticle sorter and stocker, a scanner identifies the reticle and gathers dimensional data on each reticle. A sorter sorts reticles within reticle pods according to the processing recipe and stores the pods within a storage location in the stocker. A computer arrangement then records information from the scanner and the sorter and assesses whether any of the reticles has degraded beyond an acceptable level of usage.

Abstract: A direction indicator placed on one site of a sorting block indicates, for a given good, the direction towards a nominated slot through which the good is to be placed in the block. This arrangement makes it possible for the hauler to immediately put a good into a nominated slot without looking around at sorting blocks at large, which will lead to the improvement of work efficiency. Moreover, because this will moderate the burden imposed on the hauler, the number of wrongly hauled goods would be greatly reduced.

Abstract: A method and system for the efficient bulk package delivery for recipients. Items ordered by different customers from different retailers, suppliers or manufacturers can be organized by common item identifiers and shipped in bulk from retailers or manufacturers, to an origination regional distribution center. The items can be sorted at the origination regional distribution center in bulk based on the location of destination regional distribution centers that can serve destination centralized pickup locations chosen by the customers placing the orders for those items. Ordered items can be sorted by recipient and the destination centralized pickup location specified in the customer's order and packed into recipient-specific packages at the destination regional distribution center.

Abstract: A medicine feeder apparatus comprising a plurality of cassettes each of which contains a different kind of medicine and a base portion on which the plurality of cassettes are mounted and which discharges the medicine in accordance with the prescription. the apparatus comprises an identification which is provided on each cassette, the identification showing information on the medicine contained in the cassette; a reader which is provided on the base portion, the reader reading the identification of the cassette during the cassette is mounted on the base portion; and a rock which is provided on the base portion, the rock preventing the cassette from being mounted. If the information of the medicine read from the identification by the reader does not coincide with a previously stored information, the rock is operated, while if coincide, the rock is released.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting articles to a delivery point sequence includes at least one sortation assembly adapted to sort articles and a buffer. The buffer is operable to arrange and convey containers of articles sorted in a first sort pass to an induct of the at least one sortation assembly for a second sort pass or process of the articles. The buffer automatically arranges the containers in an arranged manner prior to conveying the containers and articles to the induct of the at least one sortation assembly for the second sort process. The second sort process is then performed to sort the articles to a delivery point sequence or carrier walk sequence depth of sort. A conveyor assembly may be operable to convey containers to an appropriate one of multiple sortation assemblies and/or buffers to increase the sequencing matrix capability of the apparatus.

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: The present invention relates to a folder device and method of use in conjunction with a sorting device. The sorting device for use with the folder device may assume a variety of configurations. The present invention provides a folder device for receiving items for use with a sorting device. In one embodiment a first side of the folder is configured in relation to the leading edge of its associated partition element so that at least a portion of the first side does not extend vertically past the leading edge. The present invention further provides a method of creating a delivery point package. The delivery point package may facilitate the delivery of mail items by providing a discrete package by capturing items between the folder sides.

Abstract: A system and method for stocking and sorting reticles used in a semiconductor fabrication facility, the facility having a material handling system that presents a reticle to a photolithography process area. In an example embodiment of the reticle management system, a reticle storage system and a reticle sorting apparatus are coupled to a host system that is adapted to track and control the movement of reticles in the material handling system. The host system is capable of interfacing with a management input module that integrates management directives into the reticle flow plan in the manufacturing process. The result is a reticle management system that is flexible enough to manage a finite number of reticles and pods in minimizing the delivery time of a reticle to the desired location while responding to changing conditions external to the manufacturing process.

Abstract: Wooden pallets are recycled by carrying out a first separation in a reception region (10) between pallets easily reparable and those which are not, in directing the separated items to conveyors: one conveyor (11) which brings them to a disassembly station (20), and a second conveyor which brings them toward a repair station (30). The layers of the pallets are separated from each other by sawing in the disassembly station, so that all the constituent elements of the pallet are separated from each other. Sorting and recalibration of the elements thus separated is carried out in separating, sawing and planing stations (21, 22). The elements thus sorted and recalibrated are stored in a storage station (40) which extends along the installation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sorting method for sorting objects, characterised by at least the following sorting steps: a) first sort run, in which objects are input onto parking sections of a first block of parking sections; b) second sort run, in which objects are transferred from the first block of parking sections to a second block of parking sections; and c) third sort run, in which objects are transferred from the second block of parking sections back to the first block of parking sections. The invention also relates to two alternative types of sorting installations which are suitable for carrying out the above sorting method, and to a sorting system which combines a plurality of these sorting installations.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for collecting relatively small batches of mail that, alone, would not qualify for mailing at a pre-sorted postage rate and pooling them together with others for pre-sorting into a qualified batch of pre-sorted mail. The inventive method involves transporting mail in a traceable container to a holding facility where it is pooled with others for pickup and processing by a mail pre-sorting business. The mail may be metered at a reduced program rate. The system creates a cooperative of participating mail senders working together to earn a lower effective postage rate. The method further provides a solution to the technical problem of postal sorting equipment that is overburdened by medium-sized batches of unsorted mail. The solution identifies and diverts such batches for processing at a separate facility before the batch is tendered to the postal service.

Abstract: A system and method for assisting an operator in sorting mail includes a wireless headset equipped with a microphone, and a workstation that includes a processing unit, voice-recognition and voice-synthesis circuitry, and a database. In operation, addressee information spoken into the microphone is transmitted to the workstation where it is used to search the database. Destination information from a matching database record is then output to the operator on one or more of a display terminal, headset speakers, and heads-up display fixed to the headset. The convenience and enhanced capability provided by this system streamlines operator productivity and sorting volume.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sorting used batteries, comprising an intake station, an outlet station and a pre-sorting station disposed between the intake station and the outlet station, which pre-sorting station connects to a first re-sorting station and a second re-sorting station. The two re-sorting stations are arranged for manual examination and removal of undesirable batteries and further objects, as well as for manual sorting of batteries and other objects that land in the re-sorting stations during operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting products, such as magazines, newspapers and books, CDs and/or diskettes, the apparatus comprising a separation station arranged for making single items of the products supplied in stacks, a conveyor arranged for conveying one by one the products coming from the separation station, and a number of sorting stations arranged adjacent the conveyor, the sorting stations being connected to the conveyor such that a product located on the conveyor can be supplied from the conveyor to a desired sorting station for forming a sorted collection of products in the respective sorting station, the apparatus further comprising a control, the control being arranged for controlling at least the conveyor and the sorting stations, such that at least two sorting functions can be performed, a first sorting function involving sorting an unordered collection of products according to type of product, which collection comes from a customer, such as a shopkeeper or a kiosk-keeper, whereby in a respective sortin

Abstract: A discarded industrial product recycling system capable of acquiring pertinent data required for processings of discarded industrial products such as discarders, reception dates, persons responsible for disposal, disposal dates and so forth for selecting proper disposal for each of the discarded industrial products while automatizing the article data acquisition to a possible maximum for enhancing the enhance disposal rate. An electronic tag (radio-frequency identifier tag) is attached to each of discarded industrial products to allow data required for the processing to be written and read by readers/writers. At a time point and a place where a discarded industrial product is received, basic data required for the processing of that article is written in the electronic tag. Pertinent processing route for each of the manufactured articles is decided by reading the data from the electronic tag while writing additional data in the tag as occasion requires.

Abstract: A stand-alone method and system is provided for processing the contents of a plurality of envelopes, and includes at least an opening device, an image acquisition device and a control device. The opening device opens the envelopes on at least one side forming opened envelopes, thereby exposing the contents thereof for extraction. The image acquisition device is in operable communication with the opening device and is used to acquire an image of the contents and store that image in digital form in a file. Finally, the control device is operably connected to at least the opening device and image acquisition device, whereby when the image of the contents are acquired from one envelope, a next envelope is opened and a new file is created.

Abstract: A station for sorting solid waste is provided with at least one transportation belt located outside of a waste loading and unloading zone and situated in a room of a superstructure mounted on a platform, an impervious housing inside the superstructure with at least one pair of openings and a control window, a pair of sleeves ending in gloves which seal the openings of the impervious housing and fit the arms and hands of a person doing the waste sorting, and dumping points inside the impervious housing which are allocated to one sorting person and are arranged on both sides of the transportation belt.

Abstract: A method for dispensing, receiving, storing, testing or binning packaged integrated circuit devices using at least one vertically-oriented, removable, tubular magazine disposed above a controllably-driven, rod-like indexing element extending from a drive below the magazine. A magazine, with an associated indexing element and drive, is configurable as an individual magazine module. The indexing element, under power of the drive, raises or lowers a vertical stack of devices to a desired level adjacent the top of the magazine to dispense or receive an individual device from a feed mechanism, such as a pick-and-place mechanism. A number of magazine modules may be assembled in a multi-module array, which is particularly suitable for binning tested devices, with a sort category being directed to each magazine.

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 device including an annular rotary tray (1) surrounding a central space (4) housing a waste infeed and discharge assembly (14). An adjustable flap (10) selectively urges the waste on the rotary tray (1) towards the edge or the center thereof. A loading belt (6) delivers the waste onto the rotary tray (1). As the rotary tray (1) rotates in one direction, the adjustable flap (10) gradually urges the waste towards personnel located at the periphery of the tray or towards a discharge chute. When the rotary tray (1) is rotated in the opposite direction, said adjustable flap (10) returns uncollected waste to the central space (4) for discharge.

Abstract: A system promoting a proper recycle of discarded article and contributing economization of energy consumption which will otherwise increase, reduction in the amount of wastes and prevention of environmental pollution due to harmful substances. A recycle system includes an input unit for inputting information concerning article, a storage for storing databases of information for reuse of the articles, a recycle processing method deciding processor for deciding a recycle processing for the article in accordance with recycling rules determined previously by referencing the information for the reuse of the article as contained in the database stored in the storage unit on the basis of the information concerning the article inputted through the input unit, and a recycle factory equipment control unit functioning as an output unit for outputting the result of the decision to a succeeding process.

Abstract: A letter coding station for a mail sorting system. In order to ensure good ergonomics when coding letters at a coding location, letters which are to be separated and coded are brought in stacks, via a first conveying section, to the operator. The operator can thereafter feed letters individually, in the conveying direction, to a further conveying section. The first conveying section aligns the letter stacks by a lectern-like arrangement such that the top side of the letter stacks which are to be separated is aligned approximately perpendicularly with respect to the viewing direction of the operator, while the operator is oriented obliquely to the a table of the coding station. This arrangement allows for a comfortable position of both arms, and allows the operator a good view of the letters being coded.

Abstract: A method to sort plastic articles, such as bottles, for recycling utilizes a first sensing area where the bottle is irradiated with circularly polarized light. The circularly polarized light changes polarization on passing through the bottle. The changed circularly polarized light is then detected by personnel wearing glasses having filters oriented to block circularly polarized light of a first handedness and produce light characteristic of the composition of the bottle. The bottle is then sorted for recycling by the personnel based upon the composition of the bottle. The method of the invention may be used as described above or in conjunction with a UV light source to identify bottles made from polyethelene napthalene.