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US 4,232,861 AGranted
Sorting method and machine
AssigneeMaul Lochkartengerate GmbH
InventorMichael Maul
Life of this patent
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AssigneeMaul Lochkartengerate GmbH
InventorMichael Maul
Estimating the term…
A sorting machine receives M successive groups of copies, each group consisting of N identical copies, to be converted into N complete sets of copies. N may considerably exceed the number of collecting bins of the sorting machine. In a first sorting operation, the cards are distributively sorted into a predetermined number of the collecting bins, until all cards have been deposited into bins. The stacks in the bins are then removed and laid one atop the other to form a new infeed stack, which is deposited into the infeed bin of the machine, and a second sorting operation is performed, until all cards have again been deposited into bins. This is repeated, if and as necessary, until the desired conversion has been accomplished. The sequence in which the cards are distributed into bins during especially the second and any subsequent sorting operations is so controlled that the desired sets are actually formed, no matter what the values of M and N and no matter what the number of collecting bins available.
A method of sorting sheets comprising the steps of feeding to an infeed station successive ones of M groups of sheets, each group consisting of N identical sheets, the sheets within each group differing from those of the others of the groups;
In a sorting machine of the type operative for receiving successive ones of M groups of sheets, each group consisting of N identical sheets, the sheets within each group differing from those of the others of the groups, the sorting machine having an infeed station and a plurality of collecting stations, and means for distributing successive ones of the received sheets into successive ones of the collecting stations in a cyclical fashion in order to perform a sorting operation, an improvement comprising the provision of control means operative for causing the distributing means to repeatedly perform operating cycles involving a predetermined number of the collecting stations, and means operative after the sorting of a first predetermined number of sheets for causing the discontinuance of an operating cycle prior to completion thereof and the initiation of anew operating cycle.
In a sorting machine of the type operative for receiving successive ones of M groups of sheets, each group consisting of N identical sheets, the sheets within each group differing from those of the others of the groups, the sorting machine having an infeed station and a plurality of collecting stations, and means for distributing successive ones of the received sheets into successive ones of the collecting stations in a cyclical fashion in order to perform a sorting operation, an improvement comprising the provision of control means capable of properly controlling the cycles of operation of the operation of the distributing means when the number N of sets to be formed exceeds but is an integral multiple of the number of collecting stations utilized for sorting, the control means including user-operated selecting means for selecting the number of collecting stations to be utilized in the performance of an operating cycle of the distributing means;
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.