Flat-article sorting apparatus for an automatic mail handling system and the like

摘要

A flat-article sorting apparatus for automatic mail handling systems and the like is provided in which the mail sorting pockets are divided into a plurality of groups. Each flat-article or article of mail is provided with coded data which is detected by a character recognition circuit and converted to a binary code. The binary code is divided into two codes, one corresponding to the group into which the flat-article is to be sorted and the other corresponding to the pocket within the group. The flat-articles are conveyed along a branching transport path provided with photoelectric detectors which detect the leading edge of the articles. The photoelectric detectors are connected to pulse circuits for generating shift pulses which cause the data detected by the character reader to be shifted in a plurality of parallel shift registers in synchronism with the movement of the articles in the transport path. Code detectors are connected to the shift registers and responsive to particular binary codes to actuate deflecting mechanisms to divert the articles first, into the appropriate group according to the first code, and then into the appropriate pocket according to the second code. Monitoring and alarm circuitry are provided to detect erroneous operation of the apparatus.