| 摘要 |
PCT No. PCT/US91/09802 Sec. 371 Date Oct. 21, 1992 Sec. 102(e) Date Oct. 21, 1992 PCT Filed Dec. 27, 1991.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. The groups are transferred in a desired order to a second sortation assembly, which performs the same sortation operation as the first sortation assembly according to the second sortation criteria. The groups of second sorted garments are transferred to a third sortation assembly, which has a rotating wheel assembly. The third sortation assembly also has associated with it a number of sets of collecting arms, where individual arms from each set of arms represents a sortation group and can accept a garment from the wheel assembly at a predetermined stop point in accordance with the third sortation criteria. The arms transfer garments to a collecting rail, which are then removed.
|
