Apparatus and method of feeding and sorting objects

(19)

(11)

EP 0 876 980 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	09.12.1998 Bulletin 1998/50

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	11.11.1998 Bulletin 1998/46

(21)	Application number: 98111209.7

(22)	Date of filing: 23.05.1995

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁶: B65H 29/58, B07C 3/06

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

(30)

Priority:

24.05.1994 US 248057
05.12.1994 US 349604

(62)	Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
	95921548.4 / 0760714

(71)	Applicant: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
	Atlanta, GA 30328 (US)

(72)	Inventor:
	Bonnet, Henri Atlanta, Georgia 30328 (US)

(74)	Representative: Chettle, Adrian John et al
	Withers & Rogers 4, Dyer's Buildings Holborn London EC1N 2JT London EC1N 2JT (GB)


	Remarks:
	This application was filed on 18 - 06 - 1998 as a divisional application to the application mentioned under INID code 62.

(54)	Apparatus and method of feeding and sorting objects

(57) An apparatus for automatically feeding objects such as packages or letters at a high speed onto a sorting line. The apparatus utilizes intermittent vacuum source or other graspers to grasp and move the item from a feeder line to a sorting line. The grasper may be located on a continuous loop that extends adjacent to the feeder line and the sorting line.

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