Machine-retrievable card andcard retrieval apparatus and method therefor

Abstract

A machine-retrievable card and associated card retrieval apparatus and method therefor is disclosed in which the card is provided with a code-notched sorting edge located between the leading and trailing card edges which has (a) a predetermined configuration of complementary and primary digit code teeth which are removed and retained, respectively, to encode the card with a particular digit, and (b) an acquisition tooth at the leading edge and associated acquisition slot, and (c) a return tooth at the trailing edge and an associated notch. The card retrieval apparatus includes complementary and primary code blades which selectively engage associated complementary and primary code slots of the card, respectively, as well as a pair of acquisition blades and a pair of return blades which cooperate with the acquisition and return teeth, respectively. The blades engage the card sorting edges and shift in a specified sequence to shift the cards in stages between home, intermediate and advanced positions to thereby select a desired card from the deck.

Having described the invention, what is claimed is: 
     
       1. A card selection system comprising: a plurality of cards supported in face-to-face relation in a deck, each card having leading and trailing edges between which is located a sorting edge along which are provided:   (a) an acquisition tooth of specified width W bounded by said leading edge and an acquisition slot,   (b) a return tooth of width W bounded by said trailing edge and a notch of width at least 2W,   (c) a complementary code region of N equally spaced removable complementary code teeth each of width W, said complementary code region also including N equally spaced complementary slots with each complementary slot being located forwardly of its associated complementary code tooth,   (d) a primary code region of N equally spaced removable primary code teeth each of width W, said primary code region also including N equally spaced primary slots with each primary slot being located rearwardly of its associated primary code tooth,   (e) said cards in said deck encoded in M digit out of N digit format with complementary code teeth removed, and primary code teeth remaining, only at M locations corresponding to the M digits,   a card-locating member against which the cards can abut to locate said cards in a home position,   a first acquisition blade disposed opposite said leading edge of said cards in said home position, said first acquisition blade being movable between engaged and disengaged positions relative to said acquisition slot of a card in a partially selected position displaced forwardly of said home position a distance W, said first acquisition blade positively preventing rearward movement of a card in said partially selected position when engaged with the acquisition slot thereof,   a second acquisition blade disposed parallel to said first acquisition blade and forwardly thereof a distance W, said second acquisition blade being movable between engaged and disengaged positions relative to said acquisition slot of a card in a fully selected position displaced forwardly of said home position a distance 2W, said second acquisition blade positively preventing rearward movement of a card in said fully selected position when engaged with the acquisition slot thereof,   N equally spaced complementary blades, each corresponding to a different code digit, disposed parallel to said acquisition blades, said N complementary blades being disposed opposite said N complementary slots of a card in said home position, said N complementary blades being movable, one at a time, between engaged and disengaged positions relative to complementary slots aligned therewith, each of said complementary blades, when in its engaged position, positively preventing forward motion of an undesired card having an unremoved complementary code tooth rearwardly of said engaged complementary blade,   N equally spaced primary blades, each corresponding to a different code digit disposed parallel to said acquisition blades, said N primary blades being disposed opposite said N primary slots of a card in said home position, said N primary blades being movable, one at a time, between engaged and disengaged positions relative to primary slots aligned therewith, said primary blades being movable forwardly from a nonselecting position to a selecting position displaced forwardly of said nonselecting position a distance W, each of said primary blades when in its engaged position and moving forwardly a distance W from its nonselecting position to its selecting position being effective to positively move forwardly a distance W a card having a primary code tooth forwardly of said engaged primary blade,   a first return blade parallel to said acquisition blades and located, when in its return position, opposite the forward edge of the return tooth of a card in said partially selected position, said first return blade being movable rearwardly from its return position to a normal position displaced a distance W rearwardly of its return position, said first return blade being movable between engaged and disengaged positions relative to said notch of a card in said partially selected position, said first return blade, when simultaneously in its return and engaged positions and moving rearwardly, positively returning a card having its return tooth rearwardly of said first return blade from said partially selected position to said home position,   a second return blade parallel to said acquisition blades and located, when in its return position, opposite the forward edge of the return tooth of a card in said fully selected position, said second return blade being movable rearwardly from its return position to a normal position displaced a distance W rearwardly of its return position, said second return blade being movable between engaged and disengaged positions relative to said notch of a card in said fully selected position, said second return blade, when simultaneously in its return and engaged positions and moving rearwardly, positively returning a card having its return tooth rearwardly of said second return blade from said fully selected position to said partially selected position,   first selectively operable blade actuating means for selectively moving said primary, complementary, return, and acquisition blades between their engaged and disengaged positions,   second selectively operable blade actuating means for selectively moving said primary and return blades between their nonselecting and selecting positions and their return and normal positions, respectively, and   
     
     
       sequence control means for energizing said first and second blade actuators on a selective and sequential basis to positively select and displace, in M sequential digit selection steps corresponding to the sequence of M digits, a desired card forwardly a distance 2W relative to the remaining undesired cards while positively retaining undesired cards against a relative displacement of distance 2W. 
     
     
       2. The system of claim 1 wherein said sequence control means sequentially effects the following: (a) engaging, while said cards are in said home position, a transversely disposed complementary code blade into the complementary code slot of the desired card corresponding to the first code digit thereof and into the complementary code slot of each undesired card which is aligned with the complementary code slot corresponding to the first digit of the desired card,   (b) engaging, while said cards are in said home position, a transversely disposed primary code blade into the primary code slot of the desired card corresponding to the first code digit thereof and into the primary code slot of each undesired card which is aligned with the primary code slot corresponding to the first digit of the desired card,   (c) shifting the engaged primary blade forwardly toward the leading edge of the cards a distance W to positively advance the desired card and others encoded with said first digit to .[.a.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.partially selected position a distance W from said home position, while undesired cards not encoded with said first digit are positively held in .Iadd.said .Iaddend.home position against forward motion by said engaged complementary blade,   (d) engaging, while said desired card is in said partially selected position, a transversely disposed complementary code blade into the complementary code slot of the desired card corresponding to the second code digit thereof and into the complementary code slot of each undesired card which is aligned with the complementary code slot corresponding to the second digit of the desired card,   (e) engaging, while said desired card is in said partially selected position, a transversely disposed primary code blade into the primary code slot of the desired card corresponding to the second code digit thereof and into the primary code slot of the undesired card which is aligned with the primary code slot corresponding to the second digit of the desired card,   (f) shifting the engaged primary code blade forwardly toward the leading edge of the cards a distance W to positively advance from said partially selected position to .[.a.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.fully selected position a distance 2W from said home position the desired card and others encoded with both said first and second digits, and to positively advance to said .[.intermediate.]. .Iadd.partially selected position .Iaddend.from said home position undesired cards not encoded with both said first and second digits having a primary code tooth unremoved forward of said shifting primary blade, while undesired cards encoded with an unremoved complementary tooth rearwardly of said engaged complementary blade are positively held against motion in said home position,   (g) engaging .Iadd.said .Iaddend.first and second transversely disposed return blades into the return slot of the cards in said partially selected position and said fully selected position, respectively, and while so engaged shifting said first and second return blades rearwardly toward said trailing edge a distance W to move undesired cards not having both said first and second digit codes from said partially selected position to said home position and the desired card and other cards encoded with both said first and second digits from said fully selected position to said partially selected position,   (h) repeating steps .[.(e), (f), (g), and (h).]. (.Iadd.d), (e), (f), and (g) .Iaddend.for all additional code digits except the last code digit,   (i) engaging a transversely disposed complementary code blade into the complementary code slot of the desired card located in said partially selected position corresponding to the last code digit thereof and into the complementary code slot of each undesired card which is aligned with the complementary code slot corresponding to the last digit of the desired card,   (j) engaging a transversely disposed primary code blade into the primary code slot of the desired card located in said partially selected position corresponding to the last code digit thereof and into the primary code slot of each undesired card which is aligned with the primary code slot corresponding to the last digit of the desired card,   (k) shifting the engaged primary blade forwardly toward the leading edge of the cards a distance W to positively advance from said partially selected position to said fully selected position a distance 2W from said home position the desired card and to positively advance to said partially selected position from said home position undesired cards having a primary code tooth unremoved forward of said engaged primary blade, while undesired cards encoded with an unremoved complementary tooth rearwardly of said engaged complementary blade are positively held against motion in said home position,   (l) engaging .[.a transversely disposed.]. .Iadd.said second acquisition .Iaddend.blade into the acquisition slot of the desired card in said fully selected position, and .[.a transversely disposed.]. .Iadd.said first return .Iaddend.into the return slot of the undesired cards in said partially selected position, and while said blades are so engaged shifting said blades further apart at least a distance W to displace said desired and undesired cards by a distance of at least 2 W, whereby said desired and undesired cards are positively acted upon by different ones of the engaged blades to effect positive separation thereof by at least a distance 2 W.   
     
     
       3. The system of claim 1 further including: a selected card removal device for engaging and removing a desired card, when the desired card has moved a nonzero distance X relative to the undesired cards following displacement of desired and undesired cards a distance 2 W as an incident to the card .[.selected.]. .Iadd.selection .Iaddend.operation, said selected card removal device being positioned forwardly of the leading edge of a card in said home position a distance X+2 W to avoid removing undesired cards temporarily located in said fully selected position during a card selection operation, and   means for moving said desired card forwardly a distance X following displacement of a desired card a distance 2 W forward of said undesired cards as an incident to said card selection operation, enabling said desired card to be engaged and removed by said selected card removal device while undesired cards are not engaged and removed, said moving means being controlled by said sequence control means.   
     
     
       4. The system of claims 1 or 3 wherein said cards are vertically disposed with their sorting edges lowermost, said blades are horizontally disposed below and transversely relative to said cards for vertical movement during motion between said engaged and disengaged positions, said return blades move horizontally in a direction parallel to said sorting edges during motion between said return and normal positions, and said primary blades move horizontally in a direction parallel to said sorting edges during motion between said selecting and nonselecting positions. 
     
     
       5. A card encodeable along an edge thereof which when encoded in M digit out of N digit format can be positively displaced a distance 2 W during a card selection operation having M sequential digit selection steps from a deck of similarly coded cards which are positively held against displacement, said card comprising: a blank of sheet stock having leading and trailing edges between which is located a sorting edge, said sorting edge including:   (a) an acquisition tooth of specified width W bounded by said leading edge and an acquisition slot,   (b) a return tooth of width W bounded by said trailing edge and a notch of width at least 2 W,   (c) a complementary code region of N equally spaced removable complementary code teeth each of width W, said complementary code region also including N equally spaced complementary slots with each complementary slot being located forwardly of its associated complementary code tooth,   (d) a primary code region of N equally spaced removable primary code teeth each of width W, said primary code region also including N equally spaced primary slots with each primary slot being located rearwardly of its associated primary code tooth,   said card being encodeable in an M digit out of N digit code format with complementary code teeth removed, and primary code teeth remaining, only at the .[.complement.]. .Iadd.complementary .Iaddend.and primary code locations corresponding to the M digits.   
     
     
       6. The card of claim 5 further including a spacer tooth of width .[.W.]. .Iadd.Y .Iaddend.located between said acquisition slot and said complementary code region. 
     
     
       7. The card of claim 5 further including a spacer tooth of nonzero width between said primary and complementary code regions. 
     
     
       8. A method of selecting a desired card encoded along a sorting edge thereof from a deck of similarly encoded undesired cards, said desired and undesired cards each including leading and trailing edges between which is located a sorting edge having: (a) an acquisition tooth of specified width W bounded by said leading edge and an acquisition slot,   (b) a return tooth of width W bounded by said trailing edge and a notch of at least width 2 W,   (c) a complementary code region of N equally spaced removable complementary code teeth .Iadd.each .Iaddend.of width W, said complementary code region also including N equally spaced complementary slots with each complementary slot being located forwardly of its associated complementary code tooth,   (d) a primary code region of N equally spaced removable primary code teeth each of width W, said primary code region also including N equally spaced primary slots with each primary slot being located rearwardly of its associated primary code tooth,   said desired and undesired cards being encoded in an M digit out of N digit code format with complementary code teeth removed, and primary code teeth remaining, only at complementary and primary code tooth locations corresponding to the M digits,   said method comprising the steps of:   (a) locating the desired and undesired cards in a home position with their respective acquisition and return teeth aligned,   (b) engaging, while said cards are in said home position, a transversely disposed complementary code blade into the complementary code slot of the desired card corresponding to the first code digit thereof and into the complementary code slot of each undesired card which is aligned with the complementary code slot corresponding to the first digit of the desired card,   (c) engaging, while said cards are in said home position, a transversely disposed primary code blade into the primary code slot of the desired card corresponding to the first code digit thereof and into the primary code slot of each undesired card which is aligned with the primary code slot corresponding to the first digit of the desired card,   (d) shifting the engaged primary blade forwardly toward the leading edge of the cards a distance W to positively advance the desired card and others encoded with said first digit to a partially selected position a distance W from said home position, while undesired cards not encoded with said first digit are positively held in home position against forward motion by said engaged complementary blade,   (e) engaging, while said desired card is in said partially selected position, a transversely disposed complementary code blade into the complementary code slot of the desired card corresponding to the second code digit thereof and into the complementary code slot of each undesired card which is aligned with the complementary code slot corresponding to the second digit of the desired card,   (f) engaging, while said desired card is in said partially selected position, a transversely disposed primary code blade into the primary code slot of the desired card corresponding to the second code digit thereof and into the primary code slot of the undesired card which is aligned with the primary code slot corresponding to the second digit of the desired card,   (g) shifting the engaged primary code blade forwardly toward the leading edge of the cards a distance W to positively advance from said partially selected position to a fully selected position a distance 2 W from said home position the desired card and others encoded with both said first and second digits, and to positively advance to said .[.intermediate.]. .Iadd.partially selected position .Iaddend.from said home position undesired cards not encoded with both said first and second digits having a primary code tooth unremoved forward of said shifting primary blade, while undesired cards encoded with an unremoved complementary tooth rearwardly of said engaged complementary blade are positively held against motion in said home position,   (h) engaging first and second transversely disposed return blades into the return slot of the cards in said partially selected position and said fully selected position, respectively, and while so engaged shifting said first and second return blades rearwardly toward said trailing edge a distance W to move undesired cards not having both said first and second digit codes from said partially selected position to said home position and the desired card and other cards encoded with both said first and second digits from said fully selected position to said partially selected position,   (i) repeating steps (e), (f), (g), and (h) for all additional code digits except the last code digit,   (j) engaging a transversely disposed complementary code blade into the complementary code slot of the desired card located in said partially selected position corresponding to the last code digit thereof and into the complementary code slot of each undesired card which is aligned with the complementary code slot corresponding to the last digit of the desired card,   (k) engaging a transversely disposed primary code blade into the primary code slot of the desired card located in said partially selected position corresponding to the last code digit thereof and into the primary code slot of each undesired card which is aligned with the primary code slot corresponding to the last digit of the desired card,   (l) shifting the engaged primary blade forwardly toward the leading edge of the cards a distance W to positively advance from said partially selected position to said fully selected position a distance 2W from said home position the desired card and to positively advance to said partially selected position from said home position undesired cards having a primary code tooth unremoved foward of said engaged primary blade, while undesired cards encoded with an unremoved complementary tooth rearwardly of said engaged complementary blade are positively held against motion in said home position,   (m) engaging a transversely disposed blade into the acquisition slot of the desired card in said fully selected position, and a transversely disposed blade into the return slot of undesired cards in said partially selected position, and while said blades are so engaged shifting said blades further apart at least a distance W to displace said desired and undesired cards by a distance of at least 2W, whereby said desired and undesired cards are positively acted upon by different ones of the engaged blades to effect positive separation thereof by at least a distance 2W.   
     
     
       9. The method of claim 8 including the further step of: engaging a transverse blade rearwardly of the return tooth of the desired card while said desired card is displaced from the undesired cards a distance of at least 2W, and while so engaged shifting said desired card a nonzero distance X in a direction toward said leading edge to advance said desired card to a stationary selected card removal device located a distance X from the leading edge of a card in said fully selected position.   
     
     
       10. A method of selecting a desired card encoded along a sorting edge thereof from a deck of similarly encoded undesired cards, said desired and undesired cards each including leading and trailing edges between which is located a sorting edge having: (a) an acquisition tooth of specified width W bounded by said leading edge and an acquisition slot,   (b) a return tooth of width W bounded by said trailing edge and a notch of at least width 2W,   (c) a complementary code region of N equally spaced removable complementary code teeth each of width W, said complementary code region also including N equally spaced complementary slots with each complementary slot being located forwardly of its associated complementary code tooth,   (d) a primary code region of N equally spaced removable primary code teeth each of width W, said primary code region also including N equally spaced primary slots with each primary slot being located rearwardly of its associated primary code tooth, the rearmost complementary slot and the forwardmost primary slot being spaced apart a distance at least equal to 2W, said desired and undesired cards being encoded in an M digit out of N digit code format with complementary code teeth removed, and primary code teeth remaining, only at complementary and primary code tooth locations corresponding to the M digits,   said method comprising the steps of:     (a) locating the desired and undesired cards in a home position with their respective acquisition and return teeth aligned,   (b) positively advancing to a partially selected position a distance W from the home position, with a moving primary blade engaged in the primary slot of the first code digit, cards having the first code digit, while positively holding at the home position all other cards with a stationary complementary blade engaged in the .[.complement.]. .Iadd.complementary .Iaddend.slot of the first code digit,   (c) positively advancing to a fully selected position a distance 2W from the home position, with a moving primary blade engaged in the primary slot of the second code digit of the desired card, cards having both the first and second code digits, while positively holding at said partially selected position, with a stationary complementary blade engaged in the second code digit .[.complement.]. .Iadd.complementary .Iaddend.slot of the desired card, all cards not encoded with both the first and second code digits,   (d) retracting all cards rearwardly a distance W to locate only cards having both the first and second digits at the partially selected position and all other cards at the home position,   (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) for all subsequent digits of the desired card except the last digit,   (f) positively advancing only the desired card to said fully selected position with a moving primary blade engaged in the primary slot of the last code digit of the desired card, while positively preventing all other cards from moving to said fully selected position with a complementary blade engaged in the last code digit .[.complement.]. .Iadd.complementary .Iaddend.slot,   (g) engaging a transversely disposed blade into the acquisition slot of the desired card in said fully selected position, and a transversely disposed blade into the return slot of undesired cards in said partially selected position, and while said blades are so engaged shifting said blades further apart at least a distance W to displace said desired and undesired cards by a distance of at least 2W, whereby said desired and undesired cards are positively acted upon by different ones of the engaged blades to effect positive separation therebetween of at least a distance 2W.   
     
     
       11. The method of claim 10 including the further step of: engaging a transverse blade rearwardly of the return tooth of the desired card while displaced from the undesired cards a distance of at least 2W, and while so engaged shifting said desired card a distance X in a direction toward said leading edge to advance said desired card to a selected card removal device located a distance X from the leading edge of a card in said fully selected position.   
     
     
       12. The method of claim 10 wherein said blade shifting in step (g) is achieved by shifting said transverse blade engaged with said return tooth of said undesired cards rearwardly through a distance X to separate said desired and undesired cards a distance of 2W+X, said method further including the step of shifting all cards forwardly a distance X to simultaneously locate the leading edge of said desired card at a selected card removal device and return all said undesired cards to said home position ready for another card selection operation. 
     
     
       13. Apparatus for selecting a desired card encoded along a sorting edge thereof from a deck of similarly encoded undesired cards, said desired and undesired cards each including leading and trailing edges between which is located a sorting edge having: (a) an acquisition tooth of specified width W bounded by said leading edge and an acquisition slot,   (b) a return tooth of width W bounded by said trailing edge and a notch of at least width 2W,   (c) a complementary code region of N equally spaced removable complementary code teeth each of width W, said complementary code region also including N equally spaced complementary slots with each complementary slot being located forwardly of its associated complementary code tooth,   (d) a primary code region of N equally spaced removable primary code teeth each of width W, said primary code region also including N equally spaced primary slots with each primary slot being located rearwardly of its associated primary code tooth, said desired and undesired cards being encoded in an M digit out of N digit code format with complementary code teeth removed, and primary code teeth remaining, only at M locations corresponding to the M digits,   said apparatus comprising:     (a) means for locating the desired and undesired cards in a home position with their respective acquisition and return teeth aligned,   (b) means, including a moving primary blade engaged in the primary slot of the first code digit and a stationary complementary blade engaged in the .[.complement.]. .Iadd.complementary .Iaddend.slot of the first code digit, for positively advancing to a partially selected position a distance W from the home position cards having the first code digit, while positively holding at the home position all other cards,   (c) means, including a moving primary blade engaged in the primary slot of the second code digit of the desired card and a stationary complementary blade engaged in the second code digit .[.complement.]. .Iadd.complementary .Iaddend.slot of the desired card, for positively advancing to a fully selected position a distance 2W from the home position cards encoded with both said first and second digits, while positively holding at said partially selected position all cards not encoded with both the first and second code digits,   (d) means for retracting all cards rearwardly a distance W to locate only cards having both the first and second digits at the partially selected position and all other cards at the home position,   (e) means, including a moving primary blade engaged in the primary slot of the last code digit of the desired card and a stationary .[.complement.]. .Iadd.complementary .Iaddend.blade engaged in the .[.complement.]. .Iadd.complementary .Iaddend.slot of the last digit of the desired card, for positively advancing only the desired card to said fully selected position and positively restraining all other cards against movement to said fully selected position,   (f) a transversely disposed acquisition blade engaged with the acquisition slot of the desired card in said fully selected position and a transversely disposed return blade engaged with the return slot of undesired cards in said partially selected position, and   (g) means for shifting said acquisition and return blades apart at least a distance W to displace said desired and undesired cards by a distance of at least 2W, whereby said desired and undesired cards are positively acted upon by different ones of the engaged blades to effect positive separation therebetween of at least a distance 2W.   
     
     
       14. The apparatus of claim 13 further including: a stationary selected card removal device located a distance X from the leading edge of a card in said fully selected position,   a transverse blade engaged rearwardly of the desired card while displaced from the undesired cards a distance of at least 2W,   means for shifting a distance X said transverse blade, when engaged rearwardly of the return tooth of the desired card while displaced from the undesired cards a distance of at least 2W, to effectively shift said desired card a distance X in a direction toward said leading edge to advance said desired card to said stationary selected card removal device located a distance X from the leading edge of a card in said fully selected position.   
     
     
       15. The apparatus of claim 13 further including: a selected card removal device located a distance X forward of the leading edge of a card in said fully selected position, and   means for moving said fully selected card from said fully selected position forwardly a distance X to said card removal device for removal thereby while preventing undesired cards from moving forwardly of said home position.   
     
     
       16. A method .Iadd.of .Iaddend.selecting a desired card encoded along a sorting edge thereof from a deck of similarly encoded undesirable cards, said desired and undesired cards each including leading and trailing edges between which is located said sorting edge having code-bearing teeth and notches, comprising: (a) locating the desired and undesired cards of the deck in a home position with their sorting edges aligned,   (b) selectively advancing selected cards bearing a first digit a first distance relative to said home position parallel to said sorting edge to separate said selected cards from the remaining cards,   (c) advancing certain of said selected cards bearing a second digit a second distance relative to said home position parallel to said sorting edge to locate said certain cards having both said first and second digits a distance form said home position equal to the sum of said first and second distances,   (d) returning all said cards toward said home position a distance equal to said second distance whereby only those cards having both said first and second digits are advanced from said home position a distance equal to said first distance, and   (e) selectively advancing.Iadd., from among .Iaddend.cards having both said first and second digits.Iadd., certain cards also bearing a third digit .Iaddend.a third distance relative to said home position, whereby only those selected cards having all said first, second, and third digits are advanced from said home position a distance equal to the sum of said first and third distances.   
     
     
       17. The method of claim 16 further including the step of returning all unselected cards not having all said first, second, and third digits to said home position to separate said selected cards from said unselected cards a distance equal to the sum of said first and third distances. 
     
     
       18. A card encodeable along an edge thereof which when encoded can be positively displaced from a deck of similarly encoded card which are positively held against displacement, said card comprising: a blank of sheet stock having leading and trailing edges between which is located a sorting edge, said sorting edge including: (a) a complementary code region having selectively removable complementary code teeth, with each complementary tooth having a complementary slot associated therewith forwardly thereof, and   (b) a primary code region having selectively removable primary code teeth, with each primary tooth having a primary slot associated therewith rearwardly thereof,     said card being encodeable in an M out of N digital code format with complementary code teeth removed, and primary code teeth remaining, only at the complementary and primary code locations corresponding to the M digits,   an acquisition tooth on said blank having a rear edge disposed a predetermined distance rearwardly of the leading edge of said card, said rear edge of said acquisition tooth being engageable with an acquisition member transversely disposed relative to said deck when said card is advanced from said deck a distance equal to the width of two code teeth.   
     
     
       19. A card in accordance with claim 18 further including a return tooth on said blank having a forward edge disposed a predetermined distance forwardly of said trailing edge, and a return slot disposed forwardly of said return tooth, said forward edge of said return tooth being engageable with a return member transversely disposed relative to said deck when said card is disposed forwardly relative to said deck a distance equal to the width of one code tooth. 
     
     
       20. The card of claim 19 wherein said return tooth and return slot, and acquisition tooth and acquisition slot, are located on said sorting edge. 
     
     
       21. Apparatus for selecting desired coded edge-notched cards from a deck of similarly encoded undesired cards, comprising: means for supporting the cards with their .[.supporting.]. .Iadd.sorting .Iaddend.edges aligned,   a first set of blades movable toward said sorting edges of said cards and shiftable forwardly parallel to said sorting edges to shift cards forwardly solely from either a single home position to a single intermediate position or from said single intermediate position to a single advanced position, and   a second set of blades movable toward said sorting edges of said cards for holding against movement undesired cards solely in either said single intermediate position or in said single home position.   
     
     
       22. The apparatus of claim 21 further including means for holding cards in .[.an.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.advanced position, and means shiftable rearwardly to said single intermediate and home positions, for returning cards from said advanced position to said intermediate position, and from said intermediate position to said home position. 
     
     
       23. The apparatus of claim 22 further including means shifting said returning means rearwardly beyond said home position while selected cards in said advanced position are restricted against movement by said holding means to further separate said selected desired cards from undesired cards, and for thereafter shifting said returning means to said home position while said selected desired cards are shifted forwardly for removal from said deck. 
     
     
       24. The apparatus of claim 21 for selecting desired coded edge-notched cards from a deck of similarly encoded undesired cards, wherein said card supporting means includes first and second platens disposed to engage said sorting edges of said cards and which also support said first and second sets of blades, respectively. 
     
     
       25. The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising means for acquiring cards advanced by said first platen. 
     
     
       26. Apparatus in accordance with claim 24 further comprising: means for returning cards selected by movement of said first platen from said advanced position to said intermediate position, and from said intermediate position to said home position.   
     
     
       27. The apparatus of claim 26 further comprising means for holding cards advanced by said first platen while said returning means returns undesired cards from said intermediate position to said home position. 
     
     
       28. The apparatus of claim 26 further comprising means for moving said first platen rearwardly beyond said home position and thereafter advancing it to said home position, said returning means being mounted for movement with said first platen for further separating selected desired cards from undesired cards as said first platen moves rearwardly beyond said home position. 
     
     
       29. In a method of selecting a desired card encoded along a sorting edge thereof from a deck of similarly encoded undesirable cards, said desired and undesired cards each including leading and trailing edges between which is located said sorting edge having code-bearing teeth and notches, comprising: (a) locating the desired and undesired cards of the deck in a home position with their sorting edges aligned,   (b) shifting selected cards bearing a first code in a direction parallel to said sorting edge to an advanced position to separate them from cards not so encoded,   (c) returning the selected cards toward the home position to an intermediate position between said advanced and home positions, and   (d) thereafter again shifting selected cards bearing a second code in a direction parallel to said sorting edge a predetermined distance, whereby cards bearing said first and second codes are spaced from said home position a greater distance than cards not so encoded.   
     
     
       30. A card encodeable along an edge thereof which when encoded can be positively displaced from a deck of similarly encoded cards which are positively held against displacement, said card comprising: a blank of sheet stock having leading and trailing edges between which is located a sorting edge, said sorting edge including:   (a) a complementary code region having selectively removable complementary code teeth, with each complementary tooth having a complementary slot associated therewith forwardly thereof, and   (b) a primary code region having selective removable primary code teeth, with each primary tooth having a primary slot associated therewith rearwardly thereof,   said card being encodeable in an M out of N digital code format with complementary code teeth removed, and primary code teeth remaining, only at the complementary and primary code locations corresponding to the M digits,   a return tooth on said blank having a forward edge disposed a predetermined distance forwardly of said trailing edge, and a return slot disposed forwardly of said return tooth, said forward edge of said return tooth being engageable with a return member transversely disposed relative to said deck when said card is disposed forwardly relative to said deck a distance equal to the width of one code tooth. .Iadd.   
     
     
       31.  A method of selecting a desired card encoded along a sorting edge thereof from a deck of similarly encoded undesired cards, said desired and undesired cards each including leading and trailing edges between which is located said sorting edge having code-bearing teeth and notches, comprising: (a) combining the desired and undesired cards into a single deck with their sorting edges aligned;   (b) introducing a sorting element, which is disposed transversely relative to the sorting edges of the desired and undesired cards, into the notch of all the cards associated with the first encoded digit of the desired card and separating the single deck of cards into only (1) a first group containing only cards which each are encoded with the first digit and (2) a second group containing only the remaining cards which each are not encoded with said first digit, the first and second groups being physically separated from each other in a direction parallel to said sorting edges thereof a distance equal to the width of one tooth;   (c) introducing a sorting element transversely disposed to the sorting edges of all cards into the notch associated with the second encoded digit of the desired card located in the first group and selectively separating the first and second groups of cards into only (1) a third group containing cards which each are encoded with both the first digit and the second digit, and (2) a fourth group collectively containing the remaining cards which do not each contain both the first and second encoded digits, the fourth group consisting of only two subgroups of cards which are separated relative to each other a distance equal to the width of one tooth in a direction parallel to their respective sorting edges, said third group of cards being separated from each of said two subgroups of the fourth group a distance of at least one tooth width in a direction parallel to the sorting edges thereof;   (d) combining the two subgroups of the fourth group of cards into a single combined fourth group of cards, said combined fourth group of cards being spaced from the third group of cards by at least one tooth width in a direction parallel to the sorting edges thereof; and   (e) introducing a sorting element disposed transversely relative to the sorting edges of the cards into the notch associated with the third encoded digit of the desired card located in the third group and separating the third group of cards and the combined fourth group of cards into only (1) a fifth group containing cards each having all three of the encoded first, second, and third digits and (2) a sixth group containing the remainder of the cards, the sixth group consisting of only two subgroups spaced relative to each other one tooth width apart in a direction parallel to the sorting edges thereof, said two subgroups of said sixth group collectively containing all cards not each having all said first, second, and third encoded digits, said fifth group of cards being spaced from each of the two subgroups of the sixth group by a distance equal to at least one tooth width in a direction parallel to the sorting edges thereof. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       32.  The method of claim 31 wherein step (c) separates said third group of cards from one of said two subgroups of the fourth group by a distance of one tooth width and from the other of said two subgroups by a distance equal to the width of two teeth; wherein step (d) separates said third group and said combined fourth group by a distance equal to one tooth width; and wherein step (e) separates said fifth group of cards from one of said two subgroups of the sixth group by a distance of one tooth width and from the other of said two subgroups by a distance equal to the width of two teeth. .Iaddend. .Iadd.33. The method of claim 32 comprising the further steps of: (f) combining into a single sixth group the two sub-groups of the sixth group which collectively include all the cards which do not each have all said first, second, and third encoded digits, said single combined sixth group being spaced from the fifth group of cards which each contain all of said first, second, and third encoded digits by a distance in a direction parallel to the sorting edges thereof which is at least equal to the width of one tooth, and   (g) substantially separating said fifth group of cards and said combined sixth group of cards to facilitate convenient removal of said fifth group of cards from the deck of cards. .Iaddend. .Iadd.34. The method of claim 31 wherein each of said separating steps includes moving said sorting element in a direction parallel to said sorting edge a distance equal to   
     
     
        the width of one tooth. .Iaddend. .Iadd.35.  A method of selecting a desired card encoded along a sorting edge thereof from a deck of similarly encoded undesired cards, said desired and undesired cards each including leading and trailing edges between which is located said sorting edge having code-bearing teeth and notches, said cards being encoded with N digits D 1 , D 2 , . . . D N , comprising: (a) combining the desired and undesired cards into a single deck with their sorting edges aligned;   (b) introducing a sorting element, which is disposed transversely relative to the sorting edges of the desired and undesired cards, into the notch of all the cards associated with the first digit D 1  of the desired card and separating the single deck of cards into only (1) a first group containing only cards which each are encoded with the first digit D 1  and (2) a second group containing only the remaining cards not encoded with said first digit D 1 , said first and second groups being physically separated from each other in a direction parallel to said sorting edges thereof a distance equal to the width of one tooth;   (c) introducing a sorting element transversely disposed to the sorting edges of all cards into the notch associated with the second digit D 2  of the desired card located in the first group and selectively separating the first and second group of card into only (1) a third group containing cards which each are encoded with both the first digit D 1  and the second digit D 2 , and (2) a fourth group collectively containing the remaining cards which do not each contain both the first and second encoded digits, D 1  and D 2 , the fourth group consisting of only two subgroups of cards which are separated relative to each other a distance equal to the width of one tooth in a direction parallel to their respective sorting edges, said third group of cards being separated from one of the two subgroups of the fourth group a distance of at least one tooth width in a direction parallel to the sorting edges thereof, and being separated from the other of the two subgroups a distance at least equal to the width of two teeth;   (d) combining the two subgroups of the fourth group of cards into a single combined fourth group of cards, said combined fourth group of cards being spaced from the third group of cards by a distance of at least one tooth width in a direction parallel to the sorting edges thereof;   (e) successively repeating steps (c) and (d) with respect to digits D 3 , D 4 , . . . D.sub.(N-1) to successively place into a single group only cards which are each encoded with digits D 1  -D 3 , digits D 1  -D 4 , . . . D 1  -D.sub.(N-1), respectively, and successively place into a single combined group only cards not each encoded with the digits D 1  -D 3 , D 1  -D 4 , . . . D 1  -D.sub.(N-1), respectively;   (f) repeating step (c) with respect to the last digit D N  to place into a single group only cards which are each encoded with digits D 1  -D N , and to place the remaining cards into another group collectively containing only cards which do not each contain all N encoded digits, D 1 , D 2 , . . . D N , said another group consisting of only two subgroups which are separated relative to each other a distance equal to the width of at least one tooth in a direction parallel to their respective sorting edges, said single group of cards being separated from one of the two subgroups of said another group a distance of at least one tooth width in a direction parallel to the sorting edges thereof, and being separated from the other of the two subgroups a distance at least   
     
     
        equal to the width of two teeth. .Iaddend. .Iadd.36.  The method of claim 35 comprising the further steps of: (g) combining into a single group the two subgroups of said another group collectively containing all the cards which do not each have the digits D 1  -D N , said combined group being spaced a distance of at least one tooth width in a direction parallel to the sorting edges thereof relative to the group of cards which each contain all the digits D 1  -D N  ; and   (h) substantially separating the group of cards which each contain all the digits D 1  -D N  relative to the combined group of cards which do not each contain all the digits D 1  -D N . .Iaddend. .Iadd.37. The method of claim 35 wherein each of said separating steps includes moving said sorting element in a direction parallel to said sorting edge a   
     
     
        distance equal to the width of one tooth. .Iaddend. .Iadd.38.  A card encodeable along an edge thereof which when encoded can be positively displaced relative to a deck of similarly encoded cards which are positively held against such displacement, said card comprising: a blank of sheet stock having leading and trailing edges between which is located a sorting edge, said sorting edge including:   (a) a complementary code region having selectively removable complementary code teeth, with each complementary tooth having a complementary slot associated therewith forwardly thereof, and   (b) a primary code region having selectively removable primary code teeth, with each primary tooth having a primary slot associated therewith rearwardly thereof,   said card being encodable in an M out of N digit code format with complementary code teeth removed, and primary code teeth remaining, only at the complementary and primary code locations corresponding to the M digits,   an acquisition tooth on said blank having a rear edge disposed a predetermined distance rearwardly of the leading edge of said card, said rear edge of said acquisition tooth being engageable with an acquisition member transversely disposed relative to said deck when said card is displaced relative to said deck a distance equal to the width of at least   
     
     
        one code tooth. .Iaddend. .Iadd.39.  A card in accordance with claim 38 further including a return tooth on said blank having a forward edge disposed a predetermined distance forwardly of said trailing edge, and a return slot disposed forwardly of said return tooth, said forward edge of said return tooth being engageable with a return member transversely disposed relative to said deck when said card is displaced relative to said deck a distance equal to the width of one code tooth. .Iaddend. .Iadd.40. The card of claim 39 wherein said return tooth and return slot, and acquisition tooth and acquistion slot, are located on said sorting 
     
     
        edge. .Iaddend. .Iadd.41.  A card encodeable along an edge thereof which when encoded can be positively displaced from a deck of similarly encoded cards which are positively held against displacement, said card comprising: a blank of sheet stock having leading and trailing edges between which is located a sorting edge, said sorting edge including:   (a) a complementary code region having selectively removable complementary code teeth, with each complementary tooth having a complementary slot associated therewith forwardly thereof, and   (b) a primary code region having selectively removable primary code teeth, with each primary tooth having a primary slot associated therewith rearwardly thereof,   said card being encodeable in an M out of N digit code format with complementary code teeth removed, and primary code teeth remaining, only at the complementary and primary code locations corresponding to the M digits, and   a return tooth on said blank having a forward edge disposed a predetermined distance forwardly of said trailing edge, and a return slot disposed forwardly of said return tooth, said forward edge of said return tooth being engageable with a return member transversely disposed relative to said deck when said card is displace relative to said deck a distance   
     
     
        equal to the width of one code tooth. .Iaddend. .Iadd.42.  Apparatus for facilitating selection of desired coded edge-notched cards from a deck of similarly encoded undesired cards, comprising: means for supporting the cards with their sorting edges aligned,   a first set of blades movable toward said sorting edges of said cards and shiftable in a first direction parallel to said sorting edges to shift, relative to said deck, cards in said first direction solely from either a single initial position undisplaced relative to said deck to a single intermediate position displaced one tooth width in said first direction relative to said deck, or from said single intermediate position to a single advanced position displaced in said first direction relative to said deck a distance equal to the width of two teeth, and   a second set of blades movable toward said sorting edges of said cards for holding cards against movement when said first set of blades moves said cards relative to said deck. .Iaddend. .Iadd.43. The apparatus of claim 42 further including means for holding desired cards and means shiftable in a direction opposite to said first direction for returning cards displaced relative to said deck a distance equal to the width of two teeth to a position displaced relative to said deck a distance equal to the width of   
     
     
        one tooth. .Iaddend. .Iadd.44.  The apparatus of claim 42 for selecting desired coded edge-notched cards from a deck of similarly encoded undesired cards, wherein said card supporting means includes first and second platens disposed to engage said sorting edges of said cards and which also support said first and second sets of blades, respectively. .Iaddend. .Iadd.45. The apparatus of claim 42 further comprising means for acquiring cards displaced relative to said deck as a result of movement of said first platen. .Iaddend. .Iadd.46. Apparatus in accordance with claim 42 further comprising means for returning cards by movement of said first platen from a position displaced from said deck a distance of two teeth to a position displaced from said deck a distance of one tooth. .Iaddend. .Iadd.47. The apparatus of claim 46 further comprising means for holding desired cards displaced relative to said deck by movement of said first platen while said returning means returns undesired cards to a position displaced one tooth width relative to said desired cards. .Iaddend. 
     
     
        .Iadd. 8.  Apparatus for facilitating selection of desired coded edge-notched cards from a deck of similarly encoded undesired cards, comprising: means for supporting the cards with their sorting edges aligned,   a first set of blades movable toward said sorting edges of said cards,   a second set of blades movable toward said sorting edges of said cards,   means for successively moving said first and second sets of blades relative to each other in a direction parallel to said sorting edges to successively effect relative movement between desired and undesired cards to separate desired cards into only a single group and undesired cards into two subgroups which are spaced from each other and from said single group of desired cards, and   means for combining said subgroups of undesired cards into a single group to prevent the number of subgroups from exceeding two in number notwithstanding said moving means is successively operated at least three times. .Iaddend.