Apparatus for viewing and sorting photographic slide transparencies

Abstract

A slide viewer/sorter having a chute oriented at an incline to horizontal which is adapted to receive a photographic slide at one end. The slide drops by force of gravity to a viewing station where it is held by a detent. After viewing the slide the detent is actuated to release the slide which is transported by force of gravity to the lower end of the chute where it drops into a first receptacle. The first receptacle is rotatably mounted so that it can be moved out of the way, thus allowing the slide to drop further down into a second receptacle, having a number of bins. The second receptacle is mounted so that any bin can be positioned under the chute. This allows the operator of the viewer/sorter to sort the slides into two or more different stacks.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. .[.A.]. .Iadd.In a .Iaddend.slide-handling mechanism .[.comprising:.]. .Iadd.including .Iaddend.a chute .[.oriented at an incline to horizontal.]. .Iadd.having an upper end and a lower end, so that said upper end is higher than said lower end, said chute being .Iaddend.adapted to receive a photographic .[.slide, for.]. .Iadd.slide at said upper end, said chute .Iaddend.providing a passage through which said slide may pass from .[.an.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.upper end of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.chute to .[.a.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.lower end of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.chute .[.by force of gravity.].; and a .[.first.]. slide receptacle positioned at the lower end of said chute for receiving a slide .[.dropping off the end of said chute; whereby a slide placed in said chute at the upper end thereof drops by force of gravity to the lower end of said chute where said slide is free to exit said chute and drop into said receptacle.]. .Iadd.the improvement characterized by:   a hopper for holding slides in a vertical stack, with said slides being stacked horizontally with one slide on top of another;   a mechanism for causing slides to drop from said hopper one at a time horizontally onto said chute through an opening upon actuation of said mechanism, said chute being a linear guideway oriented at an incline to the horizontal plane, with said upper end of said chute being in alignment with said opening in said mechanism and said lower end of said chute being in alignment with said slide receptacle,   said slide receptacle being movably mounted with respect to said lower end of said chute, such that said slide receptacle is movable to at least two different positions with reference to said lower end of said chute, thereby permitting slides to be sorted into at least two separate stacks of slides, with said slides stacked horizontally with one slide on top of another in each of said separate stacks, depending upon the position of said slide receptacle; and,   the incline of said chute with respect to the horizontal plane being such that a slide is able to slide down said chute, to exit said chute at said lower end thereof and to drop into said receptacle, so that slides are stacked in said receptacle, with said slides stacked horizontally with one slide on top of another in said receptacle.Iaddend..   
     
     
       2. The .[.slide mechanism.]. .Iadd.combination .Iaddend.in accordance with claim 1 .[.further comprising a second.]. .Iadd.wherein said .Iaddend.slide receptacle .[.positioned below said first slide receptacle and adapted to receive a slide dropping off the lower end of said chute, whereby slides may be sorted into at least two separate stacks depending upon whether or not said first slide receptacle is in position above said second slide receptacle.]. .Iadd.is a tray comprised of a number of walls forming separate bins capable of holding separate vertical stacks of slides, with one slide on top of another in each of said bins, said tray being positionable with respect to said chute so that any one of said bins can be located in alignment with said chute, thereby permitting slides dropping off of said lower end of said chute to be stacked in said one of said bins located in alignment with said chute.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       3. The .[.slide mechanism.]. .Iadd.combination .Iaddend.in accordance with claim 1 further comprising: means positioned between said upper and lower ends of said chute for restraining a slide at a viewing station when said restraining means is in a first position and for releasing said slide when said restraining means is in a second position;   .[.whereby.]. .Iadd.said restraining means being structured such that .Iaddend.a slide placed in said chute at said upper end is free to slide to said viewing station for viewing thereof when said restraining means is in said first position, and .[.whereby.]. said slide is free to exit said chute at the lower end thereof when said restraining means is in said second position.   
     
     
       4. The .[.mechanism.]. .Iadd.combination .Iaddend.in accordance with claim 3 further comprising: .[.means located above said upper end of said chute for dropping slides, one by one, onto said chute at said upper end thereof.].   .Iadd.first means for activating said restraining means to place said restraining means in said first position, and,   second means for activating said mechanism to thereby cause a slide to be dropped onto said chute.Iaddend..   
     
     
       5. The .[.mechanism.]. .Iadd.combination .Iaddend.in accordance with claim .[.4.]. .Iadd.3 .Iaddend.further comprising: .Iadd.a motor having a motor shaft;   means for energizing said motor;   means for deenergizing said motor; .Iaddend.   first means .Iadd.connected to said motor .Iaddend.for activating said restraining means to place said .Iadd.restraining .Iaddend.means in said first position.[., and,.]. .Iadd.in response to activation of said means for energizing said motor; .Iaddend.   second means .Iadd.connected to said motor .Iaddend.for activating said .[.slide-holding means.]. .Iadd.mechanism in response to said activation of said energizing means .Iaddend.to thereby .[.drop.]. .Iadd.cause .Iaddend.a slide .Iadd.to be dropped .Iaddend.onto said chute; .Iadd.and,   .[.whereby a slide in said slide-holding means is dropped onto said chute, where it drops by force of gravity to said restraining means and upon deactivation of said restraining means is released to exit the lower end of said chute.].   means operatively connected to said deenergizing means for deactivating said motor to thereby hold said restraining means in said first position.   
     
     
       6. The combination in accordance with claim .[.4.]. .Iadd.1 .Iaddend.wherein .[.said means for dropping slides onto said chute further comprises.].: .Iadd.said hopper for holding slides in a vertical stack includes .Iaddend.a first upper portion .[.for holding slides in a vertical stack, said upper portion.]. having a first opening therein of such size and dimensions as to allow a slide to pass therethrough;   .[.a second lower portion having a.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.second opening .[.therein.]. .Iadd.in said lower portion is .Iaddend.of such size and dimensions as to allow a slide to pass therethrough provided that said slide is oriented in the horizontal plane in alignment with said second opening;   .[.said second lower portion being positioned at an angle, in the horizontal plane, with.]. said first opening in said upper portion .Iadd.is positioned at an angle, in the horizontal plane, with respect to said second opening in said lower portion, .Iaddend.so that a slide passing through said first opening in said upper portion is unable to pass through said second opening in said lower portion without being reoriented; and   .Iadd.said mechanism further includes .Iaddend.slide carrier means positioned between said upper portion and said lower portion, said carrier means having a third opening therein of such size and dimensions as to allow a slide to pass therethrough, said carrier being movable in the horizontal plane from a first position wherein said third opening in said slide carrier is in alignment with said first opening in said upper portion, to a second position wherein said third opening in said slide carrier is in alignment with said second opening in said lower portion.   
     
     
       7. The apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said slide carrier is provided with first means for registering the opening in said slide carrier in alignment with the opening in said upper portion when in said first position, and second means for registering the opening in said slide carrier in alignment with the opening in said lower portion when in said second position. 
     
     
       8. The combination in accordance with claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.6 .Iaddend.wherein said .[.first slide receptacle is an L-shaped tray, rotatably mounted such that said tray can be rotated out from under the lower end of said chute.]. .Iadd.mechanism is provided with means for registering the opening in said slide carrier in alignment with the opening in said upper portion when said slide carrier is in said first position, and for registering the opening in said slide carrier in alignment with the opening in said lower portion when said slide carrier is in said second position.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       9. The combination in accordance with claim .[.8.]. .Iadd.6 .Iaddend.further comprising.Iadd.: .Iaddend..[.a spring in coaction with said tray for holding said tray in position at the lower end of said chute.]. .Iadd.means positioned between said upper and lower ends of said chute for restraining a slide at a viewing station when said restraining means is in a first position and for releasing said slide when restraining means is in a second position.Iaddend.. .[.10. The combination in accordance with claim 8 further comprising means for maintaining said tray at an angle to horizontal when in position at the lower end of said chute, so that slides dropped off the end of said chute slide towards one end of said tray,   
     
     
        thereby stacking evenly..]. 11. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said .[.first.]. slide receptacle is a slidably-mounted tray, positioned .[.under.]. .Iadd.at .Iaddend.said lower end of said chute, such that said tray may be .[.slid out from under.]. .Iadd.moved to different positions with respect to .Iaddend.the lower end of said chute. 
     
     
         2. The combination in accordance with claim 11 wherein said tray is provided with a number of walls forming separate bins capable of holding separate stacks of slides, .[.whereby.]. said tray .Iadd.being structured so as to coact with said lower portion of said chute so that said tray .Iaddend.may be .[.repositioned so that.]. .Iadd.positioned to locate .Iaddend.any one of said bins .[.is located under.]. .Iadd.in registration with .Iaddend.said lower end of said chute.[., thereby permitting slides dropping off of said chute to be stacked in the respective bin positioned under said chute.].. .[.13. The combination in accordance with claim 11 further comprising means for maintaining said tray at an angle to horizontal when in position at the lower end of said chute, so that slides dropped off the end of said chute slide towards one end of the tray, 
     
     
        thereby stacking more evenly..]. 14. The combination in accordance with claim 2 wherein said .[.first.]. slide receptacle is an L-shaped tray, rotatably mounted such that said tray can be rotated out .[.from under.]. 
     
     
        .Iadd.of registration with .Iaddend.the lower end of said chute. 15. .[.A slide-handling mechanism comprising.]. .Iadd.The combination in accordance with claim 2 wherein: said hopper for holding slides in a vertical stack includes .Iaddend.a first upper portion .[.for holding slides in a vertical stack, said upper portion.]. having a first opening therein of such size and dimensions as to allow a slide to pass therethrough;   .[.a second lower portion having a.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.second opening .[.therein.]. .Iadd.in said lower portion is .Iaddend.of such size and dimensions as to allow a slide to pass therethrough provided that said slide is oriented in the horizontal plane in alignment with said second opening;   .[.said second lower portion being positioned at an angle, in the horizontal plane, with.]. said first opening in said upper portion, .Iadd.is positioned at an angle, in the horizontal plane, with respect to said second opening in said lower portion, .Iaddend.so that a slide passing through said first opening in said upper portion is unable to pass through said second opening in said lower portion without being reoriented; and   .Iadd.said mechanism further includes .Iaddend.slide carrier means positioned between said upper portion and said lower portion, said carrier means having a third opening therein of such size and dimensions as to allow a slide to pass therethrough, said carrier being movable in the horizontal plane from a first position wherein said third opening in said slide carrier is in alignment with said first opening in said upper portion, to a second position wherein said third opening in said slide carrier is in alignment with said second opening in said lower portion.   
     
     
            The apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein said .[.slide carrier.]. .Iadd.mechanism .Iaddend.is provided with first means for registering the opening in said slide carrier in alignment with the opening in said upper portion when in said first position, and second means for registering the opening in said slide carrier in alignment with the opening in said lower portion when in said second position. .[.17. The slide-handling mechanism in accordance with claim 15, further comprising: a chute oriented at an incline to horizontal and in alignment with said second opening in said second lower portion, adapted to receive a slide, for providing a passage through which said slide may pass from an upper end of the chute to a lower end of the chute by force of gravity; and   a first slide receptacle positioned at the lower end of said chute for receiving a slide dropping off the end of said chute;   whereby a slide dropped in said chute at the upper end thereof drops by force of gravity to the lower end of said chute where said slide is free to exit said chute and drop into said receptacle..]. .[.18. The slide mechanism in accordance with claim 17 further comprising a second slide receptacle positioned below said first slide receptacle and adapted to receive a slide dropping off the lower end of said chute, whereby slides may be sorted into at least two separate stacks depending upon whether or not said first slide receptacle is in position above said second slide   
     
     
        receptacle..]. 19. The .[.slide mechanism.]. .Iadd.combination .Iaddend.in accordance with claim .[.17.]. .Iadd.15 .Iaddend.further comprising: means positioned between said upper and lower ends of said chute for restraining a slide at a viewing station when said restraining means is in a first position and for releasing said slide when said restraining means is in a second position.[.;   whereby a slide dropped in said chute at said upper end is free to slide to said viewing station for viewing thereof when said restraining means is in said first position, and whereby said slide is free to exit said chute at the lower end thereof when said restraining means is in said second   
     
     
        position.].. 20. The .[.mechanism.]. .Iadd.combination .Iaddend.in accordance with claim 19 further comprising: first means for activating said restraining means to place said .Iadd.restraining .Iaddend.means in said first position, and,   said means for activating said .[.slide carrier means.]. .Iadd.mechanism .Iaddend.to thereby drop a slide onto said chute.[.;   whereby a slide in said slide-holding means is dropped onto said chute, where it drops by force of gravity to said restraining means and upon deactivation of said restraining means is released to exit the lower end of said chute.].. .[.21. The combination in accordance with claim 17 wherein said first slide receptacle is an L-shaped tray, rotatably mounted such that said tray can be rotated out from under the lower end of said chute..]. .[.22. The combination in accordance with claim 21 further comprising a spring in coaction with said tray for holding said tray in position at the lower end of said chute..]. .[.23. The combination in accordance with claim 21 further comprising means for maintaining said tray at an angle to horizontal when in position at the lower end of said chute, so that slides dropped off the end of said chute slide towards one   
     
     
        end of said tray, thereby stacking evenly..]. .[.24.  The combination in accordance with claim 17 wherein said first slide receptacle is a slidably-mounted tray, positioned under said lower end of said chute, such that said tray may be slid out from under the lower end of said chute..]. .[.25. The combination in accordance with claim 24 wherein said tray is provided with a number of walls forming separate bins capable of holding separate stacks of slides, whereby said tray may be repositioned so that any one of said bins is located under said lower end of said chute, thereby permitting slides dropping off of said chute to be stacked in the respective bin positioned under said chute..]. .[.26. The combination in accordance with claim 24 further comprising means for maintaining said tray at an angle to horizontal when in position at the lower end of said chute, so that slides dropped off the end of said chute slide towards one end of tray, thereby stacking more evenly..]. .[.27. The combination in accordance with claim 18 wherein said first slide receptacle is an L-shaped tray, rotatably mounted such that said tray can be rotated out from under the lower end of said chute..]. .Iadd.28. The combination in accordance with claim 2 further comprising: means positioned between said upper and lower ends of said chute for restraining a slide at a viewing station when said restraining means is in a first position and for releasing said slide when said restraining means is in a second position;   whereby a slide placed in said chute at said upper end is free to slide to said viewing station for viewing thereof when said restraining means is in said first position, and whereby said slide is free to exit said chute at the lower end thereof when said restraining means is in said second position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. The combination in accordance with claim 28 further comprising:   first means for activating said restraining means to place said restraining means in said first position, and,   second means for activating said mechanism to thereby cause a slide to be dropped onto said chute. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30. The combination in accordance with claim 28 further comprising:   a motor having a motor shaft;   means for energizing said motor;   means for deenergizing said motor;   first means connected to said motor for activating said restraining means to place said restraining means in said first position in response to activation of said means for energizing said motor; and,   second means connected to said motor for activating said mechanism in response to said activation of said energizing means to thereby cause a slide to be dropped onto said chute; and,   means operatively connected to said deenergizing means for deactivating said motor to thereby hold said restraining means in said first position. .Iaddend.