Automatic sorting, conveying and packing mechanism for photographic

Abstract

A photographic print sorting, conveying and packing mechanism includes a main conveyor line and a plurality of branch conveyor lines with an initial feeding device which receives individual cut prints from a print cutter and feeds the prints into the main conveyor line which defines a main flow path. All of the conveyor lines include a plurality of driver rollers spaced apart less than the length of each cut photograph so that one roller will always be in contact with the prints to maintain positive driving contact with the prints at all times during their successive travel along the conveyor lines. The conveyor lines also include deflecting elements ahead of each roller to flatten momentarily the curl in each print and insure proper driving engagement between the rollers and the print. The branch conveyor lines have their entrances communicating with the flow path of the main conveyor line, the entrances being normally closed by diverting flippers which, when actuated, move into the main flow path to divert previously classified prints into the respective branch conveyor lines in response to classification indicia incorporated in the prints. Print collecting and ejecting stations are provided at the end of the respective conveyor lines, with a positive automatic ejection mechanism provided at the end of said main conveyor line for packing the collected prints into a packaging envelope positioned to receive the prints.