Abstract:
An automated conveyor sortation and item discharge system for sorting items of varying sizes and weights to designated output destinations along a conveyor. The system utilizes a segmented slat conveyor connected by flexible connectors. The flexible connectors form a tooth for driving the conveyor by a sprocket. The flexible connectors isolate adjacent slats, and the flexible teeth isolate the slat conveyor from the drive sprocket for a enhanced reduction in noise levels. The system may utilize a conventional belt conveyor or rigid platforms attached by flexible connectors. Removable ejection mechanisms can be attached to the individual slats of the slat conveyor or to the belt of a belt conveyor. The ejection mechanisms have self-contained drive and actuation mechanisms and may operate independently of the speed of the conveyor. The drive mechanism for the ejection mechanism may be located separately from the ejection mechanism to drive the ejection mechanism when the ejection mechanism moves adjacent to a desired discharge destination. A programmable controller may be provided to control the conveyor and the discharge of items from the conveyor by the ejection mechanisms. The system is easy to repair and operates at high speeds at reduced noise levels.
Abstract:
A conveyor system particularly configured for discrete parcels, which combines tilting tray concepts with “cross-belt” or powered conveyor concepts, which allows for the acceleration of parcels above one gravity force “G”. In one configuration, two levels can be used, the upper for larger packages, and the lower for lower packages.
Abstract:
A conveyor sortation station including a plurality of inclined splined rollers which form a slider bed. The plurality of splined rollers are aligned with coparallel axes and allow a parcel or other article to slide downwardly thereon under the influence of gravity to a center discharge destination. If desired, the splined rollers may be commonly rotated in either rotational direction to allow for discharge to side discharge locations on either side of the central discharge location.
Abstract:
A conveyor sorter includes a shuttle moving transversely to the conveyor direction to place in the path of articles either a pass-through conveyor or a diverting conveyor. The shuttle is mounted on a reversible belt drive and preferably has two diverting conveyors, one on either side of the pass-through conveyor. Multiple shuttles can be installed in series along the main conveyor to allow sorting to many destinations. Large packages can be sorted at high speed, and the shuttle can be replaced easily to reduce down time when repairs are needed.
Abstract:
An automated conveyor sortation and item discharge system for sorting items of various sizes and weights to designated output destinations along a conveyor is provided. The system utilizes a discharge drum ejection mechanism mounted medially between a pair of parallel cog belt conveyors for ejecting an item such as a parcel laterally from the surface of the cog belt conveyors to an adjacent chute or slide. The discharge drum of the ejection mechanism is generally rectangular and defines convex opposing sides separated by the longer diameter of the drum. The convex sides of the discharge drum define flexible ridges for contacting an overlying parcel to be discharged from the surfaces of the cog belt conveyors. The flexible ridges enhance translation of the item or parcel by the discharge drum and serve to reduce noise caused by the impact of the discharge drum with the overlying parcel. A tapered discharge drum may be used to counteract rotation of the parcel during discharge. A programmable controller may be provided to control the conveyor system and the discharge of items from the conveyor by the ejection mechanisms. The system is easy to repair and operates at high speeds at reduced noise levels. Also provided is a relatively flat disc intermediate a conveyor gap, which may be disassembled without disturbing the shaft to which the disc is mounted.
Abstract:
A conveyor system is provided including a platform for attachment to a conveyor which may be utilized for transporting items of various sizes and weights to designated output destinations along the conveyor. The platforms may be used for the transporting of objects only or may include a variety of conveyor equipment such as baskets, parts bins or parcel ejection mechanisms. The system utilizes a plurality of hinged conveyor trays which are connected to an underlying conveyor via a plurality of flexible edge retainer members that secure the edges of the platforms to the underlying conveyor surface and isolate adjacent platforms from each other. The platforms are secured in place by a medially located center locking mechanism. The system may utilize a conventional belt conveyor onto which the platforms are connected. Ejection mechanisms may be built in or attached to the platforms for diverting objects from the upper surface of the platforms to desired locations. A programmable controller may be provided to control the material handling system and the discharge of items from the surface of platforms by the ejection mechanisms. The system may be easily repaired by removing individual platforms from the underlying conveyor quickly and without tools. The system may be operated at high speeds and at reduced noise levels.
Abstract:
An automatic system for sorting items, such as small parcels, into groups bound for different geographical locations is described. The system includes a carriage for traveling along a track, the carriage having an adjustment feature such that it may continuously be held against the track. The carriage also provides a tilt tray in which packages are presented on a convex surface. The convex surface causes the package to be destabilized, so they may be quickly discharged from the tilt tray.
Abstract:
A system for sorting objects having a source for providing the object for sorting and a plurality of receivers, spaced apart horizontally and vertically, for receiving the object after sorting. The system includes object receiving and discharging wings for receiving the object from the source and transferring the object to the receiver. The object receiving and discharging wings move the object horizontally and vertically from the source to a selected receiver. The source and at least one of the receivers are vertically aligned. Also, a system for storing and retrieving objects having storage and retrieval conveyor for providing the object to the system for storage and for retrieving the object from the system after storage, and a plurality of object storage areas spaced apart horizontally and vertically. The system includes object receiving and discharging wings for receiving the object from the storage and retrieval conveyor and transferring the object to the storage area and for receiving the object from the storage area and transferring the object to the storage and retrieval conveyor. The object receiving and discharging wings have move the object horizontally and vertically from the storage and retrieval conveyor to a selected storage area. The object receiving and discharging wings further have move the object horizontally and vertically from the selected object storage area to the storage and retrieval conveyor.
Abstract:
A conveyor belt includes a lower surface and a number of article supporting surfaces, each of which is tiltably attached to the lower surface. Inflatable chambers are defined in the belt, the article supporting surfaces being disposed to tilt upon inflation of the inflatable chambers. An article conveyor system includes a belt having a lower surface and article supporting surfaces tiltably attached to the lower surface, a conveyor bed for supporting the belt during motion along a predetermined path, and an apparatus for selectively introducing pressurized air between the lower surface and each of the article supporting surfaces for tilting the article supporting surfaces, thereby causing an article on the selectively tilted article supporting surfaces to be discharged.
Abstract:
An automated conveyor sortation and item discharge system for sorting items of varying sizes and weights to designated output destinations along a conveyor. The system utilizes a segmented slat conveyor connected by flexible connectors. The flexible connectors form a tooth for driving the conveyor by a sprocket. The flexible connectors isolate adjacent slats, and the flexible teeth isolate the slat conveyor from the drive sprocket for a enhanced reduction in noise levels. The system may utilize a conventional belt conveyor or rigid platforms attached by flexible connectors. Removable ejection mechanisms can be attached to the individual slats of the slat conveyor or to the belt of a belt conveyor. The ejection mechanisms have self-contained drive and actuation mechanisms and may operate independently of the speed of the conveyor. The drive mechanism for the ejection mechanism may be located separately from the ejection mechanism to drive the ejection mechanism when the ejection mechanism moves adjacent to a desired discharge destination. A programmable controller may be provided to control the conveyor and the discharge of items from the conveyor by the ejection mechanisms. The system is easy to repair and operates at high speeds at reduced noise levels.