Dynamic sorting of items in a conveyor system
AssigneeLaitram, L.L.C.
InventorMatthew L. Fourney
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sorting system for dynamically sorting items includes movable receptacles that can receive sorted items from a sorting conveyor on the fly. A controller determines and coordinates the movement between the sorted items and the movable receptacle, so that sorted items land in the movable receptacle while the receptacle is moving. A queue of receptacles alongside a sorting conveyor and extending into an overflow region can dynamically move, contract, advance and—or reverse as needed, based on the items being sorted.
Claims16
A sorting system, comprising:
- a plurality of sorting regions arranged in series and extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and forming a sorter output area;
- a chute extending at a downward angle from the plurality of sorting regions, the chute having a continuous surface extending from the first end to the second end, a top edge adjacent a first side of the plurality of sorting regions and a bottom edge below the top edge;
- a plurality of movable receptacles in the sorter output area below the bottom edge of the chute for receiving items from the sorting regions;
- and
- a controller for coordinating a position of an assigned movable receptacle with an item sorted from a sorting region, so that the item lands on the assigned movable receptacle while the assigned movable receptacle is moving.
A sorting system, comprising:
- a plurality of sorting regions arranged in series and extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end to form a sorter output area;
- a queue of movable receptacles adjacent a first side of the plurality of sorting regions for receiving items from the sorting regions, wherein each movable receptacle has a trapezoidal shape, having a length that tapers away from the plurality of sorting regions;
- and
- a controller for coordinating a position of an assigned movable receptacle with an item sorted from a sorting region, so that the item lands on the assigned movable receptacle while the assigned movable receptacle is moving.
A method of sorting an item into a selected movable receptacle, comprising the steps of:
- identifying a movable receptacle for an item;
- conveying the item to a sorting region in a sorting conveyor;
- moving the movable receptacle to a selected position in a sorter output area adjacent to the sorting region;
- deflecting the item from the sorting region so that the item lands on the movable receptacle while the movable receptacle is moving.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.