Dynamic package sortation device
AssigneeExpress Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.
InventorsMichael L. Davis, Robert E. Hoffman, Kristine Calvin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The dynamic package sortation device includes a track for handling a plurality of packages is provided. At least one conveyor extends away from the track towards at least two shipping containers. The at least one conveyor is extendable and retractable for dispensing the packages into a first shipping container of the at least two shipping containers and a second condition for dispensing the packages into a second shipping container of the at least two shipping containers. A controller is provided for providing an instruction to move the at least one conveyor between the first condition and the second condition based on a trigger.
Claims20
A sortation device comprising:
- a track for handling a plurality of packages;
- at least one conveyor extending away from the track towards at least two shipping containers, the at least one conveyor being extendable from a first condition for dispensing the packages into a first shipping container of the at least two shipping containers and a second condition for dispensing the packages into a second shipping container of the at least two shipping containers;
- a controller providing an instruction to move the at least one conveyor between the first condition and the second condition based on a trigger.
A method of dispensing packages into at least two shipping containers including a first shipping container and a second shipping container, comprising the steps of:
- guiding at least one of the packages onto at least one conveyor and then into the first shipping container;
- extending the at least one conveyor;
- and
- guiding at least one of the packages onto the at least one conveyor and then into the second shipping container.
A package sortation assembly, comprising:
- a main track for handling a plurality of packages;
- a plurality of sets of shipping containers, the plurality of sets of shipping containers including at least two shipping containers arranged adjacent one another;
- a plurality of conveyors that are spaced apart from one another along the main track, the conveyors extending from the main track towards respective ones of the sets of shipping containers, the conveyors being individually extendable and retractable;
- a controller in communication with the plurality of conveyors and configured to selectively extend and retract the conveyors to control which shipping containers in the sets the packages are dispensed into.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.