Automated array sorter for conveyors

An apparatus for automatically distributing articles from a source to a plurality of destinations forming an array, comprising:

• a sorting conveyor, mounted at a receiving end to a pivot about a horizontal axis and a vertical axis, defining a distributing end spaced apart from said receiving end;
• a frame including a carriage which loosely cradles said conveyor between said receiving and distributing ends;
• first means for moving said frame horizontally along a path, causing said conveyor to rotate about said vertical axis;
• second means for moving said carriage vertically, causing said conveyor to rotate about said horizontal axis;
• an optical reader positioned to read destination information printed on a label affixed to said articles;
• and
• a controller operative to receive said destination information and configured to operate said first and second means for moving to align said distributing end with any of said destinations responsive to said destination information.

An apparatus for automatically distributing articles from a source to a plurality of destinations, said plurality of destinations forming an array, and said apparatus comprising:

• a pivoting conveyor defining a receiving end mounted to pivot about both a horizontal axis and a vertical axis and defining a distributing end spaced apart from said receiving end;
• and
• a sorting drive mechanism comprising:
• an upwardly opening cradle positioned to loosely receive said pivoting conveyor intermediate said receiving and distributing ends thereof,
• a vertically extending leg mounted for movement along a horizontal track,
• said cradle being mounted for vertical movement along said vertical leg, said vertical movement pivoting said pivoting conveyor about said horizontal axis, and
• said track being disposed such that movement of said vertical leg along said track pivots said pivoting conveyor about said vertical axis,
• a first drive assembly connected to translate said vertical leg along said track,
• a second drive assembly connected to move said cradle vertically along said vertical leg, and
• a controller configured to operate said first and second drive assemblies to substantially align said distributing end with at least one of said destinations.

A method of automatically distributing an article from a source to one of a plurality of destinations, said plurality of destinations forming an array and said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a pivoting conveyor defining a receiving end mounted to pivot about both a horizontal axis and a vertical axis and defining a distributing end spaced apart from said receiving end;
• providing an upwardly opening cradle positioned to loosely receive said pivoting conveyor at a first position intermediate said receiving and distributing ends of said cradle;
• moving said cradle horizontally so that said pivoting conveyor pivots about said vertical axis and so that said cradle receives said pivoting conveyor at a second position intermediate said receiving and distributing ends;
• and
• moving said article from a surface of said conveyor to said destination.

A method of automatically distributing an article from a source to one of a plurality of destinations, said plurality of destinations forming an array and said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a pivoting conveyor defining a receiving end mounted to a pivot about both a horizontal axis and a vertical axis and defining a distributing end spaced apart from said receiving end;
• providing an upwardly opening cradle positioned to loosely receive said pivoting conveyor at a first position intermediate said receiving and distributing ends of said cradle;
• moving said cradle vertically so that said pivoting conveyor pivots about said horizontal axis and so that said cradle receives said pivoting conveyor at a second position intermediate said receiving and distributing ends;
• and
• moving said article from a surface of said conveyor to said destination.

An apparatus for automatically distributing articles from a source to a plurality of destinations, said destinations forming an array, and said apparatus comprising:

• a sorting conveyor, mounted at a receiving end to a pivot that is pivotable about both a horizontal axis and a vertical axis, defining a distributing end spaced apart from said receiving end;
• a frame including a carriage that cradles said conveyor between said receiving and distributing ends;
• first means for moving said frame horizontally along a path, causing said conveyor to rotate about said vertical axis;
• second means for moving said carriage vertically, causing said conveyor to rotate about said horizontal axis;
• a reader positioned to read destination information affixed to said articles;
• and
• a controller operative to receive said destination information and configured to operate said first and second means for moving to align said distributing end with any of said destinations responsive to said destination information.

An apparatus for automatically distributing articles from a source to a plurality of destinations, said plurality of destinations forming an array, and said apparatus comprising:

• a sorting conveyor defining a receiving end and a distributing end spaced apart from said receiving end, said sorting conveyor being pivotably mounted to a first support member so that said sorting conveyor may be pivoted about both a vertical and a horizontal axis;
• a second support member spaced apart from said first support member and mounted to support a portion of a weight of said conveyor, said second support member having a conveyor support portion that is movable along both a first axis and a second axis;
• a first drive assembly connected to translate said conveyor support portion along said first axis;
• a second drive assembly connected to translate said conveyor support portion along said second axis;
• and
• a controller configured to operate said first and second drive assemblies to substantially align said distributing end with at least one of said destinations.