Conveyor including controlled package ejection capabilities
OwnerHenri Bonnetinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automated conveyor sortation and item discharge system for sorting items of varying sizes and weights to designated output destinations along a conveyor. Dual-bellows configurations are provided to provide predetermine package discharge characteristics, including a “self-correcting” feature. 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.
Claims11
A self-correcting package diversion apparatus for diverting a package atop a conveying surface and to a location adjacent to the travel path of said conveying surface traveling as it is along a conveying axis, said apparatus comprising:
- a conveyor for defining said conveying surface;
- a pusher member defining a substantially planar pushing portion;
- at least two parallel air bellows members configured to push said pusher member across and relative to said conveying surface upon the filling of said bellows members with air;
- and
- a self-correcting valve for controlling the flow of air to said bellows members, said valve configured to supply more air to the bellows which is less extended than the other, such that said substantially planar pushing portion of said pusher member tends to remain substantially parallel to the travel path of said conveying surface.
A self-correcting package diversion apparatus for diverting a package atop a conveying surface and to a location adjacent to the travel path of said conveying surface traveling as it is along a conveying axis, said apparatus comprising:
- a conveyor for defining said conveying surface;
- a pusher member defining a substantially planar pushing portion;
- at least two substantially parallel linear actuator members configured to push said pusher member across and relative to said conveying surface upon the linear actuation and resulting extension of said linear actuation members;
- and
- a self-correcting control element for controlling the relative extension of said actuator members, said self-correcting control element configured to recognize which linear actuation member is less extended than the other and to cause said less extended linear actuation member to extend at a greater rate than the other, such that said substantially planar pushing portion of said pusher member tends to remain substantially parallel to the travel path of said conveying surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.