Divert apparatus for conveyor system

A divert apparatus comprising:

• a detection apparatus for identifying two items in a stream of conveyed items in contact with one another or less than a predetermined distance apart, the items to be diverted from the stream of items, the detection apparatus including a camera that creates an image of the stream of items;
• an horizontal roller conveyor section, the roller section being wider than the items to be conveyed and comprising a plurality of rollers angled from central longitudinal axis of the conveyor section, the angled rollers applying a force directing the stream of items toward a first side rail of the conveyor section so that the items engage the first side rail;
• a movable gate forming part of the first side rail of the conveyor, the gate retaining the stream of items on the conveyor when closed;
• an actuator that opens the gate to allow discharge and diversion of items identified for diversion by the detection apparatus;
• and
• a control system connected to receive the image from the camera, which control system activates the actuator to divert one or more items when the detection apparatus identifies that two items are in contact with one another or less than a predetermined distance apart.

A divert apparatus, comprising:

• a detection apparatus for identifying items to be diverted from an incoming stream of conveyed items;
• a horizontal roller conveyor section, the conveyor section being wider than items conveyed on the conveyor section, the conveyor section applying a force directing the stream of items toward a first side of the conveyor section so that the items engage the first side;
• a first movable gate forming part of the first side of the conveyor section, the first gate retaining the stream of items on the conveyor section when closed;
• a first exit path that receives and transports items passing through the first movable gate;
• a second movable gate also forming part of the first side of the conveyor section, the second gate retaining the stream of items on the conveyor section when closed;
• a second exit path that receives and transports items passing through the second movable gate;
• a first actuator for opening the first gate to allow discharge and diversion of items identified for diversion through the first gate;
• a second actuator for opening the second gate to allow discharge and diversion of items identified for diversion through the second gate;
• a control system operably connected to the detection apparatus, which control system activates the one of the first and second actuators to divert one or more items:
• (i) through the first exit path, when the detection apparatus identifies two items in contact with one another or less than a predetermined minimum distance apart;
• and
• (ii) to the second exit path, when the detection apparatus identifies that an item that is one of overweight or oversized.