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US 6,669,001 B1Granted
Linear belt sorter and methods of using linear belt sorter
AssigneeMathews Conveyor, Inc.
InventorsArlo Stephen Bromley, Mark W. Henson, Charles O. Burdine, II
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention is particularly useful for sorting items of differing sizes. The endless loop's carriers include belts that both transport and sort the items. Followers clasp the belts about the lengthwise periphery of the carriers' slats and also engage lines, diverters, crossovers and receivers. When a follower is diverted toward a crossover, transverse sorting motion is imparted to its corresponding carrier's belt. Followers can also include delays for prolonging the longevity of the diverters. And when the size of the item being sorted mandates, a diverter can divert sequential followers, in series.
Claims26
A sorter for sorting a plurality of items, comprising:
- a) an endless loop having an upper half positioned above a lower half;
- b) said endless loop further comprising a plurality of carriers circulating about said endless loop, wherein one or more of said carriers further comprises:
- i) a slat further including:
- A) a first widthwise edge;
- B) a second widthwise edge;
- C) a first lengthwise edge;
- and
- D) a second lengthwise edge;
- ii) a belt having a length approximate a lengthwise periphery of said slat;
- iii) a follower proximate said slat, including a rider:
- A) for clasping said belt about said slat;
- and
- B) for moving said belt about said lengthwise periphery of said slat;
- iv) a first connector at said first side of said carrier;
- and
- v) a second connector at said second side of said carrier;
- c) a plurality of lines for directing advancement of any of said plurality of carriers' followers;
- d) a plurality of crossovers, connecting at least two of said plurality of lines, for guiding transversely, relative to said endless loop's advancement, any of said plurality of carriers' followers;
- e) a diverter for diverting one or more of said plurality of carriers' followers from any of said plurality of lines onto one or more of said plurality of crossovers;
- f) a drive coupled to said first connector and said second connector of each carrier of said plurality of carriers for advancing said endless loop;
- g) a frame supporting said endless loop, said plurality of lines, said plurality of crossovers and said diverter;
- and
- h) a controller.
20 more elements
A carrier for carrying a plurality of items for sorting, comprising:
- a) a slat, further comprising:
- i) a first widthwise edge;
- ii) a second widthwise edge opposite said first widthwise edge
- iii) a first lengthwise edge;
- and
- iv) a second lengthwise edge opposite said first lengthwise edge;
- b) a belt, having a length approximate a lengthwise periphery of said slat, fitted for and wrapped about said lengthwise periphery of said slat;
- c) a follower proximate said slat, including a rider;
- i) for clasping said belt about said slat;
- ii) for causing said belt to move about said lengthwise periphery of said slat;
- iii) for following a line or a crossover;
- and
- iv) for responding to a diverter;
- d) a guide bearing beneath said slat for said follower;
- e) a first connector for coupling a first side of said carrier to a drive;
- and
- f) a second connector for coupling a second side of said carrier to said drive.
14 more elements
A method of imparting transverse motion to a belt of a carrier of an endless loop, comprising the steps of:
- a) mounting to a frame:
- i) a plurality of lines;
- ii) a plurality of crossovers;
- iii) a plurality of diverters;
- and
- iv) circuitry for a controller;
- b) creating a carrier, further comprising the steps of:
- i) wrapping said belt about a slat;
- ii) clasping securely said belt about said slat with a follower;
- iii) depending a rider from said follower;
- iv) forming a guide bearing beneath said slat for said follower;
- v) including a slit in said guide bearing for said follower;
- and
- vi) incorporating a slot delay into said follower;
- c) connecting a plurality of said carriers to a drive for creating said endless loop;
- d) controlling advancement of and diversion of said endless loop's carriers' followers via:
- i) said plurality of lines;
- ii) said plurality of diverters;
- and
- iii) said plurality of crossovers;
- e) diverting one or more of said endless loop's carriers' followers from at least one of said plurality of lines onto at least one of said plurality of crossovers;
- and
- f) delaying impartation of transverse motion to any belt whose follower has been diverted toward one of said plurality of crossovers.
20 more elements
A sorter for sorting a plurality of items, comprising:
- a) an endless loop having an upper half positioned above a lower half;
- b) said endless loop further comprising a plurality of carriers circulating about said endless loop, wherein each said carrier further comprises:
- i) a slat further comprising:
- A) a first widthwise edge;
- B) a second widthwise edge opposite said first widthwise edge
- C) a first lengthwise edge;
- and
- D) a second lengthwise edge opposite said first lengthwise edge;
- ii) a belt having a length approximate a lengthwise periphery of said slat;
- iii) a follower, including a rider and a depending bearing:
- A) for clasping said belt about said slat;
- and
- B) for moving said belt about said lengthwise periphery of said slat;
- iv) a first connector at said first side of said carrier;
- v) a second connector at said second side of said carrier;
- and
- vi) a guide bearing for said follower;
- c) a plurality of lines for directing advancement of any of said plurality of carriers' followers;
- d) a plurality of crossovers, connecting at least two of said plurality of lines, for guiding transversely, relative to said endless loop's advancement, any of said plurality of carriers' followers;
- e) a plurality of diverters for diverting, in series, some of said plurality of carriers' followers from any of said plurality of lines onto one or more of said plurality of crossovers;
- f) a drive coupled to said first connector and said second connector of each carrier of said plurality of carriers for advancing said endless loop;
- g) a frame supporting said endless loop, said plurality of lines, said plurality of crossovers and said plurality of diverters;
- and
- h) a controller.
21 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.