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US 6,854,584 B2Granted
Linear belt sorter and methods of using linear belt sorter
AssigneeFKI Logistex Automation Inc.
InventorsMark W. Henson, Charles O. Burdine, II, Arlo Stephen Bromley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention is particularly useful for sorting, altering or maintaining the orientation items of differing sizes moved by a sorter. 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 motion is imparted to its corresponding carrier's belt. Routers can be incorporated into the sorter for enhancing the control of the orientation and sortation of items advanced by the endless loop's carriers.
Claims32
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, communicating with 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 corresponding to said plurality of crossovers 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 plurality of diverters;
- h) a controller;
- i) a frontal ingress for said sorter;
- and
- j) a lateral ingress for said sorter.
22 more elements
A sorter for sorting a plurality of items, comprising:
- a) an endless loop:
- said endless loop further comprising carriers, 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, communicating with said plurality of lines, for guiding transversely, relative to said endless loop's advancement, any diverted carrier's follower;
- e) a plurality of diverters, corresponding to said plurality of crossovers, for diverting a predetermined number of said carriers' followers onto a predetermined number of said plurality of crossovers;
- f) a drive coupled to said first connector and said second connector of each said carrier for advancing said endless loop;
- g) a sensor for detecting sizes of said plurality of items moving on said sorter;
- h) a frame supporting said endless loop, said plurality of lines, said plurality of crossovers and said plurality of diverters;
- and
- i) a controller.
21 more elements
A sorter for sorting a plurality of items, comprising:
- a) an endless loop:
- said endless loop further comprising carriers, 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, wherein said belt protrudes over a lengthwise edge of said slat such that a gap between each of said of carriers is virtually eliminated;
- iii) a follower, including a rider, for clasping said belt about said slat and for moving said belt about said lengthwise periphery of said slat;
- b) a drive coupled with each carrier of said plurality of carriers;
- c) a plurality of lines for directing advancement of any of said plurality of carriers' followers;
- d) a router positioned beneath an upper surface of said endless loop and communicating with said plurality of lines for diverting transversely, according to a predetermined paradigm, one or more of said endless loop's carriers' followers, wherein said router further comprises:
- i) a plurality of diverters;
- and
- ii) a plurality of crossovers corresponding to said plurality of diverters;
- e) a sensor for detecting sizes of said plurality of items;
- f) a controller for actuating said plurality of diverters according to said predetermined paradigm;
- and
- g) a frame supporting said endless loop, said drive, said plurality of lines and said router.
17 more elements
A method of controlling orientation of items traveling along an endless loop of a sorter, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a frame for said endless loop;
- b) mounting a plurality of lines to said frame;
- c) securing a router to said frame such that said router communicates with said plurality of lines and wherein said router further comprises:
- i) a plurality of crossovers;
- and
- ii) a plurality of diverters;
- d) creating a plurality of carriers comprising said endless loop, wherein creation of one or more of said plurality of carriers further comprises the steps of:
- i) wrapping a 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) protruding said belt over a lengthwise edge of said slat;
- e) advancing said endless loop;
- f) loading said items onto said endless loop;
- g) sensing sizes of said items traveling along said sorter and reporting said sizes to a controller;
- and
- h) adjusting orientation of said items traveling along said sorter, according to a predetermined paradigm, by diverting transversely or by not diverting one or more of said followers when said followers encounter said router.
16 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.