Patents Represented by Attorney Van Dyke, Gardner, Limm & Burkhart, LLP
  • Patent number: 7117988
    Abstract: A positive displacement sorter includes a plurality of interconnected slats defining an endless web, an upper run of the web defining a conveying surface conveying articles in a longitudinal direction. A plurality of pusher shoes move along the slats to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. The pusher shoes include a base and a member extending from the base below the conveying surface. At least one diverting rail extends diagonally under the conveying surface and at least one diverter is associated with the at least one diverting rail. The at least one diverter includes an actuator that selectively actuates the member toward at least one diverting rail. The at least one diverting rail has a terminal portion opposite the at least one diverter. The terminal portion includes an upper surface engaging an upper portion of the member and a lower surface engaging a lower portion of the member. The upper and lower surfaces direct the member in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Dematic Corp.
    Inventors: Frank W Veit, Rhonda J Verploegen, Thanh V Nguyen, Mark S Harkema