Abstract: A conveyor sorter includes a shuttle moving transversely to the conveyor direction to place in the path of articles either a pass-through conveyor or a diverting conveyor. The shuttle is mounted on a reversible belt drive and preferably has two diverting conveyors, one on either side of the pass-through conveyor. Multiple shuttles can be installed in series along the main conveyor to allow sorting to many destinations. Large packages can be sorted at high speed, and the shuttle can be replaced easily to reduce down time when repairs are needed.

Abstract: An automated conveyor sortation and item discharge system for conveying and discharging packages at high speeds. A conveyor assembly includes an elongate crowned conveyor belt which conveys parcels in a longitudinal direction defined across slider beds and across discharge stations. The parcels can take three different routes once they reach the discharge stations. They may be allowed to pass the discharge stations and continue to be conveyed by the crowned conveyor belt, or they can be selectively discharged off of the crowned conveyor belt and into discharge chutes located to either side of the substantially straight path of the crowned conveyor belt. Each of the discharge stations includes a selectively indexable fork member supporting a group of idling rollers. The parcels have sliding contact with the slider beds and "rolling contact" with the idler rollers. When a package is in the desired position, the fork member can be indexed to cause some of the rollers to move upwardly and inwardly.

Abstract: A conveyor sorter includes diverter stations having a plurality of spaced apart powered rollers mounted to carry the articles in the direction of the conveyor; a plurality of laterally movable post carriers, preferably endless belts, positioned alternately with the rollers. At least one post is mounted on each of the post carriers and extends upwardly therefrom. A controller is operative to move each of the post carriers to position the posts for engagement with articles traveling along the conveyor into the diverter station. The posts can be moved either to push articles off the conveyor or to form a stationary array to guide the articles off the conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor system including bobbin-type members which can pivot or rotate about a central longitudinal "bobbin axis" to allow selective discharge of packages conveyed by conveying belts mounted within the bobbin members. The bobbin-type members included integral conveyor(s) positioned generally within substantially cylindrical "shells" which are covered with friction-engaging materials. Rotation of the bobbin members causes the cylindrical surface of the bobbin members to engage the packages and discharge them sidewardly. The bobbin members may include an "eccentric" motion if so desired.

Abstract: A package conveying system including an on-conveyor pushing assembly powered by an off-conveyor power source, with a "floating" power connection interface synchronized with the conveyor. This floating power connection interface can be provided by an endless air-filled "inner tube" having air ports thereon, can be provided by an endless belt having air-supplying nozzles thereon supplied with air from corresponding air supply tubes, or can be supplied by use of an endless belt having electrical contacts thereon.

Abstract: An automated conveyor sortation and item discharge system for sorting items of varying sizes and weights to designated output destinations along a conveyor. The system utilizes a segmented slat conveyor connected by flexible connectors. The flexible connectors form a tooth for driving the conveyor by a sprocket. The flexible connectors isolate adjacent slats, and the flexible teeth isolate the slat conveyor from the drive sprocket for a enhanced reduction in noise levels. The system may utilize a conventional belt conveyor or rigid platforms attached by flexible connectors. Removable ejection mechanisms can be attached to the individual slats of the slat conveyor or to the belt of a belt conveyor. The ejection mechanisms have self-contained drive and actuation mechanisms and may operate independently of the speed of the conveyor.

Abstract: An optically-guided indicia reader 10 system including a conveyor 12 carrying a parcel 14 bearing a destination address 20. An illumination source 24 defines a static area 26 to assist the positioning of the parcel 14 on the conveyor 12. A scanner 32 and a computer memory 42 of a character recognition system 40 are operated so as to store an image of a region defined with respect to the moving illuminated area 26. A sensor assembly 28, including a height sensor and reflectivity sensor, is located toward the downstream location of the illumination source 24. The scanner 32 is focused in response to height data from the height sensor, and the gain of the scanner 32 is adjusted in response to reflectivity data from the reflectivity sensor, so that the scanner 32 generates a clear image of the top of the parcel 14 as the parcel 14 passes beneath the scanner 32. A photo sensor 45 is positioned upstream from the scanner 32 to detect the presence of the parcel 14.

Abstract: The Invention relates to an apparatus and a method for sorting objects into destination containers arranged along one or both sides of a continuous conveyer belt apparatus wherein appropriate portions of the belt can be raised and lowered at times and locations to cause objects to fall into appropriate destination containers. Air may optionally be directed toward said objects in coordination with the elevation of the belt to assist in causing the objects to fall into the appropriate destination container.

Abstract: An automated conveyor sortation and item discharge system for sorting items of varying sizes and weights to designated output destinations along a conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor system is provided including a platform for attachment to a conveyor which may be utilized for transporting items of various sizes and weights to designated output destinations along the conveyor. The platforms may be used for the transporting of objects only or may include a variety of conveyor equipment such as baskets, parts bins or parcel ejection mechanisms. The system utilizes a plurality of hinged conveyor trays which are connected to an underlying conveyor via a plurality of flexible edge retainer members that secure the edges of the platforms to the underlying conveyor surface and isolate adjacent platforms from each other. The platforms are secured in place by a medially located center locking mechanism. The system may utilize a conventional belt conveyor onto which the platforms are connected. Ejection mechanisms may be built in or attached to the platforms for diverting objects from the upper surface of the platforms to desired locations.

Abstract: A conveyor sorter includes diverter stations for diagonally diverting parcels at high speed to either side of the conveyor, or passing the articles straight through without diversion. Each station provides two diverters interleaved or superimposed in the same space, the diverters providing diverting forces toward opposite sides of the conveyor These diverters can be cycled to provide a net motion straight through the diverter station, or operated individually to divert parcels off a selected side of the conveyor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ejecting packages from a conveyor belt. A pusher member is connected to two substantially parallel bellows so that upon actuation of the bellows, the pusher member will travel across the surface of a conveyor belt segment and push off the package located thereon. The conveyor belt is made up of plurality of conveyor segments. Each conveyor segment includes pusher member located thereon.

Abstract: A tilt tray sorting system with a high speed, reliable, mechanical actuator for tilting the trays, suitable for tilting trays carried on a belt conveyor. A plurality of tilt tray assemblies include an actuator, mounted for movement with a tilt tray and for movement relative to the tray. The actuator includes a trigger arm extending below the tray, preferably through an opening in a belt that carries the tray. A trip mechanism is selectively positioned in the path of the trigger arm to move the actuator and tilt the tray.

Abstract: A sorting system for sorting packages at high speed to a large number of destinations by automation. The sorting system provides a feeding mechanism for depositing flat packages in an upright position on a conveying system. The conveying system includes lower and upper conveyors for supporting the package. Ejection modules are included along the length of the conveying system for guiding as well as ejecting individual packages along the conveying system. The ejection module extends around the items to prevent falling of the items in a first position, and breaks away from the around the article when a plunger pushes the article from the path.

Abstract: An extendible conveyor for conveying material to be loaded or unloaded from a trailer includes a telescoping boom supporting an endless conveyor belt for rotation about the telescoping boom at any extension length. A belt take-up is provided external to the telescoping boom for releasing or taking-up excess belt corresponding to the movement of the telescoping boom. A belt tension control arrangement which includes a control circuit and an extension sensor is provided to coordinate the release or take-up of excess conveyor belt corresponding to the telescoping boom movement while maintaining the conveyor belt at a desired belt tension. The extendible conveyor is pivotally supported for accommodating varying trailer bed heights and material loading conditions.

Abstract: A powered belt turn (10) for conveying parcels, objects and the like through an arcuate path from an input conveyor to an output conveyor. The powered belt turn (10) comprises a frustoconically shaped conveyor belt (15) which is supported for rotation through an arcuate path about angularly displaced end rollers (56). The conveyor belt is selectively and preferentially stiffened by reinforcing stays adapted to the conveyor belt structure. A motor (74) is operatively attached to an end roller causing the end roller to rotate thereby rotating the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is supported on a belt support plate (28) and maintained in engagement with the end rollers by a belt retainer. In a first embodiment, the belt retainer is a sheave belt retainer (12) comprising sheaves (96, 98) adapted to engage an inner edge (36) of the conveyor belt and to urge the conveyor belt into engagement with the end rollers.

Abstract: A conveyor diverter that is capable of engaging objects, such as packages of varying size and weight, traveling at high speed along a conveyor, without dataaging impact, and can reliably divert such objects off the conveyor to an output location without any decrease in conveyor speed. The diverter may include a frame pivotally mounted for rotation about an axis adjacent to the conveyor, a belt mounted about a pair of pulleys, one of which is movable against a spring. The belt deforms upon contact by the articles. After an article and the diverter come into engagement with each other, the swinging speed of the diverter, and, optionally, the speed of the diverter belt, may be accelerated to increase the exit speed of the article.

Abstract: An automatic system for sorting items, such as small parcels, into groups bound for different geographical locations is described. The system includes a carriage for traveling along a track, the carriage having an adjustment feature such that it may continuously be held against the track. The carriage also provides a tilt tray in which packages are presented on a convex surface. The convex surface causes the package to be destabilized, so they may be quickly discharged from the tilt tray.

Abstract: A sorting system for sorting packages at high speed to a large number of destinations by automation. The sorting system provides a feeding mechanism for depositing flat packages in an upright position on a conveying system. The conveying system includes lower and upper conveyors for supporting the package. Ejection modules are included along the length of the conveying system for guiding as well as ejecting individual packages along the conveying system. The ejection module extends around the items to prevent falling of the items in a first position, and breaks away from the around the article when a plunger pushes the article from the path.

Abstract: A method for loading and closing containers, such as bags, with flexible open ends employs a chute with an inflatable bladder at the open end, and an elastic closure device. A flexible open end of the container is placed around the end of the chute and the inflatable bladder. The elastic closure device is placed around the open end of the container. The bladder is inflated to secure the container to the chute. Material is delivered into the container through the chute. When a specified quantity of material is loaded into the container, the bladder is deflated causing the container to slide off the chute. When the container slides off the chute, the elastic closure device contracts and closes the flexible open end of container by constricting the size of the flexible open end of the container such that material will not fall out during shipment. Multiple chutes may be supported on a moveable support structure and operated to provide a semi-automatic container loading and closing apparatus and method.