Modular sortation units, systems, and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A modular conveyor system comprising:
- a frame having a first end and a second end;
a main belt supported by the frame, the main belt comprising a plurality of hingedly-connected belt modules, each of the plurality of belt modules comprising a body and a plurality of spherical balls, the spherical balls having an upper portion that protrudes above an upper surface of the body and a lower portion that protrudes below a lower surface of the body, the spherical balls configured to rotate relative to the body;
a main belt drive unit configured to drive the main belt in a first direction, the main belt drive unit comprising a motor and a drive roller, the drive roller engaged with the main belt at the first end of the frame; and
a diverter belt supported by the frame, the diverter belt configured to travel in a second direction that is generally perpendicular to the first direction, the diverter belt positioned at least partially underneath the main belt such that the diverter belt contacts the protruding lower portion of the spherical balls and the relative movement of the main and diverter belts causes the spherical balls to rotate;
wherein the diverter belt is configured to be repositioned between the first end and a second end of the frame along a track system while remaining supported by the frame.
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Abstract
A modular transfer system with a primary flow system and a diverter system that is repositionable along a track system. The primary flow system includes a primary flow belt for conveying an article along a primary flow path from an infeed side of the modular transfer system to a pass-through side of the modular transfer system. The diverter system that is repositionable along the track system between the infeed side and the pass-through side by attachment within one or more channels.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A modular conveyor system comprising:
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a frame having a first end and a second end; a main belt supported by the frame, the main belt comprising a plurality of hingedly-connected belt modules, each of the plurality of belt modules comprising a body and a plurality of spherical balls, the spherical balls having an upper portion that protrudes above an upper surface of the body and a lower portion that protrudes below a lower surface of the body, the spherical balls configured to rotate relative to the body; a main belt drive unit configured to drive the main belt in a first direction, the main belt drive unit comprising a motor and a drive roller, the drive roller engaged with the main belt at the first end of the frame; and a diverter belt supported by the frame, the diverter belt configured to travel in a second direction that is generally perpendicular to the first direction, the diverter belt positioned at least partially underneath the main belt such that the diverter belt contacts the protruding lower portion of the spherical balls and the relative movement of the main and diverter belts causes the spherical balls to rotate; wherein the diverter belt is configured to be repositioned between the first end and a second end of the frame along a track system while remaining supported by the frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A modular conveyor system comprising:
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a frame having a first end and a second end; a main belt comprising a plurality of hingedly-connected belt modules, each of the plurality of belt modules comprising a body and a plurality of spherical balls, the spherical balls having an upper portion that protrudes above an upper surface of the body and a lower portion that protrudes below a lower surface of the body, the spherical balls configured to rotate relative to the body; a main belt drive unit configured to drive the main belt in a first direction at a main belt speed, the main belt drive unit comprising a motor and a drive roller, the drive roller engaged with the main belt at the first end of the frame; and a filler sheet positioned at least partially underneath the main belt such that the filler sheet contacts the protruding lower portion of the spherical balls and the relative movement of the main belt and filler sheet causes the spherical balls to rotate; wherein the filler sheet is repositionable between the first end and the second end of the frame along a track system; and wherein an article conveyed over the filler sheet by the main belt in the first direction is in contact with the upper portion of the spherical balls and is conveyed in the first direction at a conveyance speed, the conveyance speed being about twice the main belt speed. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A modular conveyor system comprising:
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a frame having a first end and a second end; a main belt comprising a plurality of hingedly-connected belt modules, each of the plurality of belt modules comprising a body and a plurality of spherical balls, the spherical balls having an upper portion that protrudes above an upper surface of the body and a lower portion that protrudes below a lower surface of the body, the spherical balls configured to rotate relative to the body; a main belt drive unit configured to drive the main belt in a first direction, the main belt drive unit comprising a motor and a drive roller, the drive roller engaged with the main belt at the first end of the frame; a diverter belt configured to travel in a second direction that is generally perpendicular to the first direction, the diverter belt positioned at least partially underneath the main belt such that the diverter belt contacts the protruding lower portion of the spherical balls and the relative movement of the main and diverter belts causes the spherical balls to rotate; a user interface and an input module; wherein the diverter belt is repositionable along a track system extending between the first end and a second end of the main belt; a control system comprising a processor and a computer-readable medium having operation instructions thereon, the operation instructions, when executed by the processor configured to; receive a position of a diverter zone; detect that an article on the main belt moving in the first direction is at the divert zone; determine that the article is to be diverted towards a side of the main belt; and operate the diverter belt to cause the article to change from moving primarily in the first direction to moving primarily in the second direction and towards the side of the main belt. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification