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VERTICAL ACTION SORTER AND METHOD OF SORTING ARTICLES

  • US 20120125735A1
  • Filed: 11/22/2011
  • Published: 05/24/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2010
  • Status: Abandoned Application
First Claim
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1. A vertical action sorter comprising:

  • at least one side frame;

    a sorter module movably supported by said at least one side frame and operable to selectively discharge articles at (i) an upper discharge location when in a raised position, and (ii) a lower discharge location when in a lower position, said sorter module having a conveying surface, an intake end, a discharge end, and left and right side portions;

    a support track at one of said sorter module and said at least one side frame, said support track having a track surface with a track surface shape;

    an actuator member coupled to the other of said sorter module and said at least one side frame, said actuator member engaging said track surface of said support track and being movable between first and second positions along said track surface;

    a linear actuator coupled to said actuator member, said linear actuator operable to move said actuator member along said track surface between said first and second positions; and

    wherein said sorter module is movable to said raised position by said linear actuator moving said actuator member along said track surface to said first position for discharging articles at the upper discharge location, said sorter module is movable to said lowered position by said linear actuator moving said actuator member along said track surface to said second position for discharging the articles at the lower discharge location, and wherein the shape of said track surface affects the acceleration of said sorter module as it moves between said raised position and said lowered position.

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