AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTABLE SLIDE RETRACT FOR CONVEYOR
First Claim
1. A package handling device comprising:
- a conveyor configured to transport a product from a first end of the conveyor toward a second end of the conveyor along a product handling line;
a sensor system disposed proximate to the conveyor to determine at least one characteristic of the product for comparison of the at least one characteristic to product acceptance criteria, wherein failure of the product to meet the product acceptance criteria results in generation of a reject signal;
a reject system configured to direct the product to a reject bin responsive to the reject signal via operation of a movable assembly that moves at least a portion of the conveyor away from the second end to create a gap in the product handling line,wherein the reject system comprises an adjustable retraction mechanism operably coupled to a portion of a frame of the conveyor and to the movable assembly, the adjustable retraction mechanism drawing the movable assembly inwardly responsive to receipt of the reject signal to define a size of the gap based on information indicative of a size of the product.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A package handling device includes a conveyor, a sensor system and a reject system. The conveyor transports a product along a product handling line. The sensor system is proximate to the conveyor system to determine at least one characteristic of the product for comparison to product acceptance criteria. Failure of the product to meet product acceptance criteria generates a reject signal. The reject system directs the product to a reject bin responsive to the reject signal via a movable assembly that moves a portion of the conveyor to create a gap in the product handling line. The reject system includes an adjustable retraction mechanism coupled to a frame of the conveyor and to the movable assembly. The adjustable refraction mechanism draws the movable assembly inwardly responsive to receipt of the reject signal to define a size of the gap based on information indicative of a size of the product.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A package handling device comprising:
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a conveyor configured to transport a product from a first end of the conveyor toward a second end of the conveyor along a product handling line; a sensor system disposed proximate to the conveyor to determine at least one characteristic of the product for comparison of the at least one characteristic to product acceptance criteria, wherein failure of the product to meet the product acceptance criteria results in generation of a reject signal; a reject system configured to direct the product to a reject bin responsive to the reject signal via operation of a movable assembly that moves at least a portion of the conveyor away from the second end to create a gap in the product handling line, wherein the reject system comprises an adjustable retraction mechanism operably coupled to a portion of a frame of the conveyor and to the movable assembly, the adjustable retraction mechanism drawing the movable assembly inwardly responsive to receipt of the reject signal to define a size of the gap based on information indicative of a size of the product. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A reject system for a package handling device that includes a conveyor and a sensor system, the reject system comprising:
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a movable assembly disposed at a portion of a product handling line extending from a first end to a second end of the conveyor, the movable assembly moving at least a portion of the conveyor away from the second end to create a gap in the product handling line responsive to receipt of a reject signal from the sensor system, the reject signal being generated responsive to the sensor system determining that at least one characteristic of a product transported by the conveyor does not meet product acceptance criteria; and an adjustable retraction mechanism operably coupled to a portion of a frame of the conveyor and to the movable assembly, the adjustable refraction mechanism drawing the movable assembly inwardly responsive to receipt of the reject signal to define a size of the gap based on information indicative of a size of the product. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of controlling a package handling device that includes a conveyor and a sensor system, the conveyor configured to transport a product from a first end of the conveyor toward a second end of the conveyor along a product handling line, the method comprising:
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receiving, from a sensor system disposed proximate to the conveyor, information indicative of at least one characteristic of the product for comparison of the at least one characteristic to product acceptance criteria; determining whether the product meets the product acceptance criteria; generating a reject signal responsive to the product failing to meet the product acceptance criteria; receiving information indicative of a size of the product; determining, based on the information indicative of the product size, a gap size to be provided in the product handling line for rejection of the product responsive to receipt of the reject signal; and directing a reject system to retract a movable assembly to form the determined gap size. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification