Product sorting apparatus
First Claim
1. A method for diverting a selected product in a stream of products from a transport path having a plurality of diverting gates leading to output destinations comprising the steps of:
- identifying one of the plurality of diverting gates on the transport path leading to a selected output destination for the selected product;
moving the selected product along the transport path to the identified diverting gate for the selected output destination;
opening the identified diverting gate for the selected output destination; and
accelerating movement of a selected portion of the transport path to propel the selected product from the transport path to the selected output destination.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wide variety of product types, sizes and shapes are sorted into designated destination bins or other outputs utilizing a computer controlled transport path that includes an infeed section and a pinch roller diverting section. The infeed section receives a singulated stream of products to be sorted, optically scans each product for a destination code and transports the products downstream to the diverting section. The diverting section consist of a series of individually and selectively controlled roller pairs in combination with a number of diverting gates. Each roller pair includes an upper foam covered pinch roller and a lower friction drive roller oriented such that products moving downstream pass between each roller pair until diverted from the transport path. An array of photoelectric detectors provide product position information to identify and track product movement through the apparatus. The computer controls the transport path by energizing individual drive rollers to effectuate downstream product movement, and actuating diverting gates to divert the products from the transport path into designated output bins according to their scanned destination codes.
111 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for diverting a selected product in a stream of products from a transport path having a plurality of diverting gates leading to output destinations comprising the steps of:
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identifying one of the plurality of diverting gates on the transport path leading to a selected output destination for the selected product; moving the selected product along the transport path to the identified diverting gate for the selected output destination; opening the identified diverting gate for the selected output destination; and accelerating movement of a selected portion of the transport path to propel the selected product from the transport path to the selected output destination. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. Apparatus for diverting a selected product in a stream of products from a transport path, comprising:
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transport means defining the transport path for conveying the stream of products; said transport means comprising; a plurality of drive rollers for conveying products; drive means for each roller to selectively actuate each roller to control product movement along the transport path; and means for accelerating each drive roller by the drive means to propel a product form the transport path; a diverter gate having a contact surface for diverting products form the transport path, the contact surface pivotally mounted to the transport means at a pivotal end thereof and having a distal end; and actuation means for moving the diverter gate between a normally closed position and an open position. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. Apparatus for diverting, comprising:
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transport means for conveying a product along a transport path including a plurality of individually and selectively actuated drive rollers; drive means for individually and selectively actuating each of the plurality of drive rollers; normally closed diverter means having an opened position for inserting into the transport path to divert products from said transport means; means for tracking conveyance of the product along the transport path; and control means, responsive to the means for tracking, for selectively moving the diverter means to the opened position and for accelerating actuation of the drive rollers by the drive means at the diverter means in the opened position to propel the product from the transport means. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for conveying and diverting a stream of products, comprising the steps of:
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conveying the stream of products along a transport path having a plurality of diverting gates; actuating one or more roller pairs to cause downstream movement of products through the transport path; tracking the position and movement of each product along the transport path; selectively controlling the movement of each product in the stream of products to maintain a separation distance between one tracked product and a preceding tracked product; opening a selected one of the plurality of diverting gates for each product to cause each tracked product in a product stream to be diverted form the transport path to a selected output destination; and accelerating the rotation of a roller pair at the open diverting gate to accelerate the tracked product from the transport path. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification