Article sorting system and method
First Claim
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1. A sorting system for sorting articles of different types, the system comprising:
- a conveyor for transporting the articles along a path of travel, said conveyor defining a pair of opposing sides;
a detector positioned proximate said conveyor for detecting the presence of the articles;
a pair of opposing chutes defining inlets adjacent said opposing sides of said conveyor; and
at least one paddle having a first side and a second side, said paddle being in operative communication with said detector such that both of said sides of said paddle are operable to engage articles and direct articles into either inlet of said pair of opposing chutes, wherein said pair of opposing chutes further defines outlet in communication with one another that combine and define a common discharge end.
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Abstract
The conveyor sorting system and method are provided. The system includes a conveyor for transporting articles along a predetermined path, and a pair of opposing chutes for receiving articles directed from the conveyor by a sorting device having a single paddle. The chutes are in communication with one another so that articles directed into either chute from the conveyor are directed to a common discharge end. In this regard, the single paddle of the present invention is operable to direct consecutively-spaced articles to opposing chutes that lead to the common discharge end.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A sorting system for sorting articles of different types, the system comprising:
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a conveyor for transporting the articles along a path of travel, said conveyor defining a pair of opposing sides;
a detector positioned proximate said conveyor for detecting the presence of the articles;
a pair of opposing chutes defining inlets adjacent said opposing sides of said conveyor; and
at least one paddle having a first side and a second side, said paddle being in operative communication with said detector such that both of said sides of said paddle are operable to engage articles and direct articles into either inlet of said pair of opposing chutes, wherein said pair of opposing chutes further defines outlet in communication with one another that combine and define a common discharge end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A sorting system for sorting articles of different types, the system comprising:
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a conveyor for transporting the articles along a path of travel, said conveyor defining a pair of opposing sides;
a pair of chutes defining inlets adjacent said opposing sides of said conveyor;
a discharge wall movably attached to at least one of said pair of opposing chutes, said discharge wall movable at least between a discharge position and a storage position; and
at least one paddle having a first side and a second side, said paddle being operable to engage articles and direct articles into either inlet of said pair of opposing chutes. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification