Positive displacement sorter
First Claim
1. A positive displacement sorter apparatus, comprising:
- a plurality of interconnected slats defining an endless traveling web, an upper run of said web defining a first conveying surface traveling in a longitudinal direction, a web end portion of said web being extendable and contractible in said longitudinal direction;
a plurality of pusher shoes, each moving along at least one of said slats to laterally displace an article on said conveying surface; and
a product handling conveyor at said web end portion, said product handling conveyor having a second conveying surface traveling in said longitudinal direction, wherein said second conveying surface adapted to supply product to or receive product from said first conveying surface, wherein said product handling conveyor having a conveyor end portion, wherein said conveyor end portion being adjacent said web end portion and being moveable with extension and contraction of said web end portion, wherein said first and second conveying surfaces maintain a constant relative relationship.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A positive displacement sorter apparatus includes a plurality of interconnected slats defining an endless traveling web. An upper run of the web defines a first conveying surface traveling in a longitudinal direction. A plurality of pusher shoes are provided, each moving along at least one of the slats to laterally displace an article on said conveying surface. A web end portion of the web is extendable and contractible in the longitudinal direction. A product handling conveyor at the web end portion has a second conveying surface that is adapted to supply product to, or receive product from, the first conveying surface. The product handling conveyor has a conveyor end portion that is adjacent to the web and is moveable with extension and contraction of the web end portion. In this manner, the first and second conveying surfaces maintain a constant relative relationship.
86 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A positive displacement sorter apparatus, comprising:
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a plurality of interconnected slats defining an endless traveling web, an upper run of said web defining a first conveying surface traveling in a longitudinal direction, a web end portion of said web being extendable and contractible in said longitudinal direction; a plurality of pusher shoes, each moving along at least one of said slats to laterally displace an article on said conveying surface; and a product handling conveyor at said web end portion, said product handling conveyor having a second conveying surface traveling in said longitudinal direction, wherein said second conveying surface adapted to supply product to or receive product from said first conveying surface, wherein said product handling conveyor having a conveyor end portion, wherein said conveyor end portion being adjacent said web end portion and being moveable with extension and contraction of said web end portion, wherein said first and second conveying surfaces maintain a constant relative relationship. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A positive displacement sorter apparatus, comprising:
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a plurality of interconnected slats defining an endless traveling web, an upper run of said web defining a first conveying surface traveling in a longitudinal direction, a web end portion of said web being extendable and contractible in said longitudinal direction; a plurality of pusher shoes, each moving along at least one of said slats to laterally displace an article on said conveying surface; and a product handling conveyor at said web end portion, said product handling conveyor having a second conveying surface traveling in said longitudinal direction, said second conveying surface adapted to supply product to or receive product from said first conveying surface, wherein said product handling conveyor having a conveyor end portion, wherein said conveyor end portion being adjacent said web end portion and being moveable with extension and contraction of said web end portion, wherein said first and second conveying surfaces maintain a constant relative relationship; wherein said second conveying surface comprises a powered conveying surface. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A positive displacement sorter apparatus, comprising:
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a plurality of interconnected slats defining an endless traveling web, an upper run of said web defining a first conveying surface traveling in a longitudinal direction, a web end portion of said web being extendable and contractible in said longitudinal direction; a plurality of pusher shoes, each moving along at least one of said slats to laterally displace an article on said conveying surface; and a product handling conveyor at said web end portion, said product handling conveyor having a second conveying surface traveling in said longitudinal direction, said second conveying surface adapted to supply product to or receive product from said first conveying surface, wherein said product handling conveyor having a conveyor end portion, wherein said conveyor end portion being adjacent said web end portion and being moveable with extension and contraction of said web end portion, wherein said first and second conveying surfaces maintain a constant relative relationship; wherein said second conveying surface comprises a gravity conveying surface. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A positive displacement sorter apparatus, comprising:
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a plurality of interconnected slats defining an endless traveling web, an upper run of said web defining a first conveying surface traveling in a longitudinal direction, a web end portion of said web being extendable and contractible in said longitudinal direction; a plurality of pusher shoes, each moving along at least one of said slats to laterally displace an article on said conveying surface; a product handling conveyor at said web end portion, said product handling conveyor having a second conveying surface traveling in said longitudinal direction, said second conveying surface adapted to supply product to or receive product from said first conveying surface, wherein said product handling conveyor having a conveyor end portion, wherein said conveyor end portion being adjacent said web end portion and being moveable with extension and contraction of said web end portion, wherein said first and second conveying surfaces maintain a constant relative relationship; and a frame supporting said traveling web, said frame having a stationary portion and a moveable portion, wherein said web end portion being extendable and contractible with movement of said moveable portion. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification