Cross-belt system and automated item diversion

• US 9,493,308 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2014
• Issued: 11/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solution Net Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Datalogic Adc, Inc. (Datalogic S.p.A.)
• Inventors: Sroka, Stanley, Hoynash, Peter, Vassura, Stefano
• Primary Examiner(s): Bidwell, James R
• Application Number:
  US14/504,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20160039611A1
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 198/370.06
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 3/08 using arrangements of conveyors transport of sheets B65H; transport in general B65G
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/04 Sorting according to size sorting devices as a component of the automatic supply and removal of workpieces B23Q7/12
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/34 Sorting according to other particular properties material testing per se G01N; quality control G07C3/14
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/36 Sorting apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution sorting according to destination B07C3/003, B07C3/02
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 17/345 the surfaces being equipped with a conveyor
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2207/18 Crossing conveyors
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 43/08 Control devices operated by article or material being fed, conveyed or discharged and controlling the discharging devices B65G47/42

Abstract

A sorting method, cross-belt system, and computer-storage media are provided for conveying and sorting items. The cross-belt system includes a plurality of interlocking palettes that form a conveyor belt. Each palette may be engaged by a series of rollers that are triggered to discharge items on the palettes to appropriate loading areas. The rollers are configured to move a belt of the palettes in one of at least two directions to a selected loading area that is positioned on either side of the cross-belt system.

Claims

1. A variable pitch cross-belt system, the system comprising:

a plurality of interlocking palettes that form a conveyor belt, wherein adjacent palettes are detachably meshed via self-aligning peaks and troughs imprinted on facing sides of the adjacent palettes; and

one or more diverter components below the conveyor belt, wherein the diverter components include;

a series of rollers that lift to engage the palettes and divert items on the palettes to one or more loading areas, and

a controller to trigger one or more rollers in the series of rollers to engage the palettes.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the items are placed on the palettes.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the distance between items on the palettes varies.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the size of the items vary.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein two or more palettes are used for large-sized items.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein items are retail products.

7. The system of claim 2, further comprising a device for automatic item identification for item diversion.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the device for automatic item identification is selected from a scanner to scan images that encode information about the items, wherein the encoded information is processed by the controller to divert items to an appropriate loading area;

or a camera to capture images of the product information that is processed by the controller to divert the items to an appropriate loading area.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller sequences one or more rollers based on the size of the items on the palettes.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein the palettes unlock when curving under the cross-belt system.

11. The system of claim 2, wherein the rollers are angled to move the items off the palette.

12. The system of claim 2, wherein the rollers are angled at +45 degrees or −

45 degrees or some angle less than 45 degrees.

13. The system of claim 2, wherein the diverter component may have at least two series of one or more rollers.

14. The system of claim 2, wherein each of the series of one or more rollers diverts items on the palettes in either direction.

15. The system of claim 2, wherein each of the at least two series of one or more rollers diverts items on the palettes in alternate directions.

16. The system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the series of one or more rollers that divert items on the palettes is a back-up series of one or more rollers.

17. The system of claim 2, further comprising edge protectors that prevent items from falling into the cross-belt sorter at the sides.

18. The system of claim 2, further comprising finger guards that prevent objects from entering at the ends of the cross-belt system.

19. The system of claim 1, further comprising a chain that engages the underside of the interlocking palettes.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of sprockets that engage the chain.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein movement of the chain causes palettes of the conveyor belt to move between the two ends of the conveyor belt.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein at least one sprocket set is motorized.