초록 ▼

Provided is an improved sorter assembly that is capable of directly receiving articles from multiple upstream sources and directly sorting to multiple downstream destinations, and that can sort a wide variety of articles, including heavy, bulky articles. The sorter assembly includes a carrying conve

Provided is an improved sorter assembly that is capable of directly receiving articles from multiple upstream sources and directly sorting to multiple downstream destinations, and that can sort a wide variety of articles, including heavy, bulky articles. The sorter assembly includes a carrying conveyor having a conveying surface that carries the articles being sorted. The carrying conveyor carries articles in a longitudinal direction between an upstream end and a downstream end of the carrying conveyor. The sorter assembly also includes a diverter that extends perpendicularly from and moves across the conveying surface to define a plurality of diverting orientations. While the articles are being conveyed by the carrying conveyor, the diverter engages and directs the articles at least partially laterally across the conveying surface toward the articles' destinations. The diverter pivots about an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the conveying surface, and that axis of rotation can be moved laterally across the conveying surface. The axis of rotation of the diverter can also be moved to be proximate to or between the opposite ends of the diverter. The diverter can also translate across the conveying surface. The ability to translate, rotate and move the axis of rotation allows a single diverter to easily and efficiently divert from multiple upstream sources to multiple downstream destinations.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An article transferring apparatus, comprising:a transporting device comprising a transporting surface operative for carrying articles in a longitudinal direction between an upstream end and a downstream end of said transporting device;an elongate diverter operative for pi

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An article transferring apparatus, comprising:a transporting device comprising a transporting surface operative for carrying articles in a longitudinal direction between an upstream end and a downstream end of said transporting device;an elongate diverter operative for pivoting about an axis of rotation that is generally perpendicular to said transporting surface, and further operative for moving said axis of rotation laterally relative to said transporting device to achieve a plurality of diverting orientations, said diverter extending at least partially across said transporting surface in each of said diverting orientations and said diverter being operative for moving an article carried by said transporting surface at least partially laterally across said transporting surface to at least one of a plurality of destinations in each of said diverting orientations;wherein said diverter comprises opposite ends and opposite sides, and is operative to frictionally drive articles along either of said sides in a direction defined from one of said opposite ends to the other of said opposite ends, anda controller operative to move said diverter between said diverting orientations.