Conveyor system with diverting track network

Details Conveyor system with diverting track network Conveyor system with diverting track network

2006-06-05

2008-09-02

Crawford, Gene O. (Department: 3651)

Conveyors: power-driven

Conveyor arrangement for selecting among plural sources or...

By loading or unloading section at selected one of a...

C198S370070

Reexamination Certificate

active

07419043

ABSTRACT:
A conveyor sorter includes a conveying surface movable in a longitudinal direction and a plurality of pusher shoes capable of traveling laterally of the conveying surface. At least one diverting rail is configured to selectively guide at least one of the pusher shoes laterally of the conveying surface. At least one diverter associated with the diverting rail is adapted to selectively transfer one or more pusher shoes to the diverting rail. The diverting rail has at least a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is at a first angle with respect to the longitudinal direction and the second portion is at a second angle with respect to the longitudinal direction that is different from the first angle. A pusher shoe guided by the diverting rail travels at a first lateral rate along the first portion and at a second, different lateral rate along the second portion. The first angle may be less than the second angle and a pusher shoe guided by the diverting rail traveling at the first lateral rate initially contacts an article on said conveying surface at the first portion. The second lateral rate would be higher than the first lateral rate for the duration of the diverting of the article. The diverting rail may be at least partially curved thereby providing a gradual junction between the first and second portions.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3361247 (1968-01-01), Lauzon et al.
patent: 4501365 (1985-02-01), Peyton et al.
patent: 4711341 (1987-12-01), Yu et al.
patent: 4732259 (1988-03-01), Yu et al.
patent: 4738347 (1988-04-01), Brouwer et al.
patent: 4884677 (1989-12-01), Yu et al.
patent: 4896760 (1990-01-01), Triantafilou et al.
patent: 5038912 (1991-08-01), Cotter
patent: 5127510 (1992-07-01), Cotter et al.
patent: 5165515 (1992-11-01), Nitschke et al.
patent: 5167315 (1992-12-01), Doane
patent: 5191959 (1993-03-01), Leemkuil
patent: 5409095 (1995-04-01), Hoshi et al.
patent: 5927465 (1999-07-01), Shearer, Jr.
patent: 6041909 (2000-03-01), Shearer, Jr.
patent: 6390274 (2002-05-01), Snedecor
patent: 6419073 (2002-07-01), Piron
patent: 6481559 (2002-11-01), Maeda et al.
patent: 6513642 (2003-02-01), Shearer et al.
patent: 6615972 (2003-09-01), Veit et al.
patent: 6814216 (2004-11-01), Veit et al.
patent: 6866136 (2005-03-01), Veit et al.
patent: 2003/0079971 (2003-05-01), Veit
patent: 2005/0000779 (2005-01-01), Neiser et al.
patent: 2005/0167240 (2005-08-01), Veit et al.
International Search Report from corresponding International Application No. PCT/EP02/12198, dated Jan. 20, 2003.
Drawing A of prior art conveyor sorter dated 1993.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Conveyor system with diverting track network does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Conveyor system with diverting track network, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Conveyor system with diverting track network will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3980121