Package handling and sorting system
US11911796B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 15, 2021 |
| Grant date | Feb 27, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 15, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2201/0285
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A package sort cell includes a robot with an end of arm tool for transporting packages from an in-feed conveyor to a selected one of a plurality of out-feed conveyors or bins, the robot receiving instruction from the package reader as to which of the plurality of conveyors or bins to hand-off the package. An end of arm tool may be in the configuration of a conveyor which may be aligned with the out-feed conveyor on a bottom up movement. The end of arm tool may also be in the configuration of a hanging carriage frame suspending a conveyor in a top down movement. A worker platform may be provided which may be movable between in-use and out-of-use positions whereby upon robot downtime, the platform may move into the in-use position for a worker to temporarily takeover the transfer functions of the robot. A plurality of sort cells may be arranged in side by side relation adjacent a like plurality of package delivery points (e.g., truck bays) and include diverter conveyors to allow diversion of a selected quantity of packages from one cell to an adjacent cell when the adjacent cell has no associated package delivery occurring at that time.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.