Patent · US Expired

Network controlled sorter conveyor

US7212884B2 · kind B2 · utility

15Cited by
6References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 11, 2002
Grant dateMay 1, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 11, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65G2201/02
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sorter conveyor having a plurality of conveyor units with article-supporting means, such as tilt trays or cross-belts, equipped with discharge means for discharging articles conveyed on the article-supporting means, which discharge means are driven by means, typically electric motors, controlled from the moving part of the conveyor. The control signals for controlling the operation of each of the discharge means are communicated by means of a common data communication network situated on the moving part of the conveyor so that control signals for each of the discharge means may be communicated to the moving part of the conveyor from one stationary position along the path of the conveyor. The invention further relates to a method of controlling the operation of such sorter conveyor.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.