Diverting conveyor with bidirectional assist roller
US9156629B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 11, 2013 |
| Grant date | Oct 13, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 15, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G47/8815
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A sorting conveyor including a diverting conveyor and a bidirectional assist roller to help sort articles over the side of the diverting conveyor. The diverting conveyor includes, in one version, a conveyor belt with diverting rollers selectively actuated to push articles toward a side of the diverting conveyor. The bidirectional assist roller rotates on an axis parallel to the main conveying direction. As articles to be diverted reach the side of the diverting conveyor, the bidirectional roller rotates in a direction to assist articles over the side of the diverting conveyor and the bidirectional roller and onto an exit conveyor. When the diverting rollers are not actuated, the bidirectional roller rotates in the opposite direction to prevent articles from exiting the side of the diverting conveyor. In some instances, the bidirectional roller can be raised above the level of the diverting rollers to further block articles not selected for sorting from exiting over the side and onto the exit conveyor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.