Method for inducting and singulating items to a sorter
US9555447B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 6, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jan 31, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 6, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB07C2501/0063
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The invention provides a method and a system for inducting items to a sorter (SRT) from a stream of items (IT1, IT2), e.g. mail or parcels, arriving at a feeding conveyor (FC). A processor (PCR) executes a control algorithm (C_A) with at least information (I_1) regarding the stream of items arriving at the feeding conveyor (FC) as input. In response, the control algorithm (C_A) generates an output (O1) indicating where to place an item picked up by a robot (R1) from the feeding conveyor (FC). The control algorithm (C_A) selects between two or more of: 1) a first induction (I1) arranged for transporting items to the sorter (SRT), 2) an empty space (E_S) on the sorter(SRT), 3) the feeding conveyor (FC), e.g. singulating bulk items on the feeding conveyor (FC), and 4) a weighing unit (W1) arranged for weighing items. By controlling the robot (R1) accordingly, it is possible to provide effective use of existing pick-and-place robots as part of a sorter induction system, where a high capacity can be obtained with a small requirement for space. E.g. it may be possible to save space for inductions, compared to what is required for manual handling with the same sorting capacity, especially…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.