Sorter having a container shuttle system
View Patent ↗A sorter system includes a first conveyor for transporting items to designated containers, a second conveyor for transporting containers containing the items, and a shuttle unit. The shuttle unit may include a base defining a loading area proximate to the first conveyor and a staging area proximate to the second conveyor and a tray disposed on the base for receiving containers on a first section and a second section. The tray may be movable between a first position in which the first section is in the loading area and a second position in which the first section is in the staging area. The shuttle unit may further include a transport device for selectively moving a container on the first section of the tray from the staging area onto the second conveyor.
1. A sorter system, comprising:
a first conveyor for transporting items to designated containers;
a second conveyor for transporting containers containing the items; and
a shuttle unit, comprising:
a base defining a loading area proximate to the first conveyor and a staging area proximate to the second conveyor;
a tray disposed on the base for receiving containers on a first section and a second section, wherein the tray is movable between a first position in which the first section is in the loading area and a second position in which the first section is in the staging area; and
a transport device for selectively moving a container on the first section of the tray from the staging area onto the second conveyor.
2. The sorter system of claim 1 , wherein the transport device is selectively movable between a retracted position within the base and an extended position in the staging area.
3. The sorter system of claim 2 , wherein the tray defines an opening for receiving the transport device in the extended position.
4. The sorter system of claim 2 , wherein the transport device comprises a conveyor belt.
5. The sorter system of claim 2 , wherein the shuttle unit further comprises a retention device for selectively engaging a container in the loading area to prevent movement of the container with the tray.
6. The sorter system of claim 5 , wherein the retention device is selectively movable between a retracted position within the base and an extended position in the loading area.
7. The sorter system of claim 6 , wherein the tray defines an opening for receiving the retention device in the extended position.
8. The sorter system of claim 6 , wherein the retention device is configured to lift the container off the tray.
9. The sorter system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of shuttle units.
10. The sorter system of claim 1 , wherein, with the tray in the first position, the second section is accessible to an operator.
11. The sorter system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a drive element for moving the tray; and
a controller for controlling the drive element to selectively move the tray between the first position and the second position to allow a container in the first section and a container in the second section to receive items associated with different sorting schemes.
12. A method of sorting items, comprising:
transporting items to designated containers using a first conveyor;
transporting containers containing the items using a second conveyor;
receiving containers on a first section and a second section of a tray, wherein the tray is disposed on a base that defines a loading area proximate to the first conveyor and a staging area proximate to the second conveyor;
moving the tray between a first position in which the first section is in the loading area and a second position in which the first section is in the staging area; and
selectively moving a container on the first section of the tray from the staging area onto the second conveyor using a transport device.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the transport device is selectively movable between a retracted position within the base and an extended position in the staging area.
14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising receiving the transport device in the extended position in an opening in the tray.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the transport device comprises a conveyor belt.
16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising selectively engaging a container in the loading area to prevent movement of the container with the tray using a retention device.
17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising selectively moving the retention device between a retracted position within the base and an extended position in the loading area.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the tray defines an opening for receiving the retention device in the extended position.
19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising lifting the container off the tray using the retention device.
20. The method of claim 12 , further comprising, with the tray in the first position, accessing the second section to add an empty container.
21. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
moving the tray using a drive element; and
controlling the drive element using a controller to selectively move the tray between the first position and the second position to allow a container in the first section and a container in the second section to receive items associated with different sorting schemes.