Cross-belt system and automated item diversion
View Patent ↗A sorting method, cross-belt system, and computer-storage media are provided for conveying and sorting items. The cross-belt system includes a plurality of interlocking palettes that form a conveyor belt. Each palette may be engaged by a series of rollers that are triggered to discharge items on the palettes to appropriate loading areas. The rollers are configured to move a belt of the palettes in one of at least two directions to a selected loading area that is positioned on either side of the cross-belt system.
1. A variable pitch cross-belt system, the system comprising:
a plurality of interlocking palettes that form a conveyor belt, wherein adjacent palettes are detachably meshed via self-aligning peaks and troughs imprinted on facing sides of the adjacent palettes; and
one or more diverter components below the conveyor belt, wherein the diverter components include:
a series of rollers that lift to engage the palettes and divert items on the palettes to one or more loading areas, and
a controller to trigger one or more rollers in the series of rollers to engage the palettes.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the items are placed on the palettes.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the distance between items on the palettes varies.
4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the size of the items vary.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein two or more palettes are used for large-sized items.
6. The system of claim 2 , wherein items are retail products.
7. The system of claim 2 , further comprising a device for automatic item identification for item diversion.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the device for automatic item identification is selected from a scanner to scan images that encode information about the items, wherein the encoded information is processed by the controller to divert items to an appropriate loading area; or a camera to capture images of the product information that is processed by the controller to divert the items to an appropriate loading area.
9. The system of claim 2 , wherein the controller sequences one or more rollers based on the size of the items on the palettes.
10. The system of claim 2 , wherein the palettes unlock when curving under the cross-belt system.
11. The system of claim 2 , wherein the rollers are angled to move the items off the palette.
12. The system of claim 2 , wherein the rollers are angled at +45 degrees or −45 degrees or some angle less than 45 degrees.
13. The system of claim 2 , wherein the diverter component may have at least two series of one or more rollers.
14. The system of claim 2 , wherein each of the series of one or more rollers diverts items on the palettes in either direction.
15. The system of claim 2 , wherein each of the at least two series of one or more rollers diverts items on the palettes in alternate directions.
16. The system of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the series of one or more rollers that divert items on the palettes is a back-up series of one or more rollers.
17. The system of claim 2 , further comprising edge protectors that prevent items from falling into the cross-belt sorter at the sides.
18. The system of claim 2 , further comprising finger guards that prevent objects from entering at the ends of the cross-belt system.
19. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a chain that engages the underside of the interlocking palettes.
20. The system of claim 19 , further comprising a plurality of sprockets that engage the chain.
21. The system of claim 19 , wherein movement of the chain causes palettes of the conveyor belt to move between the two ends of the conveyor belt.
22. The system of claim 20 , wherein at least one sprocket set is motorized.