The Buschman Company

Robert R Babel

Thomas C Yu

George M Triantafilou

A sortation conveyor for packages and products comprising a frame defining a main line of the conveyor and at least one branch outlet extending laterally therefrom. An endless conveying apron is supported for movement on the frame along the main line. The apron comprises a pair of endless chains joined together by a plurality of cross tubes affixed to the chains and extending transversely of the frame in parallel spaced relationship. A pusher element is slidably mounted on and between each adjacent pair of cross tubes throughout the length of the apron. The pusher elements are moveable with and by the apron in the conveying direction. Diverter structure is provided for shifting a desired number of pusher elements transversely of the apron along those cross tubes to which they are mounted to divert a desired package or product onto the branch outlet. A low-friction layer is located on each of the cross tubes and a package or product contacting cap is located on each of the pusher elements. Each cap has at least one package or product contacting surface sloping upwardly and inwardly of the cap to impart to the package or product a lifting force as well as a horizontal force such that the weight of the package or product on the cross tubes and thus the sliding friction forces are reduced, whereby the sortation conveyor can accommodate products with high-friction surfaces.

Growing community of inventors

Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Robert R Babel