The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 16, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 15, 2000
Applicant:
Inventors:
Jonathan D. Terrell, Louisville, KY (US);
James L. Hanna, Millersville, MD (US);
Assignee:
Northrop Grumman Corporation, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B65G 3/700 ; B65G 4/710 ; B65G 1/106 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B65G 3/700 ; B65G 4/710 ; B65G 1/106 ;
Abstract
A dual entry-double helix spiral delivery chute is provided which includes two spiral delivery chutes nested one above the other and being aligned with the same vertical axis. The two chutes are substantially identical in that they provide the same footprint as a single chute. Each chute, moreover, in addition to having an output port includes a top entry port and a side entry port downstream of the top entry port so that each chute can be served by two or more separate sorting machines receiving items from one or more separate sources.