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:
Jul. 01, 2003
Filed:
Nov. 08, 2002
Stuart M. Edwards, Milan, IT;
Artemio G. Affaticati, Cadeo, IT;
Claudio A. Cerutti, Borgomanero, IT;
Rapisten Systems Advertising Corp., Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Abstract
A sortation system includes a plurality of transport units movable along a conveying path. Each of the transport units is capable of carrying side-by-side articles thereon. The plurality of carriages pass at least one induction station and at least one discharge station along the conveying path. Each of the carriages is capable of transferring an article from one side of the carriage to the other side of the carriage. Each of the carriages may be capable of receiving an article on one side of the carriage when another article is already positioned on the other side of the carriage, and/or may be capable of substantially simultaneously discharging side-by-side articles to discharge stations at opposite sides of the conveying path, and/or may be capable of receiving an article on one side of the carriage without moving an article already positioned on the carriage.