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. 13, 2004
Filed:
Oct. 02, 2001
Darin L. Danelski, Palmyra, WI (US);
Innovative Picking Technologies, Inc., Dousman, WI (US);
Abstract
A sortation system includes a track arrangement and a series of carriers which are movable on the track arrangement, such as by a roller chain or the like. A series of sort stations are provided at various locations along the track arrangement, and items are placed into the carriers at an induction station. Each carrier is programmed at the induction station with a destination sort station, according to the identity of the item carried by the carrier. Each sort station has a unique identification arrangement, such as a sort station module which emits a sort station identification signal which is received by the carriers as the carriers are moved toward the sort stations. If the sort station identification signal matches the destination identification programmed into the carrier, a trip mechanism associated with the sort station is activated so as to discharge the item from the carrier. The carrier is then reset and transported to the induction station for receiving another item to be sorted. If the sort station identification signal does not match the destination identification of the carrier, the carrier advances to the next sort station until the destination sort station is reached.