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:
Nov. 03, 2009
Filed:
Jul. 31, 2007
John D. Moore, Batavia, OH (US);
Brian D. Hysell, West Chester, OH (US);
John D. Moore, Batavia, OH (US);
Brian D. Hysell, West Chester, OH (US);
FKI Logistex, Inc., Cincinnati, OH (US);
Abstract
Embodiments are directed to conveyor systems and methods which can accommodate negative gap between articles (e.g., cartons, packages, products, etc.) conveyed upon a sortation conveyor. Negative gap is attained by placing articles side-by-side upon a conveyor (as opposed to single file) so that the trailing edge of a leading article can lag behind the leading edge of a trailing article in the movement direction. In one embodiment, a conveyor system comprises a main conveying line providing a conveying surface configured to carry articles, a plurality of pusher elements associated with the main conveying line, a controller configured to assign pusher elements to articles being conveyed and to determine whether two articles received can be placed next to one or more of the same pusher elements in an overlapping relationship, can be placed to receive contact from immediately adjacent pusher elements, or should be spaced by one or more pusher elements.