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:
Feb. 19, 2013
Filed:
Mar. 10, 2010
David Patrick Erceg, Concord, NC (US);
Leroy A. Winkler, Iii, Charlotte, NC (US);
Gonzalo Sotelo, Charlotte, NC (US);
Richard D. Carwile, Waxhaw, NC (US);
David Patrick Erceg, Concord, NC (US);
Leroy A. Winkler, III, Charlotte, NC (US);
Gonzalo Sotelo, Charlotte, NC (US);
Richard D. Carwile, Waxhaw, NC (US);
Mantissa Corporation, Charlotte, NC (US);
Abstract
A package sorting system. The package sorting conveyor system includes a conveying track, at least one unloading station and an air-film lubricated entrance chute upstream of the unloading station to receive the package. In one embodiment, the entrance chute includes a plenum including a plurality of spaced apart apertures and an opening for communicating with an air supply; and a segmented conveying surface in communication with the apertures, wherein the segmented conveying surface includes at least one air-film lubricated bottom surface and at least one air-film lubricated side wall substantially perpendicular to the at least one bottom surface. In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a positioner assembly for selectively positioning the outlet of the entrance chute.