Importance

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Abstract

A system for sorting articles includes a conveyor transporting the articles in conveying zones. An identifier directed at an identification zone on the conveyor identifies an article bearing a particular characteristic. A sliding gate coupled to the conveyor at a removal zone on the conveyor downstream from the identification zone is arranged below the articles and controlled by the identifier to open when the article bearing the characteristic passes the removal zone. The sliding gate opens parallel to the conveyor and either in the conveyor direction or the direction opposing the conveyor direction. The sliding gate provides an opening of the same length as the conveying zone. A device for sorting articles includes a sliding gate on the conveyor at a removal zone. The sliding gate is arranged below the articles and controlled by an identifier to open when an article bearing a characteristic passes the removal zone. The identifier is directed at an identification zone on the conveyor and is able to identify the article bearing a characteristic at the identification zone. A method for sorting articles includes conveying the articles and identifying an article bearing a characteristic at an identification zone. The method also includes separating the article bearing the characteristic from the articles not bearing the characteristic by a sliding gate. The sliding gate is coupled to the conveyor at a removal zone downstream from the identification zone. The sliding gate is controlled by an identifier and opens when the article bearing the characteristic passes the removal zone.

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First Claim