Importance

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Abstract

A crossbelt sortation system is provided which includes a pair of side-by-side carrier belts on each of a plurality of transport units movable along a conveying path. The carrier belts may be operable independently or in a synchronized manner, in order to receive packages from one or more induction stations and either discharge the packages at an appropriate discharge station or transfer the package onto the carrier belt at the other side of the transport unit. A control system is operable to determine the destination side of the packages at the induction station and to further determine the availability and appropriateness of the carrier belts of the approaching transport units, in order to determine if an available carrier belt is proper or compatible to receive the next package at the induction station. The present invention thus effectively provides presortation of the packages as they are inducted onto the transport units, such that optimal throughput rates are achieved without the complex presortation processes implemented with the prior art systems. Additionally, the carrier belts of one or two adjacent transport units may be synchronously operated to receive larger packages across the side-by-side carrier belts of a single unit or to receive oversized packages or products at the carrier belts of a pair of adjacent transport units. The carrier belts may be synchronously operated to receive a package and pivot the package as it is inducted onto the transport units, in order to properly orient the package on the transport unit or units. The packages or products may then be discharged at an appropriate discharge chute in a similar manner.

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First Claim