Patent ID: 9248983
Filing Date: 2016-02-02
CPC Classification: B65G

Claim Text:
1. A package handling device comprising: a conveyor configured to transport a product from a first end of the conveyor toward a second end of the conveyor along a product handling line; a sensor system disposed proximate to the conveyor to determine at least one characteristic of the product for comparison of the at least one characteristic to product acceptance criteria, wherein failure of the product to meet the product acceptance criteria results in generation of a reject signal; a reject system configured to direct the product to a reject bin responsive to the reject signal and information indicative of a size of the product via operation of a movable assembly that moves at least a portion of the conveyor away from the second end to create a gap in the product handling line, the gap having a size that is variable, wherein the reject system comprises an adjustable retraction mechanism operably coupled to a portion of a frame of the conveyor and to the movable assembly, the adjustable retraction mechanism drawing the movable assembly inwardly responsive to receipt of the reject signal to define a selected size of the gap based on the information indicative of a size of the product.