Patent ID: 6467606
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
An apparatus for transferring selected products of a plurality of products carried on a first path by a first continuous movement conveyor, said selected products not comprising all of said plurality of products carried by said first conveyor, from a pickup position on said first conveyor to a delivery position so as to be diverted to travel on a second path on a second continuous movement conveyor, the remaining products of said plurality of products continuing to be moved on said first path, said second conveyor being vertically displaced relative to said first conveyor, said apparatus comprising:(a) a member having a transfer effector, said member mounted to a frame for movement to move said transfer effector between said pick-up position and said delivery position; (b) a drive mechanism for moving said member; and (c) a control system operable to control the speed and position of said transfer effector; said transfer effector being adapted for retrieving said selected products in turn at said pick-up position and depositing said selected products at said delivery position, wherein said control system controls the speed and position of said transfer effector from retrieval of said selected products at said pickup position to delivery of said selected product at said delivery position, said selected products moving continuously and generally longitudinally from said first conveyor to said pickup position and then to said delivery position and along said second path on said second conveyor, said remaining products moving continuously and generally longitudinally from said first conveyor through pickup position and continuing on said first path.