Patent ID: 7055669
Filing Date: 2006-06-06
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A conveyor sorter, comprising: a conveying surface movable in a longiudinal direction; a plurality of pusher shoes capable of traveling laterally of said conveying surface; at least one diverting rail configured to selectively guide at least one of said pusher shoes laterally of said conveying surface; and at least one diverter associated with said at least one diverting rail, said at least one diverter adapted to selectively transfer the at least one of said pusher shoes to said at least one diverting rail; wherein said at least one diverting rail having at least a first portion adjacent said at least one diverter and a second portion extending from an end of said first portion away from said at least one diverter, said first portion having a first angle with respect to said longitudinal direction and said second portion having a second angle with respect to said longitudinal direction that is different from said first angle, wherein the at least one of said pusher shoes guided by said at least one diverting rail initially contacts an article on said conveying surface at said first portion, wherein said first angle configured to produce a first lateral force of the at least one of said pusher shoes contacting an article, said second angle configured to produce a second lateral force of the at least one pusher shoe wherein said second lateral force is higher than said first lateral force.