Patent ID: 7249668
Filing Date: 2007-07-31
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A positive displacement sorter apparatus, comprising: a plurality of interconnected slats defining an endless web, an upper run of said web defining a conveying surface; and a plurality of pusher shoes, each moving along at least one of said plurality of slats to laterally displace articles on said conveying surface; wherein each of said pusher shoes includes a diverting portion above said conveying surface, said diverting portion including a generally planar diverting surface and a generally planar stop surface extending upward from an upper portion of said diverting surface and at an angle relative to said upper portion of said diverting surface, said diverting surface being at a first angle relative to said conveying surface and said stop surface being at a second angle relative to said conveying surface, said second angle being greater than said first angle, said diverting surface contacting an article and laterally displacing that article, said stop surface limiting movement of said pusher shoe relative to the article, wherein said diverting surface has a lateral dimension that is greater than a vertical dimension of said stop surface in order to divert at least some articles without the articles contacting said stop surface.