Patent ID: 6213309
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: B07C,B65C,B65G,B67C,Y10S

Abstract:
A turret sorting mechanism for sensing, sorting, and distributing articles in a process apparatus, said mechanism comprising:a) a plurality of input conveyors for essentially synchronously transporting articles;b) at least one sensor for detecting and differentiating articles transported by each of said input conveyors and providing sensor information;c) a turret sorting mechanism for receiving said articles comprising:A rotationally driven, generally circular rotor assembly; said rotor assembly having circumferentially spaced apart recesses;each of said recesses including a gripping means for engaging said articles as they enter said recesses; anda controller for actuating said gripping means to engage said articles when they enter said recesses and selectively disengage said articles in conjunction with said sensor information; andd) a plurality of output conveyors for transporting said selectively disengaged articles out of said recesses.