Patent ID: 6076653
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A sorting conveyor system for discharging a package therefrom, said package having a bottom surface, said conveyor system comprising:means for defining a package conveying support surface for supporting said bottom surface of said package, said package conveying support surface at least partially defining an opening adjacent thereto for providing access to a bottom portion of said package bottom surface;an ejection member mounted for rotation about a fixed axis subjacent to said package conveying support surface, said ejection member having first and second opposing sides and two opposing and separate faces, said faces and said sides alternating in angular location about said fixed axis, said ejection member configured such that at most only one of said two opposing sides extends through said opening of said support surface, depending upon the angular orientation of said ejection member about said fixed axis; andmeans for rotating said ejection member about said axis such that for each complete rotation of said engaging member, each of said first and second opposing sides separately and individually rotates through said opening and above a plane partially defined by said package conveying support surface such that either of said first and second opposing sides could contact a package to eject said package from said support surface, and each of said first and second opposing faces being beneath said opening and below said plane defined by said support surface when said faces are parallel to said package conveying support surface.