Patent ID: 6359247
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: B07C,B65G,G05B

Abstract:
A diverter system for diverting items to a station, the diverter system designed for use with a conveyor for transporting items in a first direction, the conveyor having at least one diverter region in which the diverter system is positionable, the diverter system comprising:a) a diverter for diverting items transported by the conveyor in the first direction to a station adjacent said diverter, when positioned in a diverter region of the conveyor, in response to a fire signal, said diverter having a central axis and a divert axis; b) an item measuring system for generating information representative of the length of items transported by the conveyor and for providing a length signal based on said information for each item indicating the length of the item; and c) a controller system connected to said diverter and said item measuring system for generating a fire signal for each item and providing it to said diverter, wherein said controller system contains information representing a first length and said fire signal for each item is generated as a function of said length signal for said item so that said fire signal causes said diverter to divert items that are less than said first length substantially when a first item tracking point on the item arrives at said divert axis and for diverting items that are greater than said first length substantially when a second item tracking point on the item arrives at said central axis.