Patent Description:
Warehouses, distribution centers, and other material handling environments often rely on a number of components, systems, and the like for transporting and sorting articles, items, products, etc. within these environments. In some instances, one or more conveyors, conveyor segments, chutes, induction systems, system merges, and/or the like are used in order to sort or otherwise position articles within the material handling environments. The inventors have identified numerous deficiencies with these existing technologies in the field, the remedies for which are the subject of the embodiments described herein.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus, according to the preamble of claim <NUM>, for sorting items such as letters or packages which consists of a plurality of carriages driven along a fixed path, and provided each with a conveyor surface on which the item to be sorted is placed. Along the path are located unloading stations, at least some of which comprise a number of discharge levels or mouths, located one above another, through which mouths the unloaded item is sent to different final destinations. Each carriage has means for positioning the conveyor surface at the height of a desired mouth so as to unload the item to the pre-determined mouth. This enables the overall length of the whole apparatus to be reduced. The carriages may be attached to a vertical belt or may each carry an electric motor energised by means of contacts engaging a bus bar. The carriages are positioned at different heights by means of a lazy-tong arrangement, or telescopic means. The conveyor surface may be an endless belt, or a tilting plate.

<CIT> discloses that a method sorts objects in a sorting installation. In order to make possible fine distribution of the objects in a favorable manner in terms of outlay, the objects are conveyed on a sorter of the sorting installation. In a first distribution pass a few of the objects conveyed on the sorter are brought by the sorter into retrieval end stations of the sorting installation and others of the objects conveyed on the sorter are brought by the sorter into a collection end station of the sorting installation and, by means of a transport facility of the sorting installation, objects are automatically transported away from the collection end station and automatically brought back to the sorter. The objects brought back from the collection end station to the sorter by the transport facility are brought by the sorter into one of the end stations in a second distribution pass in each case.

Devices and systems are provided for improved article sortation. The present invention is defined in the independent claim, to which reference should now be made. Advantageous features are set out in the sub claims. An example sortation device includes an adjustable frame and a sortation table movably attached to the adjustable frame. The sortation table defines a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a body extending therebetween. The body defines a first surface configured to support an article thereon where a location of the body between the first end and the second end is configured to pivotally attach the sortation table with the adjustable frame. The sortation device is configured to perform a tilt operation in which the sortation table rotates about the pivotal attachment between the sortation table and the adjustable frame so as to convey the article supported by the sortation table. The adjustable frame is configured to adjust a vertical position of the sortation table so as to modify a vertical position at which the article is conveyed. At least a portion of the first end or the second end of the sortation table is configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position so as to modify a length of the body measured between the first end and the second end.

In some embodiments, the location of the body at which the sortation table is pivotally attached to the adjustable frame may be substantially equidistant from the first end and the second end or supported by a hinge mechanism defining a plurality of linkages configured to facilitate the rotation of the sortation table about the height adjustable frame.

In some embodiments, the tilt operation in which the sortation table rotates about the pivotal attachment between the sortation table and the adjustable frame may be in a first direction such that an angle between the first end and the adjustable frame decreases and an angle between the second end and the adjustable frame increases.

In some embodiments, the tilt operation in which the sortation table rotates about the pivotal attachment between the sortation table and the adjustable frame may be in a second direction is such that an angle between the first end and the adjustable frame increases and an angle between the second end and the adjustable frame decreases.

In some embodiments, the sortation device may further include a rotation mechanism operably coupled with the sortation table and configured to cause rotation of the sortation table about the pivotal connection with the adjustable frame so as to perform the tilt operation.

In some embodiments, the sortation device may further include one or more rollers supported by the body of the sortation table, the one or more rollers configured to translate the article relative the first surface of the body.

In some further embodiments, the one or more rollers may be configured to move between a retracted position in which the one or more rollers are at least partially stored within the body of the sortation table and an extended position wherein at least a portion of the one or more rollers extends beyond the first surface of the body so as to contact the article supported thereon.

In other embodiments, the sortation device may further include one or more conveyors coupled with the first surface of the body that may receive the article translated by the one or more rollers.

According to the invention, at least a portion of the first end or the second end is configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position so as to modify a length of the body measured between the first end and the second end.

In some embodiments, the adjustable frame may be configured to be operably coupled with a first chute proximate the adjustable frame and the first end of the sortation table where the first chute may be located at a first vertical position. In such an embodiment, the adjustable frame may be configured to move the sortation table vertically so as to provide the article to the first chute via the tilt operation at the first vertical position.

In some further embodiments, the tilt operation in which the sortation table rotates about the pivotal attachment between the sortation table and the adjustable frame may be in a first direction such that a first angle between the first end and the adjustable frame decreases.

In some embodiments, the adjustable frame may be configured to be operably coupled with a first chute proximate the adjustable frame and the first end of the sortation table located at a first vertical position and a second chute proximate the adjustable frame and the first end of the sortation table located at a second vertical position. In such an embodiment, the adjustable frame may be configured to move the sortation table vertically so as to provide the article to either the first chute or the second chute via the tilt operation.

In some further embodiments, the tilt operation in which the sortation table rotates about the pivotal attachment between the sortation table and the adjustable frame may be in a first direction such that a first angle between the first end and the adjustable frame is formed so as to provide the article to the first chute via the tilt operation or a second angle between the first end and the adjustable frame is formed so as to provide the article to the second chute via the tilt operation.

In other embodiments, at least a portion of the first end or the second end may be configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position so as to modify a length of the body measured between the first end and the second end so as to provide the article to either the first chute or the second chute.

In some further embodiments, the adjustable frame may be configured to be operably coupled with a third chute proximate the adjustable frame and the second end of the sortation table located at a third vertical position and a fourth chute proximate the adjustable frame and the second end of the sortation table located at a fourth vertical position. In such an embodiment, the adjustable frame may be configured to move the sortation table vertically so as to provide the article to either the third chute or the fourth chute via the tilt operation.

In some embodiments, the sortation device may further include a controller operably coupled with the adjustable frame and the sortation table. The controller may be configured to control the vertical movement of the adjustable frame and the tilt operation of the sortation table.

In some further embodiments, the controller may be further configured to control the tilt operation of the sortation table based upon one or more characteristics of the article.

In some embodiments, the adjustable frame may include a plurality of sequentially nested sections.

In some embodiments, the adjustable frame may include a hydraulic or a pneumatic drive mechanism configured to cause vertical movement of the adjustable frame.

In some embodiments, the sortation table may be configured to, following performance of a tilt operation, revert to a resting position that is substantially perpendicular with respect to the vertical movement of the adjustable frame.

The above summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example embodiments to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described embodiments are examples of the disclosure.

Having described certain example embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms above, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings. The components illustrated in the figures may or may not be present in certain embodiments described herein. Some embodiments may include fewer (or more) components than those shown in the figures.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used herein, terms such as "front," "rear," "top," etc. are used for explanatory purposes in the examples provided below to describe the relative position of certain components or portions of components. Furthermore, as would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure, the terms "substantially" and "approximately" indicate that the referenced element or associated description is accurate to within applicable engineering tolerances.

As used herein, the term "comprising" means including but not limited to and should be interpreted in the manner it is typically used in the patent context. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, and having should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, and comprised substantially of.

As used herein, the phrases "in one embodiment," "according to one embodiment," "in some embodiments," and the like generally refer to the fact that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase may be included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in more than one embodiment of the present disclosure such that these phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

As used herein, the word "example" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration. " Any implementation described herein as "example" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations.

As used herein, the terms "data," "content," "information," "electronic information," "signal," "command," and similar terms may be used interchangeably to refer to data capable of being transmitted, received, and/or stored in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Further, where a first device is described herein to receive data from a second device, it will be appreciated that the data may be received directly from the second device or may be received indirectly via one or more intermediary computing devices, such as, for example, one or more servers, relays, routers, network access points, base stations, hosts, and/or the like, sometimes referred to herein as a "network. " Similarly, where a first device is described herein as sending data to a second device, it will be appreciated that the data may be sent directly to the second device or may be sent indirectly via one or more intermediary computing devices, such as, for example, one or more servers, remote servers, cloud-based servers (e.g., cloud utilities), relays, routers, network access points, base stations, hosts, and/or the like.

As used herein, the term "computer-readable medium" refers to non-transitory storage hardware, non-transitory storage device or non-transitory computer system memory that may be accessed by a computing device, a microcomputing device, a computational system or a module of a computational system to encode thereon computer-executable instructions or software programs. A non-transitory "computer-readable medium" may be accessed by a computational system or a module of a computational system to retrieve and/or execute the computer-executable instructions or software programs encoded on the medium. Exemplary non-transitory computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to, one or more types of hardware memory, non-transitory tangible media (for example, one or more magnetic storage disks, one or more optical disks, one or more USB flash drives), computer system memory or random access memory (such as, DRAM, SRAM, EDO RAM), and the like.

As described hereinafter, movement of one or more elements of the example sortation systems of the present disclosure may be described with reference to a "first direction," "second direction," and/or the like. For the sake of clarity of description, the embodiments of the present disclosure describe a first direction that refers to a counterclockwise rotational movement of, for example, a sortation table about an adjustable frame. Similarly, the embodiments of the present disclosure describe a second direction that refers to a clockwise rotational movement of, for example, a sortation table about an adjustable frame. In other words, the first direction and the second direction refer to the rotational direction of the described element as viewed in the illustrated figures. As would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure, the rotational direction (e.g., the first direction and/or the second direction) may vary based upon the frame of reference of the example sortation system and devices. The present disclosure, however, contemplates that the described first direction and second direction may encompass any rotational direction required to complete the intended operation of the element described in conjunction with the respective direction.

As noted above, traditional warehouses and distribution centers may rely upon a collection of connected conveyors to transport containers throughout these material handling environments. In some instances, these conveyors may be configured to sort or direct products from one conveyor to another. Furthermore, these conveyor systems may integrate induction devices, system merges, sortation diverts, and/or the like in order to ensure that articles (e.g., containers, packages, etc.) are properly sorted and that orders are ultimately fulfilled. In conventional systems, however, each type of sortation operation is completed by an individual or distinct device or system. By way of example, in order to transfer an article between adjacent conveyors a tilt tray that is specifically designed for the particular direction of transfer is required (e.g., in order to transfer an article to another direction, another distinct tilt tray is required). As such, these conventional systems require a plurality of interconnected transfer or sortation devices in order to accomplish the various sortation operations of a particular system thereby increasing the size of the overall system while simultaneously reducing throughput.

To solve these issues and others, example implementations of embodiments of the present disclosure may provide an integrated, multi-directional sortation device configured to transfer articles to a plurality of locations at varying vertical positions with a single device. Unlike the rigidity provided by conventional systems, embodiments described herein include a sortation table configured to perform tilt operations for transferring articles to a plurality locations in conjunction with an adjustable frame for simultaneously adjusting the vertical position at which the tilt operation occurs. Furthermore, the embodiments described herein may employ one or more rollers (e.g., pop-up rollers or the like) to provide further transfer capabilities by repositioning articles supported by the sortation devices. The embodiments described herein may not only operate as a standalone improvement (e.g., a new sortation system independently moveable relative a conveyor system) but may further operate as an improvement to existing conveyor systems (e.g., a retrofit design that improves current implementations). In doing so, such example embodiments operate to provide an integrated, multi-directional sortation device and system that reliably increase the throughput of conveyor networks and fulfillment environments resulting in improved system efficiencies.

With reference to <FIG>, an example sortation device <NUM> (e.g., device <NUM>) not according to the invention is illustrated. As shown, the device <NUM> includes an adjustable frame <NUM> (e.g., a height adjustable frame <NUM>) and a sortation table <NUM> movably attached to the adjustable frame <NUM>. The sortation table <NUM> and the adjustable frame <NUM>, alone or collectively, operate to transfer or otherwise sort an article <NUM>. The sortation device embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented as part of a sortation system, as shown in <FIG>, in which a plurality of conveyors, conveyor segments, chutes, induction systems, system merges, and/or the like are operable coupled with the sortation device <NUM>. Furthermore, the present disclosure contemplates that the sortation device <NUM> may include any number of sortation devices described hereafter, based upon the intended application of the device <NUM>. Alternatively, in some embodiments, a single sortation device may be used. Said differently, the present disclosure contemplates that the sortation devices described herein also provide independent multi-directional sortation with vertical positioning not found in conventional solutions (e.g., as a standalone sortation device and in conjunction with other sortation devices so as to form a sortation system).

Any of the sortation devices and sortation systems of the present invention may include a controller <NUM> operably connected with one or more elements of the device <NUM>. As described hereafter, the sortation device <NUM> may include various adjustable components (e.g., a rotation mechanism, one or more rollers, etc.) that may be controlled at least in part by the controller <NUM>. As such, the controller <NUM> may include circuitry, networked processors, or the like configured to perform some, or all of the sortation-based processes described herein and may be any suitable processing device and/or network server. In this regard, the controller <NUM> may be embodied by any of a variety of devices. For example, the controller <NUM> may be configured to receive/transmit data (e.g., positional data, sensor data, etc.) and may include any of a variety of fixed terminals, such as a server, desktop, or kiosk, or it may comprise any of a variety of mobile terminals, such as a portable digital assistant (PDA), mobile telephone, smartphone, laptop computer, tablet computer, Internet of Things (IoT) device, or in some embodiments, a peripheral device that connects to one or more fixed or mobile terminals. The controller <NUM> may, in some embodiments, comprise several servers or computing devices performing interconnected and/or distributed functions. Despite the many arrangements contemplated herein, the controller <NUM> is shown and described herein as a single computing device to avoid unnecessarily overcomplicating the disclosure.

In some instances, the controller <NUM> may be operably coupled with the sortation device <NUM>, the adjustable frame <NUM>, and/or the sortation table <NUM> via a network. By way of example, the controller <NUM> may be associated with a central management system or central computing device configured to, in whole or in part, transmit instructions to or control operation of the device <NUM> or at least a portion thereof. In such an embodiment, the network may include one or more wired and/or wireless communication networks including, for example, a wired or wireless local area network (LAN), personal area network (PAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), or the like, as well as any hardware, software and/or firmware for implementing the one or more networks (e.g., network routers, switches, hubs, etc.). For example, the network may include a cellular telephone, mobile broadband, long term evolution (LTE), GSM/EDGE, UMTS/HSPA, IEEE <NUM>, IEEE <NUM>, IEEE <NUM>, Wi-Fi, dial-up, and/or WiMAX network. Furthermore, the network may include a public network, such as the Internet, a private network, such as an intranet, or combinations thereof, and may utilize a variety of networking protocols now available or later developed including, but not limited to TCP/IP based networking protocols. In some embodiments, the network may refer to a collection of wired connections such that the sortation device <NUM>, the adjustable frame <NUM>, the sortation table <NUM>, and/or the controller <NUM> may be physically connected, via one or more networking cables or the like.

The controller <NUM> may include a processor, a memory, input/output circuitry, and/or communications circuitry. Although these components may be described in some cases using functional language, it should be understood that the particular implementations necessarily include the use of particular hardware. It should also be understood that certain of these components may include similar or common hardware. For example, two sets of circuitry may both leverage use of the same processor, memory, communications circuitry, or the like to perform their associated functions, such that duplicate hardware is not required for each set of circuitry. The use of the term "circuitry" as used herein includes particular hardware configured to perform the functions associated with respective circuitry described herein. As described in the example above, in some embodiments, various elements or components of the circuitry of the controller <NUM> may be housed within components of the sortation device <NUM>. It will be understood in this regard that some of the components described in connection with the controller <NUM> may be housed within one or more of the devices of <FIG>, while other components are housed within another of these devices, or by yet another device not expressly illustrated in <FIG>.

Of course, while the term "circuitry" should be understood broadly to include hardware, in some embodiments, the term "circuitry" may also include software for configuring the hardware. For example, although "circuitry" may include processing circuitry, storage media, network interfaces, input/output devices, and the like, other elements of the controller <NUM> may provide or supplement the functionality of particular circuitry. By way of example, the processor (and/or co-processor or any other processing circuitry assisting or otherwise associated with the processor) may be in communication with the memory via a bus for passing information among components of the controller <NUM>. The memory may be non-transitory and may include, for example, one or more volatile and/or non-volatile memories. In other words, for example, the memory may be an electronic storage device (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable storage medium). The memory may be configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, or the like, for enabling the controller <NUM> to carry out various functions in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure.

In addition, computer program instructions and/or other type of code may be loaded onto a computer, processor or other programmable circuitry to produce a machine, such that the computer, processor other programmable circuitry that execute the code on the machine create the means for implementing the various functions, including those described in connection with the components of controller <NUM>.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the sortation device <NUM> may include one or more sensors <NUM>. By way of example, the sensor(s) <NUM> may include any element configured to generate data that is indicative of a characteristic of the device <NUM>. For example, the sensor(s) <NUM> may include one or more positional sensors configure to determine the position of one or more elements of the device <NUM> (e.g., a current position of a sortation table and/or the adjustable frame as described hereafter). Additionally or alternatively, the sensor(s) <NUM> may include one or more contact or proximity sensors configure to detect actual or imminent contact between one or more elements of the device <NUM> (e.g., so as to prevent unintended contact between, for example, the sortation table <NUM> and a chute). Additionally, the sensor(s) <NUM> may include one or more cameras, scanners, or the like configured to, for example, scan readable indicia of an example article sorted by the device <NUM>. By way of a more particular example, a barcode scanner or equivalent mechanism may scan a barcode (e.g., readable indicia) attached to or defined by an article received by the device <NUM>. The data generated by the sensor(s) <NUM> (e.g., camera, barcode scanner, etc.) may be indicative of one or more characteristics of the article and may further be transmitted to the controller <NUM> so as to determine the appropriate sortation operation (e.g., tilt operation angle, vertical position, etc. of the device <NUM>). Similarly, one or more sensor(s) <NUM> may generated data indicative of the number of articles sorted by the device <NUM>, such as indicative of a current or projected operational capacity of the device <NUM>. Although described herein with reference to particular types of sensors and associated operations for using the same, the present disclosure contemplates that the sensor(s) <NUM> may include one or more sensors of any type, configuration, position, dimensions (e.g., size and shape), etc. without limitation.

With reference to <FIG>, the device <NUM> as shown includes an adjustable frame <NUM> with which the sortation table <NUM> is movably attached. As described herein, the adjustable frame <NUM> is configured to modify the vertical position (e.g., height) of the sortation table <NUM> attached thereto such that the adjustable frame <NUM> may also be referred to as a height adjustable frame <NUM>. The adjustable frame <NUM> may be formed of a plurality of sequentially nested sections (e.g., sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) that operate to allow vertical adjustment of the adjustable frame <NUM>. For example, the adjustable frame <NUM> may include a motorized, hydraulic, pneumatic, or other equivalent drive mechanism configured to cause the plurality of nested sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to selectively move between a retracted position and an extended position. Said differently, the adjustable frame <NUM>, via a hydraulic drive mechanism or the like, may cause section <NUM> to move from a nested position at least partially within section <NUM> so as to increase the overall height of the adjustable frame <NUM> resulting in a change (e.g., increase) in the vertical position of the sortation table <NUM> attached thereto. Although described and illustrated herein with reference to an adjustable frame <NUM> that includes three (<NUM>) nesting sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the present disclosure contemplates that the adjustable frame <NUM> may include any number of nesting sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> based upon the intended application of the sortation device <NUM>. Furthermore, the present disclosure contemplates that the dimensions (e.g., size and shape) of the plurality of sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may vary based upon the intended application of the sortation device <NUM> (e.g., so as to precisely adjust the vertical position of the sortation table <NUM>). Still further, the present disclosure contemplates that the dimensions (e.g., size and shape) of the plurality of sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be determined, at least in part, by the corresponding systems (e.g., chutes, conveyors, etc.) with which the sortation device <NUM> is coupled.

As shown in <FIG>, the adjustable frame <NUM> is illustrated at a first position in which sections <NUM>, <NUM> are sequentially nested within section <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the adjustable frame <NUM> may be positioned at a second position in which section <NUM> extends from section <NUM> so as to increase the vertical position (e.g., height) of the sortation table <NUM> attached thereto. In such a configuration, section <NUM> may remain nested within section <NUM>. As shown in FIG. 3C, the adjustable frame <NUM> is illustrated in a third position in which section <NUM> extends from section <NUM> so as to further increase the vertical position (e.g., height) of the sortation table <NUM> attached thereto. As would be evident in light of the present disclosure, the adjustable frame <NUM> may operate to reduce the vertical position (e.g., height) by, for example, causing section <NUM> to be nested within section <NUM> and/or causing section <NUM> to be nested within section <NUM>. Although described herein with reference to an adjustable frame <NUM> formed of a plurality of vertically adjustable sections, the present disclosure contemplates that any mechanism for adjusting the vertical position of the sortation table <NUM> may be included.

With reference to <FIG>, the sortation device <NUM> further includes a sortation table <NUM> movably attached to the adjustable frame <NUM>. The sortation table <NUM> defines a first end <NUM>, a second end <NUM> opposite the first end <NUM>, and a body extending therebetween. The body of the sortation table <NUM> may, as shown, define a rectangular body (e.g., having a rectangular cross-sectional shape) configured to support the article <NUM> thereon, such as via a first surface <NUM> of the body. Although illustrated and described herein with reference to a rectangular body (e.g., a body having a rectangular cross-section), the present disclosure contemplates that the size and/or shape of the body of the sortation table <NUM> may be similarly dimensioned based at least partially upon the dimensions of the article <NUM> and/or the intended application of the device <NUM>. A location <NUM> of the body between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM> is configured to pivotally attach the sortation table <NUM> with the adjustable frame <NUM>. As described hereafter, the sortation device <NUM> is configured to perform a tilt operation in which the sortation table <NUM> rotates about the pivotal attachment (e.g., at location <NUM> of the body) between the sortation table <NUM> and the adjustable frame <NUM> so as to convey the article <NUM> supported by the sortation table <NUM>. In any embodiment described herein, the sortation table <NUM> may be configured to, following performance of a tilt operation as described hereafter, revert to a resting position that is substantially perpendicular with respect to the vertical movement of the adjustable frame <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Although described herein with reference to a substantially perpendicular resting position, the present disclosure contemplates that the resting position may refer to any position at which the article <NUM> may be supported by the first surface <NUM> of the sortation table <NUM> at the resting position.

In some embodiments, as shown, the location <NUM> of the body at which the sortation table <NUM> is pivotally attached to the adjustable frame <NUM> is substantially equidistant from the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM>. In other words, the location <NUM> may be positioned centrally along the length of the body of the sortation table <NUM> such that a rotational movement of about the location <NUM> results in substantially the same angular rotation of the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM>. In order to facilitate this rotational movement, the adjustable frame <NUM> and/or the location <NUM> of the sortation table <NUM> may include one or more bearings, bushings, rolling elements, and/or the like to reduce the friction at this pivotal attachment location. As described hereafter with reference to an example tilt operation, the first end <NUM> and/or the second end <NUM> may, for example, define an angled, sloped, chamfered, etc. portion configured to reduce or otherwise prevent impingement of the article <NUM> on the first surface <NUM> of the body during movement of the article relative the sortation table <NUM>.

The sortation device <NUM> may further include a rotation mechanism <NUM> operably coupled with the sortation table <NUM>. The rotation mechanism <NUM> may be configured to cause rotation of the sortation table <NUM> about the location <NUM> so as to facilitate or otherwise cause a tilt operation associated with the sortation table <NUM> as described hereafter. The rotation mechanism <NUM> may be attached to the adjustable frame <NUM> and, in some embodiments, connected to the sortation table <NUM> at a central location of the body as described above. By way of example, the rotation mechanism <NUM> may include one or more motors, gearing systems (e.g., rack and pinion, simple gears, worm gears, etc.), or the like configured to, when powered, cause rotation of the sortation table <NUM> in either a first direction (e.g., a counterclockwise direction) or a second direction (e.g., a clockwise direction) to perform a tilt operation. In some embodiments, the rotation mechanism <NUM> may be operably coupled with the controller <NUM> such that the controller <NUM> may control operation thereof. By way of example, the rotation mechanism <NUM> may receive instructions from the controller <NUM> that cause the rotation mechanism <NUM> to output a rotational force at the location <NUM> of the sortation table <NUM> to cause rotational movement of the sortation table <NUM>.

Furthermore, although described herein with reference to a pivotal attachment, the present disclosure contemplates that the sortation table <NUM> may be attached to the adjustable frame <NUM> (e.g., height adjustable frame <NUM>) via a hinge mechanism <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, for example, one or more linkages <NUM> of the hinge mechanism <NUM> may be configured to facilitate rotation of the sortation table <NUM> about the adjustable frame <NUM>. In other words, the present disclosure contemplates that the movement of the sortation table <NUM> relative the height adjustable frame <NUM> may occur at any number of locations and as facilitated by any number of mechanisms based upon the intended application of the system <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the device <NUM> is illustrated performing a tilt operation. As would be evident in light of the central location <NUM> on the body at which the sortation table <NUM> is pivotally attached to the adjustable frame <NUM>, the tilt operation described herein may refer to the clockwise rotation or counterclockwise rotation of the sortation table <NUM> relative the adjustable frame <NUM>. In particular, the sortation table <NUM> may be configured to transfer the article <NUM> to one or more chutes, conveyors, etc. located proximate the first end <NUM> by a tilt operation in the first direction (e.g., a counterclockwise rotation). For example, the sortation table <NUM> may rotate about the pivotal attachment (e.g., at location <NUM>) between the sortation table <NUM> and the adjustable frame <NUM> in a first direction (e.g., counterclockwise direction) such that an angle Θ<NUM> between the first end <NUM> and the adjustable frame <NUM> decreases and an angle Θ<NUM> between the second end <NUM> and the adjustable frame <NUM> increases. In doing so, the article <NUM> supported by the first surface <NUM> of the sortation table <NUM> may translate relative the sortation table <NUM> and be transferred towards the first end <NUM> (e.g., into a chute positioned proximate the first end <NUM> as described hereafter). Such a tilt operation may similarly occur for a plurality of articles (e.g., in combination, simultaneously, etc.).

Additionally or alternatively, the sortation table <NUM> may be configured to transfer the article <NUM> to one or more chutes, conveyors, etc. located proximate the second end <NUM> by a tilt operation in the second direction (e.g., a clockwise rotation). For example, the sortation table <NUM> may rotate about the pivotal attachment (e.g., at location <NUM>) between the sortation table <NUM> and the adjustable frame <NUM> in a second direction (e.g., clockwise direction) such that an angle Θ<NUM> between the first end <NUM> and the adjustable frame <NUM> increases and an angle Θ<NUM> between the second end <NUM> and the adjustable frame <NUM> decreases. In doing so, the article <NUM> supported by the first surface <NUM> of the sortation table <NUM> may translate relative the sortation table <NUM> and be transferred towards the second end <NUM> (e.g., into a chute positioned proximate the second end <NUM> as described hereafter). Such a tilt operation may similarly occur for a plurality of articles (e.g., in combination, simultaneously, etc.).

As described hereafter with reference to <FIG>, the sortation device <NUM> may be positioned proximate a plurality of chutes, conveyors, etc. configured to receive articles transferred by the sortation device <NUM>, and these chutes may be located a different vertical positions (e.g., a different heights). As such, the adjustable frame <NUM> may operate to adjust the vertical position of the sortation table <NUM> so as to modify the vertical position at which the article <NUM> is conveyed or transferred by the sortation table. In order to ensure that the article <NUM> is properly conveyed to the appropriate chute, the angle between the first end <NUM> and the adjustable frame <NUM> and/or the angle between the second end <NUM> and the adjustable frame <NUM> may be modified. As shown in <FIG>, for example, the rotation mechanism <NUM> may cause the sortation table <NUM> to rotate about the location <NUM> of the body in a second direction such that the angle Θ<NUM> between the first end <NUM> and the adjustable frame <NUM> increases and the angle Θ<NUM> between the second end <NUM> and the adjustable frame <NUM> decreases. In other words, the angle Θ<NUM> may be configured to convey the article <NUM> from the sortation table to a chute at vertical position associated with the angle Θ<NUM> (e.g., a position at which the article <NUM> may be properly conveyed). Thereafter, the sortation table <NUM> may operate to convey or transfer another article to a chute at, for example, another vertical location that differs from the vertical location of the other chute(s). In such an example, the rotation mechanism <NUM> may cause the sortation table <NUM> to rotate about the location <NUM> of the body in a first direction such that the angle Θ1 between the first end <NUM> and the adjustable frame <NUM> decreases to Θ<NUM>' and the angle Θ<NUM> between the second end <NUM> and the adjustable frame <NUM> increases to Θ<NUM>'.

With reference to <FIG>, at least a portion of the first end <NUM> or the second end <NUM> is configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position so as to modify a length of the body measured between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM>. By way of example, the relative position between the sortation device <NUM> and the plurality of chutes, conveyors, etc. may vary in that some chutes are closer in distance to the sortation device <NUM> than others. In order to ensure that the article <NUM> is properly conveyed to the appropriate chute, the sortation device <NUM> may employ a sortation table <NUM> that is variable in dimension (e.g., length). In operation, the adjustable frame <NUM> may adjust (e.g., increase or decrease) the vertical position of the sortation table <NUM> as described above. Simultaneously or in a defined sequence, the sortation table may perform a tilt operation in which the sortation table <NUM> is rotated about the adjustable frame <NUM> in either a first or a second direction as described above. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the sortation table <NUM> may be configured to retract or extend such that the first end <NUM> extends to an example position <NUM>', and/or the sortation table <NUM> may be configured to retract or extend such that the second end <NUM> extends to an example position <NUM>'. Said differently, the sortation table <NUM> may, at a first time, have a length L<NUM> as measured between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM>. In order to properly convey the article <NUM>, the sortation table <NUM> may extend such that a length L<NUM> is defined between the first end <NUM>' and the second end <NUM>'. Although described herein with reference to an extendable/retractable sortation table <NUM>, the present disclosure contemplates that any dimension of the sortation table <NUM> may be modified based upon the intended application of the sortation table <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the device <NUM> may be configured to perform diversion operations in which the position of an article <NUM> supported by the sortation table <NUM> is changed. For example, the sortation table <NUM> may include one or more rollers <NUM> supported by the body of the sortation table <NUM>. The one or more rollers <NUM> may be configured to translate the first article <NUM> relative the first surface <NUM> of the body. The one or more rollers <NUM> may be operably connected with a motor (not shown) and/or the controller <NUM> so as to receive instructions from the controller <NUM> regarding the diversion operation associated with the article <NUM>. For example, the motor (not shown) may receive instructions from the controller <NUM> that cause rotation of the one or more rollers <NUM> to cause translation of the article <NUM> relative the sortation table <NUM> for receipt by a corresponding first conveyor <NUM> or a second conveyor <NUM>. In some embodiments, the one or more rollers <NUM> may be pop-up rollers in that the one or more rollers <NUM> may move between a retracted position and an extended position. For example, the one or more rollers <NUM> may move between a retracted position in which the one or more rollers <NUM> are at least partially stored within the body of the sortation table <NUM> and an extended position wherein at least a portion of the one or more rollers <NUM> extend beyond the first surface <NUM> of the body so as to contact the article <NUM> supported thereon. Additionally or alternatively, the first conveyor <NUM> and/or the second conveyor <NUM> may similarly include rollers configured to convey the article <NUM> to the sortation table <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, sortation device <NUM> is illustrated schematically with one or more chutes of an example material handling environment or sortation system. As shown, the first end <NUM> of the sortation table <NUM> may be operably coupled with a plurality of chutes <NUM> located proximate the first end <NUM> so as to receive articles from the sortation device <NUM> via a tilt operation that rotates in the first direction as described above. Similarly, the second end <NUM> of the sortation table <NUM> may be operably coupled with a plurality of chutes <NUM> located proximate the second end <NUM> so as to receive articles from the sortation device <NUM> via a tilt operation that rotates in the second direction as described above. Although illustrated with a plurality of chutes <NUM> located proximate the first end <NUM> having three (<NUM>) chutes and a plurality of chutes <NUM> located proximate the second end <NUM> having three (<NUM>) chutes, the present disclosure contemplates that the sortation device <NUM> may be configured for use with any number of chutes <NUM>, <NUM> at any number of corresponding locations. Given the vertical adjustment provided by the adjustment frame <NUM> described above, the sortation device <NUM> may be configured for use with any number of vertically stacked, grouped, aligned, etc. chutes <NUM>, <NUM>.

For example, and as shown in <FIG>, the sortation device <NUM> may be operably coupled with a first chute <NUM> proximate the adjustable frame <NUM> and the first end <NUM> of the sortation table <NUM> located at a first vertical position and a second chute <NUM> proximate the adjustable frame <NUM> and the first end <NUM> of the sortation table <NUM> located at a second vertical position. Similarly, the adjustable frame <NUM> may be configured to be operably coupled with a third chute <NUM> proximate the adjustable frame <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the sortation table <NUM> located at a third vertical position and a fourth chute <NUM> proximate the adjustable frame <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the sortation table <NUM> located at a fourth vertical position. As shown in <FIG>, the adjustable frame <NUM> may move the sortation table <NUM> vertically so as to provide the article <NUM> to the third chute <NUM> via the tilt operation (e.g., rotation of the sortation table in the second, clockwise direction). Additionally or alternatively, as shown in <FIG>, the adjustable frame <NUM> may be configured to move the sortation table <NUM> vertically so as to provide the article <NUM> to the fourth chute via the tilt operation (e.g., rotation of the sortation table in the second, clockwise direction). As would be evident in light of the differing vertical positions of the third chute <NUM> and the fourth chute <NUM>, the angle at which the tilt operation occurs may vary as described above. For example, the tilt operation in which the sortation table <NUM> rotates about the pivotal attachment between the sortation table <NUM> and the adjustable frame <NUM> is in a second direction may be such that a first angle between the second end and the adjustable frame <NUM> is formed so as to provide the article <NUM> to the third chute via the tilt operation and/or a second angle between the second end <NUM> and the adjustable frame <NUM> is formed so as to provide the article <NUM> to the fourth chute <NUM> via the tilt operation.

Although described and illustrated with reference to a tilt operation in the second direction, the present disclosure contemplates that a tilt operation in the first operation would occur in substantially the same manner. For example, the adjustable frame <NUM> may be configured to move the sortation table <NUM> vertically so as to provide the article <NUM> to the first chute <NUM> via the tilt operation at the first vertical position (e.g., rotation of the sortation table in the first, counterclockwise direction). The adjustable frame <NUM> may also be configured to move the sortation table <NUM> vertically so as to provide the article <NUM> to the second chute <NUM> via the tilt operation (e.g., rotation of the sortation table in the first, counterclockwise direction). The tilt operation in which the sortation table <NUM> rotates about the pivotal attachment between the sortation table <NUM> and the adjustable frame <NUM> in the first direction may be such that a first angle between the first end <NUM> and the adjustable frame <NUM> is formed so as to provide the article <NUM> to the first chute <NUM> via the tilt operation. Similarly, a second angle between the first end <NUM> and the adjustable frame <NUM> may be formed so as to provide the article <NUM> to the second chute <NUM> via the tilt operation (e.g., rotation of the sortation table in the first, counterclockwise direction).

With reference to <FIG>, the controller <NUM> may be further configured to control the tilt operation of the sortation table <NUM> based upon one or more characteristics of the article <NUM>. As shown, in some instances, one or more chutes may be determined by the controller <NUM> to be full (e.g., incapable of receiving the article <NUM>). For example, the one or more sensors <NUM> may include one or more cameras, scanners, or the like configured to generate data indicative of number of articles located in a particular location (e.g., in a particular chute <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>). In response, the controller <NUM> may transmit instructions to the sortation device <NUM> that causes the adjustable frame <NUM> and/or the sortation table <NUM> to modify the vertical position or angle, respectively of the sortation table <NUM> so as to divert the article <NUM> to a chute capable of receiving the article <NUM>. Although described herein with reference to an example article characteristic regarding chute density or throughput, the present disclosure contemplates that the controller <NUM> may account for any characteristic (e.g., size, dimension, orientation, contents, etc.) of the article <NUM> as well as any parameter (e.g., speed, size, etc.) of the chutes in controlling the sortation device <NUM>.

The embodiments described herein may also be scalable to accommodate at least the aforementioned applications. Various components of embodiments described herein can be added, removed, reorganized, modified, duplicated, and/or the like as one skilled in the art would find convenient and/or necessary to implement a particular application in conjunction with the teachings of the present disclosure. Moreover, specialized features, characteristics, materials, components, and/or equipment may be applied in conjunction with the teachings of the present disclosure as one skilled in the art would find convenient and/or necessary to implement a particular application in light of the present disclosure.

Claim 1:
A sortation device (<NUM>) comprising:
a height adjustable frame (<NUM>); and
a sortation table (<NUM>) movably attached to the height adjustable frame (<NUM>), the sortation table (<NUM>) defining:
a first end (<NUM>);
a second end (<NUM>) opposite the first end (<NUM>); and
a body extending therebetween, the body defining a first surface (<NUM>) configured to support an article (<NUM>) thereon, wherein a location (<NUM>) of the body between the first end (<NUM>) and the second end (<NUM>) is configured to pivotally attach the sortation table (<NUM>) with the height adjustable frame (<NUM>),
wherein the sortation device (<NUM>) is configured to perform a tilt operation in which the sortation table (<NUM>) rotates about the pivotal attachment between the sortation table (<NUM>) and the height adjustable frame (<NUM>) so as to convey the article (<NUM>) supported by the sortation table (<NUM>), and
wherein the height adjustable frame (<NUM>) is configured to adjust a vertical position of the sortation table (<NUM>) so as to modify a vertical position at which the article (<NUM>) is conveyed, characterised in that at least a portion of the first end (<NUM>) or the second end (<NUM>) of the sortation table (<NUM>) is configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position so as to modify a length of the body measured between the first end (<NUM>) and the second end (<NUM>).