Patent ID: 6854584

Claim:
A sorter for sorting a plurality of items, comprising: a) an endless loop having an upper half positioned above a lower half; b) said endless loop further comprising a plurality of carriers circulating about said endless loop, wherein one or more of said carriers further comprises: i) a slat further including: A) a first widthwise edge; B) a second widthwise edge; C) a first lengthwise edge; and D) a second lengthwise edge; ii) a belt having a length approximate a lengthwise periphery of said slat; iii) a follower proximate said slat, including a rider: A) for clasping said belt about said slat; and B) for moving said belt about said lengthwise periphery of said slat; iv) a first connector at said first side of said carrier; and v) a second connector at said second side of said carrier; c) a plurality of lines for directing advancement of any of said plurality of carriers' followers; d) a plurality of crossovers, communicating with at least two of said plurality of lines, for guiding transversely, relative to said endless loop's advancement, any of said plurality of carriers' followers; e) a plurality of diverters corresponding to said plurality of crossovers for diverting one or more of said plurality of carriers' followers from any of said plurality of lines onto one or more of said plurality of crossovers; f) a drive coupled to said first connector and said second connector of each carrier of said plurality of carriers for advancing said endless loop; g) a frame supporting said endless loop, said plurality of lines, said plurality of crossovers and said plurality of diverters; h) a controller; i) a frontal ingress for said sorter; and j) a lateral ingress for said sorter.