Patent ID: 8505712

Claim:
A transfer mechanism operable for transferring items from a first conveyor to a second conveyor, the transfer mechanism comprising: a third conveyor extending from a location adjacent the first conveyor to a location adjacent the second conveyor, the third conveyor having an upstream portion extending through a first range of positions extending in a first direction common to that of the first conveyor, at least some of the first range of positions also converging with respect to the first conveyor, the first range of positions including a first transfer position at which items conveyed by the first conveyor are transferred to the third conveyor by removal of the item from a carriage of the first conveyor solely by the convergence; and a downstream portion extending through a second range of positions extending in a second direction common to that of the second conveyor, at least some of the second range of positions also diverging with respect to the second conveyor, the second range of positions including a second transfer position at which items conveyed by the third conveyor are transferred to the second conveyor solely by the divergence; and a motor coupled to the third conveyor to move the third conveyor.