Vertically adjustable sorting device and system

Abstract

Apparatuses and systems for improved article sorting are provided. An example sorting apparatus includes a height-adjustable frame and a sorting table movably attached to the height-adjustable frame. The sorting table defines a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end. The body defines a first surface on which an article is supported, wherein a position of the body between the first end and the second end pivotally attaches the sorting table with the height-adjustable frame. The sorting apparatus performs a tilt operation in which the sorting table rotates about the pivotal attachment between the second end and the height-adjustable frame to deliver the article supported by the sorting table. The height-adjustable frame adjusts a vertical position of the sorting table to change a vertical position at which the article is delivered.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The exemplary embodiments of this disclosure relate generally to execution systems and conveying systems, and more specifically, to apparatus and systems for improving article sorting. Background Technology

[0002] Warehouses, distribution centers, and other material handling environments typically rely on multiple components, systems, etc., for transporting and sorting articles, items, products, etc., within these environments. In some cases, one or more conveying devices, conveyor sections, chute, sensing systems, system merging, etc., are used to sort or otherwise position articles within the material handling environment. However, the inventors have identified numerous deficiencies in these prior art techniques in the art, and remedies for these deficiencies are the subject of the embodiments described herein. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Apparatus and systems for improving article sorting are provided. An exemplary sorting apparatus may include an adjustable frame and a sorting table movably attached to the adjustable frame. The sorting table may define a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a body extending between the first and second ends. The body may define a first surface configured to support articles thereon, wherein a position of the body between the first and second ends may be configured to pivotally attach the sorting table to the adjustable frame. The sorting apparatus may be configured to perform a tilting operation in which the sorting table rotates about a pivotal attachment between the sorting table and the adjustable frame to convey articles supported by the sorting table. The adjustable frame may be configured to adjust the vertical position of the sorting table to modify the vertical position in which the articles are conveyed.

[0004] In some implementations, the position of the body to which the sorting table is pivotally attached to the adjustable frame may be substantially equidistant from the first and second ends, or supported by a hinge mechanism defining a plurality of links configured to facilitate rotation of the sorting table about the height-adjustable frame.

[0005] In some implementations, the tilting operation of the sorting table rotating about the pivot attachment between the sorting table and the adjustable frame can, in a first direction, reduce the angle between the first end and the adjustable frame and increase the angle between the second end and the adjustable frame.

[0006] In some implementations, the tilting operation of the sorting table rotating about the pivot attachment between the sorting table and the adjustable frame can be in a second direction such that the angle between the first end and the adjustable frame increases and the angle between the second end and the adjustable frame decreases.

[0007] In some embodiments, the sorting device may also include a rotating mechanism operably coupled to the sorting table and configured such that the sorting table rotates about a pivot connection to the adjustable frame to perform a tilting operation.

[0008] In some embodiments, the sorting device may also include one or more rollers supported by the body of the sorting table, the one or more rollers being configured to translate the articles relative to a first surface of the body.

[0009] In some other embodiments, the one or more rollers may be configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position, in which the one or more rollers are at least partially stored within the body of the sorting table, and in the extended position, at least a portion of the one or more rollers extends beyond a first surface of the body to contact articles supported on the first surface.

[0010] In other embodiments, the sorting apparatus may also include one or more conveying devices coupled to a first surface of the body, the conveying devices being able to receive articles translated by the one or more rollers.

[0011] In some implementations, at least a portion of the first or second end may be configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position in order to change the length of the body measured between the first and second ends.

[0012] In some embodiments, the adjustable frame may be configured to be operatively connected to a first chute near a first end of the adjustable frame and the sorting table, wherein the first chute may be located in a first vertical position. In this embodiment, the adjustable frame may be configured to vertically move the sorting table to provide articles to the first chute in the first vertical position via a tilting operation.

[0013] In some other embodiments, the tilting operation of the sorting table about the pivot attachment between the sorting table and the adjustable frame can be in a first direction such that the first angle between the first end and the adjustable frame is reduced.

[0014] In some embodiments, the adjustable frame may be configured to be operatively coupled to a first chute adjacent to the adjustable frame and a first end of the sorting table located in a first vertical position, and to a second chute adjacent to the adjustable frame and a first end of the sorting table located in a second vertical position. In this embodiment, the adjustable frame is configured to vertically move the sorting table to provide articles to either the first or second chute via a tilting operation.

[0015] In some other embodiments, the tilting operation of the sorting table about the pivot attachment between the sorting table and the adjustable frame can be in a first direction such that a first angle is formed between the first end and the adjustable frame to provide the article to a first chute via the tilting operation, or a second angle is formed between the first end and the adjustable frame to provide the article to a second chute via the tilting operation.

[0016] In other embodiments, at least a portion of the first or second end may be configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position to change the length of the body measured between the first and second ends in order to provide the article of manufacture into either the first or second chute.

[0017] In some additional embodiments, the adjustable frame may be configured to be operatively connected to a third chute adjacent to the second end of the sorting table in a third vertical position and a fourth chute adjacent to the second end of the sorting table in a fourth vertical position. In this embodiment, the adjustable frame may be configured to vertically move the sorting table to provide articles to either the third or fourth chute via a tilting operation.

[0018] In some implementations, the sorting device may also include a controller operatively coupled to the adjustable frame and the sorting table. The controller may be configured to control the vertical movement of the adjustable frame and the tilting operation of the sorting table.

[0019] In some other implementations, the controller may be further configured to control the tilting operation of the sorting table based on one or more characteristics of the article.

[0020] In some implementations, the adjustable frame may include multiple sequentially nested segments.

[0021] In some implementations, the adjustable frame may include a hydraulic or pneumatic drive mechanism configured to cause vertical movement of the adjustable frame.

[0022] In some implementations, the sorting table may be configured to return to a stationary position substantially perpendicular to the vertical movement of the adjustable frame after a tilting operation.

[0023] The above description of the invention is provided merely to outline some exemplary embodiments to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of this disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that the above embodiments are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope or substance of this disclosure in any way. It should be understood that, in addition to those summarized herein, the scope of this disclosure covers many possible embodiments, some of which will be further described below. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure have been described in general terms above; reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings. In some embodiments described herein, the components shown in the drawings may or may not be present. Some embodiments may include fewer (or more) components than those shown in the figures.

[0025] Figure 1 Exemplary sorting apparatuses of this disclosure are shown according to some exemplary embodiments described herein;

[0026] Figure 1A An exemplary hinge mechanism is shown for use with some of the exemplary embodiments described herein;

[0027] Figure 2A-2C Some exemplary embodiments according to the present document are shown. Figure 1 The operation of the adjustable frame of the exemplary sorting device;

[0028] Figures 3A-3B The following are examples of exemplary implementations of tilting operations during exemplary tilting operations as described herein. Figure 1 A side view of an exemplary sorting device;

[0029] Figures 4A-4B The following are examples of tilting operations according to some exemplary embodiments described herein. Figure 1 A side view of an exemplary sorting device, wherein the tilt angle varies;

[0030] Figure 5 An exemplary sorting device with variable dimensions is shown according to some exemplary embodiments described herein;

[0031] Figure 6 Some exemplary embodiments according to the present document are shown. Figure 1 A side view of an exemplary sorting device that repositions articles using an associated conveying device;

[0032] Figure 7 The illustration shows an installation as part of an exemplary sorting system with multiple chute chute, according to some exemplary embodiments described herein. Figure 1 An exemplary sorting device;

[0033] Figure 8-9 Some exemplary embodiments according to the present document are shown. Figure 7 Exemplary tilting operation of an exemplary sorting device; and

[0034] Figure 10 The present invention illustrates one or more characteristics of an article of manufacture in response to some exemplary embodiments described herein. Figure 7An exemplary tilting operation of an exemplary sorting device. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Some embodiments of this disclosure will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate some, but not all, embodiments of this disclosure. In fact, this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided to enable this disclosure to meet applicable legal requirements. Throughout this document, similar reference numerals refer to similar elements. As used herein, terms such as “front,” “rear,” “top,” etc., in the examples provided below, are used for illustrative purposes to describe the relative positions of certain parts or portions of parts. Furthermore, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on this disclosure, the terms “substantially” and “approximately” indicate that the referenced elements or associated descriptions are accurate within applicable engineering tolerances.

[0036] As used herein, the term “comprising” means including but not limited to, and should be interpreted in the manner commonly used in the patent context. It should be understood that the use of broad terms such as “comprising,” “including,” and “having” provides support for narrower terms such as “consisting of,” “substantially composed of,” and “substantially constituted by.”

[0037] As used herein, phrases such as “in one embodiment,” “according to one embodiment,” and “in some embodiments” generally refer to a specific feature, structure, or characteristic that follows the phrase and may be included in at least one embodiment of this disclosure. Therefore, such specific feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in more than one embodiment of this disclosure, such that these phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0038] As used herein, the term “exemplary” means “used as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any specific implementation described herein as an “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other specific implementations.

[0039] As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,” “information,” “electronic information,” “signal,” “command,” and similar terms are used interchangeably to refer to data capable of being transmitted, received, and / or stored according to embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, the use of any such terms should not be construed as limiting the substance or scope of embodiments of this disclosure. Furthermore, where the first device is described herein as receiving data from the second device, it should be understood that data can be received directly from the second device or indirectly via one or more intermediate computing devices (such as, for example, one or more servers, repeaters, routers, network access points, base stations, hosts, etc., sometimes referred to herein as a “network”). Similarly, where the first device is described herein as sending data to the second device, it should be understood that data can be sent directly to the second device or indirectly via one or more intermediate computing devices (such as, for example, one or more servers, remote servers, cloud-based servers (e.g., cloud tools), repeaters, routers, network access points, base stations, hosts, etc.).

[0040] 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 can be accessed by a computing device, microcomputing device, computing system, or module of a computing system to encode computer-executable instructions or software programs thereon. A non-transitory "computer-readable medium" can be accessed by a computing system or module of a computing system to retrieve and / or execute computer-executable instructions or software programs encoded on that 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 (e.g., 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), etc.

[0041] As described below, the movement of one or more components of the exemplary sorting system of this disclosure may be described with reference to "first direction," "second direction," etc. For clarity, embodiments of this disclosure describe a first direction, which refers, for example, counterclockwise rotational movement of a sorting table about an adjustable frame. Similarly, embodiments of this disclosure describe a second direction, which refers, for example, clockwise rotational movement of a sorting table about an adjustable frame. In other words, the first and second directions refer to the directions of rotation of the described components, as seen in the figures shown. In view of this disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the directions of rotation (e.g., the first and / or second directions) may vary based on the reference frame of the exemplary sorting system and apparatus. However, this disclosure contemplates that the first and second directions may encompass any direction of rotation required to accomplish the intended operation of the components described in conjunction with the respective directions.

[0042] Overview

[0043] As mentioned above, traditional warehouses and distribution centers rely on interconnected sets of conveyors to transport containers in these material handling environments. In some cases, these conveyors can be configured to sort or guide products from one conveyor to another. Furthermore, these conveyor systems can integrate sensors, system merging, sorting deflection, etc., to ensure that products (e.g., containers, packages, etc.) are correctly sorted and orders are ultimately fulfilled. However, in conventional systems, each type of sorting operation is performed by separate or different devices or systems. For example, to transfer products between adjacent conveyors, tilting pallets need to be specifically designed for a particular transfer direction (e.g., to transfer products in another direction, another different tilting pallet is needed). Therefore, these conventional systems require multiple interconnected transfer or sorting devices to perform various sorting operations for a particular system, thus increasing the overall system size and reducing throughput.

[0044] To address these and other issues, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide an integrated multidirectional sorting apparatus configured to transfer articles to multiple locations at varying vertical positions using a single device. Unlike the rigidity provided by conventional systems, the embodiments described herein may include a sorting table configured to perform tilting operations to transfer articles to multiple locations, incorporating an adjustable frame to simultaneously adjust the vertical position where the tilting operation occurs. Furthermore, the embodiments described herein may employ one or more rollers (e.g., ejector rollers, etc.) to provide further transfer capability by repositioning articles supported by the sorting apparatus. The embodiments described herein can operate not only as a standalone improvement (e.g., a new sorting system capable of moving independently relative to the conveyor system) but also further as an improvement to an existing conveyor system (e.g., a retrofit design that improves upon the current embodiment). In doing so, such exemplary embodiments operate to provide an integrated multidirectional sorting apparatus and system that reliably increases the throughput of the conveyor network and execution environment, thereby improving system efficiency.

[0045] Sorting devices and systems

[0046] refer to Figure 1 An exemplary sorting apparatus 100 (e.g., apparatus 100) of this disclosure is shown. As illustrated, apparatus 100 may include an adjustable frame 200 (e.g., a height-adjustable frame 200) and a sorting table 104 movably attached to the adjustable frame 200. The sorting table 104 and the adjustable frame 200 may operate individually or jointly to transfer or otherwise sort articles 102. Figure 7-10As shown, the sorting apparatus embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented as part of a sorting system, wherein multiple conveying devices, conveyor sections, chutes, guiding systems, system mergers, etc., are operatively coupled to the sorting apparatus 100. Furthermore, based on the intended application of the apparatus 100, this disclosure contemplates that the sorting apparatus 100 may include any number of sorting devices described below. Alternatively, in some embodiments, a single sorting device may be used. In other words, this disclosure contemplates that the sorting apparatus described herein also provides independent multidirectional sorting with vertical positioning not found in conventional solutions (e.g., as a standalone sorting device and used in combination with other sorting devices to form a sorting system).

[0047] Any sorting device and sorting system disclosed herein, such as Figure 1 The sorting device 100 may include a controller 300 operatively connected to one or more elements of the device 100. As described below, the sorting device 100 may include various adjustable components (e.g., a rotating mechanism, one or more rollers, etc.) that can be at least partially controlled by the controller 300. Therefore, the controller 300 may include circuitry, a networked processor, etc., configured to perform some or all of the sorting-based processes described herein, and may be any suitable processing device and / or network server. In this regard, the controller 300 may be embodied in any of a variety of devices. For example, the controller 300 may be configured to receive / transmit data (e.g., location data, sensor data, etc.) and may include any of a variety of fixed terminals, such as a server, desktop computer, or kiosk, or it may include any of a variety of mobile terminals, such as a portable digital assistant (PDA), mobile phone, smartphone, laptop computer, tablet computer, Internet of Things (IoT) device, or, in some embodiments, a peripheral device connected to one or more fixed or mobile terminals. In some embodiments, the controller 300 may include several servers or computing devices performing interconnected and / or distributed functions. Although many arrangements are envisioned herein, the controller 300 is shown and described herein as a single computing device to avoid unnecessarily complicating this disclosure.

[0048] In some cases, controller 300 may be operatively coupled to sorting device 100, adjustable frame 200, and / or sorting station 104 via a network. For example, controller 300 may be associated with a central management system or central computing device configured to send instructions or control the operation of device 100 or at least a portion thereof, wholly or partially. In such embodiments, the network may include one or more wired and / or wireless communication networks, including, for example, wired or wireless local area networks (LANs), personal area networks (PANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), etc., and any hardware, software, and / or firmware (e.g., network routers, switches, hubs, etc.) used to implement the one or more networks. For example, the network may include cellular telephone, mobile broadband, LTE, GSM / EDGE, UMTS / HSPA, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.20, Wi-Fi, dial-up, and / or WiMAX networks. Furthermore, the network may include public networks such as the Internet, private networks such as intranets, or combinations thereof, and may utilize a variety of networking protocols currently available or developed in the future, 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 sorting device 100, the adjustable frame 200, the sorting table 104, and / or the controller 300 can be physically connected via one or more networking cables, etc.

[0049] The controller 300 may include a processor, memory, input / output circuitry, and / or communication circuitry. While functional language may be used to describe these components in some cases, it should be understood that a particular implementation necessarily involves the use of specific hardware. It should also be understood that some of these components may include similar or common hardware. For example, two sets of circuits may use the same processor, memory, communication circuitry, etc., to perform their associated functions, so that each set of circuits does not require duplicate hardware. The use of the term "circuit" as used herein includes specific hardware configured to perform the functions associated with the corresponding circuits described herein. As described in the examples above, in some embodiments, various elements or components of the circuitry of the controller 300 may be housed within components of the sorting device 100. In this regard, it should be understood that some components of the components described in connection with the controller 300 may be housed within… Figure 1-10 Within one or more of the devices, while other components are housed within another of these devices, or by means of Figure 1-10 Another device, not explicitly shown in the text, is contained therein.

[0050] Of course, while the term "circuit" should be broadly understood to include hardware, in some embodiments, the term "circuit" may also include software used to construct the hardware. For example, while "circuit" may include processing circuitry, storage media, network interfaces, input / output devices, etc., other elements of the controller 300 may provide for or complement the functionality of a particular circuit. For instance, a processor (and / or a coprocessor or any other processing circuitry that assists the processor or is otherwise associated with the processor) may communicate with memory via a bus for transferring information between components of the controller 300. 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, etc., used to enable the controller 300 to perform various functions according to exemplary embodiments of this disclosure.

[0051] In addition, computer program instructions and / or other types of code may be loaded onto a computer, processor or other programmable circuitry to produce a machine, such that the computer, processor, or other programmable circuitry executing the code on the machine forms means for implementing various functions (including those functions described in conjunction with the components of controller 300).

[0052] Continue to refer to Figure 1In some embodiments, the sorting device 100 may include one or more sensors 400. For example, the sensor 400 may include any element configured to generate data indicating characteristics of the device 100. For instance, the sensor 400 may include one or more position sensors configured to determine the position of one or more elements of the device 100 (e.g., the current position of the sorting table and / or adjustable frame as described below). Additionally or alternatively, the sensor 400 may include one or more contact or proximity sensors configured to detect actual or immediate contact between one or more elements of the device 100 (e.g., to prevent unintended contact, for example, between the sorting table 104 and the chute). Furthermore, the sensor 400 may include one or more cameras, scanners, etc., configured to, for example, scan readable markings on exemplary articles sorted by the device 100. By a more specific example, a barcode scanner or equivalent mechanism may scan a barcode (e.g., a readable marking) attached to or defined by an article received by the device 100. Data generated by sensor 400 (e.g., camera, barcode scanner, etc.) may indicate one or more features of the articles and may be further sent to controller 300 to determine appropriate sorting operations (e.g., tilt angle of device 100, vertical position, etc.). Similarly, one or more sensors 400 may generate data indicating the quantity of articles sorted by device 100, such as data indicating the current or expected operational capacity of device 100. Although this document describes specific types of sensors and associated operations for using those sensors, this disclosure contemplates that sensor 400 may include one or more sensors of any type, construction, location, size (e.g., dimensions and shape), and is not limited thereto.

[0053] refer to Figure 1-2CAs shown in the figure, the device 100 may include an adjustable frame 200 to which a sorting table 104 may be movably attached. As described herein, the adjustable frame 200 may be configured to change the vertical position (e.g., height) of the sorting table 104 to which it is attached, such that the adjustable frame 200 may also be referred to as a height-adjustable frame 200. The adjustable frame 200 may be formed by a plurality of sequentially nested segments (e.g., segments 202, 204, 206) that operate to allow vertical adjustment of the adjustable frame 200. For example, the adjustable frame 200 may include a motorized, hydraulic, pneumatic, or other equivalent drive mechanism configured to selectively move the plurality of nested segments 202, 204, 206 between a retracted position and an extended position. In other words, the adjustable frame 200 can move segment 204 from a nested position at least partially within segment 202 via a hydraulic drive mechanism or the like, in order to increase the overall height of the adjustable frame 200, thereby causing a change (e.g., elevation) in the vertical position of the sorting table 104 to which it is attached. Although the adjustable frame 200, comprising three (3) nested segments 202, 204, 206, has been described and illustrated herein, this disclosure contemplates that, based on the intended application of the sorting device 100, the adjustable frame 200 may include any number of nested segments 202, 204, 206. Furthermore, this disclosure contemplates that the dimensions (e.g., size and shape) of the plurality of segments 202, 204, 206 may vary based on the intended application of the sorting device 200 (e.g., to precisely adjust the vertical position of the sorting table 104). Furthermore, this disclosure envisions that the dimensions (e.g., size and shape) of the various sections 202, 204, 206 can be determined at least in part by a corresponding system (e.g., chute, conveyor, etc.) connected to the sorting device 100.

[0054] like Figure 2A As shown, the adjustable frame 200 is shown in a first position, with segments 204 and 206 nested sequentially within segment 202. Figure 2B As shown, the adjustable frame 200 can be positioned in a second position in which segment 204 extends from segment 202 to raise the vertical position (e.g., height) of the sorting table 104 to which it is attached. In this configuration, segment 206 can remain nested within segment 204. Figure 2CAs shown, the adjustable frame 200 is depicted in a third position in which segment 206 extends from segment 204 to further increase the vertical position (e.g., height) of the sorting table 104 to which it is attached. As will be apparent from this disclosure, the adjustable frame 200 can be operated to decrease the vertical position (e.g., height) by, for example, nesting segment 206 within segment 204 and / or nesting segment 204 within segment 206. Although described herein with reference to the adjustable frame 200 formed of a plurality of vertically adjustable segments, this disclosure contemplates any mechanism that may be included for adjusting the vertical position of the sorting table 104.

[0055] refer to Figure 1-5 The sorting device 100 may also include a sorting table 104 movably attached to the adjustable frame 200. The sorting table 104 may define a first end 106, a second end 108 opposite the first end 106, and a body extending between the first and second ends. The body of the sorting table 104 may define a rectangular body (e.g., having a rectangular cross-sectional shape) as shown, which is configured to support articles 102 thereon, such as via a first surface 110 of the body. Although this disclosure is illustrated and described with reference to a rectangular body (e.g., a body having a rectangular cross-section), the size and / or shape of the body of the sorting table 104 are contemplated to be similarly sized, at least in part, based on the size of the articles 102 and / or the intended application of the device 100. A position 112 of the body between the first end 106 and the second end 108 may be configured to pivotally attach the sorting table 104 to the adjustable frame 200. As described below, the sorting device 100 may be configured to perform a tilting operation in which the sorting table 104 rotates about a pivot attachment between the sorting table 104 and the adjustable frame 200 (e.g., at position 112 of the main body) to convey articles 102 supported by the sorting table 104. In any embodiment described herein, the sorting table 104 may be configured to return to a stationary position substantially perpendicular to the vertical movement of the adjustable frame 200 after performing the tilting operation described below, such as Figure 1-2C As shown. Although described herein with reference to a substantially vertical resting position, this disclosure contemplates that a resting position may refer to any position where the article 102 can be supported by the first surface 110 of the sorting table 104 at a resting position.

[0056] In some embodiments, as shown, the position 112 of the body is substantially equidistant from the first end 106 and the second end 108, at which the sorting table 104 is pivotally attached to the adjustable frame 200. In other words, the position 112 can be centrally positioned along the length of the body of the sorting table 104 such that rotational movement about the position 112 causes substantially the same angular rotation of the first end 106 and the second end 108. To facilitate this rotational movement, the adjustable frame 200 and / or the position 112 of the sorting table 104 may include one or more bearings, bushings, rolling elements, etc., to reduce friction at this pivotally attached position. As described below with reference to an exemplary tilting operation, the first end 106 and / or the second end 108 may be defined, for example, as angled, tilted, chamfered, etc., portions configured to reduce or otherwise prevent the articles 102 from impacting the first surface 110 of the body during movement of the articles relative to the sorting table 104.

[0057] The sorting device 104 may also include a rotation mechanism 208 operatively coupled to the sorting table 104. The rotation mechanism 208 may be configured to rotate the sorting table 104 about position 112 to facilitate or otherwise induce a tilting operation associated with the sorting table 104, as described below. The rotation mechanism 208 may be attached to the adjustable frame 200 and, in some embodiments, connected to the sorting table 104 at a central location of the body, as described above. For example, the rotation mechanism 208 may include one or more motors, gear systems (e.g., racks and pinions, simple gears, worm gears, etc.), configured to rotate the sorting table 104 in either a first direction (e.g., counterclockwise) or a second direction (e.g., clockwise) when powered to perform the tilting operation. In some embodiments, the rotation mechanism 208 may be operatively coupled to a controller 300, enabling the controller 300 to control its operation. For example, the rotating mechanism 208 may receive an instruction from the controller 300 that causes the rotating mechanism 208 to output a rotational force at position 112 of the sorting table 104 to cause the sorting table 104 to rotate.

[0058] Furthermore, although described herein with reference to pivot attachments, this disclosure contemplates that the sorting table 104 may be attached to the adjustable frame 200 (e.g., a height-adjustable frame 200) via a hinge mechanism 209. Figure 1A As shown, for example, one or more links 211 of the hinge mechanism 209 may be configured to facilitate rotation of the sorting table 104 about the adjustable frame 200. In other words, this disclosure contemplates that movement of the sorting table 104 relative to the height-adjustable frame 200 can occur at any number of locations and be facilitated by any number of mechanisms, as intended for the application of system 100.

[0059] refer to Figures 3A-3BThe diagram illustrates the device 100 performing a tilting operation. As will be apparent from the central position 112 of the sorting table 104, which is pivotally attached to the body of the adjustable frame 200, the tilting operation described herein can refer to a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the sorting table 104 relative to the adjustable frame 200. Specifically, the sorting table 104 can be configured to transfer articles 102 to one or more chute, conveyor, etc., located near the first end 106 via a tilting operation in a first direction (e.g., counterclockwise rotation). For example, the sorting table 104 can rotate in a first direction (e.g., counterclockwise) about a pivotal attachment between the sorting table 104 and the adjustable frame 200 (e.g., at position 112), such that the angle θ1 between the first end 106 and the adjustable frame 200 decreases and the angle θ2 between the second end 108 and the adjustable frame 200 increases. In doing so, the article 102 supported by the first surface 100 of the sorting table 104 can be translated relative to the sorting table 104 and transferred toward the first end 106 (e.g., transferred to a chute positioned near the first end 106, as described below). Such tilting operations can similarly occur for multiple articles (e.g., in combination, simultaneously, etc.).

[0060] Additionally or alternatively, the sorting table 104 may be configured to transfer articles 102 to one or more chutes, conveyors, etc., located near the second end 108 by a tilting operation in a second direction (e.g., clockwise rotation). For example, the sorting table 104 may rotate in a second direction (e.g., clockwise) about a pivot attachment between the sorting table 104 and the adjustable frame 200 (e.g., at position 112), such that the angle θ1 between the first end 106 and the adjustable frame 200 increases and the angle θ2 between the second end 108 and the adjustable frame 200 decreases. By doing so, the articles 102 supported by the first surface 100 of the sorting table 104 may be translated relative to the sorting table 104 and transferred toward the second end 108 (e.g., transferred to a chute located near the second end 108, as described below). Such tilting operations may similarly occur for multiple articles (e.g., in combination, simultaneously, etc.).

[0061] See below for reference Figure 7-10 The sorting device 100 can be positioned near multiple chute, conveyor, etc., configured to receive products transferred by the sorting device 100, and these chutes can be located at different vertical positions (e.g., different heights). Thus, the adjustable frame 200 can be operated to adjust the vertical position of the sorting table 104, thereby changing the vertical position in which the product 102 is conveyed or transferred by the sorting table. To ensure that the product 102 is correctly conveyed to the appropriate chute, the angle between the first end 106 and the adjustable frame 200 and / or the angle between the second end 108 and the adjustable frame 200 can be changed. Figure 4AAs shown, for example, the rotation mechanism 208 can cause the sorting table 104 to rotate in a second direction about the position 112 of the body, such that the angle θ1 between the first end 106 and the adjustable frame 200 increases and the angle θ2 between the second end 108 and the adjustable frame 200 decreases. In other words, angle θ2 can be configured to transfer the product 102 from the sorting table to a chute at a vertical position associated with angle θ2 (e.g., a position where the product 102 can be correctly transferred). The sorting table 104 can then be operated to transfer or transfer another product to a chute at a different vertical position, for example, from the other chute. In such an example, the rotation mechanism 208 can cause the sorting table 104 to rotate in a first direction about the position 112 of the body, such that the angle θ1 between the first end 106 and the adjustable frame 200 decreases to θ1' and the angle θ2 between the second end 108 and the adjustable frame 200 increases to θ2'.

[0062] refer to Figure 5 In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first end 106 or the second end 108 is configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position to change the length of the body measured between the first end 106 and the second end 108. For example, the relative position between the sorting device 100 and multiple chute, conveyor, etc., can vary because some chutes are closer to the sorting device 100 in distance than others. To ensure that the articles 102 are correctly conveyed to the appropriate chute, the sorting device 100 may employ a sorting table 104 with variable dimensions (e.g., length). In operation, the adjustable frame 200 can be adjusted (e.g., raised or lowered) the vertical position of the sorting table 104 as described above. Simultaneously or in a defined sequence, the sorting table can perform a tilting operation in which the sorting table 104 rotates about the adjustable frame 200 in either a first direction or a second direction as described above. Figure 5 In some embodiments, sorting table 104 may be configured to retract or extend such that first end 106 extends to exemplary position 106', and / or sorting table 104 may be configured to retract or extend such that second end 108 extends to exemplary position 108'. In other words, sorting table 104 may have a length L2 measured between first end 106 and second end 108 at a first moment. For proper transport of articles 102, sorting table 104 may extend such that length L1 is limited between first end 106' and second end 108'. Although described herein with reference to an extendable / retractable sorting table 104, this disclosure contemplates that any size of sorting table 104 may be varied based on the intended application of sorting table 104.

[0063] In some implementation schemes, such as Figure 6As shown, the device 100 may be configured to perform a steering operation in which the position of an article 102 supported by a sorting table 104 is changed. For example, the sorting table 104 may include one or more rollers 114 supported by a body of the sorting table 104. The one or more rollers 114 may be configured to translate the first article 102 relative to a first surface 110 of the body. The one or more rollers 114 may be operatively connected to a motor (not shown) and / or a controller 300 to receive instructions from the controller 300 regarding the steering operation associated with the article 102. For example, the motor (not shown) may receive instructions from the controller 300 to cause one or more first rollers 114 to rotate to translate the article 102 relative to the sorting table 104 for reception by a corresponding first conveyor 500 or second conveyor 502. In some embodiments, the one or more rollers 114 may be pop-out rollers, as the one or more rollers 114 are movable between a retracted position and an extended position. For example, one or more rollers 114 may be movable between a retracted position and an extended position, in which the one or more rollers 114 are at least partially stored within the body of the first sorting table 104, and in the extended position, at least a portion of the one or more rollers 114 extends beyond the first surface 110 of the body to contact the articles 102 supported on the first surface. Additionally or alternatively, the first conveying device 500 and / or the second conveying device 502 may similarly include rollers configured to convey the articles 102 to the sorting table 104.

[0064] refer to Figure 7-10 The sorting device 100 is schematically shown as one or more chutes having an exemplary material handling environment or sorting system. As shown, a first end 106 of the sorting table 104 may be operatively connected to a plurality of chute 600 located near the first end 106 to receive articles from the sorting device 100 via a tilting operation rotating in a first direction as described above. Similarly, a second end 108 of the sorting table 104 may be operatively connected to a plurality of chute 700 located near the second end 108 to receive articles from the sorting device 100 via a tilting operation rotating in a second direction as described above. Although a plurality of chute 600 with three (3) chutes located near the first end 106 and a plurality of chute 700 with three (3) chutes located near the second end 108 are shown, this disclosure contemplates that the sorting device 100 may be configured to be used with any number of chute 600, 700 at any number of corresponding locations. Given the vertical adjustment provided by the aforementioned adjustment frame 200, the sorting device 100 can be configured for use with any number of vertically stacked, grouped, aligned equal sloping chutes 600, 700.

[0065] For example, such as Figure 8-9As shown, the sorting device 100 is operatively connected to a first chute 602 near the adjustable frame 200 and the first end 106 of the sorting table 104 located in a first vertical position, and to a second chute 604 near the adjustable frame 200 and the first end 106 of the sorting table 104 located in a second vertical position. Similarly, the adjustable frame 200 can be configured to be operatively connected to a third chute 702 near the adjustable frame 200 and the second end 108 of the sorting table 104 located in a third vertical position, and to a fourth chute 704 near the adjustable frame 200 and the second end 108 of the sorting table 104 located in a fourth vertical position. Figure 8 As shown, the adjustable frame 200 can vertically move the sorting table 104 to provide the articles 102 to the third chute 702 via a tilting operation (e.g., rotation of the sorting table in a second, clockwise direction). Additionally or alternatively, such as Figure 9 As shown, the adjustable frame 200 can be configured to vertically move the sorting table 104 to provide the product 102 to the fourth chute via a tilting operation (e.g., rotation of the sorting table in a second, clockwise direction). As will be apparent from the different vertical positions of the third chute 702 and the fourth chute 704, the angle at which the tilting operation occurs can vary as described above. For example, a tilting operation in which the sorting table 104 rotates in a second direction about a pivot attachment between the sorting table 104 and the adjustable frame 200 can create a first angle between the second end and the adjustable frame 200 to provide the product 102 to the third chute via the tilting operation, and / or create a second angle between the second end 108 and the adjustable frame 200 to provide the product 102 to the fourth chute 704 via the tilting operation.

[0066] Although described and illustrated with reference to tilting operations in a second direction, this disclosure contemplates that tilting operations in the first operation will occur in substantially the same manner. For example, the adjustable frame 200 may be configured to vertically move the sorting table 104 to provide the article 102 to the first chute 602 in a first vertical position via a tilting operation (e.g., rotation of the sorting table in a first counterclockwise direction). The adjustable frame 200 may also be configured to vertically move the sorting table 204 to provide the article 102 to the second chute 602 via a tilting operation (e.g., rotation of the sorting table in a first, counterclockwise direction). A tilting operation in the first direction, rotating the sorting table 104 about a pivot attachment between the sorting table 104 and the adjustable frame 200, may cause a first angle to be formed between the first end 106 and the adjustable frame 200 to provide the article 102 to the first chute 602 via a tilting operation. Similarly, a second angle may be formed between the first end 106 and the adjustable frame 200 to provide the article 102 to the second chute 604 via a tilting operation (e.g., rotation of the sorting table in the first, counterclockwise direction).

[0067] refer to Figure 10 In some embodiments, the controller 300 may be further configured to control the tilting operation of the sorting table 104 based on one or more characteristics of the article 102. As shown, in some cases, the controller 300 may determine that one or more chutes are full (e.g., cannot receive article 102). For example, one or more sensors 400 may include one or more cameras, scanners, etc., configured to generate data indicating the number of articles located at a particular location (e.g., in a particular chute 602, 604, 702, 704). In response, the controller 300 may send a command to the sorting device 100 causing the adjustable frame 200 and / or the sorting table 104 to change the vertical position or angle of the sorting table 104, respectively, to orient the article 102 toward a chute capable of receiving the article 102. Although this document describes exemplary article characteristics with reference to chute density or throughput, this disclosure contemplates that the controller 300 may take into account any characteristics of the article 102 (e.g., size, dimensions, orientation, contents, etc.) and any parameters of the chute (e.g., speed, size, etc.) when controlling the sorting device 100.

[0068] The embodiments described herein can also be extended to adapt to at least the aforementioned applications. Various components of the embodiments described herein can be added, removed, reorganized, modified, copied, etc., as those skilled in the art will find it convenient and / or necessary to implement a specific application in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. Furthermore, specific features, properties, materials, components, and / or equipment can be applied in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure, as those skilled in the art will find it convenient and / or necessary to implement a specific application according to this disclosure.

[0069] Many modifications and other embodiments of this disclosure will come to mind for those skilled in the art upon benefiting from the teachings presented in the foregoing description and related drawings. Therefore, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, although exemplary embodiments have been described in the context of certain example combinations of elements and / or functions in the foregoing description and related drawings, it should be understood that, in view of this disclosure, different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, combinations of elements and / or functions different from those explicitly described above, as shown in some of the appended claims, are also contemplated. Although specific terminology is used herein, it is used only in a general and descriptive sense and not for limiting purposes.

Claims

1. A sorting device, the sorting device comprising: Height-adjustable frame; A sorting table, movably attached to the height-adjustable frame, wherein the sorting table defines: First end; The second end, opposite to the first end; and A body extending between the first end and the second end, the body defining a first surface configured to support an article thereon, wherein the position of the body between the first end and the second end is configured to pivotally attach the sorting table to the height-adjustable frame. The sorting device is configured to perform a tilting operation, in which the sorting table rotates about a pivot attachment between the sorting table and the height-adjustable frame to convey the articles supported by the sorting table. The height-adjustable frame is configured to adjust the vertical position of the sorting table in order to change the vertical position in which the products are conveyed. One or more sensors, the one or more sensors being configured to generate data relating to one or more features of the article and one or more slant grooves; and A controller operatively coupled to the height-adjustable frame, the sorting table, and the one or more sensors, wherein the controller is configured to: Receive data from the one or more sensors relating to one or more features of the article and parameters of one or more slant grooves; Identify sloping grooves in the one or more sloping grooves that can receive the article based on data from the one or more sensors; and The vertical movement of the height-adjustable frame and the tilting operation of the sorting table are controlled based on data from the one or more sensors, thereby transporting the products to the identified chute.

2. The sorting device according to claim 1, wherein, The position of the main body, to which the sorting table is pivotally attached at the height-adjustable frame, is as follows: The distance between the first end and the second end is substantially equal; or Supported by a hinge mechanism defining multiple links, which are configured to facilitate the rotation of the sorting table around the height-adjustable frame.

3. The sorting device according to claim 1, wherein, The tilting operation of the sorting table rotating about the pivot attachment between the sorting table and the height-adjustable frame in a first direction causes the angle between the first end and the height-adjustable frame to decrease and the angle between the second end and the height-adjustable frame to increase.

4. The sorting device according to claim 1, wherein, The tilting operation of the sorting table rotating about the pivot attachment between the sorting table and the height-adjustable frame in a second direction causes the angle between the first end and the height-adjustable frame to increase and the angle between the second end and the height-adjustable frame to decrease.

5. The sorting apparatus of claim 1 further includes a rotating mechanism operatively coupled to the sorting table and configured such that the sorting table rotates about the pivot attachment to the height-adjustable frame to perform the tilting operation.

6. The sorting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more rollers supported by the body of the sorting table, the one or more rollers being configured to translate the article relative to the first surface of the body.

7. The sorting device according to claim 6, wherein, The one or more rollers are configured to move between: a retracted position, in which the one or more rollers are at least partially stored within the body of the sorting table, and An extended position in which at least a portion of the one or more rollers extends beyond the first surface of the body to contact the article supported on the first surface.

8. The sorting apparatus of claim 6, further comprising one or more conveying devices coupled to the first surface of the body, the one or more conveying devices being configured to receive the articles translated by the one or more rollers.

9. The sorting device according to claim 1, wherein, At least a portion of the first end or the second end is configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position in order to change the length of the body as measured between the first end and the second end.

10. The sorting device according to claim 1, wherein, The height-adjustable frame is configured to be operatively connected to a first chute near the first end of the height-adjustable frame and the sorting table, the first chute being located in a first vertical position, wherein the height-adjustable frame is configured to vertically move the sorting table to provide the product to the first chute in the first vertical position via the tilting operation.

11. The sorting device according to claim 10, wherein, The tilting operation of the sorting table rotating about the pivot attachment between the sorting table and the height-adjustable frame in a first direction reduces the first angle between the first end and the height-adjustable frame.

12. The sorting device according to claim 1, wherein, The height-adjustable frame is configured to be operatively connected to the following components: A first inclined groove located at the first vertical position near the first end of the height-adjustable frame and the sorting table; and The second inclined groove is located in the second vertical position near the first end of the height-adjustable frame and the sorting table. The height-adjustable frame is configured to move the sorting table vertically so as to provide the articles to either the first chute or the second chute via the tilting operation.

13. The sorting device according to claim 12, wherein, The tilting operation of the sorting table rotating about the pivot attachment between the sorting table and the height-adjustable frame in a first direction causes: A first angle is formed between the first end and the height-adjustable frame to provide the article into the first chute via the tilting operation; or A second angle is formed between the first end and the height-adjustable frame to provide the article to the second chute via the tilting operation.

14. The sorting device according to claim 12, wherein, At least a portion of the first end or the second end is configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position to change the length of the body measured between the first end and the second end in order to provide the article of manufacture into either the first chute or the second chute.

15. The sorting device according to claim 12, wherein, The height-adjustable frame is also configured to be operatively connected to the following components: A third inclined chute located at the second end of the third vertical position near the height-adjustable frame and the sorting table; and The fourth inclined groove is located at the second end of the fourth vertical position near the height-adjustable frame and the sorting table. The height-adjustable frame is configured to move the sorting table vertically so as to provide the articles to either the third or fourth chute via the tilting operation.

16. The sorting device according to claim 1, wherein, The height-adjustable frame comprises multiple sequentially nested segments.

17. The sorting device according to claim 1, wherein, The height-adjustable frame includes a hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric drive mechanism configured to cause vertical movement of the height-adjustable frame.

18. The sorting device according to claim 1, wherein, The sorting table is configured to return to a stationary position substantially perpendicular to the vertical movement of the height-adjustable frame after a tilting operation.

19. The sorting device according to claim 1, wherein, The one or more sensors generate data indicating that multiple articles are located in a specific chute within the one or more chutes.

20. The sorting device according to claim 19, wherein, The data indicates that a particular chute is full and cannot receive the article.

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