AUTOMATED LATERAL TRANSLATION CONVEYOR

摘要

An automated conveyor sortation and item discharge system for sorting items of varying sizes and weights to designated output destinations along a conveyor, The system utilizes a segmented slat conveyor connected by flexibl e connectors. The flexible connectors form a tooth for driving the conveyor by a sprocket. The flexible connectors isolate adjacent slats, and the flexible teeth isolate the slat conveyor from the drive sprocket for an enhanced reduction in noise levels. The system may utilize a conventional belt conveyor or rigid platforms attached by flexible connectors. Removable ejection mechanisms can be attached to the individual slats of the slat conveyor or to the belt of a belt conveyor. The ejection mechanisms have self contained drive and actuation mechanisms and may operate independently of the speed of the conveyor. The drive mechanism for the ejection mechanism may be located separately from th e ejection mechanism to drive the ejection mechanism when the ejection mechanism moves adjacent to a desired discharge destination. A programmable controller may be provided to control the conveyor and the discharge of item s from the conveyor by the ejection mechanisms. The system is easy to repair a nd operates at high speeds at reduced noise levels.