Sort gap control

Abstract

A sortation conveyor is controlled such that a divert element which is determined to be longitudinally located too close to both of adjacent articles on the sortation conveyor for the divert element to be diverted without contacting both articles is not diverted when the first article to be diverted is diverted. That divert element may be diverted when the second article to be diverted is diverted.

1 . A method of selectively diverting articles disposed on a conveying surface moving in a downstream longitudinal direction, comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a plurality of divert elements carried by said conveying surface;   b. establishing a gap between a first article and a second article carried by said conveying surface, said first article immediately following said second article, said first and second articles respectively having a trailing edge and a leading edge with said gap interposed therebetween, said gap having a longitudinal dimension and location such that a first divert element of said plurality of divert elements is aligned with said leading edge and said trailing edge;   c. diverting at least one of said first and second articles without diverting said first divert element; and   d. diverting the other of said first and second articles comprising the step of diverting said first divert element.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said one divert element is considered aligned with said leading edge and said trailing edge if said first divert element cannot be diverted without contacting said leading edge and said trailing edge. 
     
     
         5 . A method of selectively diverting articles disposed on a conveying surface moving in a downstream longitudinal direction, comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a plurality of divert elements carried by said conveying surface;   b. establishing a gap between a first article and a second article carried by said conveying surface, said first article immediately following said second article;   c. determining whether a first divert element of said plurality of divert elements is longitudinally located too close to said first and second articles for said first divert element to be diverted without contacting both of said first and second articles;   d. diverting at least one of said first and second articles without diverting said first divert element; and   e. diverting the other of said first and second articles comprising the step of diverting said first divert element.   
     
     
         6 - 14 . (canceled)