Device for reliably moving article from conveyor surface

Abstract

A device for reliably sweeping or sorting an article from a main conveyor surface that is positioned above the main conveyor surface and includes a paddle assembly that can be adjusted for moving various different articles from the main conveyor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sorting device for moving an item off of a main conveyor surface comprising: a plastic paddle assembly connected to a plastic sweeper belt positioned over the surface of a main conveyor, the main conveyor moving articles to be sorted or moved from the main conveyor surface; an electronic eye for detecting the presence of an object; and a motorized drive roller to control the movement of the plastic sweeper belt; wherein the paddles of the paddle assembly are positioned to sweep over the main conveyor surface to direct an item off the main conveyor surface. 
     
     
         2 . A sorting device for moving an item off of a main conveyor surface comprising: a plastic paddle assembly removeably connected to a plastic sweeper belt by a rigid bracket that is fixed to an integrated element of the plastic sweeper belt; a sensor for detecting the presence of an item on the main conveyor; and a motorized drive roller to control the movement of the plastic sweeper belt, wherein the paddles of the paddle assembly are positioned to move over the main conveyor to direct an item off the main conveyor surface. 
     
     
         3 . The sorting device of  claim 1 , wherein the paddle is made of a rigid plastic or metal material and is connected to the sweeper belt through an integrated link of the sweeper belt that projects out from the sweeper belt surface to link to the paddle. 
     
     
         4 . The sorting device of  claim 1 , wherein the lower surface of a paddle of the paddle assembly can be positioned at different distances from the top surface of the main conveyor surface when the paddle assemble is located above the main conveyor. 
     
     
         5 . The sorting device of  claim 1 , wherein the paddle assembly has two ends with rollers to move the plastic sweep belt, one end having a driver roller to control the movement of the plastic sweep belt, the other end having a compression spring to maintain the tension on the plastic sweeper belt. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the paddle assembly includes a bracket or brace which is comprised of a different material than the paddle. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the paddles are connected to the plastic sweeper belt by a flange in the plastic sweeper belt and at least one bracket fixed to the flange and the paddle. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the surface of the paddle contains a rigid region for connecting to the sweeper belt, a center region to contact an article on the main conveyor surface, and an end region positioned close to the main conveyor surface. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the surface of the paddle contains a rigid region for connecting to the sweeper belt, a center region having a high friction coating to contact an article on the main conveyor surface. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the surface of the paddle contains an end region positioned close to the main conveyor surface and coated with an anti-friction coating. 
     
     
         11 . The sorting device of  claim 2 , wherein the paddle is made of a rigid plastic or metal material and is connected to the sweeper belt through an integrated link of the sweeper belt that projects out from the sweeper belt surface to link to the paddle. 
     
     
         12 . The sorting device of  claim 2 , wherein the lower surface of a paddle of the paddle assembly can be positioned at different distances from the top surface of the main conveyor surface when the paddle assemble is located above the main conveyor. 
     
     
         13 . The sorting device of  claim 2 , wherein the paddle assembly has two ends with rollers to move the plastic sweep belt, one end having a driver roller to control the movement of the plastic sweep belt, the other end having a compression spring to maintain the tension on the plastic sweeper belt. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the paddle assembly includes a bracket or brace which is comprised of a different material than the paddle. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the paddles are connected to the plastic sweeper belt by a flange in the plastic sweeper belt and at least one bracket fixed to the flange and the paddle. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the surface of the paddle contains a rigid region for connecting to the sweeper belt, a center region to contact an article on the main conveyor surface, and an end region positioned close to the main conveyor surface. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the surface of the paddle contains a rigid region for connecting to the sweeper belt, a center region having a high friction coating to contact an article on the main conveyor surface. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the surface of the paddle contains an end region positioned close to the main conveyor surface and coated with an anti-friction coating.