US 11,912,509 B2
Modular package sorting system
Robert Lundahl, Frederick, MD (US); Robert Cutlip, Silver Spring, MD (US); Mark Bankard, Sykesville, MD (US); Dwight Koogle, Middletown, MD (US); Crystal Yannuzzi, Glen Burnie, MD (US); and Matthew Fontaine, Pasadena, MD (US)
Assigned to Advanced Technology & Research Corp., Beltsville, MD (US)
Filed by Advanced Technology & Research Corp., Beltsville, MD (US)
Filed on Aug. 19, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/997,023.
Application 16/997,023 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/537,503, filed on Aug. 9, 2019, granted, now 10,766,711.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/803,159, filed on Feb. 8, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0362194 A1, Nov. 25, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B65G 43/08 (2006.01); B65G 43/10 (2006.01); B07C 3/00 (2006.01); B07C 3/08 (2006.01); B07C 3/14 (2006.01); B07C 3/18 (2006.01); B07C 5/34 (2006.01); B07C 5/36 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 43/08 (2013.01) [B07C 3/003 (2013.01); B07C 3/005 (2013.01); B07C 3/08 (2013.01); B07C 3/14 (2013.01); B07C 3/18 (2013.01); B07C 5/3412 (2013.01); B07C 5/361 (2013.01); B07C 5/367 (2013.01); B65G 43/10 (2013.01); B07C 2301/0016 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A modular package sorting system, comprising:
a plurality of sort modules configured to convey a package towards a sort point destination of the package; and
a plurality of controllers, each of the plurality of controllers being:
associated with one sort module in the plurality of sort modules,
configured to control the associated one sort module, and
configured to communicate with one or more other controllers in the plurality of controllers, including to receive and transmit an electronic packet of data;
wherein the electronic packet of data comprises the sort point destination of the package.
 
11. A modular package sorting system, comprising:
a plurality of sort modules configured to convey a package to one of a plurality of sortation points, and comprising a plurality of controllers, each of the plurality of controllers being:
associated with one sort module in the plurality of sort modules, and
configured to communicate, when the package is to be conveyed from the associated one sort module to a subsequent sort module, with a controller in the plurality of controllers associated with the subsequent sort module by transmitting a request for a ready message to the controller associated with the subsequent sort module and by receiving the ready message from the controller associated with the subsequent sort module.
 
16. A modular package sorting system, comprising:
a plurality of sort modules configured to convey a package to a sort point destination of the package and comprising a plurality of controllers, each of the plurality of controllers being
associated with one sort module in the plurality of sort modules,
configured to communicate with one or more other controllers in the plurality of controllers, and
configured to determine whether to convey the package from the associated one sort module to a subsequent sort module or off the plurality of sort modules, based on the sort point destination of the package.