US 12,214,972 B2
System and method for parcel slug accumulation and redistribution
Michael D. Carpenter, Arlington, TX (US)
Assigned to Körber Supply Chain LLC, DFW Airport, TX (US)
Filed by Körber Supply Chain LLC, DFW Airport, TX (US)
Filed on Sep. 21, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/933,962.
Prior Publication US 2024/0092589 A1, Mar. 21, 2024
Int. Cl. B65G 47/42 (2006.01); B65G 47/26 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 47/42 (2013.01) [B65G 47/261 (2013.01); B65G 2201/0285 (2013.01); B65G 2203/0233 (2013.01); B65G 2203/0241 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A parcel processing system comprising:
a collector configured to receive a flow of parcels;
a slug accumulation system configured to receive the flow of parcels and produce a normalized bulk flow of parcels;
a bulk transport conveyor configured to receive the normalized bulk flow of parcels;
a singulator configured to receive the normalized bulk flow of parcels from the bulk transport conveyor; and
an accumulator configured to receive the flow of parcels and accumulate a slug of parcels;
wherein the normalized bulk flow of parcels is a flow of parcels having an approximately constant parcel density traveling at a fixed speed; and
wherein the slug accumulation system further comprises a spreader configured to distribute the flow of parcels across a width of the accumulator.