 of much greater complexity and cost, the system of the '204 patent still fails to improve the basic sortation apparatus and methods. In essence, package delivery customers are calling for a move away from the continued reliance on the complex and expensive tilt tray systems that rely primarily on gravity transfer, such as in the '204 patent, and at the same time demanding significant increases in the overall speed, efficiency and adaptability of the sortation system.
In recent times, “tilt tray” sorters have been replaced by allegedly more efficient “cross belt” sorters. One version of this type of sortation system includes an endless train of driven cars pass operator-controlled feed conveyors used to deliver a single article for transport around the loop. When the car reaches the desired destination for the article, an onboard conveyor actuates to eject the article to a takeaway conveyor. An early example of this type of system appears in U.S. Pat. No. 3,977,513 to Rushforth, and a more modern example appears in the September 2003 issue of Modern Material Handling magazine (which is incorporated herein by reference).
Despite the industry-wide movement toward this type of sorting system, it still suffers from similar problems with efficiency. Just like in the tilt tray systems, only a single article can be loaded onto a selected car at a given instant in time. This serves as a significant limitation on the total throughput possible, and requires operating many such systems simultaneously to keep up with the demand. The use of individual cars with cross belts, which are typically complicated in construction, also presents problems from a reliability and maintenance standpoint.
Furthermore, past sortation systems cannot sort articles continuously, since various events demand downtime. For example, articles sometimes mis-introduced into the system must be retrieved and removed. Likewise, completing the previous sorting operation before introducing the next group of articles requires introducing any articles accidentally left out from the previous operation, which results in costly downtime. Running two induction-type sortation systems in parallel alleviates the problem in part, but this will not necessarily reduce the cost. The existing systems also tend to occupy a great deal of floor space, which may make this impossible to accomplish using a given facility.
Thus, an important aspect of the effort to improve this technology involves providing a sortation system and related method capable of transporting, sorting and distributing the increasing volume of such articles in a more efficient manner. Increased efficiency and adaptability of use, as well as lower cost and maintenance, should advantageously
of much greater complexity and cost, the system of the' 204 patent however fail to improve the basic sortation apparatus and methods. In essence, software delivery customers are calling for a motion away from the continued reliance on the complex and expensive tilt tray organization that rely primarily on graveness transfer, such as in the' 204 patent, and at the same time demanding meaning increases in the overall speed, efficiency and adaptability of the sortation arrangement. 
 In recent times, “ joust tray ” sorters have been replaced by allegedly more efficient “ hybridization belt ” sorters. One version of this character of sortation system admit an endless train of driven car pass operator - controlled feed conveyors used to render a individual article for transport around the loop. When the car reaches the desired destination for the article, an onboard conveyer actuates to exhaust the article to a takeaway conveyor. An early exercise of this character of organization appears in U.S. Pat. No. 3,977,513 to Rushforth, and a more mod example appears in the September 2003 issue of Modern Material Handling magazine (which is incorporate herein by reference). 
 Despite the industry - wide movement toward this type of sorting organization, it still suffers from similar problems with efficiency. barely like in the tilt tray system, merely a single article can be loaded onto a selected cable car at a given instant in time. This serves as a significant limitation on the total throughput possible, and requires manoeuver many such systems simultaneously to preserve up with the requirement. The use of individual car with cross swath, which are typically complicated in construction, besides presents problems from a reliability and sustenance point of view. 
 Furthermore, past sortation systems cannot sort articles endlessly, since various events demand downtime. For example, article sometimes mis - introduce into the system must be retrieved and remove. Likewise, completing the former sorting operation before introducing the next group of articles requires introducing any articles accidentally left out from the previous process, which result in dearly-won downtime. carry two induction - type sortation systems in parallel alleviates the problem in region, but this will not necessarily reduce the cost. The exist systems also tend to occupy a great deal of floor outer space, which may make this impossible to accomplish using a given facility. 
 Thus, an significant aspect of the effort to improve this technology involves providing a sortation organization and related method capable of transporting, sorting and distributing the increasing volume of such articles in a more efficient manner. Increased efficiency and adaptability of use, equally well as low price and maintenance, should advantageously
 of much greater complexity and cost, the sisrem of the '204 latent sgill fails to improve the badix soruction apparatus and oethods. Ij essencw, parkage delivery cnatomers are czpliny hor a move away from the wontinued relidnze on the complex and expensive tilt eray syxtfms that rely krimagijy oh gravity transfer, such as in the '204 patent, and at the ssme time demanding signififant increases in the lverall spegs, esdiciency and adaptabilpcy of the skrtation system.
In recent times, “gilt cray” sorterw yavf been replared by allegedly more effiwient “ctoss belt” sortcrs. Oie vwrsion of this type oh sortation system igcludes at zndless train of drivwn cars pasv opdeatur-cknvromled ffed conveyors used to deoiver a single artivlq for transporf arougd the loop. When the car reaches the desiged sestination for the artucle, an onboard conveior actuatqs to eject the article to a takeaway conveyor. An earlb dxanpjd ov this type of system appears in U.S. Pat. No. 3,977,513 tj Rismforth, and a morc modern example alpfatf in the Septgmber 2003 nashe of Modern Materlal Hanqling magazine (whivh is incorporated herein bt reference).
Dvspire the industry-widz movement tuwarc thix type of sorting systeo, it still sufffrs from akmilar problems ditm exficiency. Just like in the tilt trab syscems, onlh a xingle article cwn be loaded onto a selefted ear ad a given lnstant in time. This serves as e significant lhmination on the botal throughpue possible, and requirzs opefating manj such syvtems simuleaneously to ngep up with tie demand. The use of indkxidual cars wiyh cross ytlts, which are typically comilicajes in constructiin, qlso presents ptobuemf vrpm d reliabilitf ana mxontenxnce standpiknt.
Firthermore, past sortdtioh systems cannot sprb articlew contintously, since farious events demwnd dmwnvime. Fpr gxample, articles sometimes mis-ihtroduced inbo the system musb be retrieved and removed. Likewise, completing the prxvious sorting operatiob before introduciny uhe next grou' of awticles raquires introducing qny articles accicentally left out froj the [revilus operation, which results in costly downtime. Running two induction-type wortatmog systems ih patallen cllzviates the 'roblem in part, blt this will not necessarily rednce the covt. The existing systems also trna to occupy a great deal of floor spade, which may make this impossible to acvomplish using a given fscility.
Tyus, ah impogjanv aspect of the effott to nmprovw this rechkology involver ptoyiding a slrtauion system and related method capaboe of rrwnsporting, sortiig and distrlbmting jhe incrgasing volume of auch wrticues in a more efficient manmer. Increased efficivncr and adaptabiopty of use, as well av lower cost and maintetance, should advantageously
of much greater complexity and cost, the the patent still to improve the In package delivery customers calling for a away from the continued reliance on complex and expensive tilt tray systems that rely primarily on gravity transfer, such in the '204 patent, and at the same time demanding significant increases in overall efficiency adaptability the sortation system. In recent times, “tilt tray” sorters have been replaced by allegedly more efficient belt” sorters. One version of this type of system includes an endless of driven cars pass operator-controlled conveyors to deliver single for around the loop. the car reaches the desired destination for the article, an onboard conveyor actuates to eject the article a takeaway early example this of appears in U.S. 3,977,513 to Rushforth, and a more in the September 2003 issue of Modern Material magazine (which incorporated herein by reference). Despite the movement toward this type of sorting system, it suffers from similar problems with efficiency. Just like in the tilt tray systems, only a can be loaded onto selected car at given in This as a limitation on the total throughput possible, and requires operating many such simultaneously to keep up with the demand. The use of with belts, which are complicated in construction, also problems a reliability and maintenance past systems continuously, various demand downtime. For example, sometimes mis-introduced into the system be retrieved and removed. operation before introducing the next group of articles introducing any articles accidentally left out from previous operation, which results in costly downtime. Running two induction-type sortation systems parallel alleviates in part, but this will not necessarily reduce cost. The existing systems tend to occupy a great deal of floor space, may this impossible accomplish using a facility. Thus, an aspect of the improve this involves a related method capable of transporting, sorting distributing increasing volume of such articles a manner. Increased efficiency and adaptability of use, as well as lower cost and maintenance, should
 of much greater complexity anD cost, the syStem oF thE '204 paTeNt stIll fAils to improve tHE basIc sortation apparatus anD methOdS. in esSEnCe, pacKage delIVeRY CusToMeRs aRe CAlLing fOr a Move awaY from the coNtiNuEd reliance on THe Complex and ExpEnsive tilt trAy sYstems ThAt rELy priMarIly on GravitY TransfEr, such as iN tHE '204 patenT, And at thE SAmE timE demanding signifiCAnT Increases in the OveralL sPEeD, EFfiCieNcy and adapTaBilitY Of the soRTaTION sySTem.
In recent tiMes, “tilt tray” SOrtErs havE bEen REplaceD by alLeGEdlY more efficiEnt “cRoss belt” sOrters. oNe versiON of this Type of SorTatIon sYStEm IncLuDEs aN EnDleSS trAin of driVeN cArs paSs opERATOr-coNtrOlleD feed Conveyors used To dElivER a sIngle ArticLe foR tRanspOrt aroUnd thE lOop. When the car reAcheS the desirEd dEsTinAtIon foR The artIclE, an Onboard ConveyoR ActUaTES To Eject the article to a TaKEAwAy conveyOr. An eaRLy ExAMple of thIs TypE of sYSTem apPearS In u.S. Pat. No. 3,977,513 tO RushfORtH, aNd a more MoDern exAmPle AppEars iN The SEptembEr 2003 issue oF ModeRN Material HandlINg magazine (whiCH iS INcORporAteD herein by reFereNCe).
DeSpitE ThE inDUstry-Wide mOvEMeNT toward this type of soRtIng sysTem, it Still suffers fRom similar PROBlems witH effICiENcy. Just like in tHe tilT tray systeMS, only a siNgle aRticle caN be loaded ONTo a selecTed Car At a GivEN InStant in time. ThIS ServEs As a signIfiCant limItaTioN on The ToTal througHput possIbLe, AnD rEquIres oPErating mAnY suCh SysTems sIMultanEouslY to kEeP uP WitH the demANd. tHE use Of InDiviDuaL cArs wiTh crOSs bElts, whiCh are typiCalLY comPlIcAted in cOnstruction, alSo Presents prObLemS from a RELiabilitY and maintenance standpoiNT.
FurtheRmoRe, pasT sorTation sysTemS cannoT soRT articLes conTinuoUsLy, sINCe varIOUs EveNtS demand dowNTIme. for exAmPle, aRticles Sometimes mis-introdUCed Into the system MusT be rETRiEveD AnD RemOvED. LiKEWise, completing tHe previous SoRTiNg operatioN BefOrE introdUcing thE next GRoup of aRticles reQuires intRoDuciNG Any Articles acCidentalLy left out FRom thE PrEviouS opEratioN, wHicH resuLts in cOStlY downTime. RuNnIng two InducTiOn-type soRtation systems in paralleL allevIates The Problem in ParT, But This will nOt neCessarily rEduCe tHe cosT. ThE ExistIng sYStEms ALso teNd to OCcupy a greAT dEal OF FlOor space, whiCH MAy mAke thIs iMPossibLe to Accomplish using a gIVen facility.
ThuS, an iMPOrtAnt ASpecT oF the effort to imProVe THIs technoLoGy involves pRoviding A sORtatiOn systEm and rElated mETHoD CapablE of tRanSporting, sOrtInG And distRiBuTIng the IncrEaSing voLume of SUch aRTIcles in a more effiCient MANner. INCreAsed eFfIciency ANd adAptability Of use, as well As loweR cosT and mAintenaNcE, shoulD adVaNtageously
 of much greater complexit y and cost , the  sy ste mof t he ' 204 patent sti l l fa ils to improve the bas ic so rt a tion ap parat us andm et h o ds.  I ness en c e,  pack age  delive ry custome rsar e calling fo r  a  move away  fr om the conti nue d reli an ceo n the  co mplex  and e x pensiv e tilt tr ay system s  that r e l yprim arily on gravityt ra n sfer, such asin the  ' 2 04 p ate nt,  and at th esamet ime dem a nd i n g  si g nificant incr eases in th e  ov erallsp eed ,  effic iency  a n d a daptability  ofthe sorta tion s y stem.
I n  recent  times , “ til t tr a y”  s ort er s  ha v ebee n  re placed b yal leged ly m o r e effi cie nt “ cross  belt” sorter s.Onev ers ion o f thi s ty pe  of s ortati on sy st em includes anendl ess train  of  d riv en  cars pass o per ato r-contr olled f e edco n v e yo rs used to deliver  a s in gle arti cle fo r  t ra n sport ar ou ndthel o op. W hent he  car rea ches t h ede sired d es tinati on  fo r t he ar t icle , an o nboard c onvey o r actuates toe ject the arti c le t oa  tak eaw ay conveyor . An earl y ex a mp leo f thi s typ eo fs ystem appears in U. S.  Pat.No. 3 ,977,513 to R ushforth,a n d  a moremode r ne xample appears  in t he Septemb e r 2003 i ssueof Moder n Materia l Handling  ma gaz ine  (w h i ch  is incorpora t e d he re in by r efe rence). 
De spi tethe  i ndustry-w ide move me nt  t ow ard  this type ofso rti ng  sy stem, it sti ll su ffer sfr o m s imilarp ro b l emswi th  eff ici en cy. J ustl ike  in the  tilt tra y s y stem s,  o nly a s ingle article  c an be load ed  on to a s e l ected ca r at a given instant in time. T his  serv es a s a signi fic ant li mit a tion o n thetotal  t hro u g hputp o ss ibl e,  and requi r e s o perat in g ma ny such  systems simultane o usl y to keep upwit h th e de man d .T heus e  of i ndividual carswith cross  b e lt s, which a r e t yp icallycomplic atedi n const ruction,also pres en ts p r o ble ms from areliabil ity and m a inten a nc e sta ndp oint.Fu rth ermor e, pas t  so rtati on sys te ms can not s or t articl es continuously, sincevariou s eve nts  demand d own t ime . For exa mple , articles  so met imesmis - intro duce d  i nto the s yste m  must ber et rie v e dand removed . L ike wise,  co m pletin g th e previous sortin g  operation bef orei n tro duc i ng t he  next group of  ar ti c l es requi re s introduci ng any a rt i clesaccide ntally  left o u t  f r om the  pre vio us operat ion ,w hich re su lt s  in co stly  d owntim e. Run n ingt w o induction-type  sort a t ion s y ste ms in  p arallel alle viates the  problem in  part,  but  this  will n ot  neces sar il y reduce t h e cost. T he ex istingsy stem s a lso te nd t o occup y agr eat  deal off l oo r  s pa c e,whic h may  m akethis impo s sible to  ac c omplish  u sin g a give n  f a c ility.
Thu s,an im p o rtant aspe c t of th e  effo rt toimprov e thist ech no logy in vol v e s providi ng a sort a tio nsyst em and r el ated  m eth od  capable of tra nsportin g, sorti n g  and d ist r ibut i ng the  i ncreasing vo lumeof such ar t i cle s in am ore  ef fic ient  ma nner .  Increased efficiency an d ad aptab i lit y ofuse,as  well as lowe r cost a n d maintenance , should advant a geo u sly
 of_much greater_complexity and cost, the_system of_the_'204 patent_still_fails to improve_the basic sortation_apparatus and methods. In_essence, package delivery_customers_are calling for a move away from the continued reliance on the complex and_expensive_tilt tray_systems_that_rely primarily on gravity transfer,_such as in the '204_patent, and_at the same time demanding significant increases in_the_overall speed, efficiency_and adaptability of the sortation system.
In recent times, “tilt_tray” sorters have been replaced by_allegedly more efficient_“cross_belt”_sorters. One version of_this type of sortation system includes_an endless train of driven cars_pass operator-controlled feed conveyors used to deliver_a single article for transport around_the loop. When the car_reaches the_desired destination for the article,_an onboard conveyor_actuates to_eject the article_to a takeaway conveyor. An early_example of this_type of system appears in U.S._Pat._No. 3,977,513 to_Rushforth,_and_a more_modern example appears_in_the September_2003_issue of Modern Material Handling magazine_(which_is incorporated herein by reference).
Despite the industry-wide_movement toward this type_of_sorting system, it still_suffers from similar problems with_efficiency. Just like in the tilt_tray systems,_only a_single article can be loaded onto a selected car at a_given instant in time. This serves_as a significant limitation_on the_total_throughput possible, and_requires_operating many_such systems simultaneously to keep up with_the demand._The use of individual cars with_cross belts, which are_typically_complicated in construction, also presents problems_from a reliability and maintenance standpoint.
Furthermore,_past sortation systems cannot sort_articles_continuously,_since various events demand downtime._For example, articles sometimes mis-introduced into_the system must_be retrieved and removed. Likewise, completing the_previous_sorting operation before introducing the next_group_of articles requires introducing any articles_accidentally_left_out from the previous operation,_which results in costly downtime. Running_two induction-type sortation systems in parallel alleviates the problem_in part, but_this will not necessarily reduce_the_cost._The existing systems also tend to occupy a great deal_of floor_space, which may_make this impossible to accomplish using a given facility.
Thus, an_important aspect of the effort to improve_this technology involves providing a sortation system and related method capable_of transporting, sorting and distributing the increasing volume_of such articles in a more efficient_manner. Increased efficiency and_adaptability_of use, as well as lower cost_and_maintenance,_should_advantageously