Amazon.com, Inc.
Automatic tote and carton diverter and chute system

Abstract:

An inventory container diverter system is described. The system includes a conveyor to move totes through a shipment processing area and a redirection device to push totes perpendicularly off the conveyor at predetermined locations. Adjacent the redirection device is a chute which the tote slides down to present the tote to a user at an easily accessible height and tilted at such an angle to enable simple and efficient access to the interior of the tote. The chute includes a door to help prevent totes from falling out of the chute. A tote sensor detects when the chute is occupied by a tote or when it is clear and a door sensor detects when the door of the chute is closed. When the door is closed and the chute is clear the system directs a new tote to the redirection device and pushes it into the chute.