Single Paddle Diverter (SPD)

The Single Paddle Diverter (SPD) is a compact sortation unit that integrates into a running conveyor line and redirects individual bags to a perpendicular or angled outfeed without stopping them or relying on high-speed impact. A single vertically oriented paddle pivots on command to form a powered deflecting face set at 45 degrees to the main bag flow, sweeping each bag smoothly off the primary belt and onto a discharge chute or secondary conveyor. The paddle itself is constructed with shock-absorbing materials and a spring dampening system — design choices that matter in the context of fragile bags, oversize items, and varied bag weights. The SPD is rated to handle bags up to 120 lb (54.4 kg) and accommodates a wide range of sizes and formats, including rigid-shell suitcases, soft bags, baggage tubs, and sports equipment such as golf bags. In a typical CBIS (Checked Baggage Inspection System) layout, the SPD is positioned downstream of queue conveyors that regulate spacing and flow before the divert decision. A cleared bag passes straight through; an alarmed bag is diverted to a Level 2 or Level 3 manual resolution area. The same device is also used in makeup sortation — routing bags to the correct airline batch carousel based on flight assignment. For procurement engineers evaluating sortation options, the SPD's key trade-offs versus a horizontal sortation device (HSD) are simpler mechanism, lower throughput ceiling, and gentler action — making it well suited to low-to-medium throughput lanes and security screening applications where bag integrity matters more than raw divert rate.