Apparatus and method for singulating articles
US5531312A · kind A · utility
22Cited by
12References
16Claims
0Family size
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 24, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jul 2, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 24, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S198/958
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for singulating individual articles from a group of articles. A rotary vacuum wheel includes a plurality of article pockets in its outer edge periphery. Apertures within each pocket are in communication with a vacuum pump. An article collection bin has a lower discharge port, through which a portion of the wheel periphery passes. The attractive vacuum forces draw individual articles into a respective pocket where they are secured. Continued rotation of the wheel transports the singulated articles to a discharge station, for further processing, such as labeling, counting, or packaging.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.