Compact article unscrambler
US6269933A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 10, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 7, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 10, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2201/0244
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A compact article singulation and accumulation conveyor includes a receiving portion which receives articles in random order including clusters of side-by-side articles and a discharge portion from which articles are discharged in a single file singulated stream. A first conveying surface transports articles longitudinally from the receiving portion to the discharge portion. A recirculating bed removes side-by-side articles from a downstream portion of the first conveying surface to an upstream portion of the first conveying surface. The recirculating bed is made up of at least one peel-away conveyor having a second conveying surface adapted to move side-by-side articles laterally off the first conveying surface, at least one coupling conveyor having a third conveying surface adapted to move articles from the second conveying surface upstream and at least one return conveyor having a fourth conveying surface adapted to move articles from the third conveying surface to the first conveying surface. Each of the conveying surfaces may be defined by the upper surfaces of a plurality of powered rollers or traveling belts. Clusters of articles tend to recirculate around the recirculation …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.