Feeder reader subsystem
US6484886B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 7, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 26, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 7, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S209/918
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In one embodiment, an article sorting system includes successive coarse and fine singulators and a recirculating loop for processing a disordered stream of items including three-dimensional non-flat articles. A coarse singulator includes cascaded ramped conveyors, preferably operating at progressively greater speeds. A detection system, such as a vision system, for monitoring the stream of articles and identifying and/or tracking individual items passing through the system is used in conjunction with a fine singulator such as a chevron, hold-and-release or strip conveyor downstream from the coarse singulator. A control system is utilized in connection with the vision system to regulate the flow of articles through the system by, for example, diverting doubles or clusters for separations. A method of sorting articles includes steps of singulating a disordered stream of items with multiple singulating steps including a coarse singulating step for mechanically increasing the spacing between items in the stream, and a fine singulating step in which individual items are monitored and/or identified and tracked as they traverse the system. A divert apparatus which can be provided for dive…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.