Patent ID: 9725248
Date: 2017-08-08
CPC Classifications: B07C,B27B,B65G,Y10T

Claim:
1. A system for separating or combining workpieces, the system comprising: a first workpiece transport with a transport surface configured to convey the workpieces in a flow direction; a first feed roll positioned at one end of the first workpiece transport, the first feed roll having a first axis of rotation oriented generally parallel to the flow direction; a second feed roll positioned above the first feed roll, the second feed roll having a second axis of rotation oriented transverse to the first axis of rotation, and the first and second feed rolls defining a first gap therebetween; and a third feed roll positioned below the first feed roll, the third feed roll having a third axis of rotation oriented transverse to the first axis of rotation, and the first and third feed rolls defining a second gap therebetween, wherein each of the feed rolls has a first end and a generally opposite second end of greater diameter than the first end, the first ends of the feed rolls positioned upstream of the second ends, and wherein the first feed roll is rotatable in a first rotary direction and the second and third feed rolls are rotatable in an opposite second rotary direction, such that the feed rolls are collectively operable to drive workpieces through the first gap along a first diagonal path and to drive workpieces through the second gap along a second diagonal path that is transverse to the first diagonal path.