Patent ID: 7665599
Filing Date: 2010-02-23
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for orienting blocks, comprising: a cylinder having an infeed end and an outfeed end, the infeed end for receiving blocks having no particular orientation and the outfeed end for delivering the blocks in an oriented position, wherein the cylinder has a longitudinal axis positioned at an incline relative to a horizontal plane; and a rotation mechanism configured to rotate the cylinder about its longitudinal axis causing blocks received into the cylinder to be repositioned into the oriented position as the blocks progress through the cylinder toward the outfeed end, wherein the cylinder repositions the blocks into alignment with the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, wherein the cylinder further includes protrusions defined on an interior surface of the cylinder that are parallel to the longitudinal axis and adjacent to the infeed end, and wherein the protrusions have a rectangular cross section and are configured to lift the blocks only partway up a side of the interior surface of the cylinder as the cylinder rotates.