Patent ID: 7938252
Filing Date: 2011-05-10
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A conveyor for unstacking articles in an article stream comprising: an angled conveyor including a substantially planar moving conveying member surface; a stationary surface suspended above the angled conveyor to contact the article stream without contacting the moving conveying member; a support frame, and a plurality of support lines coupling the support frame to the stationary surface, at least some of the support lines being angled toward an upstream direction as they approach the stationary surface, and at least some of the support lines being angled toward a downstream direction as they approach the stationary support surface, thereby suspending the stationary surface above the angled conveyor to contact the article stream; wherein the stationary surface is positioned to contact the articles and thereby exert a downward force on the articles; and wherein the stationary surface, in response to contact with the articles, is stationary in relation to a direction of movement of the article stream, but moveable in relation to an upward direction perpendicular to the direction of movement.