Patent ID: 6056107
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
An article singulation conveyor, comprising:a receiving portion to which articles are delivered 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 defined by a plurality of generally laterally extending powered rollers that is adapted to transport articles longitudinally from said receiving portion to said discharge portion;a recirculation bed which removes side-by-side articles from a downstream portion of the first conveying surface to an upstream portion of the first conveying surface, wherein clusters of articles tend to recirculate around said recirculation bed and said first conveying surface as individual articles of the cluster are pulled away along said first conveying surface;a take-away conveyor at said discharge portion comprising a flow controller controlling relative speed of articles as the articles move in a same direction from said discharged portion.