Patent ID: 8016282
Filing Date: 2011-09-13
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. A method of singulating overlapping items, comprising: receiving the overlapping items in a singulation device, wherein the singulation device comprises: a first transport element configured for rotation in a first direction; and a second transport element in opposing relation to the first transport element and forming a transport path between the first and second transport elements, wherein the second transport element is configured for rotation in a second direction opposite to the first direction such that within the transport path both the first and second transport elements will provide a frictional force in a common direction to items in the transport path; rotating the first transport element at a first transport speed; rotating the second transport element at a second transport speed substantially equal to the first transport speed; conveying the overlapping items between the transport elements along the transport path; decreasing the second transport speed to singulate the overlapping items; decreasing the first transport speed to reduce a speed of a lead item after it is singluated; and transporting the lead item away from the singulation device.