Patent ID: 8590692
Filing Date: 2013-11-26
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A system for singulating and separating a plurality of non-oriented items, said system comprising: a feeding area operable to accept the plurality of non-oriented items; a conveyor having a first end, a second end, a conveyor length disposed between said first end and said second end, said conveyor being operable to move the plurality of non-oriented items in a direction along the conveyor; a conveyor controller operable to drive said conveyor with a driving signal having a duty cycle having a first duty cycle portion and a second duty cycle portion, the first duty cycle portion being operable to drive said conveyor in the direction for a first time period, the second duty cycle portion being less than the first duty cycle portion and being operable to drive said conveyor opposite the direction for a second time period; an item detector operable to detect the first portion of the plurality of non-oriented items, wherein, during operation of the system, the plurality of non-oriented items will convey along the conveyor and become singulated and separated by a minimum distance based on the duty cycle; and wherein said item detector is operable to instruct said conveyor controller to adjust the duty cycle based on the detected first portion of the plurality of non-oriented items.