Patent ID: 8794423

Claim:
A system for transporting workpieces, the system comprising: a workpiece transport with a transport surface, the workpiece transport configured to convey workpieces in a first flow direction; a first plurality of feed rolls positioned above the transport surface and spaced apart along the flow direction, each of the feed rolls having a first end, a generally opposite second end of greater diameter than the first end, and an axis of rotation that extends at least partially across the transport surface and is skewed relative to the flow direction, the first plurality of feed rolls and the transport surface separated by a gap therebetween; and a first workpiece support surface disposed proximal to the first end of at least one of the feed rolls, wherein the first plurality of feed rolls is operable to contact a first workpiece without contacting a second workpiece, and to drive the first workpiece through the gap in a second flow direction to transfer the second workpiece from the transport surface to the first workpiece support surface or from the first workpiece support surface to the transport surface, and wherein the workpiece transport is operable to convey the second workpiece toward and through the gap in the first flow direction.