Patent ID: 7779988

Claim:
In a marking apparatus of the type having a marking device for selectively applying a mark to a container, a method of delivering a container to the marking apparatus, comprising: (a) providing a plurality of containers within a staging assembly; (b) isolating at least first and second containers within a singulator assembly, wherein the singulator assembly is in communication with the staging assembly, the singulator assembly comprising: (i) a feed channel sized and configured to receive the at least first and second containers; (ii) a gate in communication with the feed channel and configured to selectively restrain the first container within the feed channel; (iii) a retention device that is selectively actuatable between a retaining position, wherein the retention device is engaged with the second container received within the feed channel, and an open position; (iv) an adjustment mechanism operably coupled to the retention device and configured to selectively change the size of the feed channel and the position of the retention device within the feed channel such that the singulator assembly is adapted for use with containers of at least first and second sizes; and (c) transporting the first container from the singulator assembly to a portion of the marking apparatus with a shuttle.