Patent ID: 8371216

Claim:
A conveying and marking apparatus comprising: a continuous flexible conveying belt having a first side and a second side and extending along a transport path; at least one cavity extending through the conveying belt adapted to receive an individual piece and having a first opening on the first side and a second opening on the second side, the first and second openings being on opposite sides of the belt and providing access to opposite surface areas of the individual piece, the first and second openings being dimensioned to permit marking on the individual piece through the openings on the first and second sides; a conveyor adapted to move the conveying belt along the transport path, wherein the transport path includes an inclined portion and a linear portion; at least one retaining member positioned against one of the first and second openings of the cavity and being located adjacent to and in contact with the conveying belt along a portion of the transport path to hold the individual piece in the cavity as the belt is conveyed along the portion of the transport path; a dispenser adapted to dispense an individual piece into the cavity; and a marking unit positioned proximate the linear portion, wherein the marking unit is adapted to mark the piece positioned in the cavity.