Split-level singulator
First Claim
1. A singulator comprising:
- a first conveyor advancing in a conveying direction, the first conveyor having rollers protruding through the thickness of the first conveyor with the rollers'"'"' peripheries protruding above the first conveyor arranged to rotate in the conveying direction, wherein the tops of the rollers'"'"' peripheries all extend to a first level;
second and third conveyors flanking the first conveyor on opposite sides and advancing in the conveying direction;
wherein the second and third conveyors have rollers protruding through the thickness of the second and third conveyors with the rollers'"'"' peripheries protruding above the second and third conveyors arranged to rotate oblique to the conveying direction and toward the first conveyor, wherein the tops of the rollers'"'"' peripheries all extend to a second level unequal to the first level;
bearing surfaces disposed below the first, second, and third conveyors on which the rollers in the first, second, and third conveyors roll as the conveyors advance in the conveying direction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A split-level singulator for arranging and conveying articles in a single file. The singulator comprises a central conveyor and two flanking conveyors advancing in a conveying direction. Rollers in the conveyors protrude through the thickness of the conveyors and ride on underlying supporting bearing surfaces that cause the rollers to rotate as the conveyors advance in the conveying direction. The rollers in the central conveyor rotate in the conveying direction. The rollers in the flanking conveyors rotate in directions oblique to the conveying direction to direct articles conveyed atop the rollers downstream and toward the central conveyor. The tops of the rollers of the central conveyor are vertically offset above or below the tops of the flanking oblique rollers.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A singulator comprising:
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a first conveyor advancing in a conveying direction, the first conveyor having rollers protruding through the thickness of the first conveyor with the rollers'"'"' peripheries protruding above the first conveyor arranged to rotate in the conveying direction, wherein the tops of the rollers'"'"' peripheries all extend to a first level; second and third conveyors flanking the first conveyor on opposite sides and advancing in the conveying direction; wherein the second and third conveyors have rollers protruding through the thickness of the second and third conveyors with the rollers'"'"' peripheries protruding above the second and third conveyors arranged to rotate oblique to the conveying direction and toward the first conveyor, wherein the tops of the rollers'"'"' peripheries all extend to a second level unequal to the first level; bearing surfaces disposed below the first, second, and third conveyors on which the rollers in the first, second, and third conveyors roll as the conveyors advance in the conveying direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification