The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 11, 2002
Filed:
Oct. 05, 1999
Robert F. Risley, Ellicott City, MD (US);
Materials Handling Systems, Inc., Elkridge, MD (US);
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for separating objects. The apparatus typically includes a separation conveyor that forms a shallow peak within a pitched region upon which an object can be temporarily balanced, and at least two guide rails extending along the separation conveyor in a laterally spaced relationship. Upstream from the pitched region, the guide rails laterally support objects travelling along the separation conveyor. Within the pitched region, the guide rails are laterally spaced so as to permit lateral tipping of the objects when within the pitched region. At least one nozzle is positioned at a lateral position within the pitched region of the separation conveyor and is oriented so as to be capable of selectively ejecting a gentle burst of gas transversely across the separation conveyor to laterally tip an object balanced on the shallow peak to cause the object to slide under its own weight in a desired direction.