skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Article singulating system and method

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6885305

This patent describes a method of singulating elongated articles. It comprises: conveying elongated articles in bulk, piled on each other and in a random orientation; delivering such articles into an alignment receptacle having a bottom which includes elongated, parallel, alignment channels, into which at least some of the articles will be received; moving articles which have been received in the alignment channels lengthwise of the channels into slot openings which are in endwise alignment with the channels; delivering articles vertically downwardly through the slot openings; below the slot openings receiving at least some articles in parallel alignment with each other; moving the parallel articles laterally and separating each from the rest; continuing the lateral movement of each separated article; delivering each separated article onto a conveyor which moves longitudinally of the article; and delivering each article onto the conveyor in a spaced position relative to the article preceding it on the conveyor.

Assignee:
Boeing Co., Seattle, WA (USA)
Patent Number(s):
US 4933074; A
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-270130A
OSTI ID:
6885305
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 10 Nov 1988
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English