CN113905962B

CN113905962B - Multi-stage conveyor unit for separating packages

Info

Publication number: CN113905962B
Application number: CN202080040007.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: S·V·施罗亚德; R·B·哈格曼; T·R·赫曼
Original assignee: Fives Intralogistics Corp
Current assignee: Fives Intralogistics Corp
Priority date: 2019-03-27
Filing date: 2020-03-27
Publication date: 2024-05-17
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-27
Also published as: EP3956252A4; CN113905962A; EP3956252A1

Abstract

A multi-stage, multi-channel single selector conveyor system for separating packages side-by-side in each stage. A first conveying channel having a high friction surface is combined with and in lateral flow communication with a second conveying channel adjacent thereto, the second conveying channel having a lower friction conveying surface comprising forward and lateral conveying forces for pushing packages forward and away from the first conveying channel. The conveying surface of the second conveying channel may form an inclined plane extending above the inner lateral receiving edge of an adjacent third conveying channel having a high friction surface. Each high friction delivery channel may utilize multiple narrow bands to vary the area of the high friction surface. Assembling one or more multiple lanes comprising a narrow belt end-to-end on a conveyor, or assembling multiple lane conveyors end-to-end, provides a means of controlling the residence time and lateral movement of the articles.

Description

Multi-stage conveyor unit for separating packages

Citation of related application

The present application claims priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/824,557 filed on day 27 of 3.2019 and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 16/833,493 filed on day 27 of 3.2020, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a multi-stage conveyor system having conveying surfaces arranged in an adjacent side-by-side configuration for separating packages side-by-side in multiple stages.

Background

The present invention relates to material handling and, in particular, to a method and apparatus for conveying packages and a mechanism for controlling the position of packages on a conveyor.

Conventional conveyor systems deliver a large number of packages at high speed, particularly in the package delivery industry, where the packages are sorted according to desired categories. When a plurality of smaller packages, irregularly sized or shaped articles or a mixture of large and small articles are passed together as a single unit on a conveyor, the efficiency of handling the packages can be severely reduced.

Problems arise in scanning and separating packages and parcels traveling through the conveyor system as an aggregate unit rather than a single queue. Large packages mask small packages, while side-by-side small packages can cause problems as they pass through the bar code scanner at the same time, resulting in clutter and sorting problems. Furthermore, packages such as bags or other flexible containers often present sorting problems in that they do not move in a predictable lateral pattern, either with unevenly distributed weight or in the case of very large widths and lengths of the containers or in the case of containers that are soft or only partially filled (such as soft partially filled mail bags).

The use of a collation conveyor, sometimes referred to as a singler (singler, singulator), uses a plurality of driven rollers or belts whose axes extend obliquely relative to the conveying direction, causing packages to shift laterally toward one side of the conveyor and become aligned behind each other.

A typical singulator conveyor system for sorting packages in a typical application includes equipment used that takes randomly arranged articles and converts the random stream into a single stream of queued articles of the articles. The articles are conveyed forward under the force of forward and lateral forces and are aligned along one side. The apparatus may be placed after the aligned stream of articles and articles that do not reach the wall on the aligned side are separated laterally away from the main wrap stream. Typical configurations direct laterally removed articles and recycle them back to the diagonal roll section for another pass and have the opportunity to align with the wall for passage with the main flow line. The articles are conveyed forward under the force of forward and lateral forces and are aligned along one side.

The current technology works well for rigid packages, such as boxes, but items that do not behave like rigid items like flexible packages or large bags containing several small items are separated by their center of gravity and tend to be removed from side-by-side flow even if the item is not side-by-side with another item.

Rearranging the strings of articles into a single queue is difficult to achieve with packages having one dimension that is significantly larger than the other. If multiple packages, partially filled bags or boxes, or long, elongated articles are transported side-by-side, with uneven loading, conventional article conveyors have difficulty separating the side-by-side pairs of articles into individual queues, especially over short distances and residence times. Packages of unequal weight, irregular size, and offset center of gravity may be repeatedly transferred to the output of the sortation conveyor. Sometimes, instead of being positioned in a single queue, some packages may be conveyed side-by-side with respect to each other, i.e. in two side-by-side relationship traveling in side-by-side relationship. The combined width of the two packages may present problems at a location downstream of the conveyor system.

There is a need for a single choice conveyor with separating capability that effectively separates side-by-side articles, including packages and wraps with unequal loadings, such as different sized packages (e.g., boxes, flat packages, and flexible packages), partially filled bags or boxes, or long and elongated articles with offset center of gravity, into one or more rows of single-column single-choice articles over a short distance and dwell time.

The present invention ensures that two or more small items side by side with each other are separated while allowing large items to pass through the singler even when the items are a large pocket of small items.

Conventional conveyor systems of the prior art are well suited for rigid packages (e.g., boxes), but articles that do not appear as rigid articles, such as large bags of small articles, tend to be removed from the side-by-side stream even when the article is not side-by-side with another article. The present invention provides a device and method that can separate rigid packages from large and small packages.

The singulator conveyor system includes a selected number of conveyors or conveyor lanes arranged in adjacent side-by-side configurations for separating side-by-side packages and packages having unequal loads, such as packages of different sizes (e.g., boxes, flat packages, and flexible packages), partially filled bags or boxes, or long, elongated articles having offset centers of gravity into one or more rows of single-row singulators within a short distance and dwell time. The singulator conveyor system ensures that two or more small items side by side with each other are separated while allowing large items to pass through the singulator even when the items are a large bag of small items.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a multi-stage conveyor having a plurality of conveying lanes capable of separating packages by conveying the packages (forward) or (forward and sideways) on high and/or low friction conveying surfaces positioned at selected lateral angles.

Disclosure of Invention

A multi-stage conveyor system having conveying surfaces arranged in an adjacent side-by-side configuration for separating side-by-side packages in each stage. A first conveying path having a high friction surface for conveying articles forward may be combined with a second conveying path adjacent thereto having a lower friction conveying surface, the second conveying path including forward and lateral conveying forces pushing the packages forward and away from the first conveying path. The lateral receiving edge of the second conveying channel may be positioned below the lateral edge of the first conveying channel. The second conveying channel may be laterally inclined and angled laterally upward with a raised outer edge that is flush with or below the lateral receiving edge of the adjacent third conveying channel. The conveying surface of the second conveying channel may form an inclined plane extending above the inner lateral receiving edge of an adjacent third conveying channel having a high friction surface. The residence time and lateral movement of packages on selected conveying lanes of the multi-stage conveyor can be controlled by selecting the amount of high friction conveying surface of selected adjacent conveying lanes. Each high friction delivery channel may utilize multiple narrow bands to vary the area of the high friction surface. The width or number of high friction lanes is increased to increase the high friction conveying surface area near the inner conveyor or wall on the first lane side and to decrease the width of the conveyor off the lane side to tilt the low friction roller conveying surface with power therebetween. Typically, an increase in width on the inner lane side corresponds to a decrease in width on the outer lane on the exit side of the conveyor. Assembling multiple lane end-to-end in a single conveyor or assembling together at least two conveyors end-to-end of a multi-lane conveyor having different arrangements in forward and lateral flow communication provides a multi-stage conveyor for creating a high surface area at selected locations in lateral flow communication with a conveyor lane having a low friction conveying surface and controlling movement of packages.

In a preferred embodiment, the width of the high friction surface of the first conveying channel increases and the width of the high surface area of the third conveying channel on the side of the exit channel decreases. The width of the low friction second conveying path provided between the first conveying path and the third conveying path varies according to the variation in the width of the first conveying path and the second conveying path. The width variations of the high friction first conveying path and the high friction third conveying path vary accordingly such that the widths of the first conveying surface, the second conveying surface, and the third conveying surface are the same from the feed end of the conveyor to the discharge end of the conveyor.

The present invention relates to a conveying system for conveying, aligning and organizing articles comprising random supplies of side-by-side articles received from a feed conveyor into a single, aligned relationship. The articles are conveyed to a single selector apparatus having separation capability that includes a single or multiple stage and/or multiple pass conveyor assembly following the infeed conveyor. The multi-channel singulator unit may include several stages that vary the width of the high-friction conveying surface and the lower-friction conveying surface adjacent to each other at selected lateral angles, thereby providing laterally inclined planes to control lateral movement of the packages or parcels. The singulator is arranged in alignment downstream of the feed conveyor for receiving articles therefrom.

Articles received from the infeed conveyor are conveyed through a conveyor assembly defining a singler including three conveyors arranged in an adjacent side-by-side configuration, which may have a plurality of conveying lanes for conveying articles in a single queue row in a spaced-apart relationship. The three conveyors define first, second and third conveyor paths that are disposed side-by-side with each other and driven in a manner that applies mutually divergent conveying forces for separating and moving the side-by-side packages or articles. The multi-stage singulator conveyor system has conveying surfaces arranged in an adjacent side-by-side configuration for separating side-by-side packages in each stage. By selecting the amount of high friction conveying surface provided by one or more adjacent conveying lanes, the forward and lateral movement of packages on a multi-stage sortation conveyor can be controlled. The apparatus may be placed after the aligned stream of articles, articles or packages such that articles that do not reach the wall on the aligned side are separated laterally away from the main stream of articles.

In a single-stage single-selector conveyor unit, the first stage includes a conveyor unit including a first high-friction surface transport channel for transporting articles forward along an interior vertical sidewall. A second lower friction surface conveying channel adjacent thereto and in lateral flow communication therewith includes both forward and lateral conveying forces that urge the article forward and away from the first conveying channel and the vertical sidewall. The second low friction conveying path typically comprises a series of driven rollers, the rotational axis of which is inclined relative to the longitudinal travel direction, so that the packages are conveyed simultaneously longitudinally forward and laterally outwardly away from the first conveyor. The lateral receiving edge of the second conveying channel is located below the lateral receiving edge of the first conveying channel, and the second conveying channel is laterally inclined and angled laterally upward so as to have a raised outer edge that is flush with or below the lateral receiving edge of an adjacent third conveying channel. The conveying surface of the second conveying channel forms an inclined plane extending above the inner lateral receiving edge of an adjacent third conveying channel with a high friction surface. Packages resting on the first conveyor or on the first and second conveyors are conveyed through the singler. Packages falling from the first conveyor, onto the second conveyor, or resting entirely on the second conveyor, are moved forward and sideways toward the third conveyor until the center of gravity of the package extends past the longitudinal edge of the third conveyor, thereby transferring control to the third conveyor and the package falls above an inclined plane or drop area for recycling or rerouting.

It is contemplated that the speed of the first, second, or third conveyors and/or conveyor lanes may be adjusted relative to each other to align articles thereon. Further, the speeds of the conveyor lanes may be adjusted relative to each other to increase the separation capacity of the singulator conveyor assembly.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a singulator that includes a multi-lane conveyor assembly having at least three driven conveyor lanes disposed adjacent to one another in side-by-side relationship. The conveying channel is located in a horizontal plane along its lateral axis. The laterally positioned side walls extend along the sides of a first conveying path that tends to convey articles forward and along the laterally positioned side walls.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a driven first conveying path comprising a belt or roller having a high friction surface for conveying articles along a vertical sidewall, wherein incoming articles are positioned along the vertical sidewall at a selected speed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide packages resting on a first conveyor lane having a high friction surface and objects resting on the first conveyor lane and a second conveyor lane having a lower friction surface to move forward.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a second conveyor having a lower friction surface conveyor lane that includes both forward and lateral conveying forces. The edge of the second conveyor channel adjacent to the first conveyor channel is disposed at a slightly lower elevation along the lateral axis of the first conveyor channel, thereby providing a drop off. The lateral force of the second conveying path pulls the articles located on the second conveying path away from the first conveying path and the main flow side wall, thereby separating two small articles that may enter one another side by side.

It is an object of the present invention to vertically angle the lower friction conveying surface of the second conveying channel with the first conveying channel at a selected angle, thereby providing a sloped plane extending upwardly from the outside of the first conveying channel downwardly to the edge downwardly and upwardly toward the third conveying channel, such that the sloped conveying plane of the second conveying channel extends above the inside of the adjacent third conveying channel.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a driven third transfer channel having a high friction surface positioned side-by-side with a second transfer channel on the opposite side of the primary flow side of the first transfer channel. In a preferred embodiment, the third conveying path is raised to the same level as the first conveying path. The conveying surfaces of the third conveying channel are higher than the height of the carrying surfaces of the second conveying channel, where they cooperate along their lateral edges.

It is an object of the present invention to provide that the plane of the third conveyor channel extends above the edge of the surface of the second conveyor channel.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a means of separating packages travelling alongside each other such that packages or articles not in contact with the first conveyor channel surface and resting on the second conveyor channel surface are transported forward and sideways at an upward angle towards the outer edge of the second conveyor channel, forming a plane extending just above the receiving edge of the third high friction conveyor channel. A portion of each article or package extending above the third conveyor lane will move upward and above the third conveyor lane until the center of gravity extends beyond the inner lateral receiving edge of the third conveyor and the package falls onto the high friction surface of the third conveyor lane. Thus, when two articles enter the singler side by side with each other, the outer positioned articles will shift forward and sideways until the center of gravity exceeds the lateral edge of the second conveyor lane, at which point a well-defined controlled shift will occur as the articles drop off and rest on top of the third conveyor lane.

The object of the invention is that the speeds of the first conveying channel, the second conveying channel and the third conveying channel can be adjusted relative to each other.

It is an object of the present invention that the first conveyor path and the third conveyor path travel at the same speed rate so that large packages resting on the first conveyor path and the third conveyor path are conveyed by the single selector conveyor means.

Another feature of the present invention addresses the problem of packages having a convexly curved bottom. It will be appreciated that such a curved bottom, even though it may overlap with the first and second conveying channels, may tend to contact only the second conveying channel and thus will be unnecessarily fed to the return conveyor. However, the curved bottom is likely to be at least in line contact with the first conveying channel, while the second conveying channel surface is positioned slightly below the surface of the first conveying channel and is inclined slightly downwardly towards the first channel at a selected angle of up to 30 degrees and preferably 1 to 10 degrees. Thus, the curved package bottom will tend to become oriented so as to come into contact with at least the edge of the high friction surface of the first conveying channel. The first conveyor channel will control the travelling direction of the packages due to the high coefficient of friction of the conveyor surface of the first conveyor channel.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention.

Drawings

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view showing a feed conveyor;

FIG. 2 is a top end view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a multi-stage multi-channel radio selector;

FIG. 4 shows the multi-stage, multi-lane, single selector conveyor unit of FIG. 3 supporting a plurality of side-by-side bins on first, second and third conveyors, and a drop ramp;

FIG. 5 shows the first conveyor being horizontal with the third conveyor and the lateral receiving edge of the second conveyor being below the outer edge of the first conveyor and angled upward such that the outer edge of the second conveyor is below the receiving edge of the third conveyor, but the plane formed by the lateral angle extends above the third conveyor;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2 showing the outer lateral edge of the lower friction conveying surface of the second conveying channel disposed at a height below the height of the conveying surface of the third conveying channel, and the plane of the second channel extending above the surface of the third conveying channel;

FIG. 7 (a) is a downstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor;

FIG. 7 (b) is an upstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor;

FIG. 8 (a) is a downstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor;

FIG. 8 (b) is an upstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 8 (a);

FIG. 9 (a) is a downstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor showing the positioning of the high friction surfaces of the first and third conveyor lanes relative to the lower friction surfaces of the intermediate or second conveyor lanes;

FIG. 9 (b) is an upstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 9 (a);

FIG. 10 illustrates a large package supported by a first high friction conveying surface and an intermediate low friction conveying surface;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 shows a multi-stage conveyor;

FIG. 13 shows the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 12 with the small packages abutting the vertical side walls;

FIG. 14 is an isometric view showing a multi-stage conveyor;

FIG. 15 is a top view showing a small wrap that is narrower than the width of the inner high friction conveying surface band;

FIG. 16 is an end view showing a single stage conveyor;

FIG. 17 is a top view showing a partially filled parcel bag shown prior to entering the conveyor, wherein the bag is to be positioned and supported by first, second and third conveying lanes, wherein the high friction surface of the first lane controls and restricts lateral movement so that the bag passes through the conveyor;

FIG. 18 is an end view showing the partially filled small wrap-bags positioned on the first, second and third conveyor paths with the high friction surfaces of the first and third paths controlling and restricting lateral movement so that the bags pass the conveyor;

FIG. 19 depicts a top view of a two-stage, multi-channel conveyor unit;

FIG. 20 illustrates a three stage multi-stage conveyor having a high friction conveying surface formed from a plurality of narrow belts;

FIG. 21 illustrates a five-stage multi-stage conveyor having a high friction conveying surface formed from a plurality of narrow belts;

FIG. 22 shows a two-stage, multi-stage conveyor unit including packages resting on a infeed conveyor;

FIG. 23 illustrates the two-stage, multi-stage conveyor unit of FIG. 22 including packages resting on the first and second conveying lanes of the first stage;

FIG. 24 illustrates the two-stage multi-stage conveyor unit of FIG. 22 including packages resting on first and second conveying lanes moving to a second stage;

FIG. 25 illustrates the two-stage, multi-stage conveyor unit of FIG. 22 including packages resting on the first and second conveying lanes of the second stage;

FIG. 26 shows the two-stage, multi-stage conveyor unit of FIG. 22 including packages passing through the first conveying path and packages resting on the third conveying path of the third stage;

FIG. 27 shows a two-stage multi-stage conveyor unit;

FIG. 28 illustrates a three-stage multi-stage conveyor unit;

FIG. 29 shows a three stage multi-stage conveyor unit having a third stage;

FIG. 30 illustrates the three-stage multi-stage conveyor unit of FIG. 29 with the inner wrap resting on the first conveying path;

FIG. 31 shows a two-stage multi-stage conveyor in which a parcel rests on a first conveyor path of a second stage and a parcel rests on a second conveyor path of the second stage;

FIG. 32 shows the two-stage, multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 31 with a parcel resting on a first conveying path of the second stage passing through to the receiving conveyor and a parcel resting on a third conveying path of the second stage traveling to the falling ramp;

FIG. 33 illustrates a two-stage, multi-stage conveyor in which a parcel rests on a first conveyor path of a second stage and a parcel rests on a second conveyor path of the second stage;

FIG. 34 illustrates the two-stage, multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 33 with a parcel resting on a first high friction conveying path of a second stage passing through to the receiving conveyor;

FIG. 35 (a) is an isometric view of a multi-stage conveyor;

FIG. 35 (b) is an isometric view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 35 (a);

FIG. 35 (c) is an isometric view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 35 (b);

FIG. 35 (d) is an isometric end view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 35 (c);

FIG. 35 (e) is an isometric end view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 35 (d);

FIG. 35 (f) is an isometric downstream view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 35 (e);

FIG. 36 (a) is a downstream cross-sectional view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 35;

FIG. 36 (b) is a downstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 36 (a);

FIG. 36 (c) is a downstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 36 (b);

FIG. 36 (d) is a downstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 36 (c);

FIG. 36 (e) is a downstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 36 (d);

FIG. 37 (a) is an upstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 (b) is an upstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 37 (a);

FIG. 37 (c) is an upstream isometric view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 37 (b);

FIG. 37 (d) is an isometric upstream view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 37 (c);

FIG. 37 (e) is a downstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 37 (d);

FIG. 37 (f) is a view of the downstream end of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 37 (e);

FIG. 38 (a) is a top view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIGS. 35 (a-f) and 36 (a-d) and 37 (a-f);

FIG. 38 (b) is a top view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 38 (a);

FIG. 38 (c) is a top view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 38 (b);

FIG. 38 (d) is a top view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 38 (c);

FIG. 38 (e) is a top view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 38 (d);

FIG. 38 (f) is an isometric view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 38 (e);

FIG. 39 (a) shows an upstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor;

FIG. 39 (b) is an isometric upstream view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 39 (a);

FIG. 39 (c) is an isometric downstream view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 39 (a);

FIG. 39 (d) is a downstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 39 (a);

FIG. 40 (a) shows an upstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor;

FIG. 40 (b) is an upstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 40 (a);

FIG. 40 (c) is an upstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 40 (a);

FIG. 41 is an upstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor;

FIG. 42 is an upstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor;

FIG. 43 (a) is an upstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor;

FIG. 43 (b) is a top view showing a large flat box aligned with vertical walls supported by a powered diagonal roller low friction conveyor channel prior to entering the multi-stage conveyor;

FIG. 43 (c) is a top view of the multi-lane conveyor of FIG. 43 (b) showing a large flat box offset on a vertical sidewall supported by two high friction inner and two high friction outer conveyor lanes supported above the skewed roller low friction conveyor lanes therebetween;

FIG. 43 (d) is a top view of the multi-lane conveyor of FIG. 43 (a);

FIG. 43 (e) is an isometric view of the multi-channel conveyor of FIG. 43 (d);

FIG. 43 (f) is a top view of the multi-lane conveyor of FIG. 43 (a);

FIG. 43 (g) is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 43 (d) of the multi-channel conveyor of FIG. 43 (a);

FIG. 44 is an isometric view of the multi-stage conveyor;

FIG. 45 shows an isometric view of a multi-stage conveyor;

FIG. 46 (a) is a top view of the multi-stage conveyor;

FIG. 46 (b) is a top view of FIG. 46 (a) showing a narrow first box adjacent to the vertical sidewall and a wide second box adjacent to and spaced apart from the first box, both boxes being supported by an upstream conveyor feeding the multi-stage, multi-channel conveyor;

FIG. 46 (c) is a top view of FIG. 46 (b) showing a first box adjacent the vertical sidewall and a second box adjacent the first box, both supported by an upstream conveyor feeding the multi-stage multi-channel conveyor, whereby the first box is conveyed by the first and third inner lanes and the second box is aligned with a second conveying channel having a low friction surface;

Fig. 46 (d) is a top view of fig. 46 (c);

Fig. 46 (e) is a top view of fig. 46 (d);

fig. 46 (f) is a top view of fig. 46 (e);

fig. 46 (g) is a top view of fig. 46 (f);

FIG. 46 (h) is a top view of FIG. 46 (b) showing a first box conveyed on first and second inner narrow bands of the first conveying channel at the end of the second stage and a second box adjacent thereto and spaced therefrom and balanced and supported on a third conveying channel at the end of the second stage;

Fig. 46 (i) is a top view of fig. 46 (h);

fig. 46 (j) is a top view of fig. 46 (i);

FIG. 47 (a) is a top view showing an inner box adjacent a vertical sidewall, a second intermediate box adjacent a first box, and a third outer box adjacent a second intermediate box aligned and spaced apart supported by an upstream power diagonal roller conveyor feeding a multi-stage, multi-channel conveyor;

FIG. 47 (b) is an isometric view of FIG. 47 (a);

fig. 47 (c) is a top view;

FIG. 47 (d) is an isometric view of FIG. 47 (c);

fig. 47 (e) is a top view of fig. 47 (d);

FIG. 47 (f) is an isometric view of FIG. 47 (e);

fig. 47 (g) is a top view of fig. 47 (f);

FIG. 47 (h) is an isometric view of FIG. 47 (g);

fig. 47 (i) is a top view of fig. 47 (h);

FIG. 47 (j) is an isometric view of FIG. 47 (i);

Fig. 47 (k) is a top view of fig. 47 (j);

fig. 47 (l) is an isometric view of fig. 47 (k);

fig. 47 (m) is a top view of fig. 47 (l);

FIG. 47 (n) is an isometric view of FIG. 47 (m);

FIG. 48 (a) is a top view of the multi-stage conveyor;

fig. 48 (b) is a top view of fig. 48 (a);

fig. 48 (c) is a top view of fig. 48 (a);

FIG. 48 (d) is a top view of FIG. 48 (c) showing a first box adjacent the vertical sidewall being conveyed on a first inner narrow strip of the first conveying path, a second box being conveyed forward and sideways on the second path having been shifted and balanced on a sixth outer narrow strip of the third stage, and a third box being shifted onto the first discharge ramp;

Fig. 48 (e) is a top view of fig. 48 (d);

fig. 48 (f) is a top view of fig. 48 (e);

FIG. 49 (a) is a top view of the multi-stage conveyor;

fig. 49 (b) is a top view of fig. 49 (a);

Fig. 49 (c) is a top view of fig. 49 (b);

fig. 49 (d) is a top view of fig. 49 (c);

fig. 49 (e) is a top view of fig. 49 (d);

FIG. 50 (a) is a top view of a multi-stage conveyor;

fig. 50 (b) is a top view of fig. 50 (a);

fig. 50 (c) is a top view of fig. 50 (b); and

Fig. 50 (d) is a top view of fig. 50 (c);

FIG. 51 (a) is an upstream top view of a large bag with small parcels on a multi-stage conveyor;

FIG. 51 (b) is an upstream isometric view of the multi-stage conveyor;

FIG. 51 (c) is a top view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 51 (b);

FIG. 51 (d) is an isometric view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 51 (c);

FIG. 51 (e) is a top view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 51 (d); and

Fig. 51 (f) is a top view of the multi-stage conveyor of fig. 51 (e).

Detailed Description

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Unless specifically identified as an order of execution, the method steps, processes, and operations described herein should not be construed as necessarily requiring their execution in the particular order discussed or illustrated. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged to," "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or layer, it can be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar fashion (e.g., "between..contrast" directly between..times., "adjacent" contrast "directly adjacent", etc.). As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer," "lower," "upper," and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element or feature's illustrated in the figures. As used herein, the term "about" is reasonably understood by those of skill in the art to mean slightly above or slightly below the recited values, within ±10%.

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments will be provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

As shown, the present invention relates to a conveying system for conveying and organizing and separating articles in side-by-side relationship.

As best shown in the figures, articles such as bags or small packages or packs 6,7 and 8 or large packages 9 are conveyed from a feed conveyor 1 comprising a plurality of low friction powered inclined rollers onto a multi-stage singulator conveyor unit or assembly 11 having a separating capability. The singulator 11 is arranged in alignment with, downstream of and below the lower end of the feed conveyor 1 for receiving articles therefrom. The singler includes a central conveying surface that includes a plurality of driven diagonal rollers disposed between a selected number of high friction surface conveying lanes that typically use high friction belts. The downstream conveyor receives articles from the singler in a single queue along the vertical sidewall. It is contemplated that high friction belts may also be used with the vertical sidewalls.

Single stage conventional tape width single selector unit

As shown in fig. 1, the feed conveyor includes a plurality of powered inclined rollers that convey articles along laterally positioned side walls onto a singler having: a first conveying path surface having a high friction surface adjacent to and juxtaposed with a sidewall having a path width equal to the minimum article width; a second conveying path surface having a low friction surface including a diagonal roller juxtaposed and adjacent to the first conveying path; and a third conveying path surface having a high friction surface adjacent to and juxtaposed with the second conveying path, wherein the bags or parcels are disposed on the infeed conveyor.

Fig. 2 shows that the conveying surface of the second conveying channel is angled vertically upwards so as to form an inclined plane extending above the lateral receiving edge of the third conveying channel, and that the inner lower receiving edge of the second conveying channel extends below the outer edge of the first conveying channel, and that the outer lateral edge of the second conveying channel is flush with or below the inner lateral receiving edge of the third conveying channel surface.

As shown in fig. 1-2, the single-stage singulator assembly 11 includes a first conveyor defining a high friction surface conveying path 3, the conveying path 3 including rollers or preferably belts having a high friction surface for conveying articles 6 along a vertical sidewall 2 along which an incoming article is positioned. Packages resting on the vertical side walls 2 and resting on the first conveyor 3 will travel across the conveyor to the downstream conveyor 32. Typically, the first channel is sized to be no wider than the smallest item to be conveyed thereon. The second conveyor, which is shown defining the lower friction surface conveying path 4, includes a plurality of rollers 34, the rollers 34 having inner edges 36 located below and adjacent to outer lateral edges 38 of the first conveyor 3 and angled downwardly toward the first conveyor. The second conveyor 4 is typically at least as wide, and typically wider, than the first conveyor 3. The second conveying path 4 typically comprises a series of driven rollers 34, the rotational axis of which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal travel direction, so that the packages are conveyed simultaneously laterally forward and laterally outward away from the first conveyor. The inner lateral receiving edge 36 of the second conveyor is located a selected distance below the outer lateral edge 38 of the first conveyor 3, positioned adjacent to the outer lateral edge 38 of the first conveyor 3 having a high friction surface. The second conveyor 4 has a lower friction surface for receiving packages falling therefrom. The lateral force of the second conveyor pulls the articles located on the second conveyor away from the first conveyor and the main flow side wall to separate the two small articles 7, 8 that may enter each other side by side. The packages resting side by side or one another are separated such that the packages on the first conveyor are moved forward while the adjacent packages resting on the second conveyor are pulled off the first conveyor. The second conveyor has a lower lateral receiving edge below the outer lateral edge of the first conveyor and extends laterally upwardly therefrom at a selected angle to form an inclined plane extending above the inner lateral receiving edge 40 and to form a conveying surface of an adjacent third conveyor defining a high friction surface conveying channel 5. The outer lateral edge 42 of the second conveyor is positioned flush with or below the inner lateral receiving edge 40 of the third conveyor channel 5. The third conveying path 5 moves the articles laterally forward without lateral movement; however, it is contemplated that the speed of the first, second, or third conveying channels may be adjusted relative to each other to align articles thereon.

The singulator assembly 11 includes a first conveyor 3 defining a first conveying path that includes rollers or preferably belts having a high friction surface for conveying articles 6 along the vertical side walls 2 along which the incoming articles are positioned. Packages resting on the vertical side walls 2 and resting on the first conveyor 3 will travel across the conveyor to the downstream conveyor 32. The first channel is sized to be no wider than the smallest item to be conveyed thereon.

The second conveyor 4, which is shown defining a second conveyor lane 4 having a lower friction surface, includes a plurality of rollers 34, the rollers 34 having inner edges 36 positioned below and adjacent to the outer lateral edges 38 of the first conveyor or first conveyor lane 3 and angled downwardly toward the first conveyor lane. The second conveying path 4 is generally at least as wide, and generally wider, than the first conveying path 3. The second conveyor channel 4 typically comprises a series of driven rollers 34, the rotational axis of which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal travel direction, so that the packages are conveyed simultaneously laterally forward and laterally outward away from the first conveyor channel. The inner lateral receiving edge 36 of the second conveyor channel is located a selected distance below the outer lateral edge 38 of the first conveyor 3, positioned adjacent to the outer lateral edge 38 of the first conveyor channel with a high friction surface. The second conveying channel 4 has a lower friction surface for receiving packages falling therefrom. The lateral force of the second conveying path pulls the articles located on the second conveying path away from the first conveying path and the main flow side wall, thereby separating the two small articles 7, 8 that may enter one another side by side. Packages that rest side by side or are side by side with each other are separated such that packages on the first conveyor path are moved forward while adjacent packages that rest on the second conveyor path are pulled away from the first conveyor path. The second conveying channel has a lower lateral receiving edge below the outer lateral edge of the first conveying channel and extends laterally upwardly therefrom at a selected angle to form an inclined plane extending above the inner lateral receiving edge 40 and to form a conveying surface defining an adjacent third conveying channel of the third conveying channel 5 having a high friction conveying surface. The outer lateral edge 42 of the second conveying channel is positioned flush with or below the inner lateral receiving edge 40 of the third conveying channel. The third conveying path moves the article laterally forward without lateral movement; however, it is contemplated that the speed of the first, second, or third conveying channels may be adjusted relative to each other to align articles thereon. The inclined plane and angle of the rollers of the second conveying path 4 guide the articles and push them upwards towards the third conveying path, where the lateral momentum of the laterally transferred articles will tend to locate the centre of gravity of the articles, so that the articles fall under the control of the forward conveying force of the third conveying path and are no longer affected by the conveying force of the second path.

The driven first conveying path 3 comprises a first high friction conveying surface comprising a belt 3 having a first high friction surface for conveying articles 7, 8 along the vertical side walls 2, wherein incoming articles are positioned there along the vertical side walls 2 at a selected speed. The width of the conveying path is determined by the size or dimension of the package. The width of the first conveying path is sized to be equal to or less than the minimum package width.

The second conveying channel 4 with the lower friction surface comprises a conveying force both forward and sideways. The second conveying channel 4 typically comprises a series of driven rollers 34, the rotation axis of which is inclined with respect to the lateral travelling direction, so that the packages are conveyed simultaneously laterally forward and laterally outward away from the first conveying channel 3 and the side walls 2. As a result, the packages tend to form a single queue on the first conveyor channel surface 3 traveling sideways along the side walls 2, or the center of gravity or friction causes the packages to extend past the edges of the first conveyor channel 3 and rest in part on the second conveyor channel 4 moving in the forward and sideways directions. The package will still move forward as long as a portion rests on the high friction surface of the first conveyor channel 3. The width of the second conveying channel 4 with the lower friction surface is generally greater than the width of the first conveying channel 5 with the lower friction surface in order to allow lateral movement and separation of the packages thereon.

The width of the conveying path is determined by the size or dimension of the package. The width of the first conveying path is sized to be equal to or less than the minimum package width.

The inner edge 36 of the second conveyor channel adjacent to the outer edge 38 of the first conveyor channel is arranged at a somewhat lower level along the lateral axis, and then the first conveyor channel provides a lower level 33 between the first conveyor channel and the second conveyor channel, so that packages resting on both the first conveyor channel 3 and the second conveyor channel 4 will be firmly held and pulled forward by the first conveyor channel 3 with a high friction surface. The lower friction conveying surface of the second conveying channel 4 is angled vertically upward from the outer edge of the first conveying channel at a selected angle of up to 30 degrees, and more preferably at a selected angle of 5-25 degrees, to provide an inclined plane extending upward toward the third conveying channel such that the outer lateral edge 45 of the second conveying channel is equal to or slightly lower than the inner lateral edge 40 of the adjacent third conveying channel to be laterally removed as the article is progressively moved forward on the slightly inclined plane.

The lower friction conveying surface of the second conveying path is arranged at the same level as the first conveying path at the point of connection with the first conveying path. The second conveyor channel includes forward and lateral forces away from the first conveyor channel and upward toward the third conveyor channel. The outer lateral edge 42 of the angled second conveying channel extends upwardly to a lateral transition 36 slightly below the lateral receiving edge 40 of the third conveying channel or flush with the lateral receiving edge 40 of the third conveying channel.

Multi-stage multi-channel single selector unit

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the multi-stage multi-channel single selector conveyor unit 100 includes a vertical sidewall extending along an inner lateral edge and at least three adjacent and laterally disposed conveyor surfaces in lateral flow communication at a selected elevation.

As shown in fig. 3, a conveyor unit having adjacent lateral conveying surfaces in flow communication with each other comprises: a first inner channel having a high friction conveying surface comprising one or more narrow high friction belts; a second intermediate channel having a lower friction conveying surface comprising a skewed roller or a lower friction belt; and a third outer channel having a high friction conveying surface comprising one or more narrow bands. The illustrated multi-stage multi-channel single selector conveyor unit 100 includes adjacent lateral conveying surfaces in flow communication with each other, including at least one narrow inner high friction conveying surface that includes at least one high friction narrow band and/or (two high friction narrow bands 101 and 102 as shown in fig. 3) or alternatively a plurality of narrow high friction bands. The lower friction conveying surface of the at least one intermediate or central passage 105 comprises a plurality of inclined rollers or belts of selected size and width or having a lower friction surface. The third outer high friction conveying surface comprises at least one narrow high friction belt or, alternatively, (two narrow high friction belts 103 and 104 as shown in fig. 3) or a plurality of narrow high friction belts.

The width of the transfer channel is typically determined by the size or dimension of the package. The width of the first conveying path is typically sized to be equal to or less than the minimum package width separated by the singulator; however, the multi-channel singulator utilizes a plurality of narrow high friction belts, whereby the sum of the widths of the belts in the first conveying channel is generally equal to or less than the minimum package width separated by the singulator. Further, a plurality of spaced apart aligned strips combine to form a pattern or region of high friction surfaces to control movement or resist movement of packages in contact with the high friction surfaces of one or more of the strips. In a preferred embodiment, the narrow may be functionally defined as requiring at least two strips to equal the width of the smallest package to be separated. Physically, the width of the belt is up to 12 inches, more preferably 10 inches, more preferably 8 inches, more preferably 6 inches, more preferably 2 to 4 inches, more preferably 1 to 3 inches, or 1/4 to 1 inch. By utilizing band sets positioned in a spaced aligned relationship, movement of packages through the high friction band can create high friction areas on a conveyor having low friction areas to control movement of packages thereon.

One of the plurality of multi-channel conveyors is connected in end-to-end flow communication to form a multi-stage multi-channel single selector assembly for separating packages.

The driven first or inner conveying path has a high friction conveying surface for conveying the articles in a forward direction in a generally horizontal plane. In contrast to a single stage singulator that uses a single high friction surface band, the first feed channel of the multi-channel singulator includes a plurality of high friction surfaces spaced apart and a parallel narrow band. Of course, the high friction surface feed channels may be made from various widths of belt combinations to achieve optimal high friction surface areas for various applications. Further, a single conveying lane of a multi-lane radio may include a single belt extending the length of the conveyor unit or a plurality of short belts aligned end-to-end terminating at selected locations along the conveyor. In fig. 3, two inner belts extend the length of the conveyor, while a third outer belt terminates at a selected location that is about half the length of the conveyor unit.

A driven second or intermediate conveyor defining a lower friction surface intermediate conveying path is positioned adjacent an outer lateral edge of the first conveying path. The second conveyor channel has a lower lateral receiving edge located below the outer lateral edge of the first conveyor channel and extends laterally upwardly from the first conveyor channel at a selected upward angle to form an inclined conveyor surface. The second conveying path has a lower friction conveying surface formed by a series of driven rollers, the axis of rotation of which is inclined relative to the lateral travel direction for conveying packages simultaneously forward and laterally outwardly away from the first conveying path. The second conveyor channel extends laterally upwardly from the first conveyor channel at a selected angle whereby the lower friction surface forms an inclined plane extending above the inner lateral receiving edge and forms a conveying surface of an adjacent third conveyor defining a high friction surface conveying channel. The inner edge of the second transfer passage extends along and is in flow communication with the outer edge of the first transfer passage, and the outer edge of the second transfer passage extends along and is in flow communication with the inner edge of the third transfer passage.

The driven third or outer conveyor defining the third conveyor path has a plurality of high friction surface conveyor paths for conveying articles in a forward direction in a generally horizontal plane forming the third conveyor path disposed adjacent an outer lateral edge of the second conveyor. The second conveyor has an outer lateral edge extending upwardly toward an inner lateral receiving edge of the third conveyor. The outer lateral edge of the second conveyor is located below or flush with the lateral receiving edge of the third conveyor for conveying articles upward and past the inner lateral receiving edge of the third conveyor. The inclined planes and angles of the rollers of the second conveyor 4 guide the articles and push them upward toward the third conveyor where they fall onto the inner lateral receiving edge 40 of the third conveyor and engage the high friction conveying surface of the third conveyor 5.

The driven third or outer conveying path has a high friction conveying surface for conveying the articles in a forward direction in a generally horizontal plane forming a third conveying path disposed adjacent an outer lateral edge of the second conveyor. In contrast to a single stage singler that uses a single high friction surface band, the third feed channel of the multi-channel singler includes one or more high friction surfaces that are spaced apart and a parallel narrow band. Of course, the high friction surface feed channels may be made from various widths of belt combinations to achieve optimal high friction surface areas for various applications. Further, a single conveying lane of a multi-lane radio may include a single belt extending the length of the conveyor unit or a plurality of short belts aligned end-to-end terminating at selected locations along the conveyor. In fig. 3, the third outer belt extends a selected distance and terminates at a selected location about half the length of the conveyor unit.

Separation mechanism and operation

The transfer of packages from the lower friction surface 104 of the second conveyor channel 4 to the high friction conveyor channel 5 is best illustrated in the representative cross-sectional views of fig. 5-9.

Fig. 5 shows the first conveyor being horizontal with the third conveyor and the lateral receiving edge of the second conveyor being below the outer edge of the first conveyor and angled upward such that the outer edge of the second conveyor is below the receiving edge of the third conveyor, but the plane formed by the lateral angle extends above the third conveyor.

In fig. 6, the outer lateral edge of the lower friction conveying surface of the second conveying channel is disposed at a height below the height of the conveying surface of the third conveying channel, and the plane of the second channel extends above the surface of the third conveying channel. In fig. 7 (a) a downstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor is shown showing the positioning of the high friction surfaces of the first and third conveyor lanes relative to the middle or lower friction surface of the second conveyor lane, showing the gap between the skewed rollers of the second lane, the second conveyor lane being angled laterally to form an angled plane including the second planar conveyor surface of the second conveyor lane extending above the conveyor surface of the third high friction conveyor lane (DIM C); the upstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor shows the positioning of the high friction surfaces of the first and third conveyor lanes relative to the lower friction surfaces of the middle or second conveyor lanes, showing the gap between the skewed rollers of the second lane, the second conveyor lane being angled laterally to form an angled plane including the second planar conveyor surface of the second conveyor lane extending above the conveyor surface of the third high friction conveyor lane (DIM C), as shown in fig. 7 b.

Fig. 8 (a) is a downstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor showing the positioning of the high friction surfaces of the first and third conveyor lanes relative to the lower friction surfaces of the intermediate or second conveyor lanes, showing the gap between the skewed rollers of the second lane disposed at a lateral angle, thereby forming a conveyor surface having a plane extending above the adjacent lateral edges of the high friction belt and a gap therebetween and fig. 8 (b) is an upstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor showing the positioning of the high friction surfaces of the first and third conveyor lanes relative to the lower friction surfaces of the intermediate or second conveyor lanes, showing the gap between the skewed rollers of the second lane disposed at a lateral angle, thereby forming a conveyor surface having a plane extending above the adjacent lateral edges of the high friction belt and a gap therebetween. As shown in fig. 9 (a), the multi-stage conveyor shows the positioning of the high friction surfaces of the first and third conveying lanes in a downstream end view relative to the lower friction surface of the middle or second conveying lane, showing the lateral angle formed by the second lane extending downwardly from below the surface of the first lane having an outer lateral edge terminating below the adjacent lateral receiving edge of the conveying surface of the third lane and the conveying surface of the second plane extending above the outer high friction narrowband plane; fig. 9 (b) shows an upstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor showing the positioning of the high friction surfaces of the first and third conveyor lanes relative to the lower friction surfaces of the intermediate or second conveyor lanes, showing the lateral angle formed by the second lane extending downwardly from below the surface of the first lane having an outer lateral edge terminating adjacent lateral receiving edges of the conveyor surface of the third lane and below the plane of the conveyor surface of the second plane extending above the outer high friction narrowband plane.

The second conveying channel is laterally angled so as to form an inclined plane comprising the conveying surface of the second plane of the second conveying channel 4 extending above (DIM C) the conveying surface 105 of the third high friction conveying channel of the third conveying channel 5. The outer lateral edge of the conveying surface of the second conveyor channel 5 is lower (DIM B) than the height of the outer lateral receiving edge of the third conveyor channel 3; however, the spacing between the second and third conveying lanes allows the inclined plane of the low friction conveying surface of the second conveying lane to extend beyond the inner lateral receiving edge of the third conveying lane for transferring packages from the second conveying lane to over and into the third conveying lane. Fig. 7-9 illustrate the spatial relationship between the first and third conveying lanes of the multi-lane conveyor shown in fig. 3 and 4.

As shown in fig. 10, a large package suspended on one side of a first conveyor lane (with a portion resting on a second conveyor lane) is carried forward, with the large package supported by a first high friction conveying surface comprising a belt, with a portion of the package extending across an intermediate low friction conveying surface comprising a plurality of rollers.

When packages placed alongside each other on the infeed conveyor lane are fed onto the singleton, the forward force of the first conveyor lane pulls the packages forward, and the lateral force of the second conveyor lane forces the adjacent packages away from the main flow side wall to separate two articles that may enter each other side by side in a single stage conveyor as depicted in fig. 11 and in a multi-stage, multi-lane conveyor as depicted in fig. 12-14, fig. 11 showing packages supported by the high friction surface of the first conveyor lane and the lower friction surface of the second conveyor lane, wherein the high friction surface prevents the packages from moving laterally away from the vertical side wall.

Fig. 12 shows a multi-stage conveyor having small packages aligned with a first conveyor lane and conveyed directly through the first conveyor lane including a plurality of high friction narrow bands, and outward displacement of large packages having a portion located on a second conveyor lane including low friction oblique rollers positioned at a lateral angle of up to 30 degrees, and a portion of a box extending over a third high friction conveyor lane including at least one narrow band. The small packages abut the vertical side walls and are conveyed on a first high friction conveying path comprising two narrow strips, while the large packages have been transferred from a second conveying path low friction oblique roller and are supported by a third conveying path comprising a high friction narrow strip, wherein a portion of the packages is suspended above the lower friction conveying surface of the roller, as shown in fig. 13. The first wrap is conveyed forward and straight through along the vertical walls on a plurality of inner narrow high friction belts, the second wrap adjacent thereto is conveyed forward and laterally upward on a second conveying path upwardly toward a pair of narrow high friction belt angled lower friction diagonal rollers, and the third wrap is conveyed forward by a third adjacent second wrap whereby the third wrap is conveyed forward by a third conveying path comprising a pair of outer high friction narrow belts in fig. 14.

The relatively large articles that enter and contact the first and second high friction conveying channels, both rigid and non-rigid, will not tend to shift laterally from the main flow side wall because of the significantly higher friction of the first high friction conveying channel. The driven third transfer channel has a high friction surface positioned side by side with the second transfer channel on the opposite side of the primary flow side of the first transfer channel. If the third conveyor having a receiving side edge conveying surface is higher than the outer edge of the conveying surface of the second conveyor, the second conveyor conveying surface does not exert significant lateral forces on large articles passing through the first and third conveying lanes. The third conveyor lane is raised to a height above the first conveyor lane so that the conveying surface of the third conveyor lane is higher than the conveying surface including the second conveyor lane so that the large packages resting on the first and third conveyor lanes are conveyed forward and pass through the singlets as shown in fig. 15-16.

In fig. 15, the figure shows a small wrap that is narrower than the width of the inner high friction conveying surface belt abutting the vertical side walls, and a large wrap with its side edges supported by the inner high friction belt and the outer edges of the wrap supported by the lower friction conveying rollers, whereby the wraps do not separate. As shown in fig. 16, which shows an end view of a single stage conveyor with a single parcel extending across the first and third high friction conveying lanes above the second lower friction conveying lane surface, allowing the parcel to pass through the conveyor.

The conveyor rates of the first, second, and third conveyors in the forward direction are independently controllable; however, it is desirable that the first and third conveyor lanes travel at the same rate so that large packages resting on the high friction conveying surfaces of the first and third conveyor lanes are conveyed by the conveyor units.

The big bag containing small articles is in contact with all three conveying channels due to its lack of rigidity; however, the combination of frictional forces generated by the first high friction conveying channel and the third high friction conveying channel will tend to resist the lateral forces exerted by the second low friction conveying channel, allowing the bag to pass directly through without being laterally displaced from the main flow along the wall, as shown in fig. 17-18. In fig. 17, a top view of a partially filled small wrap-bag is shown prior to entering the conveyor, wherein the bag is to be positioned and supported by first, second and third conveying paths, wherein the high friction surface of the first path controls and restricts lateral movement so that the bag passes through the conveyor. In fig. 18, the partially filled small wrap-bags are shown positioned on first, second and third conveyor paths, wherein the high friction surfaces of the first and third paths control and limit lateral movement so that the bags pass through the conveyor;

The selected lateral angle of the second conveying path and the spacing between the second conveying path and the third conveying path determine the necessary angle of the lateral plane formed by the angled conveying surfaces of the second conveying path necessary for conveying articles transferred from the second conveying path past the lateral side receiving edge of the third conveying path, as shown in fig. 7-9.

The third conveying path utilizes a higher friction conveying surface than the second conveying path having a lower friction conveying surface, so articles in transition that move forward and upward on the low friction diagonal conveyor rollers have sufficient momentum to transport them through the second path so that the edges of the articles extend past the third path and so that the articles fall onto the high friction conveying surface when the center of gravity is above the third conveying path. The portion of each article or package extending above the third conveyor will move upward and over the third conveyor path. The lateral momentum of the laterally displaced articles will tend to locate the center of gravity of the articles such that the articles fall under the control of the forward conveying force of the third high friction lane, are no longer affected by the second lane conveying force, and the third conveying lane and packages fall onto the high friction surface of the third conveying lane.

The high friction conveying channels of the first conveyor 3 and the third conveyor 5 may be formed by endless conveyor belts, respectively, which are composed of: rollers covered or coated with a high friction surface such as rubber or elastomeric compounds; rolls comprising plastics or rubber compounds or solid or mesh belts comprising rubber, elastomer or polymer. The lower friction conveying path of the second conveyor 4 is typically constructed of a metal or plastic material such as aluminum, carbon steel, metal alloy or stainless steel, a graphite material or a tetrafluoroethylene "TEFLON" material. The second conveyor channel may be formed by using a plastic modular conveyor belt containing driven rollers that exhibit a conveying force having a transverse component.

The first conveyor and the third conveyor high friction conveying path may each be formed by a plurality of rollers having axes that are substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the main flow direction and include high friction surfaces. The first and third conveyor channels need not be of the same type, but preferably comprise endless belts or high friction surface rollers.

The second conveyor 4 channel may be formed by a plurality of lower friction surface rollers oriented to generate a conveying force that is forward in the main flow direction of the first high friction conveyor and also has a lateral component away from the first conveying channel and the main wall and includes an upward component in the lateral direction away from the first conveying channel main flow channel. The second lower friction conveyor channel may be formed by using a plastic modular conveyor belt containing driven rollers that exhibit a conveying force with a lateral component.

The whole machine may not be arranged so that both high friction surfaces are horizontal, but may be arranged at an angle so that the second channel falls on a horizontal plane, or on all three angled points, but maintains the relative position as described above.

It is contemplated that a vertical belt may extend along the inside of the first inner main conveyor in lieu of a vertical sidewall for abutment and alignment of packages in flow communication therewith.

Examples:

The following examples describe preferred embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments within the scope of the claims herein will be apparent to one skilled in the art from consideration of the specification or practice of the invention as disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification, together with examples, be considered to be exemplary only, with the scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the claims which follow the examples.

Example 1

By combining more separation steps using multiple narrow high friction surface transport channels (such as narrow bands), adding additional stages to the singulator conveyor provides a continuous path for product separation and removal of products (such as packages positioned alongside each other) to proceed.

Fig. 19 depicts a two-stage, multi-channel conveyor unit including an inner vertical wall, a first high-friction inner conveying channel surface (such as a belt adjacent the vertical wall), a second lower-friction intermediate conveying channel surface (including a plurality of diagonal rollers pushing articles outwardly from the first high-friction conveying channel and the vertical wall in lateral flow communication therewith), and a third high-friction outer conveying channel surface (including a high-friction conveying surface such as a belt in lateral flow communication with the second lower-friction intermediate conveying channel). The first stage included a first inner conveying path with a first high friction surface portion and a 3 inch wide outer high friction belt, and the second stage extended forward to a 9 inch wide high friction belt and terminated at the end of the second stage at the center of the conveyor. The first stage comprises: a 15 inch wide middle section comprising a plurality of inclined low friction surface rollers adjacent the first conveying path, the rollers extending to the second stage whereby the rollers are displaced 6 inches toward the outer edge; and a third conveying path having a 9 inch wide high friction conveying surface, the width of which drops at the second stage to a high friction conveying surface comprising a 3 inch wide belt.

As shown, a two-stage, multi-channel conveyor unit is depicted, wherein a first conveyor channel having a high friction surface comprises: a narrow three inch wide high friction inner belt adjacent the vertical wall, the inner belt extending the entire length of the conveyor; and includes six additional adjacently aligned three inch wide inner bands extending from selected locations near the center of the conveyor to the ends of the conveyor in the second stage. A second conveyor channel having a lower friction surface is in lateral flow communication with the first conveyor channel and the second intermediate conveyor channel includes a plurality of inclined rollers extending the entire length of the conveyor adjacent the first conveyor channel, outwardly displaced at the second stage, and having a lateral angle of up to 30 degrees so as to provide forward and lateral movement thereabove. A third conveyor channel having a high friction surface and in lateral flow communication with the second conveyor channel, wherein the third conveyor channel comprises a nine inch wide outer high friction belt extending to a selected location near the center of the conveyor defining the first stage whereby six belts adjacent the second terminate, the second channel is displaced outwardly, and three outer narrow belts extend through the entire length of the second stage, the conveyor.

A second lower friction conveying channel extends adjacent to and in lateral communication with the first conveying channel for moving articles therebetween. The second conveying path includes a plurality of diagonal rollers 15 inches wide from the first conveying path to provide forward and lateral conveying forces that push the articles forward and away from the first conveying path. The second transfer passage is displaced inwardly at the second stage to form a second lower friction surface portion that remains adjacent to and in flow communication with the high friction surface portion of the first transfer passage.

The third outer high friction surface feed channel extends 9 inches from the lateral edge of the second feed channel to the outer edge of the conveyor. The third conveying surface narrows to 3 inches at the beginning of the second stage, ending at the end of the conveyor. The width of the second stage first conveying surface belt widens by six inches to the end of the conveyor.

The lateral receiving edge of the second conveying channel is located below the lateral receiving edge of the first conveying channel and the second conveying channel is laterally inclined and angled laterally upward by having a raised outer edge that is flush with or below the lateral receiving edge of the adjacent third conveying channel and the conveying surface of the second conveying channel forms an inclined plane that extends above the inner lateral receiving edge adjacent the third conveying channel having a high friction surface. By selecting the amount of high friction conveying surface provided by one or more adjacent conveying lanes, lateral movement of packages on a multi-stage sortation conveyor can be controlled.

Example 2

Three-stage multi-stage and multi-channel conveyors are shown in fig. 20, in which the high friction conveying surface is depicted as a narrow high friction belt. In fig. 20, the tertiary multistage conveyor has a high friction conveying surface formed of a plurality of narrow strips of varying number and length in lateral flow communication with a lower friction surface to provide a displacement zone having the high friction conveying surface and the lower friction conveying surface to control lateral movement of packages thereon.

A first stage having a first high friction surface internal conveying channel formed by five narrow high friction strips on the inside adjacent to the vertical sidewall. A second intermediate section in lateral flow communication with the first high friction surface inner conveying passage and including a low friction surface conveying passage formed by a diagonal roller in lateral flow communication with a third high friction surface outer conveying passage formed by five narrow high friction belts.

The second stage is in lateral flow communication with the first stage; however, the two inner high friction delivery channels adjacent the central portion terminate at the ends of the second stage.

The second stage includes a first inner conveying surface that includes two additional high friction narrow bands, seven bands in total. A central portion including a low friction surface intermediate transfer channel formed by outwardly displaced oblique rollers. The low friction surface area extends further outboard of the second stage and increases the high friction surface area of the internal transfer passage. The two outer high friction conveying channels of the second stage terminate near the third stage, and the low friction surface conveying channels of the central portion are displaced outwardly so as to extend to the outer edge of the conveyor in the third stage.

The first internal high friction surface conveying path of the second stage includes two additional high friction surface strips of nine total strips extending along the inner edge of the third stage of the conveyor and terminating at the end of the conveyor. The central portion includes a low friction surface feed channel formed with oblique rollers extending from the first inner feed channel to provide a low friction surface area extending to the outer edge of the third stage.

The number of narrow bands comprising high friction areas may be any selected number.

The lateral receiving edge of the second intermediate conveying channel is located below the lateral receiving edge of the first conveying channel and the second conveying channel is laterally inclined and angled laterally upward by having a raised outer edge that is flush with or below the lateral receiving edge of the adjacent third conveying channel and the conveying surface of the second conveying channel forms an inclined plane that extends above the inner lateral receiving edge of the adjacent third conveying channel that has a high friction surface. By selecting the amount of high friction conveying surface provided by one or more adjacent conveying lanes, lateral movement of packages on a multi-stage sortation conveyor can be controlled.

Example 3

Fig. 21-26 illustrate lower friction conveyor lanes comprising diagonal rollers disposed between high friction conveyor lanes comprising a plurality of narrow bands to provide packages of the width of the first conveyor lane that continue to be illustrated moving forward and packages on intermediate conveyor lanes of adjacent lower friction surfaces that are illustrated moving sideways and forward until it is removed by the conveyor. By adding more steps, a continuous path is provided for removing side-by-side packages as more steps are added.

In fig. 21, a five-stage multi-stage conveyor is shown having a high friction conveying surface formed of a plurality of narrow strips of varying numbers and lengths in flow communication with a low friction surface to provide a displacement zone having a high friction conveying surface and a lower friction conveying surface to control lateral movement of packages thereon. As depicted in fig. 22, the two-stage, multi-stage conveyor unit includes a package resting on a feed conveyor aligned with the package and in flow communication with the first conveying path. The two-stage, multi-stage conveyor unit of fig. 22 includes packages resting on the first and second conveying lanes of the first stage. The two-stage multi-stage conveyor unit of fig. 23 includes packages resting on first and second conveying lanes moving onto the second stage. Fig. 25 shows a two-stage, multi-stage conveyor unit including packages resting on the first and second conveying lanes of the second stage, and in fig. 26 shows a two-stage, multi-stage conveyor unit including packages passing through the first conveying lane and packages resting on the third conveying lane of the third stage.

Example 4

Fig. 27-30 show a solution to the 3-way side-by-side separation problem.

Fig. 27 shows a two-stage, multi-stage conveyor unit, such as that shown in fig. 28, including a parcel resting on a first conveyor path and two side-by-side parcels resting on a second conveyor path of the first stage. If three side-by-side parcels enter a three-stage, multi-lane conveyor, where the third high friction conveying lane is too narrow to support the parcels, momentum brings them too narrow lane, so adjacent parcels may no longer resist lateral movement and the remaining parcels from reaching a position for falling onto the recirculating conveyor.

In addition, as shown in fig. 29-30, raising the central passage up to the third high friction conveyor passage at a selected angle may utilize a conveyor with additional stages.

As shown in fig. 29, the three-stage multi-stage conveyor unit has a third stage comprising parcels resting on a first conveyor channel of the third stage and two side-by-side parcels, with the middle parcel resting on a second low friction conveyor channel surface comprised of oblique rollers and adjacent outer parcel being conveyed upwardly and outwardly toward a high friction conveyor surface comprising a belt. A three stage multi-stage conveyor unit wherein the inner wrap rests on a first conveyor channel including a high friction belt and rests on vertical sidewalls at the end of a third stage of the conveyor and the outer wrap is pushed laterally off an outer high friction belt resting on the third conveyor channel of the third stage. The intermediate parcel rides over the second low friction conveying channel surface comprised of oblique rollers and moves laterally upward and outward over the laterally inner edge of the third high friction belt, such that the intermediate parcel rests on the outer high friction conveying surface, as depicted in fig. 30.

Example 5

The two-stage multi-stage conveyor shown in fig. 31-34 illustrates the separation of two side-by-side articles.

As shown in fig. 31-32, one package is conveyed forward on a first high friction conveyor lane, and a second package is conveyed forward and sideways from a second lower friction conveyor lane and transferred to a third high friction conveyor lane where it is removed to a recirculating conveyor. Packages in the first conveying path are conveyed forward to the receiving conveyor.

Fig. 33 shows a two-stage, multi-stage conveyor in which a parcel rests on a first conveyor path of the second stage and a parcel rests on a second conveyor path of the second stage. One package is conveyed forward on the first high friction conveyor lane and a second package is conveyed forward and sideways from the second lower friction conveyor lane but not moved a sufficient distance to transfer to the third high friction conveyor lane where it is recycled. Packages in the first conveying path are conveyed forward to the receiving conveyor. As shown in fig. 34, the two-stage multi-stage conveyor shows a parcel resting on the first high friction conveying path of the second stage passing through to the receiving conveyor, and a parcel resting on the third high friction conveying path of the second stage traveling to the drop ramp, and an additional parcel resting on the second conveying path, which parcel would drop if the center of gravity extended onto the drop ramp.

As shown in fig. 35 (a), an isometric view of a multi-stage conveyor is shown, the multi-stage conveyor comprising a first small bin on a first inner conveyor channel having a high friction surface comprising three spaced apart aligned narrow bands adjacent a vertical wall in flow communication with a second intermediate conveyor channel comprising a plurality of diagonal rollers positioned with a lateral angle of 1-30 degrees and providing forward and lateral movement to a second large bin supported thereon, a portion of the distal end of the bin extending over an adjacent receiving edge of a third outer conveyor channel having a high friction surface comprising a pair of narrow high friction bands. Fig. 35 (b) shows the forward and sideways movement of the second largest box on the second conveying path. Fig. 35 (c) shows the forward and sideways movement of the second largest box on the second conveying path. An isometric end view of the multi-stage conveyor is shown in fig. 35 (d), wherein the lateral momentum of the box on the second conveyor path including the powered diagonal rollers carries the second largest box upward, wherein the center of gravity causes the box to fall onto the edge of the third conveyor path which pulls the box forward until the center of gravity is displaced, causing the box to fall from the third conveyor onto the departure ramp. In fig. 35 (e), the center of gravity of the second large box extends beyond the edge of the ramp adjacent the third conveying path, and a portion of the second large box falls onto the ramp. As shown in the downstream view, the multi-stage conveyor shows the second largest box falling onto the ramp for recycling or removal.

FIG. 36 (a) is a downstream cross-sectional view of the multi-stage conveyor of FIG. 35 (a-f) showing a first small bin on a first inner conveying channel having a high friction surface comprising two spaced aligned narrow high friction belts adjacent a vertical wall in flow communication with a second low friction intermediate conveying channel comprising a plurality of powered skewed rollers positioned with a lateral angle of 1-30 degrees and providing forward and lateral movement for a second large bin supported thereon, a portion of the distal end of the bin extending over an adjacent receiving edge of a third outer high friction conveying channel having a high friction surface comprising a single narrow belt. In fig. 36 (b) a downstream end view is shown wherein the lateral momentum of the box on the second conveyor channel carries the second largest box across the edge of the third conveyor channel, wherein the box is supported by the third conveyor channel. In fig. 36 (c), the lateral momentum of the box on the second conveying path carries the second large box over the edge of the second conveying path and onto the third high friction conveying path, wherein the center of gravity of the second large box extends above the third high friction belt conveying path and the momentum carries the box down onto the discharge ramp. As shown in fig. 36 (d), the center of gravity of the second large box extends over the edge of the ramp adjacent the third conveying path, and a portion of the second large box falls onto the ramp. In fig. 36 (e), the second largest box falls onto a ramp for recycling or removal.

Fig. 37 (a) is an upstream end view of the multistage conveyor of fig. 35 (a-f), and fig. 36 (a-d) is an upstream view showing a first small bin on a first inner conveying channel having a high friction surface comprising three spaced apart aligned narrow bands adjacent a vertical wall in flow communication with a second intermediate conveying channel comprising a plurality of inclined rollers positioned with a lateral angle of 1-30 degrees and providing forward and lateral movement for a second large bin supported thereon, a portion of the distal end of the bin extending over an adjacent receiving edge of a third outer conveying channel having a high friction surface comprising a single narrow band. The forward and sideways movement of the second largest box on the second conveying path is shown in fig. 37 (b) and 37 (c). In fig. 37 (d) it is shown that the lateral momentum of the box on the second conveying path carries the second largest box over the edge of the second path, whereby the high friction narrow band of the third conveying path pulls the box forward until the centre of gravity extends over the third path and the box is ejected. In fig. 37 (e), the lateral momentum of the box on the second conveying path carries the second large box across the edge of the second path, wherein the center of gravity of the second large box causes it to drop onto the third high friction conveying path, which pulls the box forward, wherein the momentum causes the box to drop from the edge of the third conveying path onto the drop ramp. In fig. 37 (f), the outer box does not rest on a single high friction belt, but rather moves laterally under the force of the second conveying channel and is pulled forward by the third narrow high friction conveying channel to fall from the third conveying channel onto a ramp for recirculation or removal.

Fig. 38 (a) shows the multi-stage conveyor of fig. 35 (a-f) and 36 (a-d) and 37 (a-f) with a first small bin on a first inner conveyor channel having a high friction surface comprising three spaced apart aligned narrow bands adjacent a vertical wall in flow communication with a second intermediate conveyor channel comprising a plurality of inclined rollers positioned with a lateral angle of 1-30 degrees and providing forward and lateral movement to a second large bin supported thereon, a portion of the distal end of the bin extending over an adjacent receiving edge of a third outer conveyor channel having a high friction surface comprising a single narrow band. The top view of the multi-stage conveyor of fig. 38 (b) shows the forward movement of a first bin on a first lane and a second large bin on a second lane;

The top view of the multi-stage conveyor in fig. 38 (c) shows the forward and lateral movement of the second largest box on the second conveying path. Fig. 38 (d) shows that after the center of gravity of the box passes over the side edges of the second conveying path and the narrow high friction third conveying path, the lateral momentum of the box on the second conveying path carries the second largest box over the edge of the third conveying path due to the angular momentum from the transition from the inclined plane formed by the lateral angle of the second low friction powered inclined roller conveyor. Fig. 38 (e) shows that the center of gravity of the second largest box extends over the edge of the ramp adjacent the third conveying path and a portion of the second largest box falls onto the ramp. In fig. 38 (f) it is shown that the second largest box falls onto the ramp for recycling or removal.

Fig. 39 (a-d) shows an upstream end view of a multi-stage conveyor showing a first internal conveying path having a high friction surface comprising three spaced apart pairs Ji Zhaidai adjacent a vertical wall in flow communication with a second intermediate conveying path comprising a plurality of skewed rollers positioned with a laterally upward angle of 1-30 degrees, the skewed rollers having thereon: a first box moving in a forward and sideways movement towards a third external conveying channel having a high friction surface comprising a pair of narrow strips; and a second box adjacent to the first box, wherein the second box is balanced and supported by the third conveying channel; and a third box, wherein the center of gravity has pulled the third box through the third strap and onto the ramp.

An upstream end view of the multi-stage conveyor is depicted in fig. 40 (a-c), wherein a first inner conveying path having a high friction surface includes three spaced apart pairs Ji Zhaidai adjacent a vertical wall in flow communication with a second intermediate conveying path including a plurality of diagonal rollers positioned with a laterally upward angle of 1-30 degrees, the diagonal rollers having thereon boxes moving in forward and lateral movement toward a third outer conveying path having a high friction surface including a pair of narrow strips. The lateral momentum of the box on the second transfer channel carries a portion past the edge of the third transfer channel even though the center of gravity is still on the second transfer channel. The box is balanced and supported by the third conveying channel;

In fig. 41 a multistage conveyor is shown, which shows a first internal conveying channel with a high friction surface comprising two spaced pairs Ji Zhaidai adjacent to a vertical wall in flow communication with a second intermediate conveying channel comprising a plurality of inclined rollers positioned with a lateral upward angle of 1-30 degrees, wherein the box is supported by two narrow strips of the first conveying channel adjacent to the vertical side walls.

A first internal conveying channel having a high friction surface comprising two spaced apart pairs Ji Zhaidai adjacent a vertical wall in flow communication with a second intermediate conveying channel comprising a plurality of diagonal rollers positioned with a lateral upward angle of 1-30 degrees is shown in fig. 42, wherein a first box is supported by two narrow strips of the first conveying channel adjacent a vertical sidewall and a second box laterally adjacent thereto is positioned on the second conveying channel.

Fig. 43 (a-g) shows a multi-stage conveyor, which shows: a first internal conveying channel comprising two high friction surface conveying surfaces comprising two spaced apart pairs Ji Zhaidai of adjacent vertical walls in flow communication with a second intermediate conveying channel comprising a plurality of oblique rollers positioned with a laterally upward angle of 1-30 degrees; and a third conveyor channel having a high friction surface comprising two spaced apart narrow strips, wherein the first conveyor channel and the third conveyor channel are at a height greater than the outer edge of the second conveyor channel, and the box is supported by the two narrow strips of the first conveyor channel adjacent the vertical side wall and the two narrow strips of the third conveyor channel above the second conveyor channel, thereby passing the box therethrough. In fig. 43 (b) a large flat box is shown which is aligned with the vertical walls supported by the powered diagonal roller low friction conveying path before entering the multi-stage conveyor. Fig. 43 (c) is a top view of the multi-lane conveyor of fig. 43 (b) showing a large flat box offset on a vertical sidewall supported by two high friction inner and two high friction outer conveyor lanes supported above the skewed roller low friction conveyor lanes therebetween. In fig. 43 (d) a large flat box is shown offset on the vertical side wall supported by two high friction inner and two high friction outer conveying channels supported above the diagonal roller low friction conveying channels therebetween. In fig. 43 (e) a large flat box is shown supported by a powered diagonal roller low friction conveying path prior to entering the multi-stage conveyor. In fig. 43 (f), a large flat box is offset on the vertical side wall supported by three high friction inner conveying channels and one high friction outer conveying channel, which are supported above the diagonal roller low friction conveying channel therebetween. FIG. 43 (g) is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 43 (d) showing the large flat box offset on the vertical side walls supported by three high friction inner conveying channels and one high friction outer conveying channel supported above the skewed roller low friction conveying channel therebetween, wherein the width of the first conveying channel increases and the width of the outer conveying channel decreases as the product is conveyed forward.

The multi-stage conveyor of fig. 44 has a first internal conveying path with a high friction surface comprising two spaced apart pairs Ji Zhaidai of adjacent vertical walls in flow communication with a second intermediate conveying path comprising a plurality of inclined rollers positioned with a laterally upward angle of 1-30 degrees; and a third conveyor channel having a high friction surface comprising two spaced apart narrow strips, wherein the first conveyor channel and the third conveyor channel are at a height greater than an outer edge of the second conveyor channel, and the elongated box is supported by the two narrow strips of the first conveyor channel adjacent the vertical side wall and the two narrow strips of the third conveyor channel above the second conveyor channel, thereby passing the box thereon.

FIG. 45 shows a first internal conveying channel having a high friction surface comprising three spaced apart pairs Ji Zhaidai adjacent vertical walls in flow communication with a first tank supported thereon; and a second intermediate transfer channel comprising a plurality of oblique rollers positioned with a lateral upward angle of 1-30 degrees, having thereon a second box and a third box laterally adjacent to the first box and laterally adjacent to each other, and moving in a forward and laterally upward motion toward a third outer transfer channel having a high friction surface comprising a pair of narrow strips and having a fourth box adjacent to the first box, the second box, and the third box, wherein the fourth box is balanced and supported by the third transfer channel, and a fifth box adjacent to the fourth box, wherein a center of gravity of the fifth box has pulled the fifth box through the narrow strips of the third transfer channel and onto the discharge ramp.

Fig. 46 (a-j) shows a multi-stage conveyor showing an inner vertical sidewall extending the length of the conveyor, and a first conveying path having a high friction surface comprising: a first inner narrow band of the first stage in flow communication with a second inner narrow band of the second stage for moving the article in a forward direction; a third inner narrow band extending along the entire length of the conveyor from the first stage to the second stage, spaced apart from and adjacent to the first and second inner narrow bands; an adjacent fourth inner narrow band beginning at a selected downstream location defining a second stage near the center of the conveyor extending to the end of the conveyor for moving the articles in a forward direction. A second conveying channel having a low friction surface is positioned adjacent the outer edges of the second and third inner lanes and extends the entire length of the conveyor from the first stage to the second stage including a plurality of diagonal rollers positioned with an upward angle of up to 30 degrees laterally for moving articles in forward and lateral directions away from the first conveying channel, wherein the low friction conveying channel is positioned with a lateral angle of 1-30 degrees. A third conveying path having a high friction surface comprising: a fifth outer narrow band beginning at an upper end of the first stage of the conveyor and in lateral flow communication with the second conveying path and ending at a selected distance downstream of an end of the first stage proximate the middle of the conveyor; and a sixth outer narrow band extending the entire length of the conveyor from the first stage to the second stage, adjacent the outer edge of the fifth outer narrow band, having a downstream portion in flow communication with a portion of the low friction conveying channel adjacent thereto.

Fig. 46 (b) includes a narrow first box adjacent to the vertical side wall and a wide second box adjacent to and spaced apart from the first box, both boxes being supported by an upstream conveyor feeding the multi-stage, multi-channel conveyor. Fig. 46 (c) has a first box adjacent the vertical sidewall and a second box adjacent the first box, both supported by an upstream conveyor feeding the multi-stage multi-channel conveyor, whereby the first box is conveyed by the first and third inner narrow strips and the second box is aligned with a second conveying channel having a low friction surface. In fig. 46 (d) there is shown a first box conveyed on first and second inner narrow bands of a first conveying path and adjacent to a vertical sidewall, and a second box conveyed adjacent thereto and spaced therefrom, forwardly and laterally on a second conveying path of a first stage having a low friction surface. In fig. 46 (e), before entering the second stage, the first box is conveyed on first and second inner narrow strips of the first conveying channel adjacent to the vertical side walls and the second box adjacent thereto and spaced therefrom is conveyed forward and sideways on the second conveying channel at the end of the first stage, wherein the first conveying channel and the second conveying channel are displaced toward the outer edge of the conveyor. In fig. 46 (f) there is shown a first box conveyed on the first and third inner narrow strips of the first conveying path of the second stage and a second box spaced therefrom conveyed forwardly and laterally on the second conveying path conveyor of the second stage adjacent the sixth outer narrow third conveying path. In fig. 46 (g) there is shown a first box conveyed on the first and second inner narrow bands of the first conveying path of the second stage and a second box adjacent thereto and spaced therefrom, moving forwardly and laterally from the second conveying path and being balanced and supported on the third conveying path of the second stage. In fig. 46 (h) there is shown a first box conveyed on the first and second inner narrow bands of the first conveying path at the end of the second stage and a second box adjacent thereto and spaced therefrom and balanced and supported on the third conveying path at the end of the second stage. In fig. 46 (i), a first box is conveyed on and adjacent to and spaced apart from the first and second inner lanes of a first conveying path at the end of a second stage transfer downstream conveyor, moving forward and sideways from the end of the second stage toward the departure ramp. The first boxes are conveyed on the first and second inner narrow strips of the first conveying path at the end of the second stage transfer to the downstream conveyor and the second boxes adjacent thereto and spaced therefrom are removed from the third conveying path at the end of the second stage to the departure ramp, as shown in fig. 46 (j).

Fig. 47 (a-n) includes an inner box adjacent the vertical side wall, a second intermediate box adjacent the first box, and a third outer box adjacent the second intermediate box aligned and spaced apart and supported by an upstream moving inclined roller conveyor feeding the multi-stage, multi-channel conveyor. The inner box is positioned adjacent the vertical sidewall, the second intermediate box is adjacent the first box and the third outer box is adjacent the second intermediate box, aligned and spaced apart, supported by an upstream power diagonal roller conveyor feeding the multi-stage, multi-lane conveyor. The inner box adjacent to the vertical side wall is supported by a first conveying channel with two narrow high friction belts; the second intermediate box and the adjacent third outer box are supported by a second conveyor path having a plurality of low friction powered diagonal conveyor rollers. The inner box adjacent to the vertical sidewall is supported by a first conveyor channel having two narrow high friction belts, and the second intermediate box and the adjacent third outer box are supported by a second conveyor channel having a plurality of low friction power diagonal conveyor rollers, as shown in fig. 47 (d). Fig. 47 (e) shows an inner box adjacent to a vertical sidewall supported by a first conveyor channel having two narrow high friction belts moving forward, a second intermediate box supported by a second conveyor channel having a plurality of low friction powered diagonal conveyor rollers that move the second intermediate box forward and laterally outward, and a third outer box supported by a third conveyor channel having two narrow high friction belts that move the third outer box forward. The inner box adjacent to the vertical side wall is supported by a first conveying path having two narrow high friction belts moving forward, a second intermediate box is supported by a second conveying path having a plurality of low friction power diagonal conveyor rollers that move the second intermediate box forward and laterally outward, and a third outer box is supported by a third conveying path having two narrow high friction belts that move the third outer box forward, as shown in fig. 47 (f). As shown in fig. 47 (g), the inner box adjacent to the vertical side wall is supported by a first conveying passage having two narrow high friction belts that transition to three narrow high friction belts that move forward; the second intermediate box is supported by a second conveyor channel having a plurality of low friction powered diagonal conveyor rollers that move the second intermediate box forward and laterally outward, and the third outer box is supported by a third conveyor channel that transitions from two narrow high friction bands to one narrow high friction band that moves the third outer box forward whereby the width of the high friction surface of the inner first conveyor channel increases and the width of the high surface area of the third conveyor channel decreases on the outer exit channel side; the inner box adjacent to the vertical side wall shown in fig. 47 (h) is supported by a first conveyor channel having two narrow high friction belts that transition to three narrow high friction belts that move the inner box forward, a second intermediate box is supported by a second conveyor channel having a plurality of low friction powered diagonal conveyor rollers that move the second intermediate box forward and laterally outward, and a third outer box is supported by an outer third conveyor channel that transitions from two narrow high friction belts to one narrow high friction belt, one narrow high friction belt moves the third outer box forward, whereby the width of the high friction surface of the inner first conveyor channel increases and the width of the high surface area of the third conveyor channel on the outer exit channel side decreases. Fig. 47 (i) shows a top view, which shows: an inner box adjacent the vertical sidewall supported by a first conveyor channel having three narrow high friction belts that move the inner box forward; a second intermediate box supported by a second conveyor run having a plurality of low friction powered diagonal conveyor rolls that move the second intermediate box forward and laterally outward to contact the third conveyor run high friction belt; and laterally moving from the second conveyor channel over and onto a third outer box on a third conveyor channel having a single high friction narrow band, whereby the third outer box center of gravity causes the outer box to fall on the narrow high friction band and onto a falling ramp for removal or recirculation. The inner box shown in fig. 47 (j) is supported adjacent the vertical side wall by a first conveyor channel having three narrow high friction bands that move the inner box forward, a second intermediate box is supported by a second conveyor channel having a plurality of low friction powered diagonal conveyor rollers that move the second intermediate box forward and laterally outward to contact a third conveyor channel high friction band, and a third outer box moves laterally from the second conveyor channel over and onto a third conveyor channel having a single high friction narrow band, whereby the third outer box center of gravity causes the outer box to fall on the narrow high friction band and onto a falling ramp for removal or recirculation. As shown in fig. 47 (k), the inner box adjacent to the vertical side wall is supported by a first conveying path having three narrow high friction belts that move the inner box forward, a second intermediate box has moved laterally onto a third conveying path high friction belt, and a third outer box has been discharged. The inner box of fig. 47 (l) adjacent the vertical side wall is supported by a first conveyor channel having three narrow high friction belts that move the inner box forward, a second intermediate box has moved laterally onto a third conveyor channel high friction belt, and a third outer box has been discharged. Fig. 47 (m) illustrates an inner box adjacent a vertical sidewall supported by a first conveyor channel having three narrow high friction bands that move the inner box forward and laterally from a second conveyor channel to a second intermediate box on a third conveyor channel having a single high friction narrow band, whereby the third outer box center of gravity causes the outer box to fall on the narrow high friction bands and onto a falling ramp for removal or recirculation. The inner box adjacent to the vertical side wall is supported by a first conveyor channel having three narrow high friction bands that move the inner box forward, and a second intermediate box moves laterally from the second conveyor channel onto a third conveyor channel having a single high friction narrow band, whereby the third outer box center of gravity causes the outer box to fall onto the narrow high friction bands and onto a falling ramp for removal or recirculation, as shown in fig. 47 (n).

Fig. 48 (a-f) provides a multi-stage conveyor showing internal vertical sidewalls extending the length of the conveyor. A first conveying path having a high friction surface including a first inner narrow band extending from the first stage through the third stage along the entire length of the conveyor and a second inner narrow band extending from the second stage through the third stage in spaced-apart alignment with the first inner narrow band and a third inner narrow band extending from an end of the second stage through the third stage in spaced-apart alignment with the second inner narrow band for moving the article in a forward direction. A second conveyor channel having a low friction surface positioned adjacent an outer edge of the first conveyor channel, displaced outwardly along the outer edges of the first inner narrow strip, the second inner narrow strip, and the third inner narrow strip in lateral flow communication therewith, and extending the entire length of the conveyor from the first stage through the third stage including a plurality of diagonal rollers for moving articles in a forward and lateral direction away from the first conveyor channel, wherein the low friction second conveyor channel is positioned with a lateral angle of up to 30 degrees. A third conveying path having a high friction surface in lateral flow communication with the second conveying path, including a fourth outer narrow band extending through the conveyor first stage terminating in the second stage, a fifth outer narrow band extending through the conveyor first and second stages spaced apart from and aligned with the fourth outer narrow band, and a sixth outer narrow band extending from the first stage to the third stage displaced outwardly along an outer edge of the second conveying path. More particularly, fig. 48 (b) shows a first box adjacent to the vertical sidewall conveyed on a first inner narrow strip of the first conveying path, a second box adjacent thereto and spaced therefrom conveyed forward on the second conveying path, and a third box adjacent thereto and spaced therefrom conveyed forward on the second conveying path. The first box is conveyed on a first inner narrow strip of the first conveying path adjacent to the vertical sidewall, the second box is conveyed adjacent thereto and spaced therefrom forwardly on the second conveying path, and the third box is conveyed adjacent thereto and spaced therefrom forwardly on the second conveying path and a pocket of parcels conveyed by the aligned upstream infeed conveyors for conveyance on the first, second and third conveying paths, as shown in fig. 48 (c). Fig. 48 (d) is a top view of fig. 48 (a) showing a first box adjacent to the vertical sidewall being conveyed on a first inner narrow strip of a first conveying path, a second box being conveyed forward and sideways on a second path having been shifted and balanced on a sixth outer narrow strip of a third stage, and a third box being shifted onto a first discharge ramp. In fig. 48 (e), the first inner narrow band of the first conveying path is conveyed along the vertical sidewall and diverted to the downstream conveyor by the first box of the third stage, the second intermediate box adjacent thereto and spaced therefrom is moved forward toward the ramp on the sixth outer narrow band of the third conveying path, and the third box has fallen onto the ramp on the narrow band of the third stage. The first boxes are conveyed along the vertical side walls on a first inner narrow band of the first conveying path and diverted by a third stage to a downstream conveyor, and a second box adjacent thereto and spaced therefrom is moved forward past a sixth outer narrow band of the third conveying path and diverted to a second ramp at the end of the third conveying path, as shown in fig. 48 (f).

Fig. 49 (a-e) includes a multi-stage conveyor, showing internal vertical sidewalls extending the length of the conveyor. A first conveying path having a high friction surface comprising seven inner narrow bands, wherein the first inner narrow band extends along the entire length of the conveyor, and the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh inner narrow bands have progressively decreasing lengths, thereby forming a diagonal high friction surface area extending from a right front corner to a left rear corner. A second conveying path having a low friction surface positioned adjacent the outer edge of the first conveying path, displaced diagonally outward along the outer edge of the inner narrow band, including a plurality of short diagonal rollers for moving the articles in forward and lateral directions away from the first conveying path. A third conveying channel having a high friction surface in lateral flow communication with the second conveying channel, including eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth outer bands extending through a progressive length of the conveyor that is spaced apart from and aligned with an outer edge of the second conveying channel. More particularly, fig. 49 (b) includes a first box resting on the first conveyor channel adjacent to the vertical sidewall passing through the conveyor, a second box resting on the second conveyor channel spaced apart from and adjacent to the first box, and a third box with a portion resting on the second conveyor channel and another portion resting on the second and third inner lanes of the third conveyor channel. In fig. 49 (c), a first box rests on the first conveying path through the conveyor adjacent to the vertical sidewall, a second box rests on the second conveying path spaced apart from and adjacent to the first box, and a portion of which rests on the second conveying path and another portion of which rests on the third box on the second and third inner strips of the third conveying path, with the small wrap-bags resting on the upstream infeed conveyor aligned with the first, second and second conveying paths. The first box is conveyed on the first conveying path, passing through a conveyor in flow communication with the downstream conveyor adjacent the vertical side wall, the second box is conveyed forward and sideways, adjacent the third conveying path, and the third box is moved forward and sideways displaced over and onto the fourteenth outer narrow band of the third conveying path, as shown in fig. 49 (d). Fig. 49 (e) shows a first box conveyed on a first conveying path adjacent a vertical sidewall through a conveyor in flow communication with a downstream conveyor, a second box conveyed forward and laterally displaced over and onto a fourteenth outer narrowband of a third conveying path, and a fourth box laterally displaced onto a drop ramp.

Fig. 50 (a-d) includes or is made up of a multi-stage conveyor, showing internal vertical sidewalls extending the length of the conveyor. The first conveying channel has a high friction surface comprising seven inner narrow bands, wherein the first inner narrow band extends along the entire length of the conveyor and the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh inner narrow bands have progressively decreasing lengths, thereby forming a diagonal high friction surface area extending from the right front corner to the left rear corner. A second conveying path having a low friction surface positioned adjacent the outer edge of the first conveying path, displaced diagonally outward along the outer edge of the inner narrow band, including a plurality of short diagonal rollers for moving the articles in forward and lateral directions away from the first conveying path. A third conveying channel having a high friction surface in lateral flow communication with the second conveying channel, including eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth outer bands extending through a progressive length of the conveyor that is spaced apart from and aligned with an outer edge of the second conveying channel.

More particularly, in fig. 50 (b), a first box rests on the first conveyor channel through the conveyor adjacent to the vertical sidewall, a second box rests on the second conveyor channel spaced apart from and adjacent to the first box, and a portion of the third box rests on the second conveyor channel and another portion rests on the second and third inner lanes of the third conveyor channel. In fig. 50 (c), a first box rests on a first conveying path through the conveyor adjacent to the vertical side walls, a second box rests on a second conveying path spaced from and adjacent to the first box, and a third box is conveyed forward and laterally moved toward a falling ramp at the outer edge of the conveyor. Finally, as shown in fig. 50 (d), the first box is conveyed on a first conveying path, passing through a conveyor in flow communication with the downstream conveyor adjacent the vertical sidewall, the second box is conveyed forward and laterally displaced over and onto a fourteenth outer narrow band of a third conveying path, the fourteenth outer narrow band of the third conveying path being aligned with the end discharge ramp, and the third box being discharged from the outer ramp;

Fig. 51 (a) shows a large bag with small parcels on a multi-stage conveyor, the figure showing a first interior conveying lane comprising two spaced apart adjacent juxtaposed narrow strips having a high friction conveying surface adjacent a vertical side wall and in lateral flow communication with a second intermediate conveying lane comprising a plurality of powered ramp rollers positioned with a lateral upward angle of 1-30 degrees for moving articles forward and laterally outward, and a third conveying lane having a high friction conveying surface comprising two spaced apart narrow strips, wherein the inner receiving edge of the third conveying lane is higher than the height of the outer edge of the second conveying lane, the outer edge being angled upward to form a conveying plane extending above the outer edge of the third conveying lane, whereby the large bag of small parcel boxes is moved forward and laterally toward the vertical side wall by the powered ramp rollers upstream of the infeed conveyor.

Fig. 51 (b) shows a first internal conveying path comprising two spaced apart adjacent juxtaposed narrow strips having a high friction conveying surface adjacent the vertical side wall and in lateral flow communication with a second intermediate conveying path comprising a plurality of powered inclined rollers positioned with a lateral upward angle of 1-30 degrees for moving articles forward and laterally outward, and a third conveying path having a high friction conveying surface comprising two spaced apart narrow strips, wherein the inner receiving edge of the third conveying path is higher than the height of the outer edge of the second conveying path, the outer edge being angled upward to form a conveying plane extending above the outer edge of the third conveying path, whereby the large bag of small parcel boxes is moved forward and laterally toward the vertical side wall by the powered inclined rollers upstream feed conveyor. Further, fig. 51 (c) includes a first inner conveying channel comprising two high friction surface conveying surfaces comprising two spaced pairs Ji Zhaidai of adjacent vertical walls, the conveying surfaces being in flow communication with a second intermediate conveying channel comprising a plurality of diagonal rollers positioned with a laterally upward angle of 1-30 degrees, and a third conveying channel having a high friction surface comprising two spaced narrow strips, wherein the first conveying channel and the third conveying channel are at a height greater than the outer edge of the second conveying channel, and the large pocket of the small parcel box is supported by the two narrow strips of the first conveying channel adjacent the vertical sidewalls and the two narrow strips of the third conveying channel, thus making the high friction surfaces of the inner conveying channel and the outer conveying channel greater than the lateral force of the low friction conveying surfaces of the diagonal rollers therebetween.

Fig. 51 (d) shows a first inner conveying path comprising two high friction surface conveying surfaces comprising two spaced pairs Ji Zhaidai of adjacent vertical walls in flow communication with a second intermediate conveying path comprising a plurality of diagonal rollers positioned with a laterally upward angle of 1-30 degrees, and a third conveying path having a high friction surface comprising two spaced narrow strips, wherein the two narrow strips of the first and third conveying paths are at a higher elevation than the outer edge of the second conveying path, and the large pocket of the small parcel box is supported by the two narrow strips of the first conveying path adjacent the vertical side walls and the two narrow strips of the third conveying path, thus making the high friction surfaces of the inner and outer conveying paths greater than the lateral forces of the low friction conveying surfaces of the diagonal rollers therebetween.

As shown in fig. 51 (e), the first inner conveyor channel comprising the high friction surface conveyor channel comprises three spaced apart aligned narrow bands adjacent the vertical wall in flow communication with the intermediate conveyor channel comprising a plurality of diagonal rollers positioned with a lateral upward angle of 1-30 degrees, and the third outer conveyor channel having a high friction surface comprising one spaced apart narrow band, wherein the first and third conveyor channels are at a height greater than the outer edge of the second conveyor channel, and the large pocket of the small parcel box is supported by one of the three narrow bands of the first conveyor channel and the third conveyor channel with a higher friction force than the lateral force of the low friction conveyor surface of the diagonal rollers therebetween.

Finally, fig. 51 (f) shows a multi-stage conveyor comprising a first interior conveyor channel comprising a high friction surface conveyor channel comprising three spaced aligned narrow bands adjacent vertical walls in flow communication with a middle conveyor channel comprising a plurality of diagonal rollers positioned with a lateral upward angle of 1-30 degrees and a third conveyor channel having a high friction surface comprising one spaced narrow band, wherein the first and third conveyor channels are at a height greater than the outer edges of the second conveyor channel and the large pockets of the small parcel box are supported by one of the three narrow bands of the first conveyor channel and the third conveyor channel with a higher friction force than the lateral force of the low friction conveyor surfaces of the diagonal rollers therebetween.

The foregoing detailed description has been given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific examples presented herein above. On the contrary, what is intended to be covered is within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A multi-stage, multi-channel, single selector conveyor comprising at least two single selector conveyors arranged in flow communication in an end-to-end arrangement defining first and second stages, each stage comprising:

a singulator conveying path arrangement comprising at least three driven conveying paths arranged in an adjacent side-by-side configuration;

A first conveying path comprising at least two spaced apart aligned webs having a high friction conveying surface for conveying articles forward along a vertical sidewall, wherein an incoming article is positioned along the vertical sidewall;

A second conveyor channel having a lower friction conveying surface disposed alongside the first conveyor channel, the second conveyor channel having an inner receiving edge at a lower elevation, the second conveyor channel comprising a series of driven rollers having rotational axes inclined relative to the forward direction of travel such that the articles are conveyed simultaneously forward and laterally outwardly away from the first conveyor channel and the vertical side walls, the second conveyor channel being laterally inclined and angled upwardly at a selected angle to form an elevated outer side edge;

The second conveying path having a low friction conveying surface forming an inclined plane extending at a selected angle to convey the article over a receiving side edge of an adjacent third conveying path; and

The adjacent third conveying channel having a different width than the first conveying channel, the third conveying channel comprising a narrow strip of at least two high friction conveying surfaces, the third conveying channel having a receiving side edge with a height that is higher than or flush with the raised outer side edge of the second conveying channel; and

The second conveying path is angled upwardly in the range of 1 to 30 degrees relative to horizontal.

2. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a infeed conveyor having a lower friction conveying surface and a series of driven rollers, the axes of rotation of said driven rollers being inclined relative to the laterally forward direction of travel for conveying said articles simultaneously laterally forward and laterally inward toward said first conveying lane.

3. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second conveyor channel lower friction conveying surface comprises a skewed roller.

4. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first, second, and third conveyor lanes are selected from the group consisting of an endless belt conveyor lane, an endless roller conveyor lane, and combinations thereof.

5. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 1, wherein said high friction conveying surfaces of said first and third conveying lanes comprise plastic, elastomer, rubber, coating, or a combination thereof.

6. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 1, wherein said lower friction conveying surface comprises a metal, plastic, graphite material, or tetrafluoroethylene material.

7. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first conveying path high friction conveying surface comprises a plurality of narrow belts, said second conveying path lower friction conveying surface comprises a skewed roller, and said third conveying path high friction conveying surface comprises a plurality of narrow belts.

8. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 1, said first and third conveyor lanes being the same height.

9. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 1, wherein said articles on both said first and third conveying lane high friction conveying surfaces will be conveyed straight through along a main stream.

10. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and third conveyor lanes travel at the same rate so that large packages resting on said first and third conveyor lanes are conveyed by said singulator conveyor apparatus.

11. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second conveyor lane is inclined at an obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal direction and the speed of said second conveyor lane is set such that it has a forward longitudinal component equal to the forward speed of said first conveyor lane such that packages resting on both said first conveyor lane and said second conveyor lane will advance without rotating.

12. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 1, wherein said high friction conveying surface of said first conveying lane increases in width and said high friction conveying surface of said third conveying lane decreases in width on the exit lane side.

13. The single selector conveyor apparatus of claim 12, wherein a width of the low friction second conveyor channel disposed between the first conveyor channel and the third conveyor channel varies in width according to the variation in width of the first conveyor channel and the second conveyor channel.

14. The single selector conveyor apparatus of claim 12, wherein the width variations of said Gao Maca first and third high-friction conveyor lanes vary accordingly such that the width of the conveying surfaces of said first, second, and third conveyor lanes is the same from the feed end of the conveyor to the discharge end of the conveyor.

15. A multi-stage, multi-channel single selector conveyor comprising:

At least two singulator conveyors arranged in flow communication in an end-to-end arrangement defining an upstream first stage interconnected with a downstream second stage, each stage comprising:

A singulator conveying device comprising at least three driven conveying lanes arranged in an adjacent side-by-side configuration;

a first conveying path comprising at least two narrow strips having high friction conveying surfaces for conveying articles forward along a vertical sidewall, wherein incoming articles are positioned along the vertical sidewall;

A second conveyor channel having a lower friction conveying surface disposed alongside the first conveyor channel, the second conveyor channel having an inner receiving edge at a lower elevation, the second conveyor channel comprising a series of driven rollers having axes of rotation inclined relative to a forward direction of travel such that the articles are simultaneously conveyed forward and laterally outward away from the first conveyor channel and the vertical side walls, the second conveyor channel being laterally inclined and angled upward at a selected angle to form an elevated outer side edge;

the second conveying path forming an inclined plane extending at a selected angle above the receiving side edge of an adjacent third conveying path;

The adjacent third conveying channel comprises at least two narrow strips having a high friction conveying surface and has a different width than the first conveying channel; and

The third transfer channel has a receiving side edge in lateral flow communication with the raised outer side edge of the second transfer channel.

16. The single-selector conveyor apparatus of claim 15, wherein

The width of the high friction conveying surface of the first conveying channel of the second stage is increased and the width of the high friction conveying surface of the third conveying channel of the second stage is decreased as compared to the first stage; and

The low friction conveying surface of the second conveying channel disposed between the high friction conveying surface of the first conveying channel and the high friction conveying surface of the third conveying channel of the first stage increases or decreases in width offset inwardly or outwardly at the transition of the first stage, and the second stage remains adjacent to, between and in lateral flow communication with the high friction conveying surface of the first conveying channel and the high friction conveying surface of the third conveying channel of the second stage.

17. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 15, wherein said high friction conveying surface of said first conveying lane includes a plurality of spaced aligned narrow bands, said low friction conveying surface of said second conveying lane includes a skewed roller, and said high friction conveying surface of said third conveying lane includes at least one narrow band.

18. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 15, wherein said first, second, and third conveyor lanes are selected from the group consisting of an endless belt conveyor lane, an endless roller conveyor lane, and combinations thereof.

19. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 15, wherein said high friction conveying surface comprises plastic, elastomer, rubber, coating, or a combination thereof.

20. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 15 wherein said lower friction conveying surface comprises a metal, plastic, graphite material, or tetrafluoroethylene material.

21. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 15, wherein said first conveying channel high friction conveying surface comprises a plurality of narrow bands, said second conveying channel lower friction conveying surface comprises a skewed roller, and said third conveying channel high friction conveying surface comprises a plurality of narrow bands, and said first conveying channel of said upstream stage increases in width at said interconnected downstream stage and said third conveying channel decreases in width at said interconnected downstream stage.

22. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 15, said first and third conveyor lanes being the same height.

23. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 15, wherein said second conveyor channel has a low friction conveyor surface forming an inclined plane extending at a selected angle below the receiving side edge of said adjacent third conveyor channel, whereby said articles supported by both said first and third conveyor channel high friction conveyor surfaces are conveyed straight through along the main flow on said second conveyor channel.

24. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 23, wherein said first and third conveyor lanes travel at the same rate so that large packages resting on said first and third conveyor lanes are conveyed through said singulator conveyor apparatus.

25. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 15 wherein said second conveyor lane is inclined at an obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal direction and the speed of said second conveyor lane is set such that it has a forward longitudinal component equal to the forward speed of said first conveyor lane so that said articles resting on said first and second conveyor lanes will advance without rotating.

26. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 15, wherein on the exit lane side the width of the high friction conveying surface of the first conveying lane of the second stage increases and the width of the high friction conveying surface of the third conveying lane of the second stage on the exit lane side decreases.

27. The single selector conveyor apparatus of claim 15, wherein said third conveyor channel of said second stage has a reduced width of said high friction conveying surface and said first conveyor channel of said second stage has an increased width of said high friction conveying surface.

28. The single selector conveyor apparatus of claim 15, wherein said low friction conveying surface of said second conveying channel of said first stage disposed between said high friction conveying surface of said first conveying channel and said third conveying channel of said first stage varies in width in accordance with a variation in width of said first conveying channel and said third conveying channel of said second stage, said second conveying channel being displaced inwardly or outwardly at said second stage, whereby said second conveying channel remains in lateral flow communication adjacent to, between, and with said first conveying channel and said third conveying channel of said second stage.

29. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 15, wherein said second conveying path is angled upward relative to the horizontal in the range of from 5 degrees to 25 degrees.

30. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 15, wherein said first and second conveyor lanes extend continuously from said upstream first stage through said downstream second stage.

31. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 15, wherein said first and third conveyor lanes each include a plurality of narrow bands having high friction conveying surfaces, and said width of said first and third conveyor lanes are adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of narrow bands of high friction conveying surfaces.

32. A multi-stage, multi-channel single selector conveyor comprising:

An upstream stage interconnected with the downstream stage, each stage comprising:

A second conveyor channel having a lower friction conveying surface disposed alongside the first conveyor channel, the second conveyor channel having an inner receiving edge at a lower elevation, the second conveyor channel comprising a series of driven rollers having axes of rotation skewed relative to a forward direction of travel such that the articles are simultaneously conveyed forward and laterally outward away from the first conveyor channel and the vertical sidewall, the second conveyor channel being laterally inclined and angled upward at a selected angle to form an elevated outer edge;

33. The single-selector conveyor apparatus of claim 32, wherein

The width of the high friction conveying surface of the first conveying channel of the downstream stage is increased and the width of the high friction conveying surface of the third conveying channel of the downstream stage is decreased compared to the upstream stage; and

The low friction conveying surface of the second conveying channel disposed between the high friction conveying surface of the first conveying channel and the high friction conveying surface of the third conveying channel of the upstream stage increases or decreases in width offset inwardly or outwardly at the transition of the upstream stage, and the downstream stage remains adjacent to, between, and in lateral flow communication with the high friction conveying surface of the third conveying channel of the downstream stage and the high friction conveying surface of the first conveying channel.

34. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 32, wherein said high friction conveying surface of said first conveying surface comprises at least one belt, said low friction conveying surface of said second conveying path comprises a plurality of oblique rollers, and said high friction conveying surface of said third conveying path comprises at least one belt.

35. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 32 wherein said first, second, and third conveyor lanes are selected from the group consisting of endless belt conveyor lanes, endless roller conveyor lanes, and combinations thereof.

36. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 32, wherein said high friction conveying surface comprises plastic, elastomer, rubber, coating, or a combination thereof.

37. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 32 wherein said lower friction conveying surface comprises a metal, plastic, graphite material, or tetrafluoroethylene material.

38. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 32, wherein said first conveying channel high friction conveying surface comprises a plurality of narrow bands, said second conveying channel low friction conveying surface comprises a skewed roller, and said third conveying channel high friction conveying surface comprises a plurality of narrow bands, and the width of said first conveying channel of said upstream stage increases at said interconnected downstream stage and the width of said third conveying channel decreases at said interconnected downstream stage.

39. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 32, said first and third conveyor lanes being the same height.

40. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 32, wherein said second conveyor channel has a low friction conveyor surface forming an inclined plane extending at a selected angle below the receiving side edge of said adjacent third conveyor channel, whereby said articles supported by both said first and third conveyor channel high friction conveyor surfaces are conveyed straight through along the main flow on said second conveyor channel.

41. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 40 wherein said first and third conveyor lanes travel at the same rate so that large packages resting on said first and third conveyor lanes are conveyed through said singulator conveyor apparatus.

42. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 32 wherein said second conveyor channel is inclined at an obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal direction and the speed of said second conveyor channel is set such that it has a forward longitudinal component equal to the forward speed of said first conveyor channel so that said articles resting on said first and second conveyor channels will advance without rotating.

43. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 32, wherein on the exit lane side the width of the high friction conveying surface of the first conveying lane of the downstream stage increases and the width of the high friction conveying surface of the third conveying lane of the downstream stage decreases.

44. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 32, wherein said high friction conveying surface of said third conveying path of said downstream stage decreases in width and said high friction conveying surface of said first conveying path of said downstream stage increases in width.

45. The single selector conveyor apparatus of claim 32, wherein said low friction conveying surface of said second conveying channel of said upstream stage disposed between said high friction conveying surface of said first conveying channel and said third conveying channel of said upstream stage varies in width in accordance with a variation in width of said first conveying channel and said third conveying channel of said downstream stage, said second conveying channel being displaced inwardly or outwardly at said downstream stage, whereby said second conveying channel remains adjacent to, between, and in lateral flow communication with said first conveying channel and said third conveying channel of said downstream stage.

46. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 32 wherein said second conveying path is angled upward relative to the horizontal in the range of from 5 degrees to 25 degrees.

47. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 32 wherein said first and second conveyor channels extend continuously from said upstream stage through said downstream stage.

48. The singulator conveyor apparatus of claim 32, wherein said first and third conveyor lanes each include a plurality of narrow bands having high friction conveying surfaces, and said width of said first and third conveyor lanes are adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of narrow bands of high friction conveying surfaces.

49. A multi-stage, multi-channel single selector conveyor comprising:

the adjacent third conveying channel comprises at least two narrow strips having a high friction conveying surface and has a different width than the first conveying channel;

The third transfer channel having a receiving side edge in lateral flow communication with the raised outer side edge of the second transfer channel;

The low friction conveying surface of the second conveying channel disposed between the high friction conveying surface of the first conveying channel and the high friction conveying surface of the third conveying channel changes width offset inwardly or outwardly at the transition of the upstream stage and the downstream stage, the second conveying channel remaining adjacent to the high friction conveying surface of the first conveying channel and the high friction conveying surface of the third conveying channel, between the high friction conveying surface of the first conveying channel and the high friction conveying surface of the third conveying channel, and in lateral flow communication with the high friction conveying surface of the first conveying channel and the high friction conveying surface of the third conveying channel.