Systems, methods and apparatuses for changing the direction/speed of a workpiece

Abstract

The present disclosure provides systems, methods and assemblies comprising one or more tapered feed rolls. Tapered feed rolls may be used to change the rate and direction of workpiece travel along a processing line while retaining the workpieces in sequential order. Routing workpiece flow with tapered feed rolls may allow the workpieces to be tracked along one or more processing lines, and may reduce the operational space required for workpiece processing.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A workpiece sorting system comprising:
 a frame;   one or more conical rolls rotatably mounted to the frame; and   a conveyor, the one or more conical rolls arrayed along the conveyor.   
     
     
         2 . The workpiece sorting system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a control system; and   a plurality of workpiece receiving structures positionable relative to the conveyor, wherein the control system is operable to control the conical rolls to selectively divert the workpieces onto the workpiece receiving structures based at least on one or more characteristics of the workpieces.   
     
     
         3 . The workpiece sorting system of  claim 2 , wherein the workpiece receiving structures comprise a workpiece receiving portion coupled to base having one or more wheels.