Importance

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Abstract

An unscrambler for unscrambling a bundle of elongated tubes comprises a plurality of forward belt-support columns, a plurality of aft support columns, a plurality of flexible belts suspended in parallel between the forward and aft support columns forming a belt magazine for retaining the bundle of tubing which extend longitudinally in a direction perpendicular to the belts, and a plurality of ramps positioned longitudinally between each pair of adjacent belts sloping upwardly towards the forward support columns and positioned such that they provide support for the bundle in the belt magazine. The ramps each have a wedge extending from their upper surfaces, and each wedge has a forward face which intersects the upper surface of the ramp to form a v-shaped groove on the ramp. Furthermore, each of the belts have a cleat attached to their upper surfaces. Tightening of the belts causes the bundle to be guided up the ramps and lifted above the wedges on the ramps such that the bundle expands outwardly. Subsequent slackening of the belts causes the expanded bundle to be lowered onto the wedges such that the wedges separate a portion of the tubes from the bundle and such that the v-shaped grooves retain the separated portion of tubes on the ramps. Tightening of the belts again causes the cleats to engage and convey the separated tubes from the ramps to a magazine ramp adjacent the forward support column.

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First Claim