Charge separating apparatus

A charge separating apparatus comprising:

• a transporter configured to move charges in a supply direction;
• a door assembly configured to stop a front end of a unit of three charges at a predetermined position, the unit of three charges comprising a combination of a central charge, a front charge, and a rear charge;
• a gripper configured to grip each of the central charge, the front charge, and the rear charge;
• a separator configured to move the front charge in the supply direction and move the rear charge in a direction that is opposite to the supply direction;
• and
• a driver configured to supply driving power to the door assembly, the gripper, and the separator, wherein the driver comprises:
• a first driving motor configured to supply driving power to the gripper;
• and
• a second driving motor configured to supply driving power to the door assembly and the separator.

A method performed by a charge separating apparatus comprising a transporter configured to move charges in a supply direction, a door assembly extending in a direction perpendicular to the supply direction, a gripper configured to grip charges, a separator configured to separate charges, and a driver configured to supply driving power to the door assembly, the gripper, and the separator, the method comprising:

• moving, by the transporter, charges in a supply direction;
• stopping, by the door assembly, a front end of a unit of three charges at a predetermined position, the unit of three charges comprising a combination of a central charge, a front charge, and a rear charge;
• gripping, by the gripper, each of the central charge, the front charge, and the rear charge;
• and
• by the separator, moving the front charge in the supply direction and moving the rear charge in a direction that is opposite to the supply direction.