Article separation apparatus and method for unit operations

An apparatus for separating a single article from a group of articles, comprising:

• a containing means for containing one or more articles that define a group of articles, said containing means comprises an inlet for introducing said one or more articles into said containing means and at least one outlet;
• a levitating means for levitating said one or more articles in said group of articles within said containing means in a levitation direction;
• and
• a conduit operatively coupled to said at least one outlet, said conduit includes an introduction surface and a portal, wherein the plane of said introduction surface is oriented at an angle (θ1) with respect to an axis defined along the length of said conduit of about 45 degrees;
• and
• said portal is oriented at an angle of rotation (θ2) with respect to said levitation direction and a virtual axis projected through the center of said portal of from about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees;
• whereby single articles are separated from said group of articles and transported away from said group of articles via a differential pressure.