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US 11,873,164 B2Granted
Automated warehouse systems, assemblies, apparatuses, and methods for assembling mixed pallets and facilitating order picking
AssigneeNewteq Holding B.V.
InventorHans Eil
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This disclosure is directed to automated warehouse facilities that are configured to assemble mixed pallets. The warehouse facilities can include one or more layer handling devices that are configured to remove layers from pallets in a delayering operational mode, and to add layers to pallets in a palletizing operation mode. The warehouse facilities also may include one or more item retrieval devices that are configured to retrieve individual items from storage racks. The warehouse facilities can include other automated devices as well.
Claims22
A layer handling device, comprising:
- a vacuum chamber comprising an enclosure and at least one downward facing aperture;
- a grabbing portion configured to retract inside the vacuum chamber enclosure via the aperture and configured to grab and manipulate a layer of items;
- a vacuum system that includes one or more vacuum plates situated near a bottom surface of the grabbing portion, the vacuum system being configured to provide a first vacuum extending between the layer of items and the vacuum plate in order to facilitate a suctioning function on the layer of items;
- a clamping system connected to the grabbing portion, the clamping system comprising a plurality of pusher plates that are configured to retract inside the vacuum chamber enclosure via the aperture and are configured to physically engage the layer of items around its perimeter;
- and
- an air pump system configured to provide a second vacuum when the grabbing portion and the pusher plates are retracted inside the vacuum chamber enclosure, the second vacuum extending between the pusher plates and the vacuum chamber enclosure and extending between an area above the one or more vacuum plates and the vacuum chamber enclosure.
3 more elements
A layer handling device configured in a delayering operational mode, comprising:
- a vacuum chamber comprising an enclosure and at least one downward facing aperture;
- a grabbing portion configured to retract inside the vacuum chamber enclosure via the aperture and configured to grab and remove a layer of items from a pallet;
- a vacuum system that includes one or more vacuum plates situated near a bottom surface of the grabbing portion, the vacuum system being configured to provide a first vacuum extending between the layer of items and the vacuum plate in order to facilitate a suctioning function on the layer of items;
- a clamping system connected to the grabbing portion, the clamping system comprising a plurality of pusher plates that are configured to retract inside the vacuum chamber enclosure via the aperture and are configured to physically engage the layer of items around its perimeter;
- and
- an air pump system configured to provide a second vacuum when the grabbing portion and the pusher plates are retracted inside the vacuum chamber enclosure, the second vacuum extending between the pusher plates and the vacuum chamber enclosure and extending between an area above the one or more vacuum plates and the vacuum chamber enclosure.
3 more elements
A layer handling device configured in a palletizing operational mode, comprising:
- a vacuum chamber comprising an enclosure and at least one downward facing aperture;
- a grabbing portion configured to retract inside the vacuum chamber enclosure via the aperture and configured to grab and remove a layer of items from a tray;
- a vacuum system that includes one or more vacuum plates situated near a bottom surface of the grabbing portion, the vacuum system being configured to provide a first vacuum extending between the layer of items and the vacuum plate in order to facilitate a suctioning function on the layer of items;
- a clamping system connected to the grabbing portion, the clamping system comprising a plurality of pusher plates that are configured to retract inside the vacuum chamber enclosure via the aperture and are configured to physically engage the layer of items around its perimeter;
- and
- an air pump system configured to provide a second vacuum when the grabbing portion and the pusher plates are retracted inside the vacuum chamber enclosure, the second vacuum extending between the pusher plates and the vacuum chamber enclosure and extending between an area above the one or more vacuum plates and the vacuum chamber enclosure.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.