Method and apparatus for transporting metallic containers using electro adhesion

A method for transporting a metallic container via electro adhesion in a production line, comprising:

• generating electro adhesion (EA) with an electro adhesion (EA) pad, said EA pad comprising at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode arranged in a predetermined pattern, said predetermined pattern configured to generate an electric field when a voltage is applied by a power supply to one or more of said at least one positive electrode or said at least one negative electrode;
• receiving the metallic container from a first position at a first elevation via a conveyor belt that has an uninterrupted transition between a substantially horizontal leading surface and a substantially vertical leading surface, said conveyor belt being actuatable via a conveyor motor, said conveyor belt being positioned proximate to said EA pad;
• transporting the metallic container between said first position and a second position at a second elevation via said conveyor belt, wherein the metallic container is held against said conveyor belt via said generated EA that is constantly generated during transportation of the metallic container;
• and
• providing the metallic container at said second position via said conveyor belt.

A production line for transporting a metallic container via electro adhesion, comprising:

• a first piece of equipment to perform a first operation;
• a second piece of equipment adapted to perform a second operation after said first operation;
• and
• an electro adhesion (EA) conveyor system for transporting the metallic container between a first position at a first elevation corresponding to said first piece of equipment and a second position at a second elevation corresponding to said second piece of equipment, said EA conveyor system comprising:
• an electro adhesion (EA) pad comprising at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode arranged in a predetermined pattern, said predetermined pattern configured to generate an electric field when a voltage is applied to one or more of said at least one positive electrode or said at least one negative electrode;
• and
• a conveyor belt including a substantially horizontal surface that transitions to a substantially vertical surface, the conveyor belt configured to transport the metallic container between said first position at the first elevation and said second position at the second elevation, wherein the metallic container is held against said conveyor belt via EA that is constantly generated by the EA pad during transportation of the metallic container along the conveyor belt.