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US 2002/0157919 A1Published application
Packaging and casing system
AssigneeABB Automation Inc.
InventorJohn P. Sherwin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for case-packing articles utilizing an infeed conveyor and spaced apart outfeed conveyors positioned at opposite sides of the infeed conveyor and a robotic operating arm arranged for transverse operation with respect to the longitudinal movement of each of said conveyors.
Claims8
A system for conveying and alternatively transferring an object from an infeed conveyor to a selected one of a pair of outfeed conveyors, said system including:
- an infeed conveyor and a pair of outfeed conveyors;
- a workstation positioned in operating alignment with said infeed conveyor and arranged to 10 receive objects conveyed thereto;
- each output conveyor of said pair of outfeed conveyors being located in operating alignment with said workstation and arranged to alternatively receive objects therefrom;
- a two-axis robot including an operating arm arranged to remove said object from said infeed conveyor at said workstation and to transfer said object to a pre-selected one of said pair of said outfeed conveyors;
- and
- control means adapted to control operation of said robot to effect alternative transfer of said object from said infeed conveyor to said pre-selected outfeed conveyor.
3 more elements
A method for alternatively transferring objects from a source to a work station, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing an infeed conveyor and a pair of outfeed conveyors;
- providing a two-axis robot having a continuously operating arm arranged to pickup an object from said infeed conveyor and transfer said object to one of said outfeed conveyors;
- controlling said arm to effect pickup of said object at said infeed conveyor;
- moving said operating arm from said infeed conveyor to said one of said outfeed conveyors;
- controlling said arm to release and deposit said object on said outfeed conveyor;
- returning said operating arm to said infeed conveyor;
- controlling said arm to effect pickup of a second object at said infeed conveyor;
- moving said continuously operating arm from said infeed conveyor to said other of said outfeed conveyors;
- controlling said arm to release and deposit said second object on said other of said outfeed conveyors;
- and
- returning said operating arm to said infeed conveyor for subsequent pickup and transfer of additional objects to a selected one of said outfeed conveyors.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.