Robotic mail tray sleever method and apparatus
AssigneeCapStone Technologies LLC
InventorsThomas Patrick Moylan, Timothy A. Mischnick, Francis J. Buglewicz, Troy Robert Power
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A novel method and apparatus for placing trays into sleeves is provided. The apparatus includes a conveyor system for transporting a mail tray, a sleeve blank presentment device and a robotic arm. The robotic arm is provided with an end of arm tool which retains and opens a sleeve blank. A tray induction system including a plurality of paddles configured to guide a tray into an open sleeve blank is also provided.
Claims13
A method for placing trays into sleeves, comprising the steps of:
- gripping an unopened sleeve with a robotic arm and end of arm tool;
- opening the sleeve with the end of arm tool;
- placing the opened sleeve into a ready position proximate to a tray induction system with the robotic arm;
- securing the opened sleeve in a ready position with mechanical devices;
- releasing the opened sleeve from the end of arm tool;
- inserting a tray into the opened sleeve using mechanical devices;
- and
- clearing the sleeved tray from the tray induction system.
A robotic mail tray sleeving system comprising:
- a conveyor system for transporting a mail tray;
- a sleeve blank presentment device;
- a robotic arm;
- an end of arm tool, coupled to the robotic arm, the end or arm tool configured to retain and open a sleeve blank;
- and
- a tray induction system including a plurality of paddles configured to guide a tray into an open sleeve blank.
A method for handling articles, comprising the steps of:
- positioning a tray of articles for inserting the tray in a sleeve;
- gripping a lower most sleeve blank from a supply of sleeve blanks;
- lowering the gripped sleeve blank from the supply to a position below the supply;
- forming the gripped sleeve blank into a sleeve;
- positioning the gripped and formed sleeve onto a tray induction system for accepting a tray;
- and,
- inserting the tray of articles into the formed sleeve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.