Automated container cutting apparatus and method
AssigneeRobotica, Inc.
InventorJay Mark Dugat
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An automated container cutting apparatus configured to cut various sized rectilinear containers without unnecessary costs or lack of transportability. The automated container cutting apparatus includes a right angle transfer conveyor that positions a container in a first cutting position. The apparatus also includes a cutting mechanism configured to cut the container on two adjacent edges while in the first cutting position. The cutting mechanism further includes two cutting elements supported at right angles to one another for horizontally cutting a container on two adjacent edges.
Claims20
An automated container cutting apparatus, comprising:
- at least one right angle transfer conveyor to position a container in a first cutting position;
- a cutting mechanism to cut the container on two adjacent edges while in the first cutting position, wherein the cutting mechanism comprises:
- a first cutting element connected to a first support arm configured to cut in a first horizontal direction;
- and
- a second cutting element connected to a second support arm that extends at a right angle to the first support arm and positioned to cut in a second horizontal direction.
The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:
- a vertical rail positioned orthogonally to the first horizontal direction.
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the vertical rail support the first support arm and second support arm.
An automated container cutting apparatus, comprising:
- a frame supporting a cutting mechanism and at least one right angle transfer conveyor,
- wherein the cutting mechanism comprises:
- at least one linear actuator to translate a cutting element in a first direction that is mounted on a first support arm;
- and
- at least one second linear actuator to translate at least said first support arm in an orthogonal direction to the first direction;
- and
- a controller operably coupled to the at least one conveyor and at least one linear actuator for operating the automated container cutting apparatus.
A method for automatically cutting a container, the method comprising:
- detecting a container has been inserted into the cutting apparatus;
- operating conveyors to position the container in a first direction;
- actuating a cutting mechanism to engage the container;
- driving a cutter against one side of the container;
- driving another cutter against an adjacent second side of the container;
- and
- ejecting the container from the cutting apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.