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US 2019/0241364 A1Published application
Container palletizing system
AssigneeAmazon Technologies, Inc.
InventorsStefano La Rovere, Tolga Kol, Athanasios Voilis, Vidmantas Saltis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for automated palletization of totes and cuboid containers includes an end effector having fingers projecting outwardly. The fingers may engage recesses in the totes. Alternatively, actuators on fixed fingers can move gripping surfaces into engagement with the totes or containers. Or actuators on a body of the end effector can move the fingers, which include gripping surfaces.
Claims19
An automated container palletizing system comprising:
- an end effector including:
- a structural, vertical body including a mount for connecting to an automated arm;
- multiple pairs of fingers extending from lateral sides of the body in a forward direction, each pair of fingers being mutually parallel, horizontal, and mutually, laterally spaced apart;
- and
- gripping surfaces operatively coupled to the fingers for engaging the containers;
- at least one actuator for moving the gripping surfaces into and out of engagement with containers;
- whereby the end effector is configured to be moved into a ready position in which the fingers are astride the containers such that the actuators are in position to enable the gripping surfaces to engage the containers.
4 more elements
A method of moving containers in a column, comprising the steps of:
- (i) stacking multiple containers in a vertical column;
- (ii) moving an end effector to position gripping surfaces of an end effector relative to the containers;
- (iii) actuating the gripping surfaces to engage the containers with the gripping surface;
- (iv) moving the stack of containers after the engaging step by moving the end effector.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.