Item sorting system and method of sorting
AssigneeJR Automation Technologies, LLC
InventorsCraig Ulrich, Matt Cagle, Ryan Lute, Kyle Christian, Jason Hodgins, Bret Slocum, Marc Walters
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An item sorting system having a tray handling system and a tote handling system. The tray handling system having a tray conveying system, a tray transfer system, and optionally a tray storage region. The tote handling system may have a cubby array, the cubby array having a plurality of cubbies into which a tote may be placed. The system can transfer an item from the tray into the tote, and a method is disclosed for the same.
Claims20
An item sorting system comprising:
- a tray handling system including
- a tray conveying system defining a conveyor having a filling region, a pick-up region and a return region;
- a tray transfer system having a robotic arm assembly and a tray handling tool wherein the tray handling tool is positioned at an end of the robotic arm, the tray handling tool structurally configured to retain a tray;
- a tote handling system including
- at least one cubby structurally configured to retain a tote.
A tool for use in association with a robot arm for item sorting, the tool comprising:
- a frame attachable to a robot arm,
- an upper tray attachment assembly coupled to the frame;
- and
- a lower tray attachment assembly coupled to the frame,
- wherein the upper tray attachment assembly and the lower tray attachment assembly being are slidably relative to each other.
The tray for an item sorting system comprising:
- an upper portion defined by a front wall, a back wall and a plurality of sidewalls defining a cavity with an upper opening and a lower opening;
- a lower portion including a base that can generally extend over the lower opening to preclude the passage of an object therethrough;
- a slidable coupling assembly coupled to each of the upper portion and the lower portion to enable slidable movement of the upper portion relative to the lower portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.