Layer picking end effector system, apparatus and method
AssigneeSage Automation, Inc.
InventorsCliff Cawley, Don Cawley, James Glenn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system, method and apparatus for handling and moving a layer of articles, such as cased products. The system and apparatus comprise a hood enclosure having four side panels, and four interconnected corner member. The side walls and corner members interoperate to form an adjustable enclosure to pick the layer of articles. A vacuum generate is utilized to evacuate air from the hood enclosure to assist in lifting the layer of articles. The hood enclosure may utilize an array of vacuum cups to assist in the lifting of articles into the hood enclosure. The method is directed towards utilizing the hood layer end effector to move and hand articles.
Claims27
An apparatus for lifting articles, said apparatus comprising:
- a suction generator;
- and
- a hood enclosure comprising:
- a top member having a top side and a bottom side,
- a plurality of side walls having a top end and a bottom end, said top end pivotally connected to said top member, said side walls having an interior side and an exterior side,
- a plurality of corner members having a first panel and a second panel, said corner member slideably connected to side walls adjacent said corner member, and
- a first ceiling member moveably connected to the bottom side of said top member;
- wherein said first ceiling member is connected to said top member via a moveable scissors frame and
- wherein said suction generator is in fluid communication with said hood enclosure.
An apparatus for lifting articles, said apparatus comprising:
- a suction generator;
- and
- a hood enclosure comprising:
- a top member having a top side and a bottom side,
- a plurality of side walls having a top end and a bottom end, said top end pivotally connected to said top member, said side walls having an interior side and an exterior side,
- a plurality of corner members having a first panel and a second panel, said corner member slideably connected to side walls adjacent said corner member, and
- a first ceiling member moveably connected to the bottom side of said top member,
- a second ceiling member moveably connected to said top member, said second ceiling member movable separate from said first ceiling member,
- a first array of suction cups attached to said first ceiling member, and
- a second array of suction cups attached to said second ceiling member;
- wherein said suction generator is in fluid communication with said hood enclosure.
A method for lifting articles, said method comprising:
- providing a hood enclosure comprising:
- a top member having a top side and a bottom side,
- a plurality of side walls having a top end and a bottom end, said top end pivotally connected to said top member, said side walls having an interior side and an exterior side,
- a plurality of corner members having a first panel and a second panel, said corner member slideably connected to side walls adjacent said corner member, and
- a first ceiling member moveably connected to the bottom side of said top member;
- positioning said hood enclosure around a group of articles to be lifted;
- clamping the side walls about a perimeter of the group of articles;
- evacuating air from an interior of the hood enclosure;
- lifting said articles from a first location to a second location;
- detecting slip sheets;
- and
- moving slip sheets to a third location separate from the first and second location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.