# US 8,770,909 B2 · Layer formation table and process > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,770,909 B2 - Document ID: US8770909B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/011,890 - Filed: 2008-01-30 - Published: 2009-01-01 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2007-01-31 - Assignees: Kaufmann Engineered Group - Applicants: Jonathan D. Parker - Inventors: Jonathan D. Parker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770909B2 ## CPC - B65G 47/32: Applications of transfer devices {(such devices per se B65G47/74)} - B65G 47/53: between conveyors which cross one another - B65G 47/8815: {Reciprocating stop, moving up or down in the path of the article} - B65G 57/03: from above - B65B 21/06: Forming groups of bottles - B65G 2201/0244: Bottles - Y10T 74/20305: Robotic arm - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract This device is for the formation and transfer of rows of articles. In particular, the device is for the formation of a row of articles on a layer formation table and the transfer of the row from one processing operation to another. A programmable robot and EOAT easily sweeps or pushes the load (tier) down the layer formation table returns to it's original position. A single, programmable robot performs all functions. The absolute unique end of arm tooling (EOAT) is fitted to the robot. The articles of one row are nested in the voids between articles in an adjacent row. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for transferring articles comprising: a layer formation table; means for supplying articles to the layer formation table wherein at least one row of the articles is formed at a first end of the layer formation table; and a programmable robot including an end of arm tool for transferring the at least one row of the articles towards a second end of the layer formation table; a plurality of rows of the row of articles formed on the layer formation table wherein each of the rows comprises a plurality of articles in side by side contact creating a void between adjacent articles in each of the rows; Wherein the programmable robot is configured to nest the articles of one of the rows in the voids of an adjacent row; wherein the programmable robot is configured to build a tier of products on the layer formation table; wherein the end of arm tool is a multiplicity of guides which form lanes wherein the at least one row of articles fill the lanes; wherein the end of arm tool further comprises clamping tools which lock the rows at least one row of articles between the guides; wherein the end of arm tool further comprises cylinders that actuate the clamping tools; and wherein the programmable robot and the guides of the end of arm tool sweep the at least one row of articles from the first end of the layer formation table towards the second end of the layer formation table. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the programmable robot and the end of arm tool push the rows of articles from the first end of the layer formation table towards the second end of the layer formation table. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the articles are bulk product. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the articles are containers. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the article are bottles or cans. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the articles are a single case of product. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the articles are cases of product. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for supplying articles generally is at right angles to the flow of the layer formation table. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for supplying articles may be at any angle relative to the flow of the layer formation table. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for supplying articles is movable along a forward and rearward path perpendicular to the at least one rows of the articles. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the programmable robot is programmed to raise the end of arm tool after transfer to the second end of the layer formation table. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the programmable robot is programmed to return the end of arm tool after transfer to the first end of the layer formation table. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the guides of the end of arm tool turn the at least one row of the articles on the layer formation table. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for supplying articles to the layer formation table is a conveyor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the layer formation table is a conveyor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the programmable robot is configured to change the end of arm tool relative to the articles being transferred. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the programmable robot is configured to change the end of arm tool relative to the tier of products being built on the layer formation table. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a tier accumulation stop.