Apparatus and method for universal, flexible pillow bag pattern creation
AssigneeFrito-Lay North America, Inc.
InventorsCory Burns, Kevin L. Cote, John Robert Eberle, Gregory William Hoell, Nathan R Huntoon, Timothy Jackson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for measuring a dimension of a non-rigid object and using the dimension to pick and place the object. A first input device conveys a non-rigid object into contact with a feed forward unit, which contact causes a displacement of the feed forward unit. The displacement measures a dimension of the object. The measured dimension is transmitted via at least one line of communication.
Claims39
An apparatus for use in picking and placing a non-rigid object, said apparatus comprising:
- a first input device;
- a feed forward unit;
- and
- at least one line of communication;
- wherein the first input device conveys a non-rigid object into contact with the feed forward unit, which contact causes a displacement of the feed forward unit,
- wherein the displacement measures a measured dimension of the object, and
- wherein the measured dimension is transmitted via the at least one line of communication.
A method for measuring a dimension of a non-rigid object and using the dimension in picking and placing the object, said method comprising the steps:
- measuring a dimension of a moving non-rigid object to provide a measured dimension;
- using the measured dimension to pick the object;
- and
- using the measured dimension to place the object in an array of objects;
- wherein the measuring step comprises:
- using a first input device to convey the object into contact with a feed forward unit, wherein the contact causes a change in position of the feed forward unit to accommodate the measured dimension of the object;
- and
- using a distance sensor to measure the measured dimension by detecting the change in position of the feed forward unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.