Robotized transport and transfer system
AssigneePremier Tech Technologies Ltee
InventorsÉric Viel, Vital Lévesque, Étienne Giasson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and a method for maintaining, transferring and transporting a flexible package. The system includes a manipulating system, preferably a five axis robot, for transferring and displacing the flexible package and a lift-assist platform positioned within a reach of the manipulating system for transporting the package and for supporting a weight of the flexible package. The system may be used more specifically for the transport and transfer of upright flexible packages. The system simplifies the tool supported by the robot, thus allowing use of a smaller robot.
Claims24
A system for transporting and transferring a filled flexible package, having a top with an open mouth and a bottom, towards a flexible package closing system, the system comprising:
- a lift-assist platform receiving the bottom of the flexible package in a filled state at a first position and supporting a substantial portion of a weight of the filled flexible package from the first position to a second position, vertically spaced-apart from the first position, the lift-assist platform comprising a displacing system to displace and support the filled flexible package in an upright configuration from the first position to the second position;
- a multi-axis robot having a gripper configured to grasp the top of the filled flexible package in the first position and maintain the top of the filled flexible package during displacement and transfer to the second position;
- and
- a controller operatively connected to the lift-assist platform and the multi-axis robot and synchronizing motion of the lift-assist platform and the multi-axis robot.
A system for filling, transferring, transporting, and closing a flexible package having a top and a bottom, the system comprising:
- a flexible package filling unit;
- a flexible package closing system, spaced-apart from the flexible package filling unit;
- a lift-assist platform receiving the bottom of the flexible package in a filled state and supporting a substantial portion of a weight of the filled flexible package during vertical displacement from the flexible package filling unit to the flexible package closing system and comprising a displacing system to displace and support the filled flexible package in an upright configuration towards the flexible package closing system;
- a multi-axis robot having a gripper grasping the top of the filled flexible package from the flexible package filling unit and maintaining the top of the filled flexible package during displacement and transfer towards the flexible package closing system;
- and
- a controller operatively connected to the lift-assist platform and the multi-axis robot and synchronizing motion of the lift-assist platform and the multi-axis robot.
A method for filling, transferring, and transporting a flexible package having a top and a bottom, the method comprising:
- providing a system comprising:
- a flexible package filling unit;
- a flexible package closing system, spaced-apart from the flexible package filling unit;
- a lift-assist platform receiving the bottom of the flexible package in a filled state and supporting a substantial portion of a weight of the filled flexible package during vertical displacement from the flexible package filling unit to the flexible package closing system and comprising a displacing system to displace and support the filled flexible package in an upright configuration towards the flexible package closing system;
- a multi-axis robot having a gripper grasping the top of the filled flexible package from the flexible package filling unit and maintaining the top of the filled flexible package during displacement and transfer towards the flexible package closing system;
- and
- a controller operatively connected to the lift-assist platform and the multi-axis robot and synchronizing motion of the lift-assist platform and the multi-axis robot;
- filling the flexible package with the flexible package filling unit;
- displacing the lift assist platform to receive the bottom of the filled flexible package thereon and support the substantial portion of the weight of the filled flexible package;
- grasping and maintaining the top of the filled flexible package with the gripper of the multi-axis robot;
- releasing the filled flexible package from the flexible package filling unit;
- displacing the filled flexible package from the flexible package filling unit to the flexible package closing system in an upright position with a synchronized motion of the lift-assist platform and the multi-axis robot;
- and
- transferring the filled flexible package from the multi-axis robot to the flexible package closing system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.