Method and apparatus for cutting a case containing product
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for cutting open a case of product, the case having a top and a bottom, comprising:
- a conveyor having a first end and a second end and being adapted to move the case from the first end to the second end;
a top cutting apparatus having at least one cutting device and being adapted to cut open the top of the case;
a lift apparatus having first and second arrays of suction cups, the first array of suction cups being adapted to open the top of the case and the second array of suction cups being adapted to lift the product from the bottom of the case; and
a bottom cutting apparatus having at least one cutting device and being adapted to cut the case thereby separating the bottom of the case from the top of the case after the product has been removed from the bottom of the case, the lift apparatus thereafter returning the product to the bottom of the case.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for cutting open a case of product having a top and a bottom is provided. The case is placed on a conveyor and moved to a cutting apparatus. The top is cut open at the cutting apparatus. The case is moved to a lift apparatus. The top of the case is opened and the product is lifted from the bottom of the case. The case is then cut thereby separating the bottom of the case from the top of the case.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for cutting open a case of product, the case having a top and a bottom, comprising:
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a conveyor having a first end and a second end and being adapted to move the case from the first end to the second end;
a top cutting apparatus having at least one cutting device and being adapted to cut open the top of the case;
a lift apparatus having first and second arrays of suction cups, the first array of suction cups being adapted to open the top of the case and the second array of suction cups being adapted to lift the product from the bottom of the case; and
a bottom cutting apparatus having at least one cutting device and being adapted to cut the case thereby separating the bottom of the case from the top of the case after the product has been removed from the bottom of the case, the lift apparatus thereafter returning the product to the bottom of the case. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for cutting open a case of product, the case having a top and a bottom, comprising:
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a conveyor having a first and a second end and being adapted to move the case from the first end to the second end;
a first top cutting apparatus having first and second cutting devices and being adapted to cut the top of the case along first and second opposite sides of the top of the case;
a second top cutting apparatus having a third cutting device and being adapted to cut the top of the case between the opposite sides;
a lift apparatus having first and second arrays of suction cups, the first array of suction cups being adapted to open the top of the case and the second array of suction cups being adapted to lift the product from the bottom of the case; and
a bottom cutting apparatus having at least one cutting device and being adapted to cut the case thereby separating the bottom of the case from the top of the case after the product has been removed from the bottom of the case, the lift apparatus thereafter returning the product to the bottom of the case. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification