Systems and methods for feeding articles to and removing articles from an automatic washer
First Claim
1. An automated method of transferring at least one article from a first position to a second position, the method comprising:
- locating the at least one article in the first position using a vision-based system;
determining whether the at least one article is misaligned and, when misaligned, ignoring the at least one article;
when the at least one article is not misaligned,in response to instructions from the vision-based system, positioning an arm-end tool having a gripping assembly adjacent the at least one article, the arm end tool mounted to a conveyor;
actuating the gripping assembly to grasp the at least one article; and
transferring the at least one article from the first position to the second position by means of the conveyor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, methods, and devices for feeding articles to and removing articles from an automatic washer, for example, a tunnel-type automatic washer are provided. The systems and methods employ conveyors, for example, belt conveyors, gantry-type conveyors, and shuttle-type conveyors, for handling and conveying articles to or from a washer or an intermediate station. The conveyors utilize arm-end tooling adapted to grasp and manipulate at least one article, but may typically handle a plurality of articles. The arm-end tooling includes cylinder-based actuators that can be operated and controlled by an automated control system. The handling of the articles can be assisted by using a vision-based system. Aspects of the invention are suited for use in handling laboratory equipment, for example, utensils and containers, such as, laboratory animal cages, in particular, cage tops and cage bottoms.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An automated method of transferring at least one article from a first position to a second position, the method comprising:
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locating the at least one article in the first position using a vision-based system; determining whether the at least one article is misaligned and, when misaligned, ignoring the at least one article;
when the at least one article is not misaligned,in response to instructions from the vision-based system, positioning an arm-end tool having a gripping assembly adjacent the at least one article, the arm end tool mounted to a conveyor; actuating the gripping assembly to grasp the at least one article; and transferring the at least one article from the first position to the second position by means of the conveyor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification