Apparatus, method and system for handling, positioning, and/or automatically orienting objects
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of automatic orientation of an object comprising:
- a. adding a substance or component to a pre-determined location on the object, the pre-determined location relating to a pre-determined orientation of the object, the substance or component having a characteristic that can be utilized to automatically attract the substance or component; and
b. utilizing the characteristic to automatically position the object in the pre-determined orientation.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for automatic positioning and/or orientation of an object. The method includes applying a substance or component to an object, or takes advantage of a substance or component already on or associated with an object. The substance or component has a characteristic that can be utilized to automatically attract the substance or component. That characteristic is used to position, move, and/or orient the object automatically, without requiring manual handling. The object can then be further processed or handled. In one embodiment, the substance or component is a magnetically active substance or component. The attraction can be actuated by a magnet.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of automatic orientation of an object comprising:
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a. adding a substance or component to a pre-determined location on the object, the pre-determined location relating to a pre-determined orientation of the object, the substance or component having a characteristic that can be utilized to automatically attract the substance or component; and b. utilizing the characteristic to automatically position the object in the pre-determined orientation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 26)
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11. An apparatus for automatic orientation of an object, said apparatus comprising:
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a. an attracting device configured to generate an attraction force to attract an object that includes or is adapted to include a substance or component positioned on a pre-determined location of the object and having a characteristic that is automatically attracted by the attraction force, the pre-determined location on the object related to a pre-determined orientation of the object; and b. a translating device adapted to move said object into proximity of the attracting device or vise versa; wherein said object can be automatically oriented in the pre-determined orientation relative to the attracting device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 27)
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21. An apparatus for handling and automatic orientation of one or more objects, said apparatus comprising:
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a. a conveying mechanism including a plurality of attracting devices each adapted to generate an attraction force to attract and move, at least between first and second locations, one or more objects each of which includes or is adapted to include a substance or component positioned on a pre-determined location of the object and having a characteristic that is automatically attracted by the attraction force, the pre-determined location being relatively consistent with respect to each object and being related to a pre-determined orientation of each object, and b. a feed mechanism adapted to serially present said one or more objects to the conveying mechanism; wherein each of said one or more objects is automatically and relatively consistently positioned and oriented in the pre-determined orientation when moved by the conveying mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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22. An apparatus for handling and automatic orientation of one or more objects, said apparatus comprising:
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a. a conveying mechanism including a plurality of attracting devices each adapted to generate an attraction force to attract one or more objects each of which includes or is adapted to include a substance or component positioned on a pre-determined location of the object and having a characteristic that is automatically attracted by the attraction force, the pre-determined location being relatively consistent with respect to each object and being related to a pre-determined orientation of each object, the plurality of attracting devices being further adapted to move said one or more objects at least between first and second locations; b. a feed mechanism adapted to serially present said one or more objects to the conveying mechanism; and c. an operation station adapted to perform a function on any or all of said one or more objects; wherein each of said one or more objects is automatically and relatively consistently positioned and oriented in the pre-determined orientation when moved by the conveying mechanism to the operation station. - View Dependent Claims (23, 25, 29)
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24. An apparatus for automatic orientation of one or more objects, said apparatus comprising:
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a. an orientation mechanism including a plurality of attracting devices each adapted to generate an attraction force to attract one or more objects each of which includes or is adapted to include a substance or component positioned on a pre-determined location of the object and having a characteristic that is automatically attracted by the attraction force, the pre-determined location being relatively consistent with respect to each object and being related to a pre-determined orientation of each object; wherein each of the said one or more objects is automatically, concurrently, and relatively consistently positioned and oriented in the pre-determined orientation when attracted to the orientation mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification