Robotic unscrambler and method
First Claim
1. A robotic unscrambler for rearranging a plurality of incoming articles into a stable conveyable orientation, said unscrambler comprising:
- (a) a first conveyance apparatus traveling in a first direction of travel such that said conveyance apparatus transports said incoming articles within an operating region of at least one picker;
(b) an uprighting device adjacent said first conveyance apparatus, said uprighting device comprising a plurality of guides pivotably disposed along a second conveyance apparatus traveling in a direction of travel, wherein said picker is configured to remove said articles from said first conveyance apparatus and place said articles onto article support surfaces of said guides of said uprighting device, and said guides pivot upward and transversely to the direction of travel of the second conveyance apparatus to upright said articles and place the articles into a stable conveyable orientation.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A robotic unscrambler apparatus is provided that ensures articles that are delivered in an initial orientation are transported in a conveyable orientation for further treatment at one or more stations in a production line. The apparatus includes a conveyance apparatus and at least one picker. An uprighting device is provided with a series of guides. The picker removes articles from the conveyance apparatus, and places the articles onto one of the guides. The uprighting device moves the guides between article placement positions and article conveyance positions. Each guide may include a contoured article support surface that facilitates centering of an article placed thereon.
40 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A robotic unscrambler for rearranging a plurality of incoming articles into a stable conveyable orientation, said unscrambler comprising:
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(a) a first conveyance apparatus traveling in a first direction of travel such that said conveyance apparatus transports said incoming articles within an operating region of at least one picker; (b) an uprighting device adjacent said first conveyance apparatus, said uprighting device comprising a plurality of guides pivotably disposed along a second conveyance apparatus traveling in a direction of travel, wherein said picker is configured to remove said articles from said first conveyance apparatus and place said articles onto article support surfaces of said guides of said uprighting device, and said guides pivot upward and transversely to the direction of travel of the second conveyance apparatus to upright said articles and place the articles into a stable conveyable orientation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of rearranging a plurality of randomly arranged articles in a stable conveyable orientation, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a first conveyance apparatus and at least one picker, said first conveyance apparatus traveling in a first direction of travel such that said first conveyance apparatus transports said articles within an operating region of said at least one picker; b) providing an uprighting device for uprighting said articles, said uprighting device being positioned adjacent to said first conveyance apparatus, said uprighting device comprising a plurality of guides pivotably disposed along a second conveyance apparatus traveling in a direction of travel, wherein said guides are pivotable upward and transversely to the direction of travel of the second conveyance apparatus; c) removing an article from said first conveyance apparatus and placing said article onto one of said guides using said at least one picker; and d) uprighting said article in said uprighting device by pivoting said guide upward transversely to the direction of travel of the second conveyance apparatus.
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Specification