Device with multiple engagement members

• US 20090257858A1
• Filed: 10/09/2008
• Published: 10/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Langen Packaging
• Original Assignee: Langen Packaging
• Inventors: Pogrzeba, Berger, Weclawski, Andre, Mighiu, Constantin, Guttinger, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 8,534,727 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/749.100
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/918 with at least two picking-up heads

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for engaging and releasing a plurality of items. The apparatus comprises a frame having a longitudinally extending support member and at least one group of engagement unit. Each engagement unit has at least one engagement member, and each engagement unit is adapted for engaging, and disengaging from at least one item. Each of the engagement units in the one group is mounted in series for longitudinal movement on the longitudinal support member, and each one of the plurality of engagement units is interconnected to at least one other of the plurality of engagement units. A movement apparatus is provided for engaging at least one but not all of the plurality of engagement units in the one group to displace the group longitudinally on the longitudinal support member.

Claims

1. An apparatus for engaging and releasing a plurality of items comprising:

(a) a frame having a longitudinally extending support member;

(b) at least one group of engagement units, each engagement unit having at least one engagement member, said at least one group of engagement units comprising a plurality of engagement units each for engaging, and disengaging from at least one item, each of said engagement units in said at least one group being mounted in series for longitudinal movement on said longitudinal support member, each one of said plurality of engagement units being interconnected to at least one other of said plurality of engagement units;

(c) a movement apparatus for engaging at least one but not all of said plurality of engagement units in said at least one group to displace said at least one group longitudinally on said longitudinal support member.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said at least group of engagement units is a group of pick up units and wherein said at least one engagement member is a pick up member.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said movement apparatus engages just one of said plurality of pick up units in said group to displace all said pick up members in said group longitudinally on said longitudinal support member.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said movement apparatus comprises at least one pushing device for engaging said one of said plurality of pick up units in said group.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said at least one pushing device comprises a cam member for engaging a cam follower on said one of said plurality of pick up units.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said movement device is mounted on said frame.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein each of said pick up unit is mounted on said support member for longitudinal sliding movement.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said pick up unit comprises first and second pick up members arranged transversely to each other.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said support member is a rail.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said at least one group of pick up units comprises first and second groups of pick up units and wherein said movement apparatus engages only one of said plurality of pick up units in each of said first and second groups of pick up units to displace each of said first and second groups longitudinally on said support member.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the spacing distance between said first and second groups can be varied when said movement apparatus engages one of said plurality of pick up units in each of said first and second groups of pick up units.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein each of said plurality of pick up units in said group of pick up units has a cam follower, such that said apparatus can be configured such that said cam member can selectively engage any one of said plurality of pick up members.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said wherein said movement apparatus comprises first and second pushing devices each for engaging one of said plurality of pick up units in each of said first and second groups respectively, to displace said first and second groups longitudinally on said support member.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein each of said plurality of pick up units in said group of pick up units has a cam follower, such that said apparatus can be configured such that said cam member can selectively engage any one of said plurality of pick up members.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein each of said first and second pushing devices comprises a cam member for engaging a cam follower on said one of said plurality of pick up units in each of said first and second groups respectively.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said first and second pushing devices comprises a cam slot in a common cam block.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said at least one group of pick up units comprises first, second, third and fourth groups of pick up units and wherein said movement apparatus engages only one of said plurality of pick up units in each of said first, second, third and fourth groups of pick up units to displace at least three of said first, second, third and fourth groups of pick up units longitudinally on said support member.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said movement apparatus comprises first, second, third, fourth, fifth and six and pushing devices each for engaging one of said plurality of pick up units in said first, second, third and fourth groups respectively, to displace at least three of said first, second third and fourth groups of pick up units longitudinally on said support member.

19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein each of said first, second, third fourth, fifth and six pushing devices comprises first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and six cam members, said first cam member for engaging a cam follower on said one of said plurality of pick up units.

20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein said first and second cam members are generally disposed between said first and second groups of pick up units, and wherein said third and fourth cam members are generally disposed between said second and third groups of pick up units.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein said fifth and sixth cam members are generally disposed between said third and fourth groups of pick up units.

22. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein said first and second cam members comprises a cam slot in a first cam block mounted on a cam support rail for longitudinal movement.

23. An apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein said third and fourth cam members comprises a cam slot in a second cam block mounted on said cam support rail for longitudinal movement.

24. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said at least one group of pick up units comprises first, second and third groups of pick up units and wherein said movement apparatus engages only one of said plurality of pick up units in each of said first, second and third groups of pick up units to displace at least two of said first, second and third and groups of pick up units longitudinally on said support member.

25. An apparatus as claimed in claim 24 wherein said movement apparatus comprises first, second, third and fourth pushing devices each for engaging one of said plurality of pick up units in said first, second and third groups respectively, to displace at least two of said first, second and third and groups of pick up units longitudinally on said support member.

26. An apparatus as claimed in claim 25 wherein each of said first, second, third and fourth pushing devices comprises first, second, third and fourth cam members, said first cam member for engaging a cam follower on said one of said plurality of pick up units.

27. An apparatus as claimed in claim 26 wherein said first and second cam members are generally disposed between said first and second groups of pick up units, and wherein said third and fourth cam members are generally disposed between said second and third groups of pick up units, and said first cam member engages a cam follower on a pick up unit in said first group, and said second and third cam member engages cam followers on one or more pick up units in said second group and said fourth cam member engages a cam follower on a pick up unit in said third group.

28. An apparatus as claimed in claim 27 wherein said first and second cam members comprises a cam slot in a first cam block mounted on a cam support rail for longitudinal movement.

29. An apparatus as claimed in claim 28 wherein said third and fourth cam members comprises a cam slot in a second cam block mounted on said cam support rail for longitudinal movement.

30. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein a first pick up unit in said at least one group is interconnected to a second pick up member with a releasable connection mechanism.

31. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said releasable connection mechanism is operable to position said first pick up unit and said second pick up unit at one of a plurality of settings, each providing a different spatial distance between pick up member in respective first and second pick up units.

32. An apparatus as claimed in claim 31 wherein said releasable connection comprises a protrusion member extending longitudinally from a first pick up unit, said protrusion member is receivable in a channel in said second pick up unit, and further comprising a lock device to releasably lock said protrusion member at one of a plurality of selected longitudinal position in said pick up unit.

33. An apparatus for engaging and releasing a plurality of items comprising:

(a) a frame having a longitudinally extending support member;

(b) at least one group of engagement units, each engagement unit having at least one engagement member, said at least one group comprising a plurality of engagement members each for engaging, and disengaging from at least one item, each of said engagement units mounted in series for longitudinal movement on said longitudinal support member, each one of said plurality of engagement units in said group being interconnected to at least one other of said plurality of engagement units in said group;

(c) a movement apparatus for engaging not all of said plurality of engagement units in said group to displace said group longitudinally on said longitudinal support member;

wherein a engagement unit in said at least one group is interconnected to a second engagement unit with a releasable connection mechanism.

34. An apparatus as claimed in claim 33 wherein each of said at least group of engagement units is a group of pick up units and wherein said at least one engagement member is a pick up member.

35. An apparatus as claimed in claim 34 wherein said releasable connection mechanism is operable to position a first pick up unit and a second pick up unit at one of a plurality of settings, each providing a different spatial distance between pick up members in respective first and second pick up units.

36. An apparatus as claimed in claim 35 wherein said releasable connection comprises a protrusion member extending longitudinally from a first pick up unit, said protrusion member is receivable in a channel in said second pick up unit, and further comprising a lock device to releasably lock said protrusion member at one of a plurality of selected longitudinal position in said pick up unit.