Patent · US Active

Apparatus and method for grouping and positioning items

US10017285B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
7References
33Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 16, 2014
Grant dateJul 10, 2018
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 10, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65G2201/02
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus displaces and positions items in a predetermined configuration. The apparatus includes a grouping station, a grouping manipulator using at least two degrees of freedom and having a prehension end-effector and a placing manipulator using at least four degrees of freedom and having a prehension end-effector. The grouping manipulator is configured to pick items at a first item location, displace the items towards the grouping station, and release the items at the grouping station to form a group of items. The placing manipulator is configured to pick the group of items at the grouping station, change an orientation of the group of items, and release the group of items at a receiving station in the predetermined configuration. A method displaces and positions items in a predetermined configuration.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.