Robotic crate fastening system
US6550227B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 27, 2002 |
| Grant date | Apr 22, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 27, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65D2585/6865
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A device for and method of robotically crating objects, such as consumer goods, being capable of securing an upstanding enclosure to a recyclable pallet having structural uprights. The device conveys a pallet and enclosure assembly into a work station, installs a number of threaded fasteners into predetermined locations in the top and two adjacent sides of the assembly, rotates the assembly one-hundred eighty degrees, installs fasteners into the two remaining sides, rotates the assembly back to the initial position, and conveys the secured crate assembly out of the work station. The device includes the ability to detect the number of times a recyclable pallet has been used, and to adjust the exact locations of fasteners accordingly, thereby assuring that new fasteners are always installed into an unused fastener location.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.