Patent · US Expired

Method and system for picking and placing vessels

US7128874B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
16References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 26, 2001
Grant dateOct 31, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 13, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T436/114165
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and system for picking and placing vessels are provided. The system includes a gripper assembly mounted on a positioning mechanism. The gripper assembly includes a cylinder, a plurality of flexible gripping members extending from the cylinder in a spaced-apart relationship for receiving therebetween a vessel and holding it by friction, a piston slideably inserted inside the cylinder, and a plunger connected to and movable with the piston and extending between the gripping members for engaging the vessel. The method includes the steps of positioning the gripper assembly, picking up and transferring a vessel, and placing, seating and releasing the vessel. The contents of the vessel may also be mixed simultaneously during the transferring of the vessel.

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