Item handling system with tracking
US8047976B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 5, 2009 |
| Grant date | Nov 1, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 9, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2801/78
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An item handling system includes a vacuum source, a transport element defining a plurality of vacuum openings in fluid communication with the vacuum source to create a securing force on an item proximate to the transport element for holding the item in contact with the transport element, and a drive element for driving the transport element to transport the item. The transport element further defines a plurality of sensor openings arranged in two substantially parallel arrays along a longitudinal direction of the transport element. The system further includes a sensor associated with each array of sensor openings for sensing energy passing through the sensor openings to thereby sense the item on the transport element. Each sensor is disposed at a common longitudinal position relative to the transport element. Sensing the item corresponds to a condition where the sensor associated with each array is blocked.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.