Gripper system for stacked unit loads

US8162362B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Duetsche Post AG · DE

Inventors

• Nils Braunschweiger · Weyhe, DE
• Eckhard Wellbrock · Bremen, DE
• Hermann Franck · Ritterhude, DE
• Wolfgang Echelmeyer · Höflaweg, DE
• Kolja Schmidt · Bremen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 16, 2007
• Grant date: Apr 24, 2012
• Expiry date: Oct 13, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65G2203/042
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

There is provided a gripper system for stacked packaged goods. An exemplary gripper system comprises a first gripper unit for gripping a package by a front surface of the package. The exemplary gripper system further comprises a second gripper unit for gripping the package by a second surface that is at a right angle to the front surface, the second gripper unit having a drive device associated therewith, the second gripper unit being adapted to be moved out of a starting position in which the second gripper unit and the drive device as seen from the gripping side of the first gripper unit, are arranged behind the first gripper unit, into a gripping position in which the first gripper unit is positioned for gripping the package by its front surface and the second gripper unit is positioned for gripping the package by its second surface. In a gripper system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, outer dimensions of the gripper system, as seen from the gripping side of the first gripper unit, do not exceed dimensions of a front surface of a smallest package to be gripped.