Method for selecting individual discs from tightly spaced array of optical discs
US9558781B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 16, 2015 |
| Grant date | Jan 31, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 16, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B17/223
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A cylindrical array of tightly spaced optical discs are each positioned vertically on edge to form a horizontal stack. Lifting a subset of optical discs enables that subset of optical discs to be grasped by their perimeters with much more room for robotic grippers between adjacent optical discs. An optical disc storage container includes a molded tray for vertically aligning a plurality of optical discs into the cylindrical array. The molded tray includes a bottom surface and side surfaces to support the optical discs and one or more openings formed in the bottom surface. A lifting mechanism is positioned along the one or more openings and is configured to lift the subset of optical discs a short distance relative to the remaining optical discs in the array, thereby enabling robotic grippers to grab the portion of the lifted optical disc protruding from the non-lifted optical disc array.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.