Patents Assigned to AMF Automation Technologies, Inc.
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Patent number: 8071149Abstract: The dough distribution manifold (10) includes a housing (12) with a perimeter wall (14) forming a dough distribution chamber (20). Removable bottom wall (16) and removable top wall (18) are positioned on the perimeter wall. Top wall (18) includes a cover plate (40) and an insert plate (42), with the insert plate having a protrusion (44) that extends into the dough distribution chamber (20), whereby different sized insert plates may be combined with the cover plate to adjust the height of the dough distribution chamber. The perimeter wall (14) is independently supported with respect to said bottom wall (16) and top wall (18) so that the bottom and top walls may be removed while leaving the perimeter wall in place for inspection and cleaning. Valves (56) and dough dividers (34 and 64) are used to direct the movement of dough in equal amounts through the delivery openings (32).Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2008Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: AMF Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bruce V. Campbell, Remberto Pedraja
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Patent number: 7950708Abstract: An end effector for a robot having an array of suction cups includes an air control valve connected to each suction cup. Each valve can be individually operated so that specific zones of suction cups may be activated while others are dormant. The dormant suction cups are closed to the sub-atmospheric pressure, so that leakage of air through unused suction cups is avoided, while only the suction cups of the selected zone perform the picking of the work products. This allows the end effector to provide accurate and constant sub-atmospheric pressure to the work products during the picking process.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: AMF Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Geoffrey James Parnell
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Patent number: 7837456Abstract: A dough stream blocker (10) is positioned in a dough forming apparatus for selectively opening or blocking the flow of dough through the channels of the assembly that lead to the dough cut off device. Slide valves (34) are rotated to present either a slide valve opening (36) or a slide valve closed body portion (38) that opens or closes the channels.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2007Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: AMF Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Remberto N. Pedraja
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Publication number: 20100040450Abstract: An end effector for a robot having an array of suction cups includes an air control valve connected to each suction cup. Each valve can be individually operated so that specific zones of suction cups may be activated while others are dormant. The dormant suction cups are closed to the sub-atmospheric pressure, so that leakage of air through unused suction cups is avoided, while only the suction cups of the selected zone perform the picking of the work products. This allows the end effector to provide accurate and constant sub-atmospheric pressure to the work products during the picking process.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2008Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: AMF AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Geoffrey James Parnell
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Publication number: 20100034915Abstract: The dough distribution manifold (10) includes a housing (12) with a perimeter wall (14) forming a dough distribution chamber (20). Removable bottom wall (16) and removable top wall (18) are positioned on the perimeter wall. Top wall (18) includes a cover plate (40) and an insert plate (42), with the insert plate having a protrusion (44) that extends into the dough distribution chamber (20), whereby different sized insert plates may be combined with the cover plate to adjust the height of the dough distribution chamber. The perimeter wall (14) is independently supported with respect to said bottom wall (16) and top wall (18) so that the bottom and top walls may be removed while leaving the perimeter wall in place for inspection and cleaning. Valves (56) and dough dividers (34 and 64) are used to direct the movement of dough in equal amounts through the delivery openings (32).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2008Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: AMF AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Bruce V. Campbell, Remberto Pedraja
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Publication number: 20090142441Abstract: A dough stream blocker (10) is positioned in a dough forming apparatus for selectively opening or blocking the flow of dough through the channels of the assembly that lead to the dough cut off device. Slide valves (34) are rotated to present either a slide valve opening (36) or a slide valve closed body portion (38) that opens or closes the channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2007Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: AMF AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Remberto N. Pedraja