Patents by Inventor Robert Jodoin
Robert Jodoin has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11970348Abstract: A palletizing elevator is provided that lowers gradually a pallet thereon from an upper level as it is filled with products, and by providing an empty pallet infeed system that moves empty pallets towards the palletizing elevator simultaneously to the palletizing of products thereon. The empty pallet infeed system includes an empty pallet elevator for raising empty pallets to the upper level and a conveying system between the empty pallet elevator and the palletizing elevator for moving the empty pallets of from the empty pallet elevator at the upper level to the palletizing elevator while a pallet is moved by the palletizing elevator during its filling.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2022Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: Symbotic Canada, ULCInventors: Marc Ducharme, Jean-Francois Forget, Robert Jodoin, Cédric Kessler, Régis Métivier, Sylvain-Paul Morency
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Publication number: 20240132304Abstract: A vision-assisted robotized depalletizer receives at a pallet station a pallet loaded with products and outputs on a conveyor unitized products aligned in a desired orientation. Such depalletizers include a vision system having one or more image acquisition sensors that are positioned relative to the pallet station so as to have a field of view covering a top portion of the pallet. The sensors send to a controller one or more image of the top portion of the pallet that the controller uses along to determine the position of each product in the top portion of the pallet. The depalletizer further includes a robot equipped with a depalletizing tool that is coupled to the vision system controller for receiving information indicative of the position of each product from the top portion and uses that information to pick and position on the output conveyor each product from the top portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Sylvain-Paul MORENCY, Marc DUCHARME, Robert JODOIN, Philippe HAKIER, Christian SIMON, Jean-François FORGET
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Publication number: 20240116723Abstract: The problem of potentially damaging a pallet layer that is gripped by clamps of a depalletizing tool is solved i) by detecting the real position of the layer using a pad on the tool that is movable with the clamps towards the pallet layer and whose detected stopping position determines the real position of the layer, and ii) while the layer is gripped by the clamp, by inserting under the layer curtains; the pressure on the layer by the clamps being adapted to the ease to go underneath the layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Sylvain-Paul MORENCY, Marc DUCHARME, Robert JODOIN, Tristan PASHLEY, Francis LEVESQUE, Jean-Francois FORGET
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Patent number: 11845620Abstract: The problem of potentially damaging a pallet layer that is gripped by clamps of a depalletizing tool is solved i) by detecting the real position of the layer using a pad on the tool that is movable with the clamps towards the pallet layer and whose detected stopping position determines the real position of the layer, and ii) while the layer is gripped by the clamp, by inserting under the layer curtains; the pressure on the layer by the clamps being adapted to the ease to go underneath the layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2022Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Inventors: Sylvain-Paul Morency, Marc Ducharme, Robert Jodoin, Tristan Pashley, Francis Levesque, Jean-Francois Forget
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Patent number: 11840411Abstract: A vision-assisted robotized depalletizer receives at a pallet station a pallet loaded with products and outputs on a conveyor unitized products aligned in a desired orientation. Such depalletizers include a vision system having one or more image acquisition sensors that are positioned relative to the pallet station so as to have a field of view covering a top portion of the pallet. The sensors send to a controller one or more image of the top portion of the pallet that the controller uses along to determine the position of each product in the top portion of the pallet. The depalletizer further includes a robot equipped with a depalletizing tool that is coupled to the vision system controller for receiving information indicative of the position of each product from the top portion and uses that information to pick and position on the output conveyor each product from the top portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2022Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Inventors: Sylvain-Paul Morency, Marc Ducharme, Robert Jodoin, Philippe Hakier, Christian Simon, Jean-François Forget
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Publication number: 20230365356Abstract: A pallet building apparatus for automatically building a pallet load of pallet load article units onto a pallet support including a frame defining a pallet building base, at least one articulated robot to transport and place the pallet load article units, a controller to control articulated robot motion and effect therewith a pallet load build, at least one three-dimensional, time of flight, camera to generate three-dimensional imaging of the pallet support and pallet load build, wherein the controller registers, from the three-dimensional camera, real time three-dimensional imaging data embodying different corresponding three-dimensional images of the pallet support and pallet load build, to determine, in real time, from the corresponding real time three-dimensional imaging data, a pallet support variance or article unit variance and generate in real time an articulated robot motion signal, the articulated robot motion signal being generated real time so as to be performed real time.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventors: Patrice TURPIN, William LÉGARÉ, Benoit LAROUCHE, Christian SIMON, Rêgis MÉTIVIER, Sylvain-Paul MORENCY, Robert JODOIN
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Patent number: 11691830Abstract: A pallet building apparatus for automatically building a pallet load of pallet load article units onto a pallet support including a frame defining a pallet building base, at least one articulated robot to transport and place the pallet load article units, a controller to control articulated robot motion and effect therewith a pallet load build, at least one three-dimensional, time of flight, camera to generate three-dimensional imaging of the pallet support and pallet load build, wherein the controller registers, from the three-dimensional camera, real time three-dimensional imaging data embodying different corresponding three-dimensional images of the pallet support and pallet load build, to determine, in real time, from the corresponding real time three-dimensional imaging data, a pallet support variance or article unit variance and generate in real time an articulated robot motion signal, the articulated robot motion signal being generated real time so as to be performed real time by the at least one articType: GrantFiled: January 19, 2021Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Inventors: Patrice Turpin, William Legaré, Benoit Larouche, Christian Simon, Régis Métivier, Sylvain-Paul Morency, Robert Jodoin
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Publication number: 20230125374Abstract: The problem of potentially damaging a pallet layer that is gripped by clamps of a depalletizing tool is solved i) by detecting the real position of the layer using a pad on the tool that is movable with the clamps towards the pallet layer and whose detected stopping position determines the real position of the layer, and ii) while the layer is gripped by the clamp, by inserting under the layer curtains; the pressure on the layer by the clamps being adapted to the ease to go underneath the layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2022Publication date: April 27, 2023Inventors: Sylvain-Paul MORENCY, Marc DUCHARME, Robert JODOIN, Tristan PASHLEY, Francis LEVESQUE, Jean-Francois FORGET
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Publication number: 20230010402Abstract: A method of inspecting cased goods includes advancing at least one case of goods on a conveyor, generating an illumination sheet of parallel illuminating rays with at least one electromagnetic source, and capturing an image, formed by the illumination sheet passing through a diffuser with at least one camera located so as to capture illumination from diffused parallel rays of the light sheet, where the image case embodies a goods image that is generated by the case goods moving between the light source and the at least one camera, where part of the parallel sheet of light is at least partially blocked by the case of goods, thus generating a gray level image.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2022Publication date: January 12, 2023Inventors: Marc DUCHARME, Robert JODOIN, Benoit LAROUCHE, Sylvain-Paul MORENCY, Christian SIMON
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Publication number: 20220411208Abstract: A palletizing elevator is provided that lowers gradually a pallet thereon from an upper level as it is filled with products, and by providing an empty pallet infeed system that moves empty pallets towards the palletizing elevator simultaneously to the palletizing of products thereon. The empty pallet infeed system includes an empty pallet elevator for raising empty pallets to the upper level and a conveying system between the empty pallet elevator and the palletizing elevator for moving the empty pallets of from the empty pallet elevator at the upper level to the palletizing elevator while a pallet is moved by the palletizing elevator during its filling.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2022Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: Marc DUCHARME, Jean-Francois FORGET, Robert JODOIN, Cédric KESSLER, Régis MÉTIVIER, Sylvain-Paul MORENCY
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Patent number: 11535463Abstract: The problem of potentially damaging a pallet layer that is gripped by clamps of a depalletizing tool is solved i) by detecting the real position of the layer using a pad on the tool that is movable with the clamps towards the pallet layer and whose detected stopping position determines the real position of the layer, and ii) while the layer is gripped by the clamp, by inserting under the layer curtains; the pressure on the layer by the clamps being adapted to the ease to go underneath the layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2019Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Inventors: Sylvain-Paul Morency, Marc Ducharme, Robert Jodoin, Tristan Pashley, Francis Levesque, Jean-Francois Forget
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Publication number: 20220306407Abstract: A vision-assisted robotized depalletizer receives at a pallet station a pallet loaded with products and outputs on a conveyor unitized products aligned in a desired orientation. Such depalletizers include a vision system having one or more image acquisition sensors that are positioned relative to the pallet station so as to have a field of view covering a top portion of the pallet. The sensors send to a controller one or more image of the top portion of the pallet that the controller uses along to determine the position of each product in the top portion of the pallet. The depalletizer further includes a robot equipped with a depalletizing tool that is coupled to the vision system controller for receiving information indicative of the position of each product from the top portion and uses that information to pick and position on the output conveyor each product from the top portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2022Publication date: September 29, 2022Inventors: Sylvain-Paul MORENCY, Marc DUCHARME, Robert JODOIN, Philippe HAKIER, Christian SIMON, Jean-François FORGET
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Patent number: 11449978Abstract: A method of inspecting cased goods includes advancing at least one case of goods on a conveyor, generating an illumination sheet of parallel illuminating rays with at least one electromagnetic source, and capturing an image, formed by the illumination sheet passing through a diffuser with at least one camera located so as to capture illumination from diffused parallel rays of the light sheet, where the image case embodies a goods image that is generated by the case goods moving between the light source and the at least one camera, where part of the parallel sheet of light is at least partially blocked by the case of goods, thus generating a gray level image.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2021Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Inventors: Marc Ducharme, Robert Jodoin, Benoit Larouche, Sylvain-Paul Morency, Christian Simon
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Patent number: 11427414Abstract: A palletizing elevator is provided that lowers gradually a pallet thereon from an upper level as it is filled with products, and by providing an empty pallet infeed system that moves empty pallets towards the palletizing elevator simultaneously to the palletizing of products thereon. The empty pallet infeed system includes an empty pallet elevator for raising empty pallets to the upper level and a conveying system between the empty pallet elevator and the palletizing elevator for moving the empty pallets of from the empty pallet elevator at the upper level to the palletizing elevator while a pallet is moved by the palletizing elevator during its filling.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2021Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Inventors: Marc Ducharme, Jean-Francois Forget, Robert Jodoin, Cédric Kessler, Régis Métivier, Sylvain-Paul Morency
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Patent number: 11358811Abstract: A vision-assisted robotized depalletizer receives at a pallet station a pallet loaded with products and outputs on a conveyor unitized products aligned in a desired orientation. Such depalletizers include a vision system having one or more image acquisition sensors that are positioned relative to the pallet station so as to have a field of view covering a top portion of the pallet. The sensors send to a controller one or more image of the top portion of the pallet that the controller uses along to determine the position of each product in the top portion of the pallet. The depalletizer further includes a robot equipped with a depalletizing tool that is coupled to the vision system controller for receiving information indicative of the position of each product from the top portion and uses that information to pick and position on the output conveyor each product from the top portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2021Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Inventors: Sylvain-Paul Morency, Marc Ducharme, Robert Jodoin, Philippe Hakier, Christian Simon, Jean-François Forget
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Publication number: 20210327044Abstract: A method of inspecting cased goods includes advancing at least one case of goods on a conveyor, generating an illumination sheet of parallel illuminating rays with at least one electromagnetic source, and capturing an image, formed by the illumination sheet passing through a diffuser with at least one camera located so as to capture illumination from diffused parallel rays of the light sheet, where the image case embodies a goods image that is generated by the case goods moving between the light source and the at least one camera, where part of the parallel sheet of light is at least partially blocked by the case of goods, thus generating a gray level image.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2021Publication date: October 21, 2021Inventors: Marc DUCHARME, Robert JODOIN, Benoit LAROUCHE, Sylvain-Paul MORENCY, Christian SIMON
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Publication number: 20210237990Abstract: A vision-assisted robotized depalletizer receives at a pallet station a pallet loaded with products and outputs on a conveyor unitized products aligned in a desired orientation. Such depalletizers include a vision system having one or more image acquisition sensors that are positioned relative to the pallet station so as to have a field of view covering a top portion of the pallet. The sensors send to a controller one or more image of the top portion of the pallet that the controller uses along to determine the position of each product in the top portion of the pallet. The depalletizer further includes a robot equipped with a depalletizing tool that is coupled to the vision system controller for receiving information indicative of the position of each product from the top portion and uses that information to pick and position on the output conveyor each product from the top portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2021Publication date: August 5, 2021Inventors: Sylvain-Paul MORENCY, Marc DUCHARME, Robert JODOIN, Philippe HAKIER, Christian SIMON, Jean-François FORGET
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Publication number: 20210179368Abstract: A palletizing elevator is provided that lowers gradually a pallet thereon from an upper level as it is filled with products, and by providing an empty pallet infeed system that moves empty pallets towards the palletizing elevator simultaneously to the palletizing of products thereon. The empty pallet infeed system includes an empty pallet elevator for raising empty pallets to the upper level and a conveying system between the empty pallet elevator and the palletizing elevator for moving the empty pallets of from the empty pallet elevator at the upper level to the palletizing elevator while a pallet is moved by the palletizing elevator during its filling.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2021Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Marc DUCHARME, Jean-Francois Forget, Robert Jodoin, Cédric Kessler, Régis MÉTIVIER, Sylvain-Paul Morency
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Publication number: 20210139257Abstract: A pallet building apparatus for automatically building a pallet load of pallet load article units onto a pallet support including a frame defining a pallet building base, at least one articulated robot to transport and place the pallet load article units, a controller to control articulated robot motion and effect therewith a pallet load build, at least one three-dimensional, time of flight, camera to generate three-dimensional imaging of the pallet support and pallet load build, wherein the controller registers, from the three-dimensional camera, real time three-dimensional imaging data embodying different corresponding three-dimensional images of the pallet support and pallet load build, to determine, in real time, from the corresponding real time three-dimensional imaging data, a pallet support variance or article unit variance and generate in real time an articulated robot motion signal, the articulated robot motion signal being generated real time so as to be performed real time by the at least one articType: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2021Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventors: Patrice TURPIN, William LÉGARÉ, Benoit LAROUCHE, Christian SIMON, Régis MÉTIVIER, Sylvain-Paul MORENCY, Robert JODOIN
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Publication number: 20210114826Abstract: A depalletizer having a pallet station for receiving a pallet load of cases disposed in pallet load layers, a robot with an end effector having a grip to grip and pick at least one of the layers and having a grip engagement interface defining a predetermined layer engagement position and orientation for the layer(s), relative to the depalletizing end effector, a vision system to image the pallet load of cases and generate at least one image of a top portion of the layer(s) independent of robot motion, and a controller that receives the image(s) and effects determination of a layer position and orientation of the layer(s) relative to the predetermined layer engagement position and orientation of the grip engagement interface, and the controller is operably coupled to the robot so as to position the grip and capture and hold the layer(s) with the grip at the grip engagement interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Christian SIMON, Sylvain-Paul MORENCY, William LÉGARÉ, Benoît LAROUCHE, Robert JODOIN, Juergen CONRAD