Abstract: A servo adjustable gripper device for gripping and transporting at least two objects such as boxes includes a frame and at least two gripper assemblies connected with carriages slidably connected with the frame. The gripper device further includes a robotic arm which controls further movement and placement of the boxes on a pallet. The position of the gripper assemblies on the frame is adjustable to provide equal lifting force for a variety of differently sized boxes or for different numbers of boxes.
Abstract: A packaging device for lifting a loosely spaced set of articles from a supply conveyor, compressing the set of articles by eliminating the excess space between them, and placing the compressed set of articles into a receiving container is characterized by a frame, a vacuum housing rigidly mounted on the frame, a plurality of pickup assemblies extending downwardly from the vacuum housing, and an apparatus for shifting the plurality of pickup assemblies between an expanded loading configuration which corresponds to the spacing of the set of articles on a conveyor and a compressed unloading configuration which corresponds to the spacing required for the set of articles to be deposited in a container.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 22, 1997
Date of Patent:
August 31, 1999
Assignee:
Flexicell, Inc.
Inventors:
Johannes J. de Koning, Frederick W. McCook, Jr., Thomas J. Halish