Abstract: A vacuum gripper is provided for picking up and setting down unit loads by layer, comprising a surface having suction openings, connected to a vacuum supply, and device for temporarily connecting the suction openings. The vacuum gripper comprises at least two air channels, connecting suction openings. Each air channel is connected by a valve to a central, linear vacuum supply channel connected to the vacuum supply. The valve comprises at least one tappet, whose movement makes possible controlling opening and closing the valve. The tappets are arranged in a straight row, and are automatically moved in a position where the valve is closed. The tappets are functionally connected to a mechanical actuating device, extending along the row, comprising mechanically movable control elements for sequential actuation. The control elements automatically restore the tappets to a position where the valve is closed, making possible closing the related valves sequentially.

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.

Abstract: There is provided a suction gripper. An exemplary suction gripper comprises at least one needle adapted to grip an object. Also provided is a method of gripping an object. An exemplary method of gripping an object comprises gripping the object with a suction gripper comprising at least one needle adapted to grip the object to a suction gripper body.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a sensor system for detecting the surface structures of several packaged articles. An exemplary system comprises at least one laser distance detector that functions according to a triangulation principle and that determines the distance between the laser distance detector and a surface structure of a packaged article. The laser distance detector has at least one analog output via which a distance-proportional analog signal can be emitted. The analog output of at least one laser distance detector is in communication with an evaluation unit via an amplifier circuit. The amplifier circuit encompasses at least one operational amplifier that has two inputs, and the analog signal of the laser distance detector is present at a first input of the at least one operational amplifier. A variable reference voltage is present at the other input of the at least one operational amplifier.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for transferring packaged goods from a first position X to a second position Y. An exemplary apparatus comprises at least one gripping device comprising several gripping elements of which at least two can be actuated separately from each other. The exemplary apparatus further comprises a drive that is adapted to move the at least one gripping device in a vertical direction and in at least one horizontal direction. The exemplary apparatus also comprises a controller that is configured according to a fixed scheme, the controller being adapted to sequentially cancel a gripping effect of the gripping elements. The exemplary apparatus additionally comprises a guide element adapted to steer the packaged goods to the second position Y, the guide element comprising a baffle plate placed in a slanted position and having a bottom plate and two side walls that run towards each other in the form of a funnel.

Abstract: There is provided a loading aid for facilitating loading and unloading of a container. An exemplary loading aid comprises a working platform that is adapted to be moved on at least three rollers, at least one of which is steerable. The exemplary loading aid further comprises an autonomous steering device that is adapted to steer the at least one steerable roller, to autonomously steer the working platform straight ahead to avoid touching a wall of the container and to autonomously steer the working platform away from the wall of the container until the working platform is aligned parallel to the wall of the container if the working platform touches the wall of the container.

Abstract: There is provided a suction gripper. An exemplary suction gripper comprises at least one needle adapted to grip an object. Also provided is a method of gripping an object. An exemplary method of gripping an object comprises gripping the object with a suction gripper comprising at least one needle adapted to grip the object to a suction gripper body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a robot, comprising a horizontal linear axis with a movable carriage and a joint arm, the one end of which is connected to one of the ends of the carriage by means of a rotating joint in the direction of travel thereof, characterized in that the joint arm may rotate in a plane at an angle ? in the range of 45° to 90° to the horizontal and at least two joint arm pieces which may rotate relative to each other in said plane and with an effector, provided at the free moving end of the outer joint arm.