Simultaneous Deposit Of Plural Articles Patents (Class 53/247)
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Patent number: 12139348Abstract: A loading apparatus for use with tubular food articles. The loading apparatus comprises an input conveyor configured to convey the tubular food articles, an indexing conveyor positioned beneath the input conveyor and configured to operate in an intermittent motion, and a curved end member positioned in spaced arrangement to the input conveyor to permit the tubular food articles to pass between the input conveyor and the curved end member such that the curved end member retains the tubular food articles on the input conveyor. The input conveyor is configured to transfer the tubular food articles from the input conveyor directly to the indexing conveyor using gravity from a space between the input conveyor and the curved end member.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2022Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: F.R. Drake CompanyInventors: William C. Hill, Joseph Posge
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Patent number: 12129062Abstract: A packaging machine may include a grouping device comprising a spreading area with a spreading table having a base body and a plurality of support bars adjustable in their transverse spacing, each having at least one row of seats extending in a longitudinal direction, each for one product. The grouping device may also include at least one transverse drive for adjusting the transverse spacing, for producing a single-layer group having an even or uneven number of rows of products, and for inserting the group into an outer package. The plurality of support bars include a plurality of double-row support bars which cannot be moved relative to one another in the transverse direction, and at least two single-row support bars that are movable relative to one another in the transverse direction positioned between two of the double-row support bars.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2022Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: Gerhard Schubert GmbHInventor: Sebastian Brand
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Patent number: 12110141Abstract: The present invention provides a packaging apparatus for picking up a set of articles from a first conveying line and releasing into a package at a second conveying line, simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2020Date of Patent: October 8, 2024Assignee: ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV S.A.Inventors: Philippe Jean Marie Duperray, Wim Dekocker
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Patent number: 12070017Abstract: The transfer machine comprises an input and output system (8) for inserting trays filled with incubated eggs into the transfer machine and for removing the emptied trays therefrom and a transfer system (9) for transferring the eggs from the trays to the floor of the poultry house. The transfer system (9) comprises a set of egg pickup members (28) mounted on a first sub-frame (30). The first sub-frame (30) is mounted on a second sub-frame (31) such that it can move up and down, the second sub-frame mounted on the frame (5) of the machine such that it can move back and forth between a first position, wherein the set of egg pickup members (28) is above the filled trays that have been inserted, and a second position, wherein the set of egg pickup members (28) is above the floor of the poultry house.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2020Date of Patent: August 27, 2024Assignee: VERVAEKE-BELAVIInventor: Steven Vervaeke
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Patent number: 12049337Abstract: A system for packing a case with articles, the system including a conveying device to convey articles to be packed, in a serial configuration and a support for a case to be packed with the articles in which the articles are configured to be placed in a plurality of rows, including a first row, a second row adjacent to the first row and a last row adjacent to a side wall of the case.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2023Date of Patent: July 30, 2024Assignee: SYSTEMEX AUTOMATION INC.Inventors: Kelsey Medeiros, Robert Battaglia
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Patent number: 12043490Abstract: A belt conveyor comprises a belt with a drive roller, a deflection roller that can be adjusted relative thereto upwardly and/or downwardly, and an upper run extending therebetween for transporting the food products. The belt conveyor comprises a deflection element arranged between the drive roller and the deflection roller and configured for adjustment in the direction of transport. The upper and/or the associated lower run of the belt transitions from a first longitudinal section running in the direction of transport to a second longitudinal section tilted relative thereto when the deflection roller has been adjusted. The second longitudinal section can be quickly tilted and flexibly adapted to the dimensions of the food products and their transport distances inbetween.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2022Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: ALBERT HANDTMANN MASCHINENFABRIK GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Stefan Mueller, Peter Willburger, Georg Bannert
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Patent number: 11964830Abstract: Using a suction gripper cluster device is disclosed, including: causing airflows to be generated by a plurality of airflow generators of a respective plurality of suction gripper mechanisms included in a suction gripper cluster device comprising a plurality of suction gripper mechanisms, wherein the plurality of airflow generators is configured to cause the airflows to enter respective intake ports of the plurality of suction gripper mechanisms and exit respective outlet ports of the respective plurality of suction gripper mechanisms in response to receiving air at a respective air input port of the respective plurality of suction gripper mechanisms; causing a target object to be captured by the suction gripper cluster device using the airflows; activating a positioning actuator mechanism to position the suction gripper cluster device; and causing the target object to be ejected from the suction gripper cluster device.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2020Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: AMP Robotics CorporationInventors: John C. McCoy, Jr., James A. Bailey, Carter J. Schultz, Matanya B. Horowitz, Mark Baybutt, Cameron D. Douglas
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Patent number: 11896557Abstract: A method for loading a medicine transport plate with one or more medicine items using a docking station includes the steps of moving a preparation release mechanism of a docking station into a preparation holding state; inserting the one or more medicine items into one or more preparation compartments in the docking station; loading the medicine transport plate into the docking station; and moving the preparation release mechanism from the preparation holding state into a preparation release state to release the one or more medicine items from the preparation compartments.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: VMI Holland B.V.Inventors: Johan Gerard van Beek, Anthonius Maria Hendrina de Boer, Cornelis Jan Jochemsen, Patrick van Voorn
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Patent number: 11851295Abstract: An autonomously operated system is configured to load at least one unbound deformable article into a container. The system includes a refillable cartridge configured to receive therein the article, at least one extendable conveyor being configured to extend into the refillable cartridge and deposit the article within the refillable cartridge, a driven lifter configured to selectively lower and raise the refillable cartridge relative to the at least one extendable conveyor, one or more sensors configured output a signal indicative of a fill height of the refillable cartridge, and at least one controller configured to, in response a received signal form the one or more sensors, instruct the driven lifter to at least one of raise and lower the refillable cartridge to at least one of one or more loading heights for receiving the article, and lower the refillable cartridge to an unloading position within the container.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2023Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Monotony.ai, Inc.Inventors: Madeline R. Hickman, Samuel Duffley, Noa M. Rensing, Kayla M. Swiston, Jesse Sielaff, Benjamin D. Bixby
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Patent number: 11820541Abstract: A device for collating and loading articles includes a container which is open along its upper wall and has a front wall which is adjacent to two side walls and a lower wall. One of these walls is movable and designed for loading the articles into a case. A variable-geometry means is provided for collating articles in the direction of a reference point zero (0), in the plane of the lower wall, in the orthonormal directions 0X and 0Y. The articles are intended to change and amend their trajectories in the orthonormal directions 0X and 0Y towards the reference point (0), depending on the amount of space they occupy.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2019Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Inventor: Jacky Peterlini
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Patent number: 11814199Abstract: A method of loading articles in cartons. The method can comprise moving a carton in a generally flat configuration in a downstream direction with a carton opening carousel, at least partially opening the carton while moving the carton with the carton opening carousel, and transferring the carton from the carton opening carousel to a carton loading carousel in a transfer region. The transferring the carton can comprise moving the carton in an upstream direction. The method further can comprise loading a plurality of articles into the carton while moving the carton in a downstream direction with the carton loading carousel.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2019Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLCInventor: Colin P. Ford
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Patent number: 11780685Abstract: A variable pitch device includes a body, a drive unit fixed to the body, a plurality of movable fingers disposed movably along a longitudinal direction of the body, and a driving force transmission mechanism that transmits a driving force of the drive unit to the movable fingers. The driving force transmission mechanism is formed of a connecting block connected to an end block driven in a vertical direction, a cam plate accommodated in the body and connected to the connecting block, and four finger pins inserted through first to fourth cam grooves of the cam plate. The finger pins are disposed movably in the longitudinal direction along guide holes of the body and connected to the movable fingers.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2020Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: SMC CORPORATIONInventor: Takeshi Seo
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Patent number: 11767179Abstract: A seizing head for objects is described that includes a support frame adapted to be coupled to a manipulator robot, and a plurality of picking apparatuses arranged mutually flanked according to a predefined flanking direction and individually adapted to take and withhold at least one object, wherein each picking apparatus is installed on a respective mobile frame, which is slidably coupled to the support frame according to a sliding direction parallel to the flanking direction, and wherein the seizing head further includes a plurality of functionally independent activation devices, each of which is adapted to activate a respective mobile frame along said sliding direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2021Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: A.C.M.I.—SOCIETA' PER AZIONIInventors: Giacomo Magri, Giorgio Oppici
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Patent number: 11759969Abstract: Container assembly for collecting pads, such as cosmetic pads or medical pads, wherein the container assembly comprises an elongate shell extending along a collecting axis parallel to a stacking direction and in a circumferential direction about the collecting axis, wherein the shell comprises a top side, a bottom side opposite to said top side in the stacking direction, wherein the shell is open at said top side for receiving the pads in said stacking direction and along said collecting axis, wherein the shell comprises a first shell segment and a second shell segment extending along said collecting axis between the top side and the bottom side and movable relative to one another in a clamping direction transverse to the stacking direction, wherein the second shell segment is biased relative to and towards the first shell segment in said clamping direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2020Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: VMI HOLLAND B.V.Inventor: Teunis Pijpers
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Patent number: 11753326Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing glass containers handles the containers individually after a hot forming process and annealing to prevent glass-to-glass contact. By handling the containers individually and preventing glass-to-glass contact damage to the containers in the form of checks and scratches is avoided. To prevent contact of the containers and damage arising from the contact, the equipment including conveyors, pushers, starwheels, shuttles, and transfer heads that move the glass containers through the apparatus maintains the glass containers in uniform spaced relationship at each stage of container processing until the containers are packaged.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Gerresheimer Glass Inc.Inventor: Dean Scardino
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Patent number: 11737432Abstract: Unit for sorting parts moving along a conveyor belt comprising a transfer device (3) which comprises a roller (31) which is rotatably movable above the belt and a plurality of gripping tools (32) at the periphery of the roller which are each capable of selectively removing a part from the belt when the tools are brought into a removal position, each tool comprising a suction cup (321) attached to a tubular support sleeve (322) which is capable of creating a connection between the suction cup and an internal chamber (312) of the roller, said connection being kept at a negative pressure relative to the surrounding air, all of the suction cups which are brought into the removal position being depressurized, each sleeve being mounted so as to be translatably movable along the axis thereof through a wall (311) of the roller, an actuator (34) being designed to selectively control, in the removal position, the movement of the sleeve so that the suction cup engages with the part to be removed.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2019Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Egg-Chick Automated TechnologiesInventors: Pierre Robert, Laurent Queveau
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Patent number: 11713197Abstract: To provide a plate material conveying system configured to load plate materials produced by a press work onto a tray at regular intervals, prior to a cleaning process. The plate material conveying system comprises: a feeding section 13 that feeds the plate materials produced by the press work at regular intervals; a storage section 14 that stores the plate materials conveyed sequentially from the feeding section 13; a loading section 15 that loads the plate materials stored in the storage section 14 on the tray opposing thereto at one time; and a discharging section 16 that conveys the tray from a site to be opposed to the storage section 14 to a predetermined site.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2020Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignees: DAIWA ENGINEERING CO., LTD., DAIWA CAN COMPANYInventors: Hideyuki Tani, Toshihisa Kasahara, Hidekazu Yoshioka, Hiroshi Nakamura
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Patent number: 11684022Abstract: A pick-and-plant head for planting plant cuttings in a cultivation medium. The pick-and-plant head is provided with a grasper including opposed grasping surfaces for grasping a portion of a cutting between them and with an abutment that abuts a cutting. The grasper and abutment are moveable relative to one another and are arranged so that during release of a cutting from the grasper the abutment passes between the opposed grasping surfaces and the cutting is abutted by the abutment.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2016Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: IG Specials B.V.Inventor: Wim Van Der El
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Patent number: 11639275Abstract: A picking facility includes a first conveyor for transporting a container that includes an opening portion provided on an upper side thereof and can contain an article, and a second conveyor for transporting a target article. The height level of a transport face of the first conveyor is set to be lower than the height level of a transport face of the second conveyor, and a difference between the height level of the transport face of the second conveyor and the height level of the transport face of the first conveyor is determined based on the height of the container.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2021Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.Inventors: Wataru Kiyokawa, Atsushi Minoo, Hiroyuki Kusube
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Patent number: 11623828Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously packing folded laundry articles into a container are described. A packing system includes a refillable cartridge, a queue conveyor having one or more folded laundry articles and stacks of folded laundry articles disposed thereon, at least one retractable conveyor loading end between the refillable cartridge and the queue conveyor for loading the folded laundry articles into the refillable cartridge, a driven lifter for selectively raising and lowering the into and out of the container, and a controller in operative configuration with processors and drives of all of the foregoing and one or more sensors detecting a fill height of the refillable cartridge. The refillable cartridge includes a removable receiving surface that moves from a closed position to an open position during loading of the folded laundry by the retractable conveyor and unloading of the folded laundry into the container.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2021Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: MONOTONY.AI, INC.Inventors: Madeline R. Hickman, Samuel Duffley, Noa M. Rensing, Kayla M. Swiston, Jesse Sielaff, Benjamin D. Bixby
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Patent number: 11542102Abstract: A suction transfer device suction-holds a bag-like article with a suction component and moves the suction component suction-holding the article to thereby transfer the article. The suction component has a negative pressure chamber, one or more suction openings, and a first surface. The negative pressure chamber forms a negative pressure space inside when a negative pressure generator is driven. The suction openings communicate with the negative pressure chamber. The first surface is disposed around the suction openings and opposes an article subjected to suction. An area of the first surface is from 0.5 times to 2 times an area of a sucked surface, which opposes the first surface, of the article subjected to suction.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: ISHIDA CO., LTD.Inventors: Takuya Iwasa, Yuji Yokota, Satoshi Nishitsuji, Fumitaka Tokuda
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Patent number: 11420829Abstract: A device for transferring components includes a transfer assembly and a drive assembly. The transfer assembly has a transfer track transferring a plurality of components therein. The transfer track has an operation position for operating the components. The drive assembly has a first drive mechanism transferring a first set of components of the components at the operation position in the transfer track and a second drive mechanism transferring a second set of components of the components at the operation position in the transfer track. The first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism in turn drive the first set of components and the second set of components, continuously transferring the components.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignees: TE Connectivity Services GmbH, Tyco Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.Inventors: Jian Cao, Lvhai Hu, Fengchun Xie, Yun Liu, An Yang, Yingcong Deng, Roberto Francisco-Yi Lu
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Patent number: 11401064Abstract: A case packing apparatus for loading articles into a case that includes two or more airbags adapted to be positioned above the case; a vacuum reservoir positioned in fluid communication with the airbags; and a supply of compressed gas positioned in fluid communication with the airbags.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2018Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventor: Robert C. Beesley
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Patent number: 11247798Abstract: A box packing apparatus is equipped with a first conveyor, a parallel link robot, and a flap folding mechanism. The first conveyor conveys an article. The parallel link robot takes hold of the article on the first conveyor and carries it into a cardboard box that has an upper opening. The flap folding mechanism folds open to the outside of the upper opening at least one of plural cover flaps of the cardboard box that are located around the upper opening.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2019Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: ISHIDA CO., LTD.Inventor: Yuji Yokota
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Patent number: 10913560Abstract: A device for applying a flexible carrier to a plurality of containers includes a base with a plurality of pockets and an indexing means and a carrier having a series of indexing features that correspond with the indexing means for placement of the carrier relative to the base, wherein a container may be inserted into one of the plurality of pockets of the base for desired alignment within the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2015Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventor: Christopher J. Ludwig
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Patent number: 10843837Abstract: An apparatus for forming a package can include a first station for receiving a package from a packaging machine, the package having a trailing seal extending outwardly from a panel of the package. At the first station, the package is received in a forming box, which is rotated about the apparatus. The forming box with the package is rotated to a second station in which a flap folding plate extends to fold the trailing seal and apply a pressure to the panel of the package to flatten the panel of the package against an internal pressure of the package. The forming box then optionally rotates to a third station in which a holding plate maintains the pressure to the panel of the package for an additional dwell time. Finally the forming box rotates to a fourth position in which the package is released from the forming box.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2016Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: PRIMAPAK, LLCInventors: John E. Sanfilippo, James J. Sanfilippo, Francisco Javier Soria
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Patent number: 10800612Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a container from a first station to a second station of a container forming line is described herein. The apparatus includes a wheeled frame, a linear slide mounted to the wheeled frame, and an articulated robotic arm mounted to the linear slide and movable along the linear slide between the first station and the second station. The robotic arm includes an end effector operable to grip the container to remove the container from the first station. The wheeled frame is removably coupleable to the first station such that the apparatus is transportable to a different container forming line.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Pretium Packaging, L.L.C.Inventors: Guy A. Condon, Carl Jay Cloward
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Patent number: 10781091Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented for removing container covers within a controlled environment enclosure without using gloves. The apparatus comprises an articulated arm apparatus and a gripping apparatus and can further comprise a controller. The articulated arm apparatus can be configurable for holding and moving a container in three dimensions; and the gripping apparatus can be configured for gripping a container cover sealing the container. The method comprises moving the container using the articulated arm apparatus while holding a gripping area of the container cover substantially stationary using the gripping apparatus. The apparatus can further comprise a sensor configured for supplying information to the controller for determining the location of the container cover gripping area and an orientation of the container cover. The method can further comprise inspecting the container cover using the sensor. The container can be moved along a path and within a space determined by the controller.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2017Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: VANRX PHARMASYSTEMS INC.Inventors: Christopher Procyshyn, Ross M. Gold, Steve Sang Joon Park, Jeroen Immerzeel, Paul Nowakczyk
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Patent number: 10773845Abstract: An apparatus includes a product metering device, first and second container preparation systems, and a controller. The product metering device is configured to dispense a product. The first and second container preparation systems are configured to dispense first and second containers, respectively, for receiving the product from the product metering device. The first and second container preparation systems include first and second severed container material transporting devices, respectively, operable to transport the first and second containers, respectively, from the first and second container preparation systems, respectively, to the product metering device. The controller simultaneously controls (i) one of the first container preparation system and the second container preparation system to prepare one of the first container and the second container, and (ii) the product metering device to dispense the product into the other of the first container and the second container.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: KELLOGG COMPANYInventor: John Joseph Michels
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Patent number: 10759554Abstract: A unit for mixing and dispensing an aerosol precursor composition, and containers to be dispensed therefrom. The unit includes a plurality of bulk material filling stations, the plurality of bulk material filling stations have at least one first filling station with aerosol former and at least one second filling station with a flavor material for creating the aerosol precursor. The unit also includes a bulk consumable pack staging a plurality of containers configured to receive the aerosol precursor, and a robot configured to retrieve a container from the bulk consumable pack and move the container through at least two dimensions to stop at least two of the plurality of bulk material filling stations.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2017Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.Inventors: Andries Don Sebastian, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Alvaro Gonzalez-Parra, Eugenia Theophilus, Marielle Anitra Keyna des Etages, Joseph Dominique, Wesley Steven Jones, Bradley Phillips, Mark Dockrill, Simon A. English, Simon Philip Adam Higgins, Thomas Crugnale, Jeffrey Hughes, Robert Neil, David Pritchard
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Patent number: 10689205Abstract: A package accumulating device is disclosed. The device conveys bag packages to a predetermined position while performing an accumulating operation that aligns the packages such that parts of each of the packages lie on top of parts of adjacent packages in a thickness direction. The device includes first and second conveyors, and a control unit. The first conveyor performs the accumulating operation. The second conveyor conveys a group of the packages aligned by the first conveyor. The control unit performs switching between a first state where a downstream end of the first conveyor and an upstream end of the second conveyor oppose each other when the second conveyor accepts the group of the packages from the first conveyor and a second state where a position of the upstream end of the second conveyor is lower than in the first state with respect to the downstream end of the first conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2019Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: ISHIDA CO., LTD.Inventors: Tatsuya Iwasa, Yuji Yokota
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Patent number: 10583996Abstract: The invention relates to a bread handler. The bread handler has a plurality of paddles and a gripper. The paddles are on opposing sides and the gripper has two opposing arms with each arm having a lead surface and grip surface, the gripper moving in a sweeping motion in a longitudinal direction with the lead surfaces engaging the paddles.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2019Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: JLS AutomationInventor: Jonathan M. Pentzer
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Patent number: 10532888Abstract: A conveying appliance with a conveying member that is movable along a conveying stretch and forms a conveying surface for an item that is to be conveyed, wherein the conveying surface of the conveying member includes openings. An active device has at least one active element that is movable along a closed circulating path, wherein in an active section of the conveying stretch, the circulating path forms an actively effective path section that runs parallel to the conveying member. The active device interacts with the conveying member in the active section in a manner such that the at least one active element along the actively effective path section projects through an opening through the conveying member and projects beyond the conveying surface, in a manner such that the at least one active element is capable of mechanically acting upon a conveyed item which lies on the conveying surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2017Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: WRH WALTER REIST HOLDING AGInventor: Markus Felix
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Patent number: 10207877Abstract: A guard device for transport bags in a loading station of an overhead conveyor system comprises a mounting unit to mount the guard device to a conveyor device of the overhead conveyor system, an impact plate to support a rear wall of a transport bag when being loaded with a product to be transported, and a connection unit to movably connect the impact plate to the mounting unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2018Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Dürkopp Fördertechnik GmbHInventor: Paul Janzen
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Patent number: 10167144Abstract: A device for repositioning tubes in a tube rack is presented. The device comprises a base; a mount movable relative to the base in a first and second direction; an actuator for moving the mount; grippers coupled to and movable with the mount, each gripper comprising arms with portions for gripping a tube; a biasing element coupled to the mount and to the arms to be movable relative to the mount and to move the portions towards/away from each other; a blocking element coupled to the base to engage the biasing element and to block movement of the biasing element with respect to the mount against a force where the mount is moved in the first direction to move the portions towards each other and to disengage from the biasing element when the mount is moved in the second direction to allow the portions to be moved apart.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2015Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Michael Maldini, Gottlieb Schacher
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Patent number: 9764907Abstract: Machine and method for conveying items in a production line, wherein there is an incoming batch of separate items on or in an incoming batch carrier, the plurality of items of the incoming batch are moved in a perpendicular vertical direction, while keeping the items immovable relative to the incoming batch carrier in the horizontal plane, the captured items are brought directly above a horizontal conveyor belt having a horizontal movement in a direction of travel in the horizontal plane, a horizontal movement of the items is adjusted and synchronized with the movement speed of the conveyor belt, the items are moved in the vertical direction in order to bring the items to rest on the conveyor belt while maintaining the horizontal movement of the items synchronized with the movement speed of the conveyor belt, then the items are discharged in a batch of outgoing items by the conveyor belt.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2016Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: AUTOMATISATION ET RENOVATION DU CONDITIONNEMENT DANS LES INDUSTRIES LAITIERES ARCILInventors: Christophe Bonnier, Xavier Henry, Laurent Dandy
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Patent number: 9604743Abstract: An apparatus for producing a container pack includes a linear transporter, applicator elements, and head guides. The linear transporter has first, second, and third sections. Transport surfaces run parallel to one another in said first section, are oriented at an angle to one another in said second section, and again run parallel to one another in said third section. The second section comprises applicator elements having transversely displaceable and rotatable head guides for single-container transport along said three sections. The apparatus is configured to bring containers together in said third section to form said pack and to transport said pack towards a discharge side.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2012Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: KHS GmbHInventors: Thomas Nitsch, Christopher Stuhlmann, Ernst Van Wickeren, Stefan Wagner, Volker Zahn
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Patent number: 9586705Abstract: Disclosed is a product case packing system with a gripping head assembly and a packaging grid assembly linked by a coordination arm that synchronizes the delivery of the product to be packaged and with the positioning of the grid assembly into the packaging container. The system includes a gripper head assembly extension control module, capable of controlling multiple travel distances of the gripper head assembly in a single packing cycle, a product assembly detection module, and a packaging release control element for subtle separation of individual packed containers.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Commercial Machine Services, Inc.Inventors: John L. Raudat, Les Dennison
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Patent number: 9540191Abstract: Systems and methods for processing stackable articles, such as, frozen hamburgers or compact disks, are provided. The systems include mechanisms for determining the number of articles in a stack of articles, a transfer device adapted to transfer the articles when the number of articles equals a predetermined number of articles, a gripping device adapted to receive the stacks of articles from the transfer device, an automated manipulator adapted to transfer the gripping device with the stacks of articles, and a mechanism for discharging the stacks of articles from the gripping device to, for example, a container. The systems and methods may also provide staging areas adapted to receive the stack of articles and then transfer the stack of articles to the gripping device. Though aspects of the invention may be uniquely adapted to handle food items, aspects of the invention may also be used for non-food items.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2014Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: RMF Steel Products Co.Inventor: Clay C. Cooper
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Patent number: 9428293Abstract: A box packing device includes a dropping part configured to drops a laterally opened cardboard box in the state in which the lateral flaps of the cardboard box are open before and after dropping. The dropping part has an upper guide mechanism and a lower guide mechanism. The upper guide mechanism includes first upper guide portions that oppose front faces of the flaps and second upper guide portions that oppose rear faces of the flaps. The lower guide mechanism includes a first lower movable guide portion and a first lower fixed guide portion that oppose the front faces of the flaps, second lower guide portions that oppose the rear faces of the flaps, and a first drive unit for driving the second lower guide portions towards the first lower guide portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2013Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: ISHIDA CO., LTD.Inventors: Yuji Yokota, Atsushi Takahashi, Hiroaki Tokura, Takeshi Noguchi, Seisaku Iwasa
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Patent number: 9156570Abstract: End of arm tool (10) is used to load goods A and B in two layers in a packing container (8), with a packing insert positioned between the layers. The tool (10) also grasps a packing insert in the form of a flat sheet, bends the ends of the packing sheet downwardly to form an inverted U shape, and then inserts the packing insert in a straddling relationship about the lower layer of goods A, to protect the lower layer of goods from the weight applied by the upper layer of goods B.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2013Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: AMF Automation Technologies, LLCInventor: Roland Lomerson, Jr.
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Patent number: 8991138Abstract: A medicine dispensing device including: a device body 3; a medicine containing unit 4 mounted in the device body 3 and including a plurality of medicine containers 9 configured to dispense medicines contained therein through a medicine ejecting portion; a medicine receiving unit 5 movably provided in the device body 3 and having at least two medicine receiving sections 26 that are moved to each of the medicine containers 9 of the medicine containing unit 4 to receive the medicine dispensed from the medicine ejecting portion and are moved to a discharging position to discharge the received medicines; a medicine collecting unit 6 having a plurality of medicine collecting sections 44 each collecting the medicines discharged from each of the medicine receiving sections 26 in the discharging position; and a control unit 7 configured to move each of the medicine receiving sections 26 to allow the medicine receiving section to receive the medicines dispensed from a corresponding medicine containing section and to diType: GrantFiled: September 17, 2009Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Jyunichi Iwaya, Akifumi Tanaka
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Publication number: 20150068159Abstract: A storage hopper which is designed and adapted for interim storage of snus bags between a bag production apparatus and a transport device comprises two side walls, a rear wall and a front wall, shaft walls running parallel to the side walls and spaced apart from one another, wherein the storage hopper has, on its side facing towards the transport device, a lower closure element for storing a defined number of snus bags in each shaft and for joint discharge of the defined number of snus bags to the transport device, and wherein the storage hopper has, on the side facing towards the bag production apparatus, an upper closure element which is independent of the lower closure element.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2012Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: Hauni Maschinenbau AGInventor: Jens Barkemeyer
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Publication number: 20140325939Abstract: A stuffing machine (1) for stuffing piles (2) of sheet articles, comprising: a first conveyor (11) for moving piles (2) of sheet articles in a first advancement direction (A1); a second conveyor (12) arranged downstream of the first conveyor (11) with respect to the first advancement direction (A1), which second conveyor (12) is angularly arranged with respect to the first conveyor (11); a third conveyor (13) arranged downstream of the first conveyor (11) with respect to the first advancement direction (A1), which third conveyor (13) is aligned with the first conveyor (11), is extensible in a second advancement direction (A2) opposite the first advancement direction (A1), such as to assume an operating configuration (O) in which it passes over the second conveyor (12) and defines, with the first conveyor (11), a first conveying pathway (P1) and is retractable in a same direction as the first advancing direction (A1) in order to assume an inactive configuration (I) which enables the first conveyor (11) and theType: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2012Publication date: November 6, 2014Inventor: Francesco Ponti
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Patent number: 8863480Abstract: A device for dispensing pills includes a set of pill canisters and a control for releasing a desired quantity of pills from a selected pill canister at a target location. Several platens are provided; each of the platens has a platen identifier. A frame is situated beneath the target location. The frame is controlled to move in both an X axis and/or a Y axis and the frame holds a selected platen of a set of platens. The selected platen holds and supports a target container into which the desired quantity of pills is deposited. The platen identifier is read by the device for dispensing pills to determine which of the plurality of platens is in the frame.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: QEM, Inc.Inventor: Norman D. Knoth
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Patent number: 8857135Abstract: There is provided a medicine packaging device that can resolve the problem in which fine mechanical adjustments are needed for changing setting conditions of a packaging part or when the packaging part fails. The medicine packaging device has a device body 3 having an accommodation space 5, a slide unit 8 reciprocally attached to the accommodation space 5 of the device body 3, and a packaging unit 4 removably attached to the slide unit 8. The packaging unit is allowed to package medicines with a package paper 23 by moving the slide unit 8 a packaging position in the accommodation space 5. The packaging unit is moved to a drawn-out position drawn out from the packaging position. The packaging unit is replaceable by being moved to a replacement position drawn out from the device body 3.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2009Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Itsuo Yasunaga, Chisei Asaoka, Norifumi Oike, Kensuke Kaminishi
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Publication number: 20140260113Abstract: A packaging loader for loading products into packaging has a conveyor, a collator, and a nesting assembly. The conveyor conveys products to the collator, where the products are collected and, subsequently, transferred to the nesting assembly. The nesting assembly rearranges at least some of the products for placement into the packaging. Once the products have been properly arranged by the nesting assembly, they are placed within the packaging. The process repeats, as desired, to arrange one or more layers of products within the packaging.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Delkor Systems, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Scott Thompson, Adam Mark Koller
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Patent number: 8826631Abstract: The device for filling packaging receptacles with pharmaceutical products has a supply container for the pharmaceutical products and a feed device with at least one guide channel for conducting the pharmaceutical products by means of gravity from the supply container to the packaging receptacles. At least one high-voltage ionizer element supplied with alternating voltage is arranged in the area of the at least one guide channel.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2009Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Anton Singer
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Patent number: 8782999Abstract: A tablet supply apparatus including a main body having a case accommodating unit at the upper portion thereof, plural tablet cases that are secured in the case accommodating unit and in which tablets are accommodated, a chute through which tablets discharged from each of the tablet cases drop, a hopper that is disposed below the chute and provided in the main body, a filling device for filling tablets received by the hopper into a container, and at least one tablet feeder for freely putting into the hopper tablets whose kinds are other than the kinds of the tablets accommodated in the table cases. The tablet feeder has an opening for putting tablets, a shutter for temporarily trapping the tables put from the opening and a switch for opening the shutter, and is designed so that the put tablets on the shutter are visually recognizable.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2009Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Panasonic Healthcare Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akira Kondo, Takashi Mori, Koichi Kobayashi
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Patent number: 8745961Abstract: A multi-pharmaceutical dispensing station includes a circular platform around which a plurality of individual dispensers is arrayed at a convenient loading height. Each dispenser accepts a single bulk canister containing one pharmaceutical. Cylindrical, empty prescription containers carry labels bearing indicia of the patient and pharmaceutical to be dispensed into each container. Sensors detect the indicia and direct the containers to the proper dispenser which fills them with the type and quantity of a pharmaceutical according to the indicia. Incident containers first drop into a dispersion wheel which translates them around the circular station and aligns them with a vertical chute leading to the correct dispenser. After filling, the containers are urged onto a moving, circular table which conveys them to automatic closing and sealing apparatus. Once closed and sealed, the containers exit the dispenser station through pneumatic tubing which conveys them to verification, sorting and shipping stages.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2009Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Tension International, Inc.Inventor: Robert Terzini