Object orientation system

Details Object orientation system Object orientation system

2001-02-12

2003-11-25

Matecki, Kathy (Department: 3654)

Conveyors: power-driven

Conveyor for changing attitude of item relative to conveyed...

By conveying randomly faced items and turning items to...

C198S394000, C198S382000, C414S774000, C414S783000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06651800

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an object orientation system. In particular, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for ensuring that an object, which is in one of several orientations, if moved as necessary to place it in a pre-determined orientation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In some fields, it is desirable to be able to take one or more objects, which are randomly delivered in one of several orientations, and then re-orient each object so that the objects are in a pre-determined or desired and, typically but not necessarily common, orientation.
For example, in the tea business, tea is often delivered to customers in a box. Inside the box are contained several packets or pouches, typically each pouch containing a tea bag, or possibly loose tea. These pouches usually have printing on their exterior surface, such as providing the brand or company name, the type of tea and usually some sort of design which is meant to provide an appearance that is attractive to the customer.
It is of course desirable that each of the pouches be contained in the box in the same, proper orientation. It is preferred that the boxes be loaded with all of the pouches intended for that box at one time, and this be performed by a loader.
A difficulty with being able to accomplish this objective, is that prior to loading into the box, each of the pouches must be oriented the same way. However, to the inventors' knowledge, no fast and efficient apparatus has heretofore been created which can receive the pouches in one of four possible orientations, and then move each pouch into a common, pre-determined orientation. Indeed, standard practice in the tea packaging industry is to utilize hand labour to fill the boxes with pouches all oriented in the same way.
In other environments, it may not be desired that each object such as a pouch or other type of container be put into the same orientation. For example, it may be desirable that every other object in a series be moved into one orientation, and the other objects be placed into another orientation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for orienting an object from a first orientation that is one of several possible orientations, to a pre-selected second orientation, said system comprising: (a) an orientation apparatus for moving an object from said first orientation which is one of said several possible orientations, to said pre-selected second orientation; (b) a sensor system for detecting which of said several orientations is said first orientation; said orientation apparatus operable to respond to a signal from said sensor and to perform a pre-determined movement sequence on said object related to said detected first orientation, to move said object from said detected first orientation to said second orientation.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of orienting a series of objects from a first orientation which is one of several possible orientations, to a second orientation, the method comprising the steps of: (a) delivering the objects in series to a first station; (b) at said first station identifying which of said several possible orientations is said first orientation of each of said objects of said series of objects; based on said first orientation of each of said objects of said series, performing one of several operational sequences to move each of said objects of said series so that each of said objects of said series is moved into said second orientation.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2915308 (1959-12-01), Matzen
patent: 3026989 (1962-03-01), Schaltegger
patent: 3633470 (1972-01-01), Bingham
patent: 4050574 (1977-09-01), Chenevard et al.
patent: 4178839 (1979-12-01), Hughes
patent: 4197790 (1980-04-01), Dietrich et al.
patent: 4298422 (1981-11-01), Zodrow
patent: 4596545 (1986-06-01), Greenwell
patent: 4653628 (1987-03-01), Claypool et al.
patent: 4655338 (1987-04-01), Hershey et al.
patent: 4822234 (1989-04-01), Johnson et al.
patent: 4874076 (1989-10-01), Kaplan et al.
patent: 4902192 (1990-02-01), Ziegler
patent: 5139132 (1992-08-01), Licht
patent: 5255775 (1993-10-01), Buehren et al.
patent: 5421447 (1995-06-01), Ruth et al.
patent: 5487257 (1996-01-01), Domeier et al.
patent: 5636494 (1997-06-01), Black, Jr.
patent: 5833045 (1998-11-01), Osti et al.
patent: 5910078 (1999-06-01), Guttingert et al.
patent: 5975278 (1999-11-01), Ruth
patent: 5997458 (1999-12-01), Guttinger et al.
patent: 6374984 (2002-04-01), Nagler
patent: 6398007 (2002-06-01), Yamada
patent: 362036220 (1987-02-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Object orientation system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Object orientation system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Object orientation system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3126298