Conveyors: power-driven – Conveyor section – Unit load conveying surface means moved about an endless or...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-29
2001-08-14
Noland, Kenneth W. (Department: 3651)
Conveyors: power-driven
Conveyor section
Unit load conveying surface means moved about an endless or...
C198S474100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273242
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, generally, to an apparatus adapted for the pickup, transfer, and the delivery of articles. More particularly, the invention relates to a rotary transfer apparatus with an in-line cam mechanism adapted for enabling an extended in-line or near in-line motion at the points of pickup and delivery.
2. Background Information
It is both necessary and desirable in manufacturing, assembly and packaging operations to pickup, transfer and deliver articles of various shapes and dimensions in a reliable, precise and high speed manner. A rotary transfer apparatus consistently reaches the desired pick and place result, although other types of such devices have been developed. A rotary transfer apparatus is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,633 which is assigned to Applicants' assignee and is herein incorporated by reference.
Known apparatus and methods for picking, transferring and placing articles are believed to have significant limitations and shortcomings. For example, due to the many configurations of manufacturing equipment and the varying shapes and sizes of the articles produced and/or processed, it is difficult to precisely and reliably pickup, transfer and place these articles without damaging them. Deeply nested articles and articles with relatively long product tails pose a particular problem. A long stem is desirable for deeply nested articles in order to extend into and securely contact the articles. Additionally, both deeply nested articles and articles with long product tails cannot be rotated too quickly near the apex points of pickup and delivery, or else they will contact and possibly damage each other. Thus it is desirable for a rotary transfer apparatus to have both a long stem and an extended in-line motion at the apex points of placement and delivery.
The rotary transfer apparatus of the present invention is believed to constitute an improvement over existing technology. An in-line cam motion is added to the secondary motion of a rotary transfer apparatus in order to provide an apparatus with a relatively long stem and an extended in-line or near in-line motion at the points of pickup and placement. This extended in-line motion promotes precise contact between the transfer mechanism and the articles and further enables the transfer apparatus to successfully pick and place both deeply nested articles and articles with relatively long product tails.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a rotary transfer apparatus adapted for picking, transferring and placing articles, and generally comprises a frame structure, a primary body, and at least one secondary body, article transfer mechanism, and in-line cam mechanism. The frame structure supports a main shaft that is driven by a drive source and is adapted for rotating with respect to the frame structure. The primary body is connected to and rotates with the main shaft. At least one first planetary shaft is rotatably connected to the primary body and rotates in relation to the main shaft. The number of first planetary shafts preferably corresponds to the number of secondary bodies. Each secondary body is connected to and rotates with one of the first planetary shafts. A second planetary shaft is rotatably connected to each of the secondary bodies and rotates in relation to the first planetary shaft. Each article transfer mechanism is connected to one of the second planetary shafts and is adapted for picking, transferring and delivering/placing articles at predetermined locations. The article transfer mechanism has a stem with a distal end whose motion defines a path about the main shaft. The path has at least one apex at which point the distal end of the stem moves in an in-line motion. The in-line cam mechanism extends the in-line motion at each apex. For the purposes of this application, the term “in-line motion” is defined to include near in-line motion or close to in-line motion.
The primary body moves in a primary motion and the secondary body moves in a secondary motion. Properly timed or programmed motors, such as servo motors, could be used to drive the main shaft, first planetary shafts and second planetary shafts to produce the desired primary and secondary motions. Mechanical means for generating these motions are illustrated and disclosed below. A primary stationary gear is mounted or otherwise connected to the frame, and the main shaft extends through and rotates with respect to the primary stationary gear. A primary planetary gear is attached to each of the first planetary shafts and is in rotational communication with the primary stationary gear through a first rotation means. A secondary stationary gear is mounted or otherwise connected to the primary body, and each of the first planetary shafts extends through and rotates with respect to one of the secondary stationary gears. A secondary planetary gear is attached to each of the secondary planetary shafts and is in rotational communication with the secondary stationary gear through a second rotation means. The first rotation means for rotating the first planetary shaft about the first stationary gear comprises either a first idler gear meshingly disposed between or a continuous chain disposed about these two gears. The second means for rotating the second planetary gear about the second stationary gear, likewise, consists either of an idler gear engagingly disposed between or a second continuous chain meshingly disposed about the second stationary and the second planetary gear.
Each article transfer mechanism has a hollow shaft for the timed application of a vacuum from a vacuum source and at least one adjustable vacuum cup in communication with the hollow shaft that contacts the article at the pick location. The hollow shaft may be the secondary planetary shaft, or a portion thereof, or may be a separate shaft coaxially aligned with the secondary planetary shaft. The vacuum is applied to remove the article from the pick location, is maintained during the transfer to the placement or delivery location, and is removed to release the article at the place location. The article transfer mechanism is generally disposed outwardly from the second planetary shaft.
The rotary transfer apparatus possesses a primary motion and a secondary motion, which when timed by the use of the appropriate predetermined gearing ratios for the illustrated mechanical embodiments, provides a wide variety of available transfer paths and available article pick and delivery locations. The gear ratio between the primary planetary gear and the primary stationary gear determines the number of apex positions of travel for the remaining outer elements of the device. Any of a number of process specific operations may be performed at each of these apexes. For example, it may be desirable to pick articles at a first apex, present the articles at a second apex in order to place a label on the articles, and restack the articles or place the articles onto a conveyor at a third apex. Other processes performed at these apexes may include, for example, printing, scoring, folding, gluing and scanning. The gear ratio between the secondary planetary gear and the secondary stationary gear causes the article transfer mechanism to continually face in an outward position during its course of travel around the main shaft so that relatively large articles can be effectively transferred without contacting other articles or the apparatus, or without the need to expand the physical dimensions of the device itself.
An extended in-line motion and/or a longer stem length may be desirable or even necessary for deeply nested articles and for articles with longer product tails. A four-stop secondary motion rotary transfer apparatus enables a relatively larger stem to be used and provides a degree of in-line motion. The in-line cam mechanism applies a predetermined offset motion to the secondary stationary gear that extends, enhances or lengthens the in-line motion near the apexes of the product path. Benefits of
Olson Allen L.
Rasmussen Larry A.
Noland Kenneth W.
Riverwood International Corporation
Skinner and Associates
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