EP0749902A1 - Method for depositing a predetermined number of products in a container - Google Patents

Method for depositing a predetermined number of products in a container Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0749902A1
EP0749902A1 EP95115548A EP95115548A EP0749902A1 EP 0749902 A1 EP0749902 A1 EP 0749902A1 EP 95115548 A EP95115548 A EP 95115548A EP 95115548 A EP95115548 A EP 95115548A EP 0749902 A1 EP0749902 A1 EP 0749902A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
belt
container
picker
product
storage area
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Granted
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EP95115548A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0749902B1 (en
Inventor
Gerhard Schubert
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Gerhard Schubert GmbH
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Gerhard Schubert GmbH
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B57/00Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices
    • B65B57/20Applications of counting devices for controlling the feed of articles
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B5/00Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
    • B65B5/10Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles
    • B65B5/12Introducing successive articles, e.g. confectionery products, of different shape or size in predetermined positions

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a "picker line” as they are used to convert individual products into containers that can accommodate a certain number of individual products.
  • the procedure has been such that the containers were delivered on a first container belt and mostly jammed there, transferred from the first container belt to a second container belt, on which the filling with the individual products was carried out, and after complete filling, to a third container belt for transport the filled container was handed over again.
  • the container belt is preferably driven at the same speed as the product belt, and preferably at a constant speed.
  • a particularly simple design is obtained if the product belt and container belt are driven by a common drive, or are combined to form a one-piece conveyor belt, for example separated in the longitudinal direction by a standing wall into a transport area for the individual products and for the containers.
  • a time offset is provided for the release of the next empty container, so that the container to be filled is roughly parallel to the one for to transport it on the product belt to certain products.
  • a container can be filled completely with just one picker, or - depending on the running speed and the density of the individual products per unit length of the product belt - via several pickers arranged along the belt in the transport direction.
  • the counting device is preferably a line-by-line scanning camera, preferably with a CCD sensor, the scanning line of which extends transversely, preferably at right angles, over the product belt.
  • this line scan camera for the control of the picker, a defined one is passed through the product belt Point, namely the line scanned by the camera, determines the position of each individual product on the product belt and its position in front of the picker area, and further processed in the computer, taking into account the transport speed of the products and the distance between the scanned line and the picker position, by the Control picker precisely for gripping the individual products and transferring them into the container including the necessary rotation of the product.
  • the first camera for counting the individual products arriving on the product belt for controlling the container feed on the one hand and the second camera for controlling the pickers on the other hand can preferably be combined in a single camera, provided that this is arranged sufficiently far before the start of the picker area, to allow timely release of the next container on the container belt.
  • all the existing pickers of a product band are preferably connected to the control computer via a data bus, so that the positions and orientations of the individual products originally recorded by the camera for picker control on the Product range is updated, which individual product has already been implemented by the picker.
  • the next empty container is only released when the minimum number of each type of different products required for each container to be accommodated in the container has passed the counting device.
  • a picker line 1 is shown in the top view, which in the running direction 20, that is to say from left to right, passes through individual products 2, which are arranged arbitrarily on a product belt 6 under the pickers 4a, b.
  • empty containers 3 run parallel to the product belt 6 parallel to the product belt 6 on container belts 7a, b.
  • a line running across the product belt 6 is scanned by means of a first line camera 8.
  • the line camera 8 like each of the pickers 4a, b, is connected to a central control 11, which comprises a computer.
  • the empty containers 3 are transported up to the container belt 7 and stowed by means of a stopper 17 which runs across the container belt 7 and against which the foremost empty container abuts.
  • the stopper 17 is also connected to the controller 11.
  • the first pent-up empty container 3 is always released as soon as a number of individual products 2 on the product belt 6 has passed under the first line camera 8 that corresponds to the number of fillings in a container 3.
  • the first line camera 8 or its scanning line should preferably be located approximately at the level of the rear edge of the frontmost jammed container 3 lying against the stopper 17 or even set back in the direction of travel 20 to the container approximately in the middle of the To let the longitudinal region of the product belt 6 run parallel, in which the corresponding products lie.
  • the container belt 7 preferably has approximately the same speed as the product belt 6, a solution with an integral product and container belt is shown in the right half of the figure.
  • the pickers 4a, 4b are usually formed with a bridge-like base frame, which extends over at least the product belt 6 and on which the picker arm 5 is articulated.
  • the picker arm 5 generally consists of an upper arm 13a, b which is fastened to the base frame about a substantially vertical axis via a shoulder joint 15.
  • a forearm 12a, 12b is in turn also fastened in turn pivotable about an approximately vertical axis.
  • the forearm 12a, 12b is moved via a forearm parallelogram 14a, 14b, the parallel arm of which represents the upper arm 13a, 13b.
  • a suction cup 16 is fastened, which - after actuation of a defined position in the horizontal plane by the control 11 - lowers onto an individual product 2 located there, then lifts it up and into the container 3 after rotation lowered around a vertical axis according to the desired correct orientation.
  • the first picker 4a is used by means of a assigned second line camera when passing through the individual products 2 under the scanning line of these line cameras 10, registers each position at which an individual product 2 is located, and stores the rotational position of the individual product ⁇ and in the controller 11, and taking into account the belt speed, which in practice is not always constant.
  • control 11 also takes into account the individual product 2 which has already been removed from the product belt 6, so that the products still present and to be implemented can be implemented by the subsequent picker movements or subsequent pickers 4b, etc.
  • the first line camera 8 not only registers the number of individual products 2 passing under it, but also - instead of the second line camera 10 - their orientation and position immediately, so that only a single line camera is necessary overall.
  • a separate container belt 7 has the advantage that its speed can be regulated independently of that of the product belt 6:
  • the container belt 7 can be moved faster than the product belt 6, so that in the area of the pickers 4a, b the containers 3 overtake the individual products 2 assigned to them.
  • the faster running of the container belt causes a desired rapid removal of the completely filled containers.
  • Separate container belts 7a, b can also be used to separate two - as shown in the left part of the figure To let container tapes 7a, b run on both sides of the product belt 6, on which different containers 3 or containers to be filled differently can be located.
  • the container belts 7a, b can also run at mutually different speeds, so that one product belt 7a is primarily to be filled, while the second, slower-running product belt 7b serves as a buffer when empty containers are insufficient on the first conveyor belt or - what z . B. in the case of different individual products 2 arriving on the product belt 6 - these individual products are not present in the correct quantity relation to one another.
  • a further possibility is to have the line camera (s) 8, 10 scan not only the area of the product belt 6, but also the area of the container belt 7, and the stopper 17 for the container belt 7 in the running direction only after the scanning line of the corresponding one
  • line scan camera

Abstract

The method involves using a picker system contg. a first storage area for individual products, and a second storage area for containers. At least one picker moves the individual products from the first storage area to the container, with control and drive devices moving the first and second storage areas and picker sockets wrt. each other. Control and drive devices are used for moving the picker arm. A counting device is movable relative to the first storage area and fixed wrt. the picker socket. The counting device controls the triggering of the provision of the next container (3) to be filled into the working region of the picker (4a,b). The triggering is performed when the full number of individual products (2) is detected.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine "Picker-Straße", wie sie zum Umsetzen von Einzelprodukten in Behälter verwendet werden, die eine bestimmte Anzahl von Einzelprodukten aufnehmen können.The invention relates to a "picker line" as they are used to convert individual products into containers that can accommodate a certain number of individual products.

Dabei werden üblicherweise die Einzelprodukte auf einem Produktband und die Behälter auf einem Behälterband angeliefert und an den an fester Position stehenden Pickern entlanggeführt, weshalb im folgenden nur noch von dieser Bauform gesprochen wird, ohne die Erfindung hierauf zu beschränken, da im Prinzip auch die Einelprodukte und /oder die Behälter stillstehen und die Picker demgegenüber bewegt werden könnten.The individual products are usually delivered on a product belt and the containers on a container belt and guided along the pickers at a fixed position, which is why we will only speak of this design in the following, without restricting the invention to this, since in principle the single products and / or the containers stand still and the pickers could be moved against them.

Dabei wurde bisher so vorgegangen, daß die Behälter auf einem ersten Behälterband angeliefert und dort meist angestaut wurden, vom ersten Behälterband auf ein zweites Behälterband übergeben wurden, auf welchem das Füllen mit den Einzelprodukten geschah, und nach vollständiger Füllung auf ein drittes Behälterband für den Abtransport der gefüllten Behälter wiederum übergeben wurde.So far, the procedure has been such that the containers were delivered on a first container belt and mostly jammed there, transferred from the first container belt to a second container belt, on which the filling with the individual products was carried out, and after complete filling, to a third container belt for transport the filled container was handed over again.

Es ist daher die Aufgabe gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung, ein Verfahren sowie eine zugehörige Vorrichtung zu schaffen, bei welchen der Aufwand für das Handling der zu füllenden Behälter reduziert wird, ohne die Effizienz der Anlage zu verschlechtern. urch Anordnung eines Zählers für die Einzelprodukte am Produktband vor Beginn des Pickerbereiches ist es möglich, immer dann einen leeren Behälter freizugeben und in den Bereich des bzw. der Picker einfahren zu lassen. Dadurch ist nur ein einziges Behälterband notwendig, mit einem Stopper zum Anstauen der leeren Behälter, welcher von der Zählvorrichtung gesteuert wird.It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and an associated device in which the effort for handling the containers to be filled is reduced without reducing the efficiency of the system. By arranging a counter for the individual products on the product belt before the start of the picker area, it is always possible to release an empty container and let it enter the area of the picker (s). As a result, only a single container belt is necessary, with a stopper for accumulating the empty containers, which is controlled by the counting device.

Vorzugsweise wird dabei das Behälterband gleich schnell angetrieben wie das Produktband, und vorzugsweise mit konstanter Geschwindigkeit.The container belt is preferably driven at the same speed as the product belt, and preferably at a constant speed.

Eine besonders einfache Bauform ergibt sich, wenn Produktband und Behälterband von einem gemeinsamen Antrieb aus angetrieben werden, oder zu einem einstückigen Transportband zusammengefaßt werden, beispielsweise in Längsrichtung durch eine Stehwand getrennt in einen Tranportbereich für die Einzelprodukte und für die Behälter.A particularly simple design is obtained if the product belt and container belt are driven by a common drive, or are combined to form a one-piece conveyor belt, for example separated in the longitudinal direction by a standing wall into a transport area for the individual products and for the containers.

Je nach Position der Zählvorrichtung in Transportrichtung gegenüber dem Pickerbereich und gegenüber der Anordnung des Stoppers auf dem - in der Regel parallel zum Produktband - laufenden Behälterband wird ein Zeitversatz für die Freigabe des nächsten leeren Behälters vorgesehen, um den zu füllenden Behälter etwa parallel neben den für ihn bestimmten Produkten auf dem Produktband zu transportieren.Depending on the position of the counting device in the direction of transport in relation to the picker area and in relation to the arrangement of the stopper on the - usually parallel to the product belt - conveyor belt, a time offset is provided for the release of the next empty container, so that the container to be filled is roughly parallel to the one for to transport it on the product belt to certain products.

Dabei kann das Befüllen eines Behälters mit nur einem Picker vollständig erfolgen, oder - abhängig von der Laufgeschwindigkeit und der Dichte der Einzelprodukte pro Längeneinheit des Produktbandes - sich über mehrere in Transportrichtung entlang des Bandes angeordnete Picker.A container can be filled completely with just one picker, or - depending on the running speed and the density of the individual products per unit length of the product belt - via several pickers arranged along the belt in the transport direction.

Bei der Zähleinrichtung handelt es sich vorzugsweise um eine zeilenweise abtastende Kamera, vorzugsweise mit einem CCD-Sensor, deren Abtastzeile sich quer, vorzugsweise rechtwinkelig, über das Produktband erstreckt.The counting device is preferably a line-by-line scanning camera, preferably with a CCD sensor, the scanning line of which extends transversely, preferably at right angles, over the product belt.

Aus dem Stand der Technik ist es bereits bekannt, den bzw. die Picker einerseits mit einem Rechner zu verbinden und andererseits mit einer bildaufnehmenden Einheit, beispielsweise einer CCD-Kamera, hierbei wiederum mit einer Zeilenkamera, deren Aufnahmebereich quer über das Produktband verläuft.It is already known from the prior art to connect the picker (s) on the one hand to a computer and on the other hand to an image-recording unit, for example a CCD camera, here again with a line camera, the recording area of which extends across the product belt.

Mit Hilfe dieser Zeilenkamera für die Steuerung der Picker wird während des Durchlaufes des Produktbandes an einer definierten Stelle, nämlich der von der Kamera abgetasteten Zeile, vor dem Pickerbereich die Position jedes einzelnen Produktes auf dem Produktband sowie dessen Lage ermittelt, und im Rechner unter Berücksichtigung der Transportgeschwindigkeit der Produkte sowie des Abstandes zwischen der abgetasteten Zeile und der Pickerposition weiter verarbeitet, um den Picker zielgenau zum Ergreifen der Einzelprodukte und Umsetzen in den Behälter einschließlich der notwendigen Drehung des Produktes zu steuern.With the help of this line scan camera for the control of the picker, a defined one is passed through the product belt Point, namely the line scanned by the camera, determines the position of each individual product on the product belt and its position in front of the picker area, and further processed in the computer, taking into account the transport speed of the products and the distance between the scanned line and the picker position, by the Control picker precisely for gripping the individual products and transferring them into the container including the necessary rotation of the product.

Im vorliegenden Fall kann vorzugsweise die erste Kamera für das Zählen der auf dem Produktband ankommenden Einzelprodukte zum Steuern der Behälterzufuhr einerseits und die zweite Kamera zum Steuern der Picker andererseits in einer einzigen Kamera vereinigt werden, sofern diese ausreichend weit vor dem Beginn des Pickerbereiches angeordnet ist, um ein rechtzeitiges Freisetzen des nächsten Behälters auf dem Behälterband zu ermöglichen.In the present case, the first camera for counting the individual products arriving on the product belt for controlling the container feed on the one hand and the second camera for controlling the pickers on the other hand can preferably be combined in a single camera, provided that this is arranged sufficiently far before the start of the picker area, to allow timely release of the next container on the container belt.

Dabei sind vorzugsweise außer der Zähleinrichtung für die Produkte und dem Stopper für die angelieferten, leeren Behälter auch sämtliche vorhandenen Picker eines Produktbandes über einen Datenbus mit dem Steuerungsrechner verbunden, sodaß von den ursprünglich von der Kamera zur Pickersteuerung aufgenommenen Positionen und Orientierungen der einzelnen Produkte auf dem Produktband jeweils fortgeschrieben wird, welches einzelne Produkt bereits vom Picker umgesetzt wurde.In addition to the counting device for the products and the stopper for the delivered empty containers, all the existing pickers of a product band are preferably connected to the control computer via a data bus, so that the positions and orientations of the individual products originally recorded by the camera for picker control on the Product range is updated, which individual product has already been implemented by the picker.

Dadurch ist vor Beginn jedes neuen Arbeitsbereiches des nächsten Pickers zur Steuerung dieses Pickers bekannt, an welchen ursprünglich besetzten Produkt-Positionen noch ein Produkt auf dem Produktband vorhanden ist.As a result, before each new work area of the next picker for controlling this picker begins, it is known at which originally occupied product positions there is still a product on the product belt.

Dadurch werden Leerbewegungen der Picker vermieden, und auch Leer-Füllvorgänge am Behälter, die zu unvollständig gefüllten Behältern und mechanischer Nacharbeit bzw. Ausschuß führen.This avoids empty movements of the picker, and also empty filling processes on the container, which lead to incompletely filled containers and mechanical rework or rejects.

Wenn bei der beschriebenen Vorgehensweise auf dem Produktband verschiedene Einzelprodukte willkürlich durcheinander angeordnet angeliefert werden, die mittels der Zähleinrichtung sowie mittels der Kamera für die Pickersteuerung unterschieden werden und in definierte zugeordnete Positionen der Behälter eingefüllt werden, erfolgt die Freigabe des nächsten leeren Behälters erst dann, wenn die für jeden Behälter notwendige Mindestanzahl einer jeden Sorte von unterschiedlichen Produkten, die in dem Behälter Aufnahme finden sollen, die Zähleinrichtung passiert haben.If, in the described procedure, different individual products are randomly delivered on the product line, which are differentiated by means of the counting device and by means of the camera for the picker control and are filled into defined assigned positions of the containers, the next empty container is only released when the minimum number of each type of different products required for each container to be accommodated in the container has passed the counting device.

Dies führt allerdings dazu, daß - im Gegensatz zur Umsetzung von nur einer Sorte von Produkten eines Produktbandes - nach dem Füllen der Behälter das Produktband nicht vollständig leer ist, da sich die Freigabe der Behälter nach der am vergleichsweise seltensten angelieferten Produktart orientieren muß.However, this leads to the fact that - in contrast to the conversion of only one type of product from a product line - the product line is not completely empty after the containers have been filled, since the release of the containers must be based on the comparatively rarest type of product delivered.

Mit Hilfe des vorgenannten Verfahrens ist es ebenfalls möglich, bei z. B. nur einem Produktband auf beiden Seiten parallel dieses Produktbandes zwei verschiedene Behälterbänder - separat oder einstückig mit dem Produktband ausgeführt - zu betreiben. Dies ist nicht nur bei solchen Produktbändern sinnvoll, die eine hohe Anzahl von einzelnen Produkten pro Längeneinheit transportieren, also entsprechend breit ausgebildet und eng befrachtet sind, sondern auch aus Gründen eines möglichst effizienten Einsatzes der Picker:With the help of the aforementioned method, it is also possible, for. B. only one product belt on both sides of this product belt parallel to operate two different container belts - separately or in one piece with the product belt. This is not only useful for product belts that transport a large number of individual products per unit length, i.e. are suitably broad and closely loaded, but also for the most efficient use of the picker:

Wenn die gesamte Anlage über einen gemeinsamen Steuerungsrechner bzw. einen Datenbus insgesamt miteinander steuerungtechnisch verbunden ist, ist es möglich, ein und denselben Picker nicht nur zum Befüllen des einen, sondern abwechselnd des einen oder des anderen Transportbandes einzusetzen.If the entire system is connected to one another in terms of control technology via a common control computer or a data bus, it is possible to use one and the same picker not only to fill one, but alternately one or the other conveyor belt.

Gerade bei unterschiedlichen auf dem Produktband befindlichen einzelnen Produkten ist es auch denkbar, eines der beiden Behälterbänder mit maximal möglicher Geschwindigkeit laufen zu lassen, das andere Behälterband dagegen mit demgegenüber deutlich verringerter Geschwindigkeit, sodaß die Behälter des zweiten Behälterbandes sozusagen als Puffer für die unterschiedlich verteilt auf dem Produktband angelieferten, unterschiedlichen einzelnen Produkte dienen. Dies ergibt einen optimalen Leerungsgrad des Produktbandes.Especially in the case of different individual products on the product belt, it is also conceivable to let one of the two container belts run at the maximum possible speed, while the other container belt, however, with it significantly reduced speed, so that the containers of the second container belt serve, so to speak, as buffers for the different individual products delivered differently distributed on the product belt. This results in an optimal degree of emptying of the product belt.

Eine Ausführungsform gemäß der Erfindung ist im folgenden anhand der Figur näher beschrieben:An embodiment according to the invention is described in more detail below with reference to the figure:

In der Figur ist in der Aufsicht eine Pickerstraße 1 dargestellt, die in Laufrichtung 20, also von links nach rechts, Einzelprodukte 2, die willkürlich auf einem Produktband 6 angeordnet unter den Pickern 4a,b durchlaufen.In the figure, a picker line 1 is shown in the top view, which in the running direction 20, that is to say from left to right, passes through individual products 2, which are arranged arbitrarily on a product belt 6 under the pickers 4a, b.

Wie in der linken Bildhälfte dargestellt, laufen parallel zu dem Produktband 6 auf Behälterbändern 7a,b leere Behälter 3 parallel zu dem Produktband 6.As shown in the left half of the figure, empty containers 3 run parallel to the product belt 6 parallel to the product belt 6 on container belts 7a, b.

Vor Beginn des ersten Pickers wird eine quer über das Produktband 6 verlaufende Linie mittels einer ersten Zeilenkamera 8 abgetastet. Die Zeilenkamera 8 ist ebenso wie jeder der Picker 4a,b mit einer zentralen Steuerung 11, die einen Rechner umfasst, verbunden.Before the first picker begins, a line running across the product belt 6 is scanned by means of a first line camera 8. The line camera 8, like each of the pickers 4a, b, is connected to a central control 11, which comprises a computer.

Auf dem Behälterband 7 werden die leeren Behälter 3 herantransportiert und mittels eines quer über das Behälterband 7 verlaufenden Stoppers 17, gegen den der vorderste leere Behälter stößt, gestaut. Der Stopper 17 ist ebenfalls mit der Steuerung 11 verbunden.The empty containers 3 are transported up to the container belt 7 and stowed by means of a stopper 17 which runs across the container belt 7 and against which the foremost empty container abuts. The stopper 17 is also connected to the controller 11.

Der erste angestaute leere Behälter 3 wird dabei immer dann freigegeben, sobald unter der ersten Zeilenkamera 8 eine solche Anzahl von Einzelprodukten 2 auf dem Produktband 6 hindurchgelaufen ist, wie es der Füllanzahl eines Behälter 3 entspricht.The first pent-up empty container 3 is always released as soon as a number of individual products 2 on the product belt 6 has passed under the first line camera 8 that corresponds to the number of fillings in a container 3.

Damit der mit diesen Einzelprodukten 2 zu befüllende nächste Behälter 3 nach der Freigabe in etwa parallel zu den für ihn bestimmten Produkten 2 läuft, sollte sich vorzugsweise die erste Zeilenkamera 8 bzw. deren Abtastlinie etwa auf der Höhe der Hinterkante des vordersten gestauten, am Stopper 17 anliegenden, Behälters 3 befinden oder gar demgegenüber in Laufrichtung 20 zurückversetzt, um den Behälter etwa in der Mitte des Längsbereiches des Produktbandes 6 parallel laufen zu lassen, in dem die entsprechenden Produkte liegen.So that the next container 3 to be filled with these individual products 2 after the release is approximately parallel to the one for it certain products 2 is running, the first line camera 8 or its scanning line should preferably be located approximately at the level of the rear edge of the frontmost jammed container 3 lying against the stopper 17 or even set back in the direction of travel 20 to the container approximately in the middle of the To let the longitudinal region of the product belt 6 run parallel, in which the corresponding products lie.

Da vorzugsweise das Behälterband 7 etwa die gleiche Geschwindigkeit wie das Produktband 6 aufweist, ist in der rechten Hälfte der Figur eine Lösung mit einstückig ausgebildetem Produkt- und Behälterband dargestellt.Since the container belt 7 preferably has approximately the same speed as the product belt 6, a solution with an integral product and container belt is shown in the right half of the figure.

Die Picker 4a, 4b sind - wie ansich bekannt - meist mit einem sich über wenigstens das Produktband 6 erstreckenden, brückenartigen Grundgestell ausgebildet, auf welchem der Pickerarm 5 gelenkig befestigt ist.As is known per se, the pickers 4a, 4b are usually formed with a bridge-like base frame, which extends over at least the product belt 6 and on which the picker arm 5 is articulated.

Der Pickerarm 5 besteht dabei in der Regel aus einem Oberarm 13a,b, der über ein Schultergelenk 15 am Grundgestell um eine im wesentlichen senkrechte Achse schwenkbar befestigt ist.The picker arm 5 generally consists of an upper arm 13a, b which is fastened to the base frame about a substantially vertical axis via a shoulder joint 15.

Am freien Ende des Oberarmes 13a, 13b, ist jeweils ein Unterarm 12a, 12b ebenfalls wiederum um eine etwa senkrechte Achse schwenkbar befestigt. Die Bewegung des Unterarmes 12a, 12b erfolgt über ein Unterarm-Parallelogramm 14a, 14b, dessen eine parallele Strebe der Oberarm 13a, 13b darstellt.At the free end of the upper arm 13a, 13b, a forearm 12a, 12b is in turn also fastened in turn pivotable about an approximately vertical axis. The forearm 12a, 12b is moved via a forearm parallelogram 14a, 14b, the parallel arm of which represents the upper arm 13a, 13b.

Am freien Ende des Unterarmes 12a, 12b ist jeweils ein Sauger 16 befestigt, der - nach Ansteuerung einer definierten Position in der horizontalen Ebene durch die Steuerung 11 - sich auf ein dort befindliches Einzelprodukt 2 absenkt, dieses dann hochhebt und in den Behälter 3 nach Drehung um eine senkrechte Achse entsprechend der gewünschten, richtigen Orientierung absenkt.At the free end of the forearm 12a, 12b, a suction cup 16 is fastened, which - after actuation of a defined position in the horizontal plane by the control 11 - lowers onto an individual product 2 located there, then lifts it up and into the container 3 after rotation lowered around a vertical axis according to the desired correct orientation.

Damit die Sauger 16a, 16b der Picker 4a die einzelnen Positionen auf dem sich ständig bewegenden Produktband 6, die angefahren werden müssen, kennen, wird mittels einer dem ersten Picker 4a zugeordneten zweite Zeilenkamera beim Durchlaufen der Einzelprodukte 2 unter der Abtastlinie dieser Zeilenkamer 10 jede Position, an welcher sich ein Einzelprodukt 2 befindet, registriert sowie die Drehlage des Einzelproduktes` und in der Steuerung 11 ge-speichert sowie unter Berücksichtigung der Bandgeschwindigkeit, die in der Praxis nicht immer konstant ist, weitergerechnet.So that the suction cups 16a, 16b of the picker 4a know the individual positions on the constantly moving product belt 6 that have to be approached, the first picker 4a is used by means of a assigned second line camera when passing through the individual products 2 under the scanning line of these line cameras 10, registers each position at which an individual product 2 is located, and stores the rotational position of the individual product` and in the controller 11, and taking into account the belt speed, which in practice is not always constant.

Weiterhin wird von der Steuerung 11 das am Produktband 6 bereits abgenommene Einzelprodukt 2 ebenfalls berücksichtigt, sodaß die jeweils noch vorhandenen und umzusetzenden Produkte von den nachfolgenden Pickerbewegungen bzw. nachfolgenden Pickern 4b, usw. umgesetzt werden können.Furthermore, the control 11 also takes into account the individual product 2 which has already been removed from the product belt 6, so that the products still present and to be implemented can be implemented by the subsequent picker movements or subsequent pickers 4b, etc.

In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform registriert die erste Zeilenkamera 8 nicht nur die Anzahl der unter ihr durchlaufenden Einzelprodukte 2, sondern - anstelle der zweiten Zeilenkamer 10 - auch sofort deren Orientierung und Position, sodaß insgesamt nur eine einzige Zeilenkamera notwendig ist.In a preferred embodiment, the first line camera 8 not only registers the number of individual products 2 passing under it, but also - instead of the second line camera 10 - their orientation and position immediately, so that only a single line camera is necessary overall.

Ein separates Behälterband 7 hat den Vorteil, daß dessen Geschwindigkeit unabhängig von dem des Produktbandes 6 geregelt werden kann:A separate container belt 7 has the advantage that its speed can be regulated independently of that of the product belt 6:

So kann beispielsweise das Behälterband 7 schneller bewegt werden als das Produktband 6, sodaß im Bereich der Picker 4a,b die Behälter 3 die ihnen zugeordneten Einzelprodukte 2 überholen.For example, the container belt 7 can be moved faster than the product belt 6, so that in the area of the pickers 4a, b the containers 3 overtake the individual products 2 assigned to them.

Solange die Differenzgeschwindigkeit nicht allzu groß ist, sodaß der Überholvorgang also nicht beendet ist, bevor der Bereich des einzigen oder der zur insgesamten Füllung der Behälter benötigten Picker durchgelaufen ist, bewirkt der schnellere Lauf des Behälterbandes eine gewünschte schnelle Abfuhr der vollständig gefüllten Behälter.As long as the differential speed is not too high, so that the overtaking process is not finished before the area of the single picker or the picker required for the total filling of the containers has passed, the faster running of the container belt causes a desired rapid removal of the completely filled containers.

Separate Behälterbänder 7a,b können auch dazu genutzt werden, um - wie im linken Teil der Figur dargestellt - zwei getrennte Behälterbänder 7a, b beidseits des Produktbandes 6 laufen zu lassen, auf welchen sich unterschiedliche Behälter 3 oder unterschiedlich zu füllende Behälter befinden können.Separate container belts 7a, b can also be used to separate two - as shown in the left part of the figure To let container tapes 7a, b run on both sides of the product belt 6, on which different containers 3 or containers to be filled differently can be located.

Ebenso können die Behälterbänder 7a,b auch mit zueinander unterschiedlichen Geschwindigkeiten laufen, sodaß also das eine Produktband 7a primär zu füllen ist, während das zweite, langsamer laufende Produktband 7b als Puffer bei nicht genügend vorhandenen leeren Behältern auf dem ersten Transportband dient oder - was z. B. bei unterschiedlichen auf dem Produktband 6 ankommenden Einzelprodukten 2 der Fall ist - diese Einzelprodukte nicht in der richtigen Mengenrelation zueinander vorhanden sind.Likewise, the container belts 7a, b can also run at mutually different speeds, so that one product belt 7a is primarily to be filled, while the second, slower-running product belt 7b serves as a buffer when empty containers are insufficient on the first conveyor belt or - what z . B. in the case of different individual products 2 arriving on the product belt 6 - these individual products are not present in the correct quantity relation to one another.

Eine weitere Möglichkeit besteht darin, von der bzw. den Zeilenkameras 8, 10 nicht nur den Bereich des Produktbandes 6 abtasten zu lassen, sondern auch den Bereich des Behälterbandes 7, und den Stopper 17 für das Behälterband 7 in Laufrichtung erst nach der Abtastlinie der entsprechenden Zeilenkamera anzuordnen:A further possibility is to have the line camera (s) 8, 10 scan not only the area of the product belt 6, but also the area of the container belt 7, and the stopper 17 for the container belt 7 in the running direction only after the scanning line of the corresponding one To arrange line scan camera:

Dadurch ist es beispielsweise möglich, unterschiedliche auf dem Behälterband 7 willkürlich durcheinander ankommende Behälter 3, oder deren unterschiedliche Orientierung oder deren unterschiedliche, teilweise Füllung zu erfassen, wodurch die Picker-Straße besonders flexibel einsetzbar wird.This makes it possible, for example, to detect different containers 3 arriving at random on the container belt 7, or their different orientation or their different, partially filling, which makes the picker line particularly flexible to use.

BEZUGSZEICHENLISTEREFERENCE SIGN LIST

11
Picker-StraßePicker Street
22nd
EinzelproduktSingle product
33rd
Behältercontainer
4a, 4b4a, 4b
PickerPicker
55
PickerarmPicker arm
66
ProduktbandProduct tape
77
BehälterbandContainer belt
8 )8th )
1. Zeilen-Kamera1st line camera
99
AnschlagesStop
1010th
2. Zeilen-Kamera2nd line camera
1111
Steuerungcontrol
1212th
Unterarmforearm
1313
Oberarmupper arm
1414
Unterarm-ParallelogrammForearm parallelogram
1515
SchultergelenkShoulder joint
1616
SaugerMammal
1717th
Stopperstopper
1818th
1919th
2020th
LaufrichtungRunning direction
2121

Claims (14)

Verfahren zum Einsetzen von Einzelprodukten in eine bestimmte Füllanzahl von Einzelprodukten aufnehmenden Behältern mittels einer "Picker-Straße", die - eine erste Vorratsfläche für die Einzelprodukte, - eine zweite Vorratsfläche für die Behälter - wenigstens einen Picker zum Umsetzen der Einzelprodukte von der ersten Vorratsfläche in die Behälter, - Steuerungs- und Antriebsvorrichtungen zum Bewegen der ersten Vorratsfläche, der zweiten Vorratsfläche bzw. des Picker-Sockels relativ zueinander und - Steuerungs- und Antriebsmittel für die Bewegung des Picker-Armes umfaßt
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß - mittels einer relativ zur ersten Vorratsfläche bewegbaren und gegenüber dem Pickersockel festen Zähleinrichtung die Freigabe zur Anlieferung des nächsten neu zu füllenden Behälters (3) in den Arbeitsbereich der Picker (4a,b) gesteuert wird und - die Freigabe erfolgt, wenn von der Zähleinrichtung die Füllanzahl der Einzelprodukte (2) festgestellt wurde.
Method for inserting individual products into a certain filling number of individual product containers by means of a "picker line", the - a first storage area for the individual products, - a second storage area for the containers at least one picker for transferring the individual products from the first storage area into the containers, - Control and drive devices for moving the first storage area, the second storage area or the picker base relative to one another and - Control and drive means for the movement of the picker arm includes
characterized in that - The release for delivery of the next container (3) to be refilled into the working area of the pickers (4a, b) is controlled by means of a counting device which is movable relative to the first storage area and is fixed relative to the picker base and - The release takes place when the number of fillings of the individual products (2) has been determined by the counting device.
Verfahren nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
die Behälter 3 auf ein und derselben zweiten Vorratsfläche bevorratet, angeliefert und gefüllt abtransportiert werden.
Method according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the containers 3 are stored on one and the same second storage area, delivered and transported away filled.
Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
der bzw. die Picker-Sockel fest bezüglich der Umgebung montiert sind und die erste und zweite Vorratsfläche hierzu sowie insbesondere relativ zueinander bewegbar sind.
The method of claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
the picker base or bases are fixedly mounted with respect to the surroundings and the first and second storage surfaces can be moved for this purpose and in particular relative to one another.
Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
die erste Vorratsfläche für die Einzelprodukte ein Förderband (Produktband 6) ist und die zweite Vorratsfläche ebenfalls ein Förderband (Behälterband 7) ist.
Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the first storage area for the individual products is a conveyor belt (product belt 6) and the second storage area is also a conveyor belt (container belt 7).
Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
das Produktband (6) und das Behälterband (7) im wesentlichen parallel zueinander geführt sind und die Zähleinrichtung eine quer über die gesamte Breite des Produktbandes 6 abtastende erste Zeilenkamera 8 mit angeschlossenem Rechner 11 ist.
Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the product belt (6) and the container belt (7) are guided essentially parallel to one another and the counting device is a first line camera 8 with a connected computer 11 scanning across the entire width of the product belt 6.
Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
das Behälterband (7) etwa gleich schnell läuft wie das Produktband (6) und mittels eines Stoppers (17) die Behälter (3) auf dem Behälterband (7) vor dem Bereich der Picker 4a,b angestaut und einzeln durch die Zähleinrichtung 8 freigegeben werden.
Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the container belt (7) runs at approximately the same speed as the product belt (6) and by means of a stopper (17) the containers (3) are accumulated on the container belt (7) in front of the area of the pickers 4a, b and are released individually by the counting device 8 .
Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
das Behälterband (7) so schnell läuft, daß in der Zeit, die ein auf dem Behälterband (7) befindlicher Behälter (3) zum Durchlaufen des Arbeits-Bereiches des bzw. der Picker 4a,b benötigt, gerade auf dem Produktband (6) eine Füllanzahl von Einzelprodukten (2) den Greifbereich des Pickers (4) erreicht bzw. verläßt.
Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the container belt (7) runs so fast that the time it takes for a container (3) located on the container belt (7) to pass through the work area of the picker (s) 4a, b is precisely on the product belt (6) a filling number of individual products (2) reaches or leaves the picking area (4).
Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
das Produktband (6) und/oder das Behälterband (7) mit kontinuierlicher Geschwindigkeit laufen.
Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the product belt (6) and / or the container belt (7) run at a continuous speed.
Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
ein auf dem Produktband (6) laufender Behälter (3) nacheinander an mehreren Pickern (4a,b) vorbeiläuft, und von jedem der Picker (4) nur teilweise gefüllt wird.
Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
a container (3) running on the product belt (6) runs past several pickers (4a, b) in succession, and each of the pickers (4) is only partially filled.
Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
an den Pickern (4a,b) wenigstens eine Vorrichtung zur Registrierung der Position aller Einzelprodukte auf dem Produktband (6) sowie eine die Transportgeschwindikeit des Produktbandes (6) und die Position der Picker berücksichtigende Steuerung (11) zur Steuerung der Picker (4) vorhanden ist.
Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the pickers (4a, b) have at least one device for registering the position of all individual products on the product belt (6) and a controller (11) for controlling the picker (4) that takes the transport speed of the product belt (6) and the position of the picker into account is.
Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
das Produktband (6) und das Behälterband (7) über einen gemeinsamen Antrieb verfügen.
Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the product belt (6) and the container belt (7) have a common drive.
Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
das Produktband (6) und das Behälterband (7) einstückig miteinander ausgebildet sind.
Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the product belt (6) and the container belt (7) are formed in one piece with one another.
Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
die Vorrichtung zum Registrieren der Positionen der Einzelprodukte (2) auf dem Produktband (6) eine quer über die gesamte Breite des Produktbandes (6) abtastende zweite Zeilen-Kamera (10) umfasst.
Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the device for registering the positions of the individual products (2) on the product belt (6) comprises a second line camera (10) scanning across the entire width of the product belt (6).
Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
die erste Zeilen-Kamera (8) zur Steuerung der Behälterfreigabe und die zweite Zeilen-Kamera (10) zur Steuerung der Picker (4a,b) in einer einzigen Zeilen-Kamera vereinigt sind.
Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the first line camera (8) for controlling the container release and the second line camera (10) for controlling the pickers (4a, b) are combined in a single line camera.
EP95115548A 1995-06-20 1995-10-02 Method for depositing a predetermined number of products in a container Expired - Lifetime EP0749902B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19522368 1995-06-20
DE19522368A DE19522368C2 (en) 1995-06-20 1995-06-20 Picker Street

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EP0749902A1 true EP0749902A1 (en) 1996-12-27
EP0749902B1 EP0749902B1 (en) 1999-03-24

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EP (1) EP0749902B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE178007T1 (en)
DE (2) DE19522368C2 (en)

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EP0847838A2 (en) 1996-12-12 1998-06-17 Gerhard Schubert GmbH Product scanner
EP0856465A1 (en) * 1997-01-30 1998-08-05 Gerhard Schubert GmbH Tray conveyor moving in the opposite direction to the picker system
US6122895A (en) * 1997-01-30 2000-09-26 Gerhard Schubert Gmbh Process and apparatus for introducing products into containers
WO2003022034A1 (en) * 2001-09-07 2003-03-20 Gartneriet Pkm Aps Pick and place robot
EP1352831A1 (en) 2002-04-02 2003-10-15 SIG Pack Systems AG Method and apparatus for placing articles into containers
EP1593598A2 (en) * 2004-04-22 2005-11-09 CT PACK S.r.l. Transfer system of food products by means of pickers
WO2008003350A1 (en) * 2006-07-04 2008-01-10 Robert Bosch Gmbh Method for filling containers with bulk goods
EP2233400A1 (en) 2009-03-25 2010-09-29 OPM S.p.A. Packaging process and plant
WO2010097684A3 (en) * 2009-02-24 2010-12-09 Pattyn Packing Lines N.V. Method and device for separating a pre-determined number of piece goods
WO2011018392A1 (en) * 2009-08-11 2011-02-17 Robert Bosch Gmbh Concept for increasing efficiency of robotic packaging systems
EP2520497A1 (en) 2011-05-04 2012-11-07 Matthias Ehrat Method for inserting individual products into containers in a robotic line
EP2664553A2 (en) 2012-05-03 2013-11-20 Matthias Ehrat Method for inserting individual products into containers in a robotic line
US8781616B2 (en) 2011-06-27 2014-07-15 The Procter & Gamble Company Robotic unscrambler and method
EP2471728B1 (en) 2011-01-03 2019-06-12 Krones AG Assembly of several container treatment and/or container handling and/or container transport modules coupled together and method for transporting, handling and/or treating containers
WO2022125269A1 (en) * 2020-12-08 2022-06-16 Caterpillar Inc. System and method of automatically picking and handling parts

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DE102005039673B4 (en) * 2005-04-19 2013-12-19 Gerhard Schubert Gmbh Method and device for producing filled and tightly sealed plastic thermoforming containers
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EP2586712B2 (en) 2011-10-31 2018-02-14 Veltru AG Method and device for inserting products into containers in a robot street

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Cited By (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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EP0847838A2 (en) 1996-12-12 1998-06-17 Gerhard Schubert GmbH Product scanner
US6002125A (en) * 1996-12-12 1999-12-14 Gerhard Schubert Gmbh Product scanning apparatus and method using a plurality of eight sensors over the entire width of a background surface means
EP0856465A1 (en) * 1997-01-30 1998-08-05 Gerhard Schubert GmbH Tray conveyor moving in the opposite direction to the picker system
US6122895A (en) * 1997-01-30 2000-09-26 Gerhard Schubert Gmbh Process and apparatus for introducing products into containers
WO2003022034A1 (en) * 2001-09-07 2003-03-20 Gartneriet Pkm Aps Pick and place robot
EP1352831A1 (en) 2002-04-02 2003-10-15 SIG Pack Systems AG Method and apparatus for placing articles into containers
EP1593598A2 (en) * 2004-04-22 2005-11-09 CT PACK S.r.l. Transfer system of food products by means of pickers
EP1593598A3 (en) * 2004-04-22 2007-03-07 CT PACK S.r.l. Transfer system of food products by means of pickers
WO2008003350A1 (en) * 2006-07-04 2008-01-10 Robert Bosch Gmbh Method for filling containers with bulk goods
US8015778B2 (en) 2006-07-04 2011-09-13 Robert Bosch Gmbh Method for filling containers with piece goods
WO2010097684A3 (en) * 2009-02-24 2010-12-09 Pattyn Packing Lines N.V. Method and device for separating a pre-determined number of piece goods
BE1018917A3 (en) * 2009-02-24 2011-11-08 Pattyn Packing Lines Nv DEVICE FOR SEPARATING A PREFERRED QUANTITY OF GOODS.
EP2233400A1 (en) 2009-03-25 2010-09-29 OPM S.p.A. Packaging process and plant
WO2011018392A1 (en) * 2009-08-11 2011-02-17 Robert Bosch Gmbh Concept for increasing efficiency of robotic packaging systems
US8718816B2 (en) 2009-08-11 2014-05-06 Robert Bosch Gmbh Concept for increasing efficiency of robotic packaging installations
EP2471728B1 (en) 2011-01-03 2019-06-12 Krones AG Assembly of several container treatment and/or container handling and/or container transport modules coupled together and method for transporting, handling and/or treating containers
EP2520497A1 (en) 2011-05-04 2012-11-07 Matthias Ehrat Method for inserting individual products into containers in a robotic line
US8781616B2 (en) 2011-06-27 2014-07-15 The Procter & Gamble Company Robotic unscrambler and method
EP2664553A2 (en) 2012-05-03 2013-11-20 Matthias Ehrat Method for inserting individual products into containers in a robotic line
WO2022125269A1 (en) * 2020-12-08 2022-06-16 Caterpillar Inc. System and method of automatically picking and handling parts
US11820599B2 (en) 2020-12-08 2023-11-21 Caterpillar Inc. System and method of automatically picking and handling parts

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE19522368C2 (en) 1997-04-30
DE59505442D1 (en) 1999-04-29
DE19522368A1 (en) 1997-01-02
ATE178007T1 (en) 1999-04-15
EP0749902B1 (en) 1999-03-24

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