초록 ▼

An article handling method is provided for receiving articles such as can ends or the like, or similarly shaped disk-like articles supplied in elongate stacks from a first location, for loading the stacks of articles into trays for selectively storing the same for subsequent use and for unloading th

An article handling method is provided for receiving articles such as can ends or the like, or similarly shaped disk-like articles supplied in elongate stacks from a first location, for loading the stacks of articles into trays for selectively storing the same for subsequent use and for unloading the stacks of articles from trays for transport to a second location so as to compensate for differences between a rate of supply of articles at a first location and a rate of demand for articles at a second location. The method comprises providing an infeed station for receiving a plurality of stacks of articles; providing a working station for accommodating an article-holding tray for accommodating a plurality of stacks of articles; providing an outfeed station for receiving stacks of articles from a tray and delivering the stacks of articles to a second location; locating the working station between the infeed station and the outfeed station; removing stacks of articles from the infeed station for discharge into a tray located in the working station, and placing the stacks of articles removed from the tray located in the working station into the outfeed station. An article handling system includes apparatus for carrying out this method.

대표청구항 ▼

An article handling system for compensating for differences between a rate of supply of articles at a first location and a rate of demand for articles at a second location, said system comprising: an infeed station for receiving a plurality of articles from said first location; a working station for

An article handling system for compensating for differences between a rate of supply of articles at a first location and a rate of demand for articles at a second location, said system comprising: an infeed station for receiving a plurality of articles from said first location; a working station for accommodating an article-holding tray for storage of a plurality of articles; an outfeed station for receiving articles from said tray at said working station for delivery to a second location; at least two pick-and-place devices, each adapted to engage and thereafter discharge articles, and comprising at least one infeed pick-and-place device and at least one outfeed pick-and-place device; said working station being located between said infeed station and said outfeed station, with a path of movement of said pick-and-place devices overlying said single working station; operating means operating said at least one infeed pick-and-place device for movement between said infeed station and an overlying position with regard to said tray located at said working station for removing articles from said infeed station and discharging articles removed from said infeed station into said tray located at said working station, and for operating said at least one outfeed pick-and-place device for movement between an overlying position with respect to the same tray serviced by the infeed pick-and-place device and said outfeed station for removing articles from said tray located at said working station and for delivering articles removed from said tray to said outfeed station; and control means for controlling the operating means and said pick-and-place devices to remove stacks of articles from said infeed station, to discharge stacks of articles into tray means located at said working station, to remove stacks of articles from tray means at said working station, and to deliver stacks of articles to said outfeed station, respectively.