Jason E Ernst

US Patent:

7409812, Aug 12, 2008

Filed:

Jun 29, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/478059

Inventors:

Scott C. Gilmore - Elgin IL, US
Jason M. Ernst - Elgin IL, US

Assignee:

Smart Motion Robotics, Inc. - Gilberts IL

International Classification:

B65B 3/24

US Classification:

53475, 53258, 53473, 53540

Abstract:

An end of arm tool that is capable of handling fragile items such as eggs that are packaged in containers (e. g. , egg cartons) that require special handling is provided. The end of arm tool comprises vacuum cup assemblies to grip the top surfaces of the packages, clamp fingers to clamp the edges of the packages, and optionally a pusher assembly to release the packages from the clamp fingers. In addition, a method of loading packages into cases using the end of arm tool apparatus of the present invention is provided. A gripper may be provided to place divider sheets between packages in the cases.

US Patent:

20090019818, Jan 22, 2009

Filed:

Jul 7, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/217545

Inventors:

Scott C. Gilmore - Elgin IL, US
Jason M. Ernst - Elgin IL, US

Assignee:

SMART MOTION ROBOTICS, Inc. - Gilberts IL

International Classification:

B65B 5/10

US Classification:

53475

Abstract:

An end of arm tool that is capable of handling fragile items such as eggs that are packaged in containers (e.g., egg cartons) that require special handling is provided. The end of arm tool comprises vacuum cup assemblies to grip the top surfaces of the packages, clamp fingers to clamp the edges of the packages, and optionally a pusher assembly to release the packages from the clamp fingers. In addition, a method of loading packages into cases using the end of arm tool apparatus of the present invention is provided. A gripper may be provided to place divider sheets between packages in the cases.

US Patent:

6632060, Oct 14, 2003

Filed:

Mar 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/805787

Inventors:

Scott Gilmore - Elgin IL
Jason Ernst - Elgin IL

Assignee:

Smart Motion Robotics, Inc. - Gilberts IL

International Classification:

B42B 1300

US Classification:

412 9, 412 3, 412 17

Abstract:

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for pre-registering boards for use in, for example, the manufacture of looseleaf binders and packaging products. Boards are dropped onto the base plate by an automatic process. Spine guides enable the spine portion of the boards to be secured for subsequent registering. The movement of the spine guides allows the spine portion of the boards to be placed accurately. The spine guides are attached to a spine guide rack which is located on the underside of the base plate. The spine guide rack operates through the use of pneumatic cylinders and enables the movement of the attached spine guides. The spine guides move along a spine guide trench and secure boards on the base plate. The spine guides are retracted when the boards are initially placed on the base plate and then start moving medially to squeeze the spine portion of the board such that it becomes perpendicular to the x-axis. The spine guides also allow for the requisite spacing in between the spine panel and the front and back board panels.