Arm tool for packing trays in boxes

1. An end of arm tool for packing article bearing trays in boxes, said tool comprising:

(a) a tool platform:

(b) a pair of spaced apart, opposed clamping end members having at least an extended position, a semi-retracted position and a fully retracted position, and each comprising:

(1) an end plate having a major upper portion that is positioned in a perpendicular relationship to said trays and having a lower portion slanted inwardly at an angle to said upper portion;

(2) at least two spaced apart powered cylinders mounted on said end plate and having a cylinder rod;

(3) at least one finger member mounted on the cylinder rod of each of said powered cylinders;

(c) a pair of cylinder assemblies, each secured to said tool platform and one of said end members and including a powered cylinder apparatus for causing said end members to move first from said extended position to said semi-retracted position for picking up a tray and then to secondly move to said fully retracted position to cause said tray to bend for placing said tray in said box; and

(d) said finger members are vertically movable by said cylinders from an open position to a closed position adjacent the lower portion of said end plate to clamp one end of said tray therebetween.

2. The end of arm tool as described in claim 1 wherein each of said end members further includes a medial powered cylinder with a cylinder rod located between said spaced apart cylinders and a pair of medial finger members attached to said medial cylinder rod.

3. The end of arm tool as described in claim 2 wherein each of said finger members has a lower end that is slanted at an angle similar to that of said end plate lower portion.

4. The end of arm tool as described in claim 1 wherein each of said cylinder assemblies is formed of:

(a) two spaced apart bearing blocks each having at least one longitudinal bore extending therethrough;

(b) an extender rod journaled in each of said bores and having an outer end secured to one of said end members and an inner end;

(c) a transfer plate secured to and supported by the inner ends of said extender rods; and

(d) a pair of powered cylinders connected in a series relationship to said transfer plate and actuated in a sequential manner to cause said transfer plate to move and thereby move said end members.

5. An end of arm tool for packing article bearing trays in boxes, said tool comprising:

(a) a tool platform;

(b) a pair of spaced apart, opposed clamping end members, each comprising:

(1) an end plate having an upper portion and a lower portion slanted inwardly with respect to said upper portion;

(2) at least two spaced apart powered cylinders mounted on said end plate;

(3) at least one finger member mounted on each of said powered cylinders;

(c) a pair of cylinder assemblies, each secured to said tool platform and one of said end members and including a powered cylinder apparatus for causing said end member to move from an extended position to a retracted position for engaging one of said trays; and

(d) said finger members are vertically movable downwardly by said cylinders from an open position to a closed position adjacent the lower portion of said end plate to clamp one end of said tray therebetween.

6. The end of arm tool as described in claim 5 wherein each of said end members further includes a medial powered cylinder located between said spaced apart cylinders and a pair of medial finger members attached to said medial cylinder.

7. The end of arm tool as described in claim 6 wherein each of said cylinder assemblies is formed of:

(a) two spaced apart bearing blocks each having at least one longitudinal bore extending there through;

(b) an extender rod journaled in each of said bores and having an outer end secured to one of said end members and an inner end;

(c) a transfer plate secured to and support by the inner ends of said extender rods; and

(d) said powered cylinder apparatus is connected to said transfer plate and actuated to cause said transfer plate to move and thereby move said end member.

8. The end of arm tool as described in claim 6 wherein each of said finger members has a lower end that is slanted at an angle similar to that of said end plate lower portion.