Smooth handoff of containers using multiple grippers
A conveyor system for grouping containers includes a first track including a first plurality of lugs, each lug having a respective gripper coupled thereto configured to drive containers along the first track and a second track configured to move a second plurality of lugs wherein each of the lugs is coupled to a respective gripper configured to receive containers from the first track, and move the containers along the second track wherein the grippers of the second track contact the container while the gripper of the first track contacts the container.
1. A method of grouping containers into a package of containers comprising:
conveying a stream of containers using a first plurality of grippers along a first portion of a first track;
transferring the containers to a second plurality of grippers, wherein transferring the containers comprises moving each of the containers by a respective gripper of the second plurality of grippers while maintaining contact with a respective gripper of the first plurality of grippers along a second portion of the first track for a period of time; and
withdrawing the respective gripper of the first plurality of grippers from contacting the container of the stream of containers.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the respective gripper of the second plurality of grippers contacts the container below the respective gripper of the first plurality of grippers.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the respective gripper of the first plurality of grippers turns along a curve of the first track after withdrawing from contacting the container of the stream of containers.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein each gripper of the first plurality of grippers and each gripper of the second plurality of grippers drive a respective container at the same velocity while driving the container.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the respective gripper of the second plurality of grippers approaches the container perpendicular to the second portion of the first track in order to initially contact the container.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising maintaining an orientation of each container when the gripper of the first plurality of grippers is withdrawn.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the respective gripper of the first plurality of grippers maintains a constant speed during a straight portion of the first track.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the respective gripper of the first plurality of grippers: (i) decelerates when withdrawing from contacting the container, or (ii) accelerates after withdrawing from contacting the container, or (iii) decelerates when withdrawing from contacting the container and accelerates after withdrawing from contacting the container.
9. A method of grouping containers into a package of containers comprising:
conveying a stream of containers using a first plurality of grippers in contact with the containers along a first portion of a first track;
transferring the containers to a second plurality of grippers, wherein transferring the containers comprises moving each of the containers by a respective gripper of the second plurality of grippers while maintaining contact with a respective gripper of the first plurality of grippers along a second portion of the first track; and
withdrawing the respective gripper of the first plurality of grippers from contacting the container of the stream of containers,
wherein the respective gripper of the first plurality of grippers accelerates after initially contacting the container to convey the container along the first portion of the first track.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the respective gripper of the first plurality of grippers accelerates along a first curved section of the first track.
11. A conveyor system for grouping containers comprising:
a first track including a first plurality of lugs, each lug having a respective gripper coupled thereto configured to drive containers along the first track; and
a second track configured to move a second plurality of lugs wherein each of the lugs is coupled to a respective gripper configured to receive containers from the first track and move the containers along the second track wherein the grippers of the second track contact the container while the gripper of the first track contacts the container, wherein the first plurality of grippers and the first plurality of lugs are configured to move about a horizontal plane and the second plurality of grippers and the second plurality of lugs are configured to move about a vertical plane.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the second track includes a linear motor drive configured to actuate each of the lugs along the second track.
13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the first track and the second track at least partially overlap each other.
14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the first track follows an oval.
15. The system of claim 11 , wherein the first track includes at least a first rounded section, a first straight section, a second rounded section, and a second straight section.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the first track includes a third straight section.
17. The system of claim 11 , wherein the second track follows an oval and includes at least one protuberance configured to actuate the second plurality of grippers in an orthogonal direction to a direction of travel of the stream of containers.
18. The system of claim 11 , wherein the first track includes either a linear motor drive configured to actuate each of the first plurality of lugs along the track, or a linear chain configured to actuate each of the first plurality lugs carriers along the first track.
19. The system of claim 11 , wherein the first track and the second track are partially aligned.