Michael R Schmehl

US Patent:

50419072, Aug 20, 1991

Filed:

Feb 23, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/484565

Inventors:

James L. Sager - Boulder CO
Michael R. Schmehl - Aurora CO

Assignee:

Technistar Corporation - Longmont CO

International Classification:

H04N 718

US Classification:

358101

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for picking up and manipulating randomly oriented and randomly positioned objects moving on an object belt and transferring them to randomly oriented and randomly positioned destinations moving on a destination belt. An image processing unit using a vision system identifies and locates objects and destinations in successive overlapping vision windows up to a predetermined optimum number of objects. The locations of those objects and destinations are entered in an output queue which is transmitted to the object and destination location queues of a first robot motion controller. The first robot picks up and deposits to destinations all the objects it can in the time available while the objects and destinations pass, and enters the locations of the objects not picked up and destinations to which no object is placed in an output queue which is transmitted to the object and destination location queues of a second robot motion controller. The robots can be arranged in a series of any number and the image processing units and vision systems can also be arranged in a series.

US Patent:

50400568, Aug 13, 1991

Filed:

Jan 29, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/472044

Inventors:

James L. Sager - Boulder CO
Michael R. Schmehl - Aurora CO

Assignee:

Technistar Corporation - Longmont CO

International Classification:

H04N 718

US Classification:

358101

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for picking up and manipulating randomly oriented and randomly positioned objects moving on a belt. An image processing unit using a vision system identifies and locates objects in successive overlapping vision windows up to a predetermined optimum number of objects. The locations of those objects is entered in an output queue which is transmitted to the object location queue of a first robot motion controller. The first robot picks up and deposits all the objects it can in the time available while the objects pass, and enters the locations of the objects not picked up in an output queue which is transmitted to the object location queue of a second robot motion controller. The robots can be arranged in a series of any number and the image processing units and vision systems can also be arranged in a series.

US Patent:

58330925, Nov 10, 1998

Filed:

Feb 20, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/803219

Inventors:

Scott E. Godfrey - Muscatine IA
Leonard L. Hierath - Denver CO
Mark E. Hillam - Westminster CO
Michael R. Schmehl - Denver CO
Charles F. Watson - Westminster CO

Assignee:

Summit Machine Builders, Corp. - Denver CO

International Classification:

B67D 564

US Classification:

222168

Abstract:

Apparatus for feeding poorly flowable dry particulate materials includes a rotary supply hopper having an interior chamber for receiving and containing a quantity of material and an annular sidewall open at a lower edge, a stationary platform having a circular groove formed in a top surface of the platform encircling an upright central axis and an opening extending through the platform adjacent to the circular groove, spaced from the central axis and defined between the circular groove and central axis, a support structure supporting the hopper above the platform to undergo rotation relative to the platform about the upright central axis with the lower edge of the supply hopper being spaced from and extending downward into the circular groove of the platform such that the platform serves as a stationary bottom for the rotary supply hopper, and an annular discharge spout attached at an open upper end to the platform below and encircling the opening through the platform and having a transfer passage extending from the open upper end to an open lower end so that material can undergo gravity-assisted flow downward through the platform opening and discharge spout passage for discharge at the open lower end of the discharge spout. The apparatus also includes a stripper blade rotatably mounted to the discharge spout and extending radially inward across the open lower end thereof for engaging discharging material to assist its movement away from the open lower end of the discharge spout.