Adolph Coors Company

Davey L McCullough

Larry M Dugan

Roger A Thompson

Lewis R Branch

R Wayne Rouse

Disclosed is a system for automatically loading a transport vehicle with unit loads by automatically moving the unit loads from a predetermined loading position to prescribed positions in the transport vehicle. The present invention uses a loading vehicle which receives loads from a staging device which positions the unit loads in the predetermined loading position. A unit load transfer device transfers the unit loads from the staging device to the loading vehicle. The loading vehicle uses on-board sensors in combination with placement information provided by a staging processor to perform translational and operational movements which are processed by an on-board loading vehicle processor. Unit loads can be deposited throughout the transport vehicle by maintaining a guidance path which is internally generated within the transport vehicle and can be either internally or externally generated outside the transport vehicle.

Automated railcar loader and method

Apparatus for separating a wrapper from articles contained therein and especially applicable to the manufacture of cans wherein the can ends are formed at one location and transferred in bags of stacked ends to another location where the bags are removed and the ends are joined to the can bodies. Wrapped articles are laterally received in a receiving structure; the wrapped articles therein are longitudinally positioned so that an end of the wrapper is clamped by a clamping structure; a rod penetrates the wrapper and engages the articles therein; and transporting structure to transport the clamping structure and the wrapper clamped therein relative to the rod to separate the wrapper from the articles, which are retained in the receiving structure. The preferred structure includes a receiving means comprising a spring-loaded pair of angled members which form a receiving pocket extending substantially the length of the wrapped articles; a positioning structure comprising a cylinder for longitudinal movement of the wrapped articles; clamping structure comprising cylinder actuated opposing circumferential clamps and a plate structure longitudinally engagable with the clamps; and transporting structure comprising a drive shaft and a linear actuator for longitudinal movement of the clamping structure.

Growing community of inventors

Golden, CO, United States of America

Davey L McCullough