Automated collector device and methods

Abstract

A collector device includes a collector connected to a positioner, such as a robot arm. The positioner can automatically move the collector in multiple dimensions to collect objects into the collector according to a specified collection pattern. By moving the collector in multiple dimensions, the positioner provides for objects to be arranged in the collector according to a specified pattern. The positioner can also move the collector so that the collected objects are transferred to a second collector for shipping, storage, and the like.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 an accumulator assembly configured to accumulate a plurality of objects;   a feed assembly configured to serially provide the plurality of objects from the accumulator assembly;   a first collector configured to catch the plurality of objects from the feed assembly; and   a positioner configured to be coupled to the collector;   a control system comprising:
 a processor configured to control the positioner; 
 a computer readable medium configured to store a plurality of instructions to manipulate the processor, the instructions comprising instructions to move the positioner in order to move the first collector in two dimensions as the first collector receives the plurality of objects, such that the plurality of objects are arranged in the collector according to a first pattern. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the positioner is configured to move the collector in three dimensions. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the positioner is configured to move the collector in six dimensions. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the accumulator assembly comprises a plurality of conveyer belts. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of instructions further comprise instructions to move the positioner in order to move the first collector such that the plurality of objects are transferred to a second collector. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the positioner comprises a robot arm. 
     
     
         7 . A device, comprising:
 a collector mount configured to be coupled to a collector;   a positioner configured to be coupled to the collector mount, the positioner further configured to move the collector mount in two dimensions as the collector serially receives the plurality of objects from a source, such that the plurality of objects are arranged in the collector according to a first pattern.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising the collector. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the positioner is coupled to a first face of the collector, the first face comprising a base of the collector. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the positioner is coupled to a first face of the collector, the first face comprising a side of the collector. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a first actuator coupled to a first face of the collector and coupled to a second face of the collector, the first actuator configured to rotate the second face relative to the first face. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a second actuator coupled to the first face of the collector and coupled to a third face of the collector, the second actuator configured to rotate the third face relative to the first face. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a first actuator coupled to a first face and coupled to a second face of the collector, the first actuator configured to change a linear position of the second face relative to the first face. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising a second actuator coupled to the first face and coupled to a third face of the collector, the second actuator configured to change a linear position of the third face relative to the first face. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the two dimensions comprise rotational dimensions. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the two dimensions comprise Cartesian dimensions. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the two dimensions comprise a rotational dimension and a Cartesian dimension. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the positioner is configured to move the collector in three dimensions. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the positioner is configured to move the collector in six dimensions. 
     
     
         20 . A method, comprising:
 receiving a first plurality of objects; and   automatically moving a first collector in two dimensions to catch the first plurality of objects in the first collector such that the first plurality of objects are arranged in a specified pattern.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein moving the first collector comprises moving the first collector in a rotational dimension and a Cartesian dimension. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising moving a first face of the first collector laterally to change a size of a footprint associated with the arranged first plurality of objects. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising rotating a first face of the first collector relative to a second face to catch the first plurality of objects. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 automatically moving the first collector to transfer the first plurality of objects to a second collector.