Cover removal system for use in controlled environment enclosures

• Main Authors: Immerzeel, Jeroen, Gold, Ross M, Park, Steve Sang Joon, Procyshyn, Christopher A
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 20.08.2024
• Subjects: APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILARCONTAINERS; BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES; CONVEYING; HAND TOOLS; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; LIQUID HANDLING; MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGINGARTICLES OR MATERIALS; MANIPULATORS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS; OPENING, CLOSING; PACKING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; STORING; TRANSPORTING; UNPACKING

An apparatus and method are presented for removing container covers within a controlled environment enclosure without using gloves. The apparatus comprises an articulated arm apparatus and a gripping apparatus and can further comprise a controller. The articulated arm apparatus can be configurable for holding and moving a container in three dimensions; and the gripping apparatus can be configured for gripping a container cover sealing the container. The method comprises moving the container using the articulated arm apparatus while holding a gripping area of the container cover substantially stationary using the gripping apparatus. The apparatus can further comprise a sensor configured for supplying information to the controller for determining the location of the container cover gripping area and an orientation of the container cover. The method can further comprise inspecting the container cover using the sensor. The container can be moved along a path and within a space determined by the controller.