Patent ID: 9569912
Date: 2017-02-14
CPC Classifications: G07F

Claim:
1. An apparatus for moving an article, comprising: a pick mechanism having a flat surface and mounted for movement among a plurality of storage locations; an arm mounted on the pick mechanism, the arm selectively extendable and retractable to engage and withdraw the article from one of the storage locations for positioning the article on the flat surface, the arm having a first telescoping tube, a second telescoping tube, and an elastic cup, the first telescoping tube movably connected to the second telescoping tube, the elastic cup connected to the first telescoping tube, the first and second telescoping tubes having an air path; a drive assembly connected to the first telescoping tube; a vacuum source operable to apply a vacuum through the air path; a controller operable to move the pick mechanism while the article is positioned on the flat surface, the controller further operable to extend the arm such that the arm pushes the article from the flat surface of the pick mechanism to a product delivery unit, the product delivery unit having a receiving location at a rear of the apparatus to receive the article from the pick mechanism and a delivery location at a front of the apparatus for retrieval of the article by a user; and wherein the controller is operable to extend the arm such that the arm pushes the article in the product delivery unit from the receiving location to the delivery location.