Patent ID: 6233909
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A method of transferring media disk storage cases and inserting respective information sheets into said cases, using an apparatus including:a rotatable turret that is rotatable about an axis;respective first, second, third and fourth case holding heads mounted on said turret at respective uniformly circumferentially offset positions about said axis;a case introduction station, a first sheet insertion station, a case ejection station, and a second sheet insertion station, which are respectively arranged adjacent to said turret at respective uniformly circumferentially offset locations about said axis, wherein said case ejection station is opposite said case introduction station, and said first sheet insertion station is opposite said second sheet insertion station;said method comprising the following steps:a) picking up a first media disk storage case from said case introduction station with said first case holding head, rotating said turret 90 degrees in a first rotation direction to transfer said first case from said case introduction station to said first insertion station, and then releasing said first case from said first case holding head at said first insertion station;b) inserting a first information sheet into said first case at said first insertion station;c) picking up a second media disk storage case from said case introduction station with said second case holding head, rotating said turret 90 degrees in a second rotation direction opposite said first rotation direction to transfer said second case from said case introduction station to said second insertion station and to move said fourth case holding head to said first insertion station and said first case holding head to said case introduction station, and then releasing said second case from said second case holding head at said second insertion station;d) inserting a second information sheet into said second case at said second insertion station;e) after completing said steps b) and c), picking up said first case from said first insertion station with said fourth case holding head, picking up a third media disk storage case from said case introduction station with said first case holding head, rotating said turret 90 degrees in said first rotation direction to transfer said first case from said first insertion station to said case ejection station and said third case from said case introduction station to said first insertion station, and to move said third case holding head to said second insertion station and said second case holding head to said case introduction station, and then releasing said first case from said fourth case holding head at said case ejection station and releasing said third case from said first case holding head at said first insertion station;f) inserting a third information sheet into said third case at said first insertion station; andg) after completing said steps d) and e), picking up said second case from said second insertion station with said third case holding head, picking up a fourth media disk storage case from said case introduction station with said second case holding head, rotating said turret 90 degrees in said second rotation direction to transfer said second case from said second insertion station to said case ejection station and said fourth case from said case introduction station to said second insertion station, and then releasing said second case from said third case holding head at said case ejection station and releasing said fourth case from said second case holding head at said second insertion station.