Automated bin packing tool

Abstract

A system automatically loads a bin with a filled deformable container such as a sack of produce being conveyed along horizontal rollers. A movable support structure has a coupling end attachable to a robotic arm, and a lifting end supporting a plurality of parallel rods. By means of the robotic arm and a programmable logic controller, the plurality of parallel rods can be positioned between and parallel to the horizontal rollers, raised when the container is conveyed to a loading position above the parallel rods, moved to a predetermined position above the bin, and rotated to allow the container to slide downward along the parallel rods and into the bin under force of gravity. The loading sequence can be repeated a number of times, changing the predetermined position each time to stack a plurality of the containers in a desired configuration such as overlapping rows of offset sacks.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.