US 10,372,951 B2 · Tunnel for high density packaged goods

Abstract

A read tunnel device is disclosed for scanning a plurality of cartons of high density packaged items moving through an enclosure via a conveyor belt. The read tunnel device is positioned over a section of the conveyor belt, such that the plurality of cartons on the conveyor belt pass directly through the read tunnel device. Further, the cartons are induced to tumble as they transit through the read tunnel device in one or more dimensions, the tumbling changes arrangement of the items within the cartons and also changes read direction with respect to the antenna in the enclosure. For example, the read tunnel device can comprise a tube angled down from the conveyor belt so a carton will transit down the tube using the force of gravity. Or, a mechanical structure such as mechanical flippers can pick up the carton and rotate it in controlled increments.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A read tunnel device for scanning a plurality of cartons of high density packaged items moving through an enclosure, comprising:

a read chamber;
and
a radio frequency identification (RFID) scanning enclosure for reading the plurality of cartons;
and
a conveyor belt for moving the plurality of cartons through the enclosure;
and
at least one antenna positioned within the read chamber;
and
wherein the at least one antenna projects radio frequency energy to read RFID tags attached to the items;
and
a tube comprising apertures that allow RFID readers to scan the plurality of cartons to read the RFID tags attached to the items.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tunnel for high density packaged goods

Life of this patent

Tunnel for high density packaged goods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14