Pneumatic mandrel for a packaging system
AssigneeAmazon Technologies, Inc.
InventorKent Belden Meiswinkel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments herein describe a pneumatic mandrel for a packaging system. In one embodiment, the mandrel includes a pneumatic nozzle proximate to a loading volume in which items are disposed before being packaged. The pneumatic nozzle can contain multiple ports for directing airflow in different directions. The directions at which the ports generate the airflow may be selected to move items that may be stuck or snagged into the loading volume. Stated differently, the mandrel may generate airflows in multiple directions for pushing items towards the loading volume.
Claims20
A mandrel for a packaging system, the mandrel comprising:
- a spreader comprising a first side and a second side arranged such that a flexible packaging material slides on respective surfaces of the first and second sides, wherein the first and second sides spread the flexible packaging material to form an item loading volume arranged between the flexible packaging material;
- a base, wherein the first and second sides extend vertically from a top surface of the base;
- and
- a pneumatic nozzle disposed between the base and the item loading volume, wherein the pneumatic nozzle comprises at least two ports arranged to output airflows in different directions to move an item inserted into the mandrel towards the item loading volume.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a base comprising a top surface over which items are moved to reach an item loading volume;
- a first side and a second side extending vertically from the base, wherein the item loading volume is disposed between the first and second sides;
- and
- at least two ports arranged to output airflows in different directions to move an item inserted into the apparatus towards the item loading volume.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a base comprising a top surface over which items are moved to reach an item loading volume;
- a first side and a second side extending vertically from the base, wherein the item loading volume is disposed between the first and second sides;
- and
- a nozzle extending from the base towards the item loading volume, wherein the nozzle comprises a first port arranged to output an airflow to move an item inserted into the apparatus towards the item loading volume.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.