Systems and processes for packing articles of footwear
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsPu-Yuan Chang, Chin-Ming Chan, San-Bei Huang, Tsung-Sheng Huang, Kuo-Hung Lee
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Abstract
Systems and processes for packing complementary articles of footwear into a container are disclosed. The processes can include utilizing a reusable packing sheet positioned underneath complementary articles of footwear to transfer the complementary articles of footwear into a container. The processes can also include removing the reusable packing sheet from underneath the complementary articles of footwear while the complementary articles of footwear remain positioned in the container. Additional processes can include aligning and sizing complementary articles of footwear for packing in a container.
Claims20
A system for packing complementary articles of footwear into a container, the system comprising:
- a conveyance apparatus sized to transport a first complementary article of footwear and a second complementary article of footwear;
- one or more moveable alignment members, each of the one or more moveable alignment members having a first contacting component and a second contacting component positioned on opposing sides of the conveyance apparatus, wherein the first contacting component and the second contacting component are moveable towards or away from one another, for contacting or releasing from contact one of the first complementary article of footwear and the second complementary article of footwear;
- a first transfer member and a second transfer member that are vertically and laterally shiftable, wherein each of the first transfer member and the second transfer member comprise a first contacting component and a second contacting component that are rotatable about an axis that is transverse to a lateral movement direction of the first transfer member and the second transfer member;
- a packing sheet source comprising a reusable packing sheet;
- a first guiding member and a second guiding member laterally spaced apart from the packing sheet source at fixed positions so that the first guiding member is positioned between the packing sheet source and the second guiding member;
- and
- one or more sheet extension members, the one or more sheet extension members shiftable from a first position where the one or more extension members are positioned between the packing sheet source and the first guiding member to a second position where the first guiding member and second guiding member are positioned between the packing sheet source and the one or more sheet extension members.
A system for packing complementary articles of footwear into a container, the system comprising:
- a conveyance apparatus sized to transport a first complementary article of footwear and a second complementary article of footwear;
- one or more moveable alignment members, each of the one or more moveable alignment members having a first contacting component and a second contacting component positioned on opposing sides of the conveyance apparatus, wherein the first contacting component and the second contacting component are moveable towards or away from one another, for contacting or releasing from contact one of the first complementary article of footwear and the second complementary article of footwear;
- a light source, the light source configured to direct light in a direction transverse to a direction of extension of the conveyance apparatus, the light is useable to identify a desired location of an apex position of a toe end or a heel end of each of the first complementary article of footwear and the second complementary article of footwear when an outsole of each of the first complementary article of footwear and the second complementary article of footwear contact the conveyance apparatus;
- and
- a first transfer member and a second transfer member that are vertically and laterally shiftable, wherein each of the first transfer member and the second transfer member comprise a first contacting component and a second contacting component that are rotatable about an axis that is transverse to a lateral movement direction of the first transfer member and second transfer member.
A system for packing complementary articles of footwear into a container, the system comprising:
- a packing sheet source capable of maintaining a reusable packing sheet;
- a first guiding member and a second guiding member laterally spaced apart from the packing sheet source at fixed positions so that the first guiding member is positioned between the packing sheet source and the second guiding member;
- and
- one or more sheet extension members, the one or more sheet extension members shiftable from a first position where the one or more extension members are positioned between the packing sheet source and the first guiding member to a second position where the first guiding member and second guiding member are positioned between the packing sheet source and the one or more sheet extension members.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.