Automated method and system for packaging flexible articles
AssigneeAfa Technologies Sdn Bhd
InventorChing Khang Tan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automated method and system for packaging a stack of flexible articles are disclosed. The method comprises: loading, by a pair of end effectors, the stack of flexible articles into an erected box having a first open end and a second open end, leaving a first gap therebetween; moving, by a first flap closing mechanism, the flap of the first open end from the open configuration to the closed configuration; pushing, by a pushing mechanism, the stack of flexible articles towards the first gap, thereby forming a second gap between the second open end and the stack of flexible articles; and moving, by a second flap closing mechanism, the flap of the second open end from the open configuration to the closed configuration.
Claims14
An automated method for packaging a stack of flexible articles, the method comprising:
- loading, by a pair of end effectors, the stack of flexible articles into an erected box having a first open end and a second open end, wherein each open end has at least one flap that is movable between an open configuration where the flap is not covering an opening of the open end and a closed configuration where the flap covers the opening of the open end, whereby the stack of flexible articles is loaded in an offset position away from the first open end, leaving a first gap therebetween;
- moving, by a first flap closing mechanism, the flap of the first open end from the open configuration to the closed configuration;
- pushing, by a pushing mechanism, the stack of flexible articles towards the first gap, thereby forming a second gap between the second open end and the stack of flexible articles;
- and
- moving, by a second flap closing mechanism, the flap of the second open end from the open configuration to the closed configuration,
- wherein the first and second gaps are configured to prevent the flaps from being obstructed by the stack of flexible articles while closing the flaps,
- wherein the loading includes:
- extending the pair of end effectors from an opposite direction towards each other so that the pair of end effectors are in close contact with each other;
- loading, by a loading means, the stack of flexible articles into a slot formed by the pair of end effectors when the pair of end effectors are in close contact;
- holding, by the pair of end effectors, each opposing end of the stack of the flexible articles;
- and
- retracting both end effectors in two opposite directions upon loading of the stack of flexible articles within the erected box, and
- wherein each end effector comprises a stopper configured to retain the stack of flexible articles by extending inwards to the stack of flexible articles as the end effectors retract away from the erected box.
An automated system for packaging a stack of flexible articles, the system comprising:
- a pair of end effectors for loading the stack of flexible articles into an erected box having a first open end and a second open end, wherein each open end has at least one flap that is movable between an open configuration where the flap is not covering an opening of the open end and a closed configuration where the flap covers the opening of the open end, whereby the stack of flexible articles is loaded in an offset position away from the first open end, leaving a first gap therebetween;
- a first flap closing mechanism for moving the flap of the first open end from the open configuration to the closed configuration;
- a pushing mechanism for pushing the stack of flexible articles towards the first gap, thereby forming a second gap between the second open end and the stack of flexible articles;
- and
- a second flap closing mechanism for moving the flap of the second open end from the open configuration to the closed configuration,
- wherein the first and second gaps are configured to prevent the flaps from being obstructed by the stack of flexible articles while closing the flaps,
- wherein the pair of end effectors is configured to extend in an opposite direction towards each other so that the pair of end effectors are in close contact with each other to form a slot for receiving the stack of flexible articles,
- wherein the pair of end effectors is further configured to hold each opposing end of the stack of the flexible articles and retract in two opposite directions upon loading of the stack of flexible articles within the erected box, and
- wherein each end effector further comprises a stopper configured to retain the stack of flexible articles by extending inwards to the stack of flexible articles as the end effectors retract away from the erected box.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.