System and method for parcel slug accumulation and redistribution
AssigneeKörber Supply Chain LLC
InventorMichael D. Carpenter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments include a parcel processing system and methods for operating the same. The parcel processing system includes a collector configured to receive a flow of parcels and a slug accumulation system configured to receive the flow of parcels and produce a normalized bulk flow of parcels. The parcel processing system also includes a bulk transport conveyor configured to receive the normalized bulk flow of parcels and a singulator configured to receive the normalized bulk flow of parcels from the bulk transport conveyor. The normalized bulk flow of parcels is a flow of parcels having an approximately constant parcel density traveling at a fixed speed.
Claims13
A parcel processing system comprising:
- a collector configured to receive a flow of parcels;
- a slug accumulation system configured to receive the flow of parcels and produce a normalized bulk flow of parcels;
- a bulk transport conveyor configured to receive the normalized bulk flow of parcels;
- a singulator configured to receive the normalized bulk flow of parcels from the bulk transport conveyor;
- and
- an accumulator configured to receive the flow of parcels and accumulate a slug of parcels;
- wherein the normalized bulk flow of parcels is a flow of parcels having an approximately constant parcel density traveling at a fixed speed;
- and
- wherein the slug accumulation system further comprises a spreader configured to distribute the flow of parcels across a width of the accumulator.
A slug accumulation system, comprising:
- an accumulator configured to receive a flow of parcels and accumulate a slug of parcels;
- and
- an accumulator discharge conveyor configured to discharge the slug of parcels onto a slug conveyor based at least in part on a determination that the slug of parcels has been accumulated on the accumulator;
- wherein the slug conveyor is configured to provide a normalized bulk flow of parcels to a bulk transport conveyor;
- and
- wherein the normalized bulk flow of parcels is a flow of parcels having an approximately constant parcel density traveling at a fixed speed;
- and
- a spreader configured to distribute the flow of parcels across a width of the accumulator.
A slug accumulation system comprising:
- an accumulator configured to receive a flow of parcels and accumulate a slug of parcels;
- and
- an accumulator discharge conveyor configured to discharge the slug of parcels onto a slug conveyor based at least in part on a determination that the slug of parcels has been accumulated on the accumulator;
- wherein the slug conveyor is configured to provide a normalized bulk flow of parcels to a bulk transport conveyor;
- and
- wherein the normalized bulk flow of parcels is a flow of parcels having an approximately constant parcel density traveling at a fixed speed;
- wherein the accumulator discharge conveyor comprises:
- an intake conveyor configured to receive the slug of parcels from the accumulator discharge conveyor and to provide the slug of parcels to an intermediate conveyor;
- and
- an output conveyor configured to receive the slug of parcels from the intermediate conveyor and to provide the normalized bulk flow of parcels to the bulk transport conveyor;
- and
- wherein the output conveyor is configured to operate at a first speed while providing the normalized bulk flow of parcels to the bulk transport conveyor and to operate at a second speed that is greater than the first speed when receiving the slug of parcels from the intermediate conveyor.
A parcel processing method, comprising:
- receiving a flow of parcels;
- accumulating a slug of parcels from the flow of parcels;
- transferring the slug of parcels onto a slug conveyor configured to produce a normalized bulk flow of parcels;
- and
- providing, by the slug conveyor, the normalized bulk flow of parcels onto a bulk transport conveyor;
- wherein the normalized bulk flow of parcels is a flow of parcels having an approximately constant parcel density traveling at a fixed speed;
- and
- wherein accumulating the slug of parcels further comprises spreading the flow of parcels across a width of an accumulator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.