US 12,630,325 B2Granted

Case unpacking system and method

AssigneeDLN Integrated Systems, Inc.

InventorsDaniel Wierenga, Robert Clarkson, Phillip Schaafsma

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Abstract

A system and method for unpacking a case are provided. The system may comprise a work surface that defines a cutting, extraction, and unloading position and a robot configured to move the cases between the respective positions. The robot may first engage and position the case in the cutting position, wherein a plurality of cutting arms cut a first pair of sides simultaneously near the case bottom. The robot rotates the case and the cutting arms cut another pair of sides simultaneously near the case bottom. The robot then moves the case from the cutting position to the extraction position, where the case bottom is retained and removed from the case. The robot then moves the bottomless case from the extraction position to the unloading position adjacent to the work surface, wherein the product inside the case is deposited into a receptacle through the open case bottom.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A case unpacking system configured to unpack a plurality of cases, wherein each case has a case top, a case bottom, and a plurality of sides that collectively define a closed interior void space therebetween, and wherein at least one product is disposed within the closed interior void space, the system comprising:

a work surface disposed at a first height, the work surface having a thickness and further defining a bottom removal section, wherein at the bottom removal section of the work surface defines a plurality of apertures extending through an entirety of the thickness;
at least one case movement device configured to move the plurality of cases upon the work surface;
at least one elongated cutting arm comprising:
a first end and second end, wherein the first end is opposite the second end;
a blade cavity extending between the first end and the second end;
and
a blade disposed within the blade cavity and moveable within the blade cavity between a first blade position proximate the first end and a second blade position proximate the second end, such that the blade is configured to cut one or more sides of at least one of the plurality of cases when the blade moves between the first blade position and the second blade position;
a case bottom removal assembly disposed in the bottom removal section of the work surface, the case bottom removal assembly comprising a plurality of puncture elements vertically aligned with the plurality of apertures in the work surface;
and wherein the plurality of puncture elements is configured to occupy one of a retracted position below the work surface and a deployed position, wherein in the deployed position each puncture element is disposed within and extends upwardly through a respective aperture in the work surface.

6 more elements

A method of case unpacking comprising:

receiving a case onto a work surface positioned at a first height, wherein the case has a case bottom, a case top, and a plurality of case sides that collectively define a closed interior space therebetween, each of the plurality of case sides of the respective case comprising a side top and a side bottom, and wherein at least one product is disposed within the closed interior space;
positioning the case in a cutting position between a first elongated cutting arm and an opposite second elongated cutting arm with a case movement device, wherein:
the first elongated cutting arm comprises a first end and an opposite second end, a first blade cavity extending between the first end and the second end, and a first blade disposed within the first blade cavity and moveable within the first blade cavity between a first blade position proximate the first end and a second blade position proximate the second end;
and
the second elongated cutting arm comprises a first end and an opposite second end, a second blade cavity extending between the first end and the second end, and a second blade disposed within the second blade cavity and moveable within the second blade cavity between a first blade position proximate the first end and a second blade position proximate the second end;
separating the case bottom from the case top and the plurality of sides of the case by cutting each of the respective sides of the case along a predetermined cut line, wherein the predetermined cut line is disposed closer to the respective side bottom of the respective side than the side top of the respective side;
positioning the case in an extraction position with the case movement device;
removing the bottom of the case from the case top and the plurality of sides of the case, such that a void is disposed at the case bottom;
and
positioning the case in an unloading position, with the case movement device, and emptying the case, via the void, such that the at least one product is emptied into a product receptacle disposed at a second height at the unloading position, wherein the first height is greater than the second height.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/120,604Filed 13 Mar 2023 · us provisional application
Priority: 14 Mar 2022
Published: US 2023/0286689 A114 Sep 2023
Granted: 19 May 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

B65B 69/0033
Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for: by cutting
B65F 9/00
Transferring of refuse between vehicles or containers with intermediate storage or pressing
B65B 69/0041
By cutting: by puncturing
B65B
Machines, apparatus or devices for, or methods of, packaging articles or materials