Item handler for sorting and packing
AssigneeIBP, Inc.
InventorsRonald Dean Smith JR., Larry W. Fallin, Andrew S. Courier, Stephen N. Forti, William G. Leary
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An item handling system that sorts and packs items in a storage or shipping receptacle. The system is specifically designed to handle items such as sub-primal cuts of beef or pork or items of like size and weight. The system is adapted to sort items based on product type or based on system capacity. The packing mechanism is adapted to properly orient the item prior to placing the item in the storage or shipping receptacle. The system is specifically adapted to handle cardboard shipping boxes.
Claims13
An item handling system, comprising:
- a receptacle incoming conveyor having an input portion and an output portion;
- a kicking apparatus adapted to laterally extend across the receptacle incoming conveyor output portion to laterally displace a receptacle off the conveyor;
- a platform adjacent the incoming conveyor and having an integral conveyor communicable with the incoming conveyor and adapted to receive laterally displaced receptacles from the incoming conveyor;
- a first shaft pivot member axially connected to the platform about which the platform may tilt;
- a second shaft pivot member axially connected to the platform and perpendicular to the first shaft pivot member and about which the platform may tilt;
- a pair of opposing grasping mechanical arm members operably connected to the platform where each member is operable to translate inward along a track rod adapted to clamp a receptacle when placed on the platform;
- and
- a pair of flapper members each attached to one of the opposing pair of arm members by a pinion member and laterally rotatable about said pinion member and each flapper having a series of integral suction members adapted to engage a pair of receptacle cover flaps.
A receptacle handling apparatus comprising:
- an elevator platform;
- a first shaft pivot member about which the elevator platform can tilt;
- a second pivot member perpendicular to first pivot member about which the elevator platform can tilt an elevator lift drive;
- a conveyor integral with said platform;
- and
- a pair of mechanical arms adapted to grasp items resting on said platform.
An item handling system, comprising:
- an elevator platform having a main portion and a transition portion pivotally attached thereto for pivoting downward to discharge a receptacle where a substantial portion of the main portion and the transition portion of the platform is an integral conveyor;
- a pair of opposing grasping mechanical arm members operably connected to the elevator platform where each member is operable to translate inward along a track;
- a pair of flapper members each attached to one of the opposing pair of opposing grasping arm members by a pinion member and laterally rotatable about said pinion member and each flapper having a series of integral suction members adapted to engage a receptacle cover flap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.