Void-fill bag filling system and method
AssigneeRoskam Automatic Machinery, Inc.
InventorMervin W. Roskam
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for securing package contents is provided. One embodiment which secures package contents comprises a supply conveyor configured to transport at least one package having at least one deflated void-fill bag, the void-fill bag having a collar protruding through the package, an inflate nozzle configured to sealably couple with the collar such that the void-fill bag may be filled to secure contents of the package, a vision system configured to detect a target associated with the collar of the void-fill bag, and a servo-drive system configured to control a position of the inflate nozzle based upon the detected target such that the position of the inflate nozzle is adjusted to sealably couple the inflate nozzle with the collar.
Claims29
A system which secures package contents comprising:
- a supply conveyor configured to transport at least one package having at least one deflated void-fill bag, the void-fill bag having a collar protruding through the package;
- an inflate nozzle configured to sealably couple with the collar such that the void-fill bag may be filled to secure contents of the package;
- a vision system configured to detect a target associated with the collar of the void-fill bag;
- and
- a servo-drive system configured to control a position of the inflate nozzle based upon the detected target such that the position of the inflate nozzle is adjusted to sealably couple the inflate nozzle with the collar.
A method for securing package contents, the method comprising:
- visually detecting position of a target, the target corresponding to a collar of a void-fill bag residing in a package;
- determining a location of the collar based upon the detected position of the target;
- aligning an inflate nozzle with the collar;
- sealably coupling the inflate nozzle to the collar;
- and
- filling the void-fill bag with a gas communicated from the inflate nozzle through the collar.
A system for securing package contents, comprising:
- means for visually detecting a position of a target, the target corresponding to a collar of a void-fill bag residing in a package;
- means for determining the location of the collar based upon the detected position of the target;
- means for aligning an inflate nozzle with the collar;
- means for extending the inflate nozzle so that the inflate nozzle comes into contact with the collar to sealably couple the inflate nozzle to the collar;
- and
- means for filling the void-fill bag with a gas communicated from the inflate nozzle through the collar.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.