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AssigneeUnited States Postal Service
InventorsDonald R. Close, Mark Bankard, William D. Finch, Robert Wesley Cutlip, Robert D. Lundahl, Dwight Koogle
Estimating the term…
A device is disclosed that can automatically remove lids from trays and place lids on trays. Further the device can sense the presence of a lid on a tray and can sense the dimensions of the tray. Based on the sensed dimensions of the tray, the device can select an appropriate sized lid to place on the tray. In one embodiment of the invention, a device holds a lid with a lid manipulator having lid holders. At least one end mechanism is attached to at least one end of the lid manipulator, and the end mechanism folds the lid flaps of an appropriate lid. Guided by the lid manipulator, lids are then positioned on the tray.
A device for automatically removing lids from, and placing lids onto, different sized trays, comprising:
An automatic lidder comprising:
A method of automatically putting lids on different size trays, the method comprises the steps of:
A method of automatically removing lids on different size trays, the method comprises the steps of:
A method for automatically removing a strap from a container having a lid comprising the steps of:
A method of automatically placing an unfolded lid having end flaps and side flaps on a container, comprising the steps of:
A method for automatically removing a lid from a container, comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
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Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce
Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons: by applying…
Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging: removing separate lids
Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages…
Term end not estimated
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to handling, routing and shipping containers. More specifically, the invention relates to systems and methods for automatically placing lids on, and removing lids from, shipping containers.
2. Description of the Related Art
For a more detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is an overview of the Lidder/Un-Lidder;
FIG. 2 is a diagram of the tray transport, tray sizing and lid detection station;
Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
Referring initially to FIG. 1 there is shown an embodiment of the present invention comprising a lidding device 100, or Lidder/Un-Lidder system or Lidder on Un-Lidder. In one embodiment, the Lidder/Un-Lidder has a single module which incorporates all functions in a self-contained system. The single module may contain separate subsystems. Subsystem stations of lidding device 100 include tray transport/tray sizing/lid detection station 200, destrapping station 300, lid station 500, and tray exit/strapper 600. As shown in FIG. 1 the linear arrangement of lidding device 100 allows a workpiece to pass through the device, passing as it does, each of the subsystem stations. In an alternative arrangement the lidding device may be arrange in an L-shaped configuration.
This embodiment of FIG. 1 places input conveyor 105 and exit conveyor 106 in a parallel configuration so that the system is conveniently connected with straight sections of a power roller conveyor 210. This configuration also minimizes the amount of floor space required. Lidder/Un-Lidder 100 can be made to accept different tray sizes that are being transported. Tray transport is accomplished with a power roller, zero pressure accumulation conveyor 210 providing an interface to both upstream and downstream conveyors. Because the Lidder/Un-Lidder never lifts a tray 110, Lidder/Un-Lidder can handle heavy trays, with weights, for example, of 70 lbs. or more.