System and method of automatic feeder stack management
AssigneeUnited States Postal Service
InventorsJohn W. Brown, Edward F. Houston, Juan A. Roman, Leung M. Shiu, Riley H. Mayhall, William P. McConnell, Matthew G. Good, Robert E. Hume, Thomas A. Hillerich, JR., Long K. Ha
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments of a system and method for singulating articles in an automatic stack feeder are disclosed. The automatic stack feeder may comprise a pressure sensor on a perforated drive belt assembly configured to sense the pressure exerted by a stack of articles. The sensed pressure may be used to control various portions of the automatic stack feeder, such as a belt or a paddle.
Claims22
A system for managing articles in an automatic stack feeder comprising:
- a frame configured to support a stack of articles;
- a perforated drive belt assembly comprising:
- a drive belt having an opening therein;
- a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the perforated drive belt assembly is pivotably attached to the frame and the second end of the perforated drive belt assembly is pivotable about an axis of rotation defined by the attachment of the first end of the perforated drive belt assembly, and wherein the drive belt extends rotationally about the first and second ends;
- a conveyor connected to the frame and configured to move the stack of articles with respect to the drive belt;
- a sensor in proximity to the perforated drive belt assembly, the sensor configured to detect a force exerted on a portion of the perforated drive belt assembly by the stack of articles;
- and
- a controller configured to receive an input from the sensor and to control the conveyor based on the received input.
The system of 9, wherein the controller is configured to receive an input from the photoelectric sensor.
A method of automatic feeder stack management comprising:
- receiving one or more articles onto a conveyor;
- operating a drive belt assembly comprising a drive belt having an opening therein, wherein an end of the drive belt assembly is pivotably attached to a frame, and a free end of the drive belt assembly is rotatable about an axis of rotation defined by the attached end;
- sensing a force exerted on the drive belt assembly by the one or more articles;
- and
- controlling the position of the conveyor based on the sensed force, thereby controlling the position of the stack of articles.
A system for singulating articles comprising:
- a frame configured to support a stack of articles;
- a perforated drive belt assembly;
- means for sensing a pressure exerted on a portion of the perforated drive belt assembly by the stack of articles;
- means for conveying the stack of articles toward or away from the perforated drive belt assembly;
- and
- means for controlling the means for conveying the stack of articles based on input received from the means for sensing a pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.