Transporting and packaging device and method of use
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsDavid J. Coffelt, Barton Varney
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method designed to transport and package sequenced product. The system includes a first transport system for receiving and transporting, in a closed position, holders each of which contain product. A second transport system transports, in the closed position, the holders until each of the holders are aligned within a respective release position, at which operational stage the second transport system is capable of opening the holders to discharge the product in a sequenced order. A packager receives the discharged product and packages the product in the sequenced order.
Claims24
A system for transporting and packaging sequenced product, comprising:
- a first transport system for receiving and transporting, in a closed position, holders each of which contain product therein;
- a second transport system for transporting, in the closed position, the holders until each of the holders are aligned within a respective release position, at which operational stage the second transport system is capable of opening the holders to discharge the product in a sequenced order;
- a packager which receives the discharged product and packages the product in the sequenced order;
- and
- a squeeze belt positioned between the first transport system and the second transport system, wherein the squeeze belt maintains the holders in the closed position during transportation from the first transport system to the second transport system.
A system for transporting and packaging sequenced product, comprising:
- a first transport system for receiving and transporting, in a closed position, holders each of which contain product therein;
- a second transport system for transporting, in the closed position, the holders until each of the holders are aligned within a respective release position, at which operational stage the second transport system is capable of opening the holders to discharge the product in a sequenced order;
- and
- a packager which receives the discharged product and packages the product in the sequenced order,
- wherein the first transport system and the second transport system include a gripping mechanism for holding the holders in a closed position.
A system for transporting and packaging sequenced product, comprising:
- a first transport system for receiving and transporting, in a closed position, holders each of which contain product therein;
- a second transport system for transporting, in the closed position, the holders until each of the holders are aligned within a respective release position, at which operational stage the second transport system is capable of opening the holders to discharge the product in a sequenced order;
- a packager which receives the discharged product and packages the product in the sequenced order;
- and
- a takeaway conveyor downstream of the plurality of discharge chutes, wherein the takeaway conveyor is a squeeze belt which maintains the holders in a closed position.
A system for transporting and packaging sequenced product, comprising:
- a first transport system for receiving and transporting, in a closed position, holders each of which contain product therein;
- a second transport system for transporting, in the closed position, the holders until each of the holders are aligned within a respective release position, at which operational stage the second transport system is capable of opening the holders to discharge the product in a sequenced order;
- and
- a packager which receives the discharged product and packages the product in the sequenced order, wherein the holders comprise;
- a first half and a second half biased away from the first half via a spring mechanism;
- and
- an engaging mechanism which engages with a gripping mechanism of the first transport system and the second transport system.
A system for transporting and packaging sequenced product, comprising:
- a transport system comprising a gripping mechanism controllable to:
- hold holders in a closed position until each of the holders are aligned within a respective release position;
- open the holders when aligned with the respective release position in order to discharge product contained therein in a sequenced order;
- and
- release the holders from the transport system at an operational stage after the discharge of the product;
- and
- at least one packager receiving the discharged product and packaging the product in the sequenced order.
A method of transporting product to a packager, comprising the steps of:
- transporting product for each delivery point in a respective closed holder from a conveying system to a respective release position associated with a packager while gripping the holder in a closed position;
- discharging, in sequence of walk order delivery, the product for each delivery point from the respective holder;
- transporting the product for each delivery point in the sequence of walk order delivery for a segment of a route to a respective packager;
- packaging the product for each delivery point into one package and in the sequence of walk order delivery;
- and
- discharging the packaged product for each delivery point in the sequence of walk order delivery for at least a portion of a delivery route.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.