Packaging system and method utilizing intelligent conveyor systems
AssigneeRockwell Automation Limited
InventorsKeith G. Jacobs, Glen C. Wernersbach, Mark F. Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A packaging system and method for receiving articles from a first location, such as a product delivery system, transporting the articles to a second location for unloading the articles such that they are placed in a desired orientation and number of columns, rows, and stacks.
Claims20
A packaging system for receiving articles at a first location and transporting the articles to a second location, the packaging system comprising:
- a first conveyor assembly having a plurality of individual pallets mounted for movement along the first conveyor assembly;
- an article receiving station for receiving a stream of individual articles and placing one or more articles on the individual pallets of the first conveyor assembly;
- a second conveyor assembly;
- an article unloading station for unloading articles from the individual pallets of the first conveyor assembly and placing the articles on the second conveyor assembly;
- and
- a control system for controlling the motion of the individual pallets traveling along the first conveyor assembly;
- wherein the control system operates such that the article unloading station unloads the one or more articles from each individual pallet onto the secondary conveyor system such that the articles form a stack having a predetermined number of articles in each stack.
A packaging system for receiving articles at a first location and transporting the articles to a second location, the packaging system comprising:
- a first conveyor assembly, wherein the first conveyor assembly is an intelligent conveyor system having a plurality of individual pallets mounted for movement along the first conveyor assembly;
- an article receiving station for receiving a stream of individual articles and placing one or more articles on the individual pallets of the first conveyor assembly;
- at least one article unloading station for unloading articles from the individual pallets;
- and
- a control system for controlling the motion of the individual pallets traveling along the first conveyor assembly;
- wherein the control system operates such that the unloading station unloads one or more articles from each individual pallet at the second location such that the articles form at least one stack having a predetermined number of articles.
A method for receiving articles at a first location and transporting the articles to a second location, the method comprising the steps of:
- using a first conveyor assembly, wherein the first conveyor assembly is an intelligent conveyor system having a plurality of individual pallets mounted for movement along the first conveyor assembly;
- receiving a stream of individual articles and placing one or more articles on the individual pallets of the first conveyor assembly;
- unloading articles from the individual pallets;
- and
- using a control system for controlling the motion of the individual pallets traveling along the first conveyor assembly;
- wherein the control system operates such that one or more articles are unloaded from each individual pallet at the second location such that the articles form at least one stack having a predetermined number of articles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.