Void-fill bag filling system and method
First Claim
1. 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.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A system which secures package contents comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for securing package contents, the method comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A system for securing package contents, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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Specification