Materials handling system
First Claim
1. A package arranging system for arranging a plurality of package sets into a predetermined configuration comprising:
- positioning means for, when required, fixedly gripping respective ones of said package sets and subsequently positioning said package sets at respective ones of a plurality of first positions and first orientations on a first transportation means;
said first transportation means for transporting said package sets from said first positions toward corresponding ones of a plurality of second positions along a plurality of first paths; and
restraining means for restraining the transport of said package sets along said first paths so that said package sets accumulate on said first transportation means at said second positions, said package sets thereby being collectively arranged into said predetermined configuration when said package sets are in said second positions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a package arranging system for arranging a plurality of package sets into a predetermined configuration. The package sets occupy respective ones of a plurality of second positions in the predetermined configuration. A positioning means is provided for positioning, when required, the package sets at respective ones of a plurality of first positions on a first transportation means. The first transportation means transports the package sets from the first positions along a plurality of first paths. A restraining means is provided for restraining the transport of the package sets along the first paths so that the package sets accumulate on the first transportation means at the second positions. The package sets are thereby collectively arranged into the predetermined configuration. A method for arranging the package sets and a simulation method for allowing a user to simulate the arranging of the package sets is also provided.
62 Citations
49 Claims
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1. A package arranging system for arranging a plurality of package sets into a predetermined configuration comprising:
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positioning means for, when required, fixedly gripping respective ones of said package sets and subsequently positioning said package sets at respective ones of a plurality of first positions and first orientations on a first transportation means;
said first transportation means for transporting said package sets from said first positions toward corresponding ones of a plurality of second positions along a plurality of first paths; and
restraining means for restraining the transport of said package sets along said first paths so that said package sets accumulate on said first transportation means at said second positions, said package sets thereby being collectively arranged into said predetermined configuration when said package sets are in said second positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A simulation method for allowing a user to simulate the arranging of a plurality of package sets into a predetermined configuration, said method comprising the steps of:
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simulating the positioning of said package sets at respective ones of a plurality of first positions;
simulating the transport of said package sets from said first positions toward corresponding ones of a plurality of second positions along a plurality of first paths; and
simulating the restraint of the transport of said package sets along said first paths so that said package sets accumulate at said second positions, said package sets thereby being collectively arranged into said predetermined configuration when said package sets are in respective ones of a plurality of second positions. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method for arranging a plurality of package sets into a predetermined configuration comprising the steps of:
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when required, fixedly gripping respective ones of said package sets and subsequently positioning said package sets at respective ones of a plurality of first positions and first orientations on a first transportation means;
transporting said package sets by said first transportation means from said first positions toward corresponding ones of a plurality of second positions along a plurality of first paths; and
restraining the transport of said package sets along said first paths so that said package sets accumulate on said first transportation means at said second positions, said package sets thereby being collectively arranged into said predetermined configuration when said package sets are in said second positions. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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Specification