SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LOADING ITEMS INTO A TRAY
First Claim
1. A system for loading items into a tray, the system comprising:
- an item conveyor extending in a first direction toward a first end and configured to move a plurality of items along the item conveyor in the first direction toward the first end and to inject into a tray one or more of the plurality of items from the first end of the item conveyor;
a tray conveyor extending generally downward in a second direction that intersects the first direction near the first end of the item conveyor, the tray conveyor configured to move a tray downward on the tray conveyor in the second direction, wherein the tray is configured to receive one or more of the plurality of items injected from the item conveyor;
a sensor configured to detect a height of at least one of the plurality of items; and
a controller communicatingly coupled with the item conveyor, the tray conveyor and the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to control movement of the item and the tray conveyors based on the height of at least one of the plurality of items detected by the sensor.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Features for systems and methods for loading items into a tray are disclosed. The system may have an item conveyor configured to move the items towards a tray conveyor. The tray conveyor may be configured to move trays to receive items from the item conveyor into the tray. One or more sensors may detect the height of the items on the item conveyor and/or in the tray, and/or the position of the trays on the tray conveyor. A controller may receive data related to the one or more detected heights of the items and/or the position of the trays on the tray conveyor and correspondingly control movement of the item and/or tray conveyors for efficient loading of items into the tray and efficient movement of the trays for further processing. Tray conveyor movement sensors may detect movement of the trays or tray conveyors for further control or reliability of the system.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A system for loading items into a tray, the system comprising:
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an item conveyor extending in a first direction toward a first end and configured to move a plurality of items along the item conveyor in the first direction toward the first end and to inject into a tray one or more of the plurality of items from the first end of the item conveyor; a tray conveyor extending generally downward in a second direction that intersects the first direction near the first end of the item conveyor, the tray conveyor configured to move a tray downward on the tray conveyor in the second direction, wherein the tray is configured to receive one or more of the plurality of items injected from the item conveyor; a sensor configured to detect a height of at least one of the plurality of items; and a controller communicatingly coupled with the item conveyor, the tray conveyor and the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to control movement of the item and the tray conveyors based on the height of at least one of the plurality of items detected by the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of receiving items in a tray, the method comprising:
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moving a plurality of items in a first direction on an item conveyor toward a first end of the item conveyor; injecting one or more of the plurality of items from the item conveyor into a tray on a tray conveyor; detecting a height of at least one of the plurality of items; and moving, based on the detected height of at least one of the plurality of items, the tray downward on the tray conveyor in a second direction that intersects the first direction near the first end of the item conveyor. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A system for loading items into a tray, the system comprising:
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means for moving a plurality of items in a first direction toward a first end of the means for moving the plurality of items; means for moving a tray downward in a second direction that intersects the first direction near the first end of the means for moving the plurality of items; means for injecting one or more of the plurality of items from the means for moving the plurality of items into the tray on the means for moving the tray; and means for detecting a height of at least one of the plurality of items, wherein moving the items, moving the tray and injecting the items are based on the detected height of at least one of the items.
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Specification