Tray handling system and process
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of sequencing trays, comprising the steps of:
- during at least one preliminary sweep operation;
directing newly ejected trays from queued bin locations to a first merge location;
diverting staged trays previously ejected from the queued bin locations towards the first merge location;
coordinating movements of the newly ejected trays and the staged trays such that the newly ejected trays are merged with the staged trays at the first merge location, into a sequenced set of trays; and
during a final sweep operation;
diverting the sequenced set of trays away from the first merge location and towards a second merge location;
ejecting remaining trays having product therein from working bin locations and the queued bin locationsdiverting the remaining trays towards the second merge location; and
sequencing, in contiguous sequence, the remaining trays and sequenced trays as they pass though the second merge location.
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Abstract
A device and method for sequencing trays includes a tray receiving conveyor and a recirculating conveyor. Trays are placed on the recirculating conveyor and merged with ejected trays into a multiple of sequenced trays at one or more merge locations. The system can include more than one merge location, with one of the merge locations providing a merge of trays into a contiguous sequence of trays.
34 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method of sequencing trays, comprising the steps of:
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during at least one preliminary sweep operation; directing newly ejected trays from queued bin locations to a first merge location; diverting staged trays previously ejected from the queued bin locations towards the first merge location; coordinating movements of the newly ejected trays and the staged trays such that the newly ejected trays are merged with the staged trays at the first merge location, into a sequenced set of trays; and during a final sweep operation; diverting the sequenced set of trays away from the first merge location and towards a second merge location; ejecting remaining trays having product therein from working bin locations and the queued bin locations diverting the remaining trays towards the second merge location; and sequencing, in contiguous sequence, the remaining trays and sequenced trays as they pass though the second merge location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification