Transporting and packaging device and method of use

• US 8,278,581 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2008
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Coffelt, David J., Varney, Barton
• Primary Examiner(s): Matthews, Terrell
• Application Number:
  US12/269,269
• Publication Number:
  US 20090277756A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,420 Days
• Field of Search: 209/547, 209/584, 198/350, 198/370.03, 198/370.05, 198/408, 198/704, 414/285, 414/790.09, 248/441.1
• US Class Current: 209/584
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 3/00 Sorting according to destination collating the pages of a book B42C1/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 209/90 Sorting flat-type mail

Abstract

A system and method designed to transport and package sequenced product. The system includes a first transport system for receiving and transporting, in a closed position, holders each of which contain product. A second transport system transports, in the closed position, the holders until each of the holders are aligned within a respective release position, at which operational stage the second transport system is capable of opening the holders to discharge the product in a sequenced order. A packager receives the discharged product and packages the product in the sequenced order.

Claims

1. A holder for use in a transporting device, comprising a first section hinged mounted to a second section, and a spring located between the first section and the second section biasing the first section away from the second section such that, in a first state, the first section is remotely positioned from the second section.

2. The holder of claim 1, wherein the spring is a coil spring or leaf spring provided between the first section and the second section.

3. The holder of claim 1, further comprising an engaging mechanism provided on outer surfaces of each of the first section and the second section.

4. The holder of claim 3, wherein the engaging mechanism is one of a detent, groove, and bracket having an upper member extending outward from the outer surfaces.

5. The holder of claim 1, wherein, in a second state, the first section and the second section engage with one another forming receptacle therein for holding product.

17. The holder of claim 3, further comprising a gripping mechanism that engages with the engaging mechanism, and a cam mechanism structured to control a force applied by the gripping mechanism to the first section and the second section for opening and closing the first section and the second section.

6. A holder, comprising:

a first section;

a second section connected to the first section by a hinge;

a spring provided between the first section and the second section which is structured to bias the first section away from the second section; and

an engaging mechanism provided on outer surfaces of each of the sections.

7. The holder of claim 6, wherein the spring is one of a coil and leaf spring.

16. The holder of claim 6, further comprising a gripping mechanism that engages with the engaging mechanism, and a cam mechanism structured to control a force applied by the gripping mechanism to the first section and the second section for opening and closing the first section and the second section.

8. A holder, comprising:

a first section;

a second section connected to the first section by a hinge;

a spring provided between the first section and the second section;

an engaging mechanism provided on outer surfaces of each of the sections; and

a gripping mechanism that engages with the engaging mechanism, wherein

the spring is one of a coil and leaf spring, and

the engaging mechanism is one of a boss, platform, C-shaped bracket, detent and groove.

9. The holder of claim 8, wherein the spring has a spring force which is configured to bias the first section away from the second section.

15. The holder of claim 8, further comprising a cam mechanism structured to control a force applied by the gripping mechanism to the first section and the second section for opening and closing the first section and the second section.

10. A holder, comprising:

a first half hinge mounted to a second half, the first half and the second half forming an enclosure when in a closed position;

a spring positioned between the first half and the second half which has a spring force configured to bias the first half away from the second half thereby forming an opening between the first half and the second half; and

an engaging mechanism provided on outer surfaces of the first half and the second half, wherein the engaging mechanism is a boss, platform, C-shaped bracket, detent or groove.

11. The holder of claim 10, wherein the spring is a leaf spring or a coil spring.

12. The holder of claim 10, further comprising a gripping mechanism that engages with the engaging mechanism.

13. The holder of claim 12, wherein the gripping mechanism has a force greater than the spring force to maintain the first half and the second half in the closed position.

14. The holder of claim 12, further comprising a cam mechanism structured to control the force applied by the gripping mechanism to the first half and the second half for opening and closing the first half and the second half.