The disclosure provides an automated process, apparatus and system for decanting containers. The automated decanting process can include receiving containers, cutting the containers, such as along a cut line that is proximate the top of the container, flipping the containers once cut, and separating products from the containers by moving the containers. Moving the containers for the separation or removal of the products from the containers can be a lifting motion, a sliding/pushing motion, or a combination thereof. In one example, a method of automatically decanting products includes: (1) cutting a container along a cut line proximate a top of the container, wherein the container includes product, (2) rotating the container, and (3) separating the product from the container by moving the container.
The disclosure provides an automated process, apparatus and system for decanting containers wherein the form of the container is altered during the decanting process. The decanting includes altering the form of the containers for the separation or removal of the product from the containers. The altering can include a pushing motion, a pulling motion, or both on one or more sides of the containers. In one example, a method of automatically decanting products from containers includes: (1) opening a portion of a container, (2) lifting and rotating the container using a robotic depositing device, and (3) separating product from the container after the lifting and rotating by altering a form of the container using the robotic depositing device.
The disclosure provides improved X-bars and end frames that can prevent or at least reduce sagging in conveyors, such as flexible conveyors. The improved X-bars and end frames are referred to as riveted X-bars and leg plates, respectively. An expandable conveyor system, an expandable conveyor segment, and a riveted assembly are disclosed. Expandable conveyor segments can be coupled together via a riveted assembly to form an expandable conveyor system. In one example, the riveted assembly includes; (1) a leg plate and (2) two riveted x-bars connected to the leg plate via at least one slot insert.
B65G 21/14 - Châssis ou carters de support ou de protection pour transporteurs sans fin ou éléments de traction des transporteurs à courroies ou à chaînes mobiles ou à pièces interchangeables ou relativement mobilesDispositifs pour déplacer le châssis ou des parties de celui-ci pour permettre le réglage de la longueur ou du profil des porte-charges ou de l'élément de traction
4.
APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING CONTAINERS
Systems for processing products along a single flow path is provided. The systems can be in a linear arrangement that requires less space compared to other systems with multiple conveyors positioned at an angle, such as perpendicular, from a main conveyor. Processing of the products includes sorting containers including the products, such as from a shipment or delivery, and packing products into containers, such as for a delivery. In one example, a system includes: (1) a conveyor that transports containers, (2) at least one ID sensor that obtains sensed data as the conveyor transports the containers, (3) one or more visual displays for providing visual data, and (4) one or more processors to perform operations including determining container data based at least on the sensed data and displaying the container data on the one or more visual displays.
A virtual quality control system and a method for virtual quality control of an automated medication fulfillment process are disclosed herein. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a virtual quality control system. In one embodiment, the virtual quality control system includes: (1) a verification controller configured to receive visual verification data and identification data of a verification event and generate comparison data from the identification data, and (2) a verification station configured to send a verification status to the verification controller based on the comparison data, the visual verification data, and input from a verifier.
G16H 20/13 - TIC spécialement adaptées aux thérapies ou aux plans d’amélioration de la santé, p. ex. pour manier les prescriptions, orienter la thérapie ou surveiller l’observance par les patients concernant des médicaments ou des médications, p. ex. pour s’assurer de l’administration correcte aux patients delivrés par des distributeurs
G06Q 30/06 - Transactions d’achat, de vente ou de crédit-bail
The disclosure provides an automated container resizing apparatus and system, an automated method of resizing a container, and a cutting tool that can be used for the resizing. In one example, the system includes the cutting tool, a controller, a conveyor, and a moveable support that can be a robotic arm. The controller can operate the conveyor to position a container in a cutting zone. The dimensions of the box and product fill height within the container are obtained and translated by the controller into a programmed cutting pattern. The controller then operates the robotic arm to perform the programmed cutting pattern on the box with the cutting tool. The cutting tool can be mounted on the robotic arm that rotates about its axis to cut side walls of the container for resizing.
B65B 61/00 - Dispositifs accessoires, non prévus ailleurs, opérant sur feuilles, flans, bandes, attaches, réceptacles ou paquets
B65B 61/24 - Dispositifs accessoires, non prévus ailleurs, opérant sur feuilles, flans, bandes, attaches, réceptacles ou paquets pour façonner ou refaçonner les paquets achevés
B65B 57/00 - Dispositifs de commande automatique, de vérification, d'alarme ou de sécurité
machine which provides automated system with integrated screens to inform users the identity of the item and how to handle the item moving through the automated system
9.
Secure portable pill canister for order fulfillment
One aspect of this disclosure provides a medication fulfillment system, comprising a medication fulfillment canister, a medication filling station, and a fulfillment station. In one embodiment, the medication filling station comprises a disassembly rack configured to hold the canister in an inverted position and hold an upper dispensing compartment in an inverted position to receive a given medication therein; and an air injection system including an air manifold having a gas supply end and outlet end, and a biased push plate, the outlet end connectable to a lock of the canister. The fulfillment station, comprises a vibrator station configured to receive the canister therein; one or more optical scanners coupled to a controller for reading identification data located on the canister to identify a medication located therewithin; and an air push device for unlocking the lock and allow the tray lid to be placed in an open position.
A61J 7/00 - Dispositifs pour administrer les médicaments par voie buccale, p. ex. cuillèresDispositifs pour compter les pilulesDispositions pour l'indication ou le rappel du moment où l'on doit prendre des médicaments
A61J 1/03 - Récipients spécialement adaptés à des fins médicales ou pharmaceutiques pour pilules ou comprimés
B65D 83/04 - Réceptacles ou paquets comportant des moyens particuliers pour distribuer leur contenu pour distribuer de petits objets en forme d'anneau, de disque, de sphère ou similaire, p. ex. des comprimés ou des pilules
Disclosed herein are aspects of conveyor systems and product mover systems. In one embodiment, an expandable conveyor segment, comprises an end frame; a plurality of x-bars coupled with each side of the end frame, each x-bar including: an outer bar having a first, second, and third joint point; and an inner bar having a first, second, and third joint point; wherein the inner bar is movably coupled to the outer bar by a double-shouldered spacer; and wherein each x-bar is movably coupled with at least one adjacent x-bar; and a plurality of rollers coupled between the plurality of expandable x-bars.
B65G 21/14 - Châssis ou carters de support ou de protection pour transporteurs sans fin ou éléments de traction des transporteurs à courroies ou à chaînes mobiles ou à pièces interchangeables ou relativement mobilesDispositifs pour déplacer le châssis ou des parties de celui-ci pour permettre le réglage de la longueur ou du profil des porte-charges ou de l'élément de traction
B65G 23/44 - Dispositifs de tension des courroies ou des chaînes
B65G 39/12 - Aménagements des rouleaux montés sur châssis
B65G 43/08 - Dispositifs de commande actionnés par l'alimentation, le déplacement ou le déchargement des objets ou matériaux
09 - Appareils et instruments scientifiques et électriques
Produits et services
Electric and electronic automatic control apparatus, namely, electric control panels and control cabinets specially adapted for material handling computer hardware systems for post, parcels, warehouse automation and baggage; electronic sensing and electronic measurement apparatus to determine the weight, size, and dimension of post and parcels for use in warehouse automation; instruments to determine identification comprised of barcode scanners, RFID label readers, and cameras; electronic signal processing apparatus, namely, signal conditioning and communication devices for industrial process control; computers and downloadable computer programs for use in warehouse automation, parcel and postal handling and baggage handling; multifunction electronic devices for use in printing and dispensing documents into order containers; manual and automatic computer workstations comprising computer hardware for use in warehouse and retail automation
Machines, namely, conveyor systems comprised of roller conveyors, conveyor lines, and conveyor rollers and belts; machines, namely, sorting machines comprised of equipment for sorting of parcels and cases; pusher sorters and pop-up sorters, namely, machines for sorting post and parcels; machines, namely, order selection machines for handling and retrieval of pallets and inventory comprised of automated order picking systems, multi-order picking systems, order fulfillment systems, zone picking systems, batch picking systems, automated case picking systems, automated item picking systems, automated tote picking systems and integrated order picking and order fulfillment systems; integrated material handling systems, namely, material handling machines for parcels in the nature of palletizers, case elevators, and automatic pallet dispensing machines for use in warehouse and retail automation; pallet handling equipment, namely, palletizers and de-palletizers; automatic industrial labeling machines for applying labels to products; bottling machines; box cutting machines
Enclosed herein are embodiments of a product transfer module and product transfer systems. In one embodiment, a product transfer module comprises a first shuttle, the first shuttle including a plurality of rollers, wherein the plurality of rollers are connected by one or more belts and includes a plurality of driven rollers and at least one driving roller; a second shuttle, the second shuttle including a plurality of rows of pulleys and a pulley drive positioned beneath the plurality of pulleys; and a cam system for raising and lowering the first and second shuttles; wherein the first shuttle directs product flow along a first flow path and the second shuttle directs product flow in a second flow direction.
B65G 13/02 - Chemins de roulement comportant des rouleaux entraînés
B65G 15/50 - Porte-charges sans fin consistant en une série de cordes ou de bandes parallèles
B65G 39/00 - Rouleaux, p. ex. rouleaux d'entraînement, ou leurs aménagements incorporés dans des chemins de roulement ou dans d'autres types de transporteurs mécaniques
B65G 47/53 - Dispositifs pour transférer objets ou matériaux entre transporteurs, p. ex. pour décharger ou alimenter entre transporteurs se croisant
B65G 47/54 - Dispositifs pour transférer objets ou matériaux entre transporteurs, p. ex. pour décharger ou alimenter entre transporteurs se croisant l'un au moins étant du type à rouleaux
B65G 47/64 - Changement de voies des transporteurs
Embodiments and features of a product moving system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a collapsible product mover comprises a first portion having proximal and distal end, and a top side and a bottom side; a second portion having a proximal and distal end, and a top side and a bottom side, wherein the proximal end of the second portion coupled with the distal end of the first portion; and a support structure beneath at least the first portion; wherein the first and second portions are configured to move between an open position and a folded position, wherein in the folded position the top side of the first portion faces the top side of the second portion.
B65G 1/133 - Dispositifs d'emmagasinage mécaniques avec supports ou porte-objets mobiles en circuit fermé pour faciliter l'insertion ou l'enlèvement des objets le circuit étant entièrement situé dans un plan horizontal
B65G 67/28 - Lames externes transversales fixées à des transporteurs sans fin
Embodiments and features of a product moving system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a collapsible product mover comprises a first portion having proximal and distal end, and a top side and a bottom side; a second portion having a proximal and distal end, and a top side and a bottom side, wherein the proximal end of the second portion coupled with the distal end of the first portion; and a support structure beneath at least the first portion; wherein the first and second portions are configured to move between an open position and a folded position, wherein in the folded position the top side of the first portion faces the top side of the second portion.
B65G 21/10 - Châssis ou carters de support ou de protection pour transporteurs sans fin ou éléments de traction des transporteurs à courroies ou à chaînes mobiles ou à pièces interchangeables ou relativement mobilesDispositifs pour déplacer le châssis ou des parties de celui-ci
B65G 39/12 - Aménagements des rouleaux montés sur châssis
B65G 41/00 - Châssis ou bases de support pour transporteurs dans leur ensemble, p. ex. châssis transportables
Enclosed herein are embodiments of a product transfer module and product transfer systems. In one embodiment, a product transfer module comprises a first shuttle, the first shuttle including a plurality of rollers, wherein the plurality of rollers are connected by one or more belts and includes a plurality of driven rollers and at least one driving roller; a second shuttle, the second shuttle including a plurality of rows of pulleys and a pulley drive positioned beneath the plurality of pulleys; and a cam system for raising and lowering the first and second shuttles; wherein the first shuttle directs product flow along a first flow path and the second shuttle directs product flow in a second flow direction.
Enclosed herein are embodiments of a product transfer module and product transfer systems. In one embodiment, a product transfer module comprises a first shuttle, the first shuttle including a plurality of rollers, wherein the plurality of rollers are connected by one or more belts and includes a plurality of driven rollers and at least one driving roller; a second shuttle, the second shuttle including a plurality of rows of pulleys and a pulley drive positioned beneath the plurality of pulleys; and a cam system for raising and lowering the first and second shuttles; wherein the first shuttle directs product flow along a first flow path and the second shuttle directs product flow in a second flow direction.
B65G 47/53 - Dispositifs pour transférer objets ou matériaux entre transporteurs, p. ex. pour décharger ou alimenter entre transporteurs se croisant
B65G 13/02 - Chemins de roulement comportant des rouleaux entraînés
B65G 15/50 - Porte-charges sans fin consistant en une série de cordes ou de bandes parallèles
B65G 39/00 - Rouleaux, p. ex. rouleaux d'entraînement, ou leurs aménagements incorporés dans des chemins de roulement ou dans d'autres types de transporteurs mécaniques
B65G 47/54 - Dispositifs pour transférer objets ou matériaux entre transporteurs, p. ex. pour décharger ou alimenter entre transporteurs se croisant l'un au moins étant du type à rouleaux
B65G 47/64 - Changement de voies des transporteurs
Embodiments and features of a product moving system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a collapsible product mover comprises a first portion having proximal and distal end, and a top side and a bottom side; a second portion having a proximal and distal end, and a top side and a bottom side, wherein the proximal end of the second portion coupled with the distal end of the first portion; and a support structure beneath at least the first portion; wherein the first and second portions are configured to move between an open position and a folded position, wherein in the folded position the top side of the first portion faces the top side of the second portion.
B65G 1/133 - Dispositifs d'emmagasinage mécaniques avec supports ou porte-objets mobiles en circuit fermé pour faciliter l'insertion ou l'enlèvement des objets le circuit étant entièrement situé dans un plan horizontal
One aspect of this disclosure provides a medication fulfillment canister. In one embodiment, the canister comprises a bottom section having a tray portion for receiving a medication therein. An upper dispensing compartment is located over a rearward end of the bottom section that is removably attached to the bottom section. A lower edge of the upper dispensing compartment is located above the bottom section to form an opening therebetween to allow a medication to pass therethrough and into the tray portion. A tray lid is removably attached to the canister and configured to cover the tray portion and rotate between an open position and a closed position. A lock is located within a wall of the bottom section that locks the tray lid in the closed position.
A61J 7/00 - Dispositifs pour administrer les médicaments par voie buccale, p. ex. cuillèresDispositifs pour compter les pilulesDispositions pour l'indication ou le rappel du moment où l'on doit prendre des médicaments
A61J 1/03 - Récipients spécialement adaptés à des fins médicales ou pharmaceutiques pour pilules ou comprimés
B65D 83/04 - Réceptacles ou paquets comportant des moyens particuliers pour distribuer leur contenu pour distribuer de petits objets en forme d'anneau, de disque, de sphère ou similaire, p. ex. des comprimés ou des pilules
B65D 55/02 - Dispositifs de blocageMoyens pour empêcher ou indiquer l'ouverture ou l'enlèvement de la fermeture non autorisés
G06F 19/00 - Équipement ou méthodes de traitement de données ou de calcul numérique, spécialement adaptés à des applications spécifiques (spécialement adaptés à des fonctions spécifiques G06F 17/00;systèmes ou méthodes de traitement de données spécialement adaptés à des fins administratives, commerciales, financières, de gestion, de surveillance ou de prévision G06Q;informatique médicale G16H)
This disclosure describes various aspect of a unique standalone document handler that is coupable to and controllable by a fulfillment. The standalone documents handler is attachable to a standard printer or copier and has a drop chute that is designed to hold groups of fulfillment documents and drop them into a fulfillment receptacle positioned under the document handler. Upper and lower scanners scan document identification codes placed on one or more pages of the fulfillment document, which allows a system controller to control the timing of dispensing the correct documents in the designated fulfillment receptacle at the correct time.
B65H 37/06 - Appareils délivrant des articles ou des bandes, comportant des dispositifs pour exécuter des opérations auxiliaires particulières pour plier
B65H 29/34 - Délivrance ou progression des articles à la sortie des machinesProgression des articles vers ou dans les piles par chute à partir de supports glissés sous les articles
21.
Secure tote for order fulfillment and method of operation thereof
One aspect of this disclosure provides a tote that has first and second sidewalls that define the tote's length and height and are laterally offset by the tote's width. Third and fourth substantially planar sidewalls are coupled to the first and second sidewalls to form a frame. A plurality of parallel belt guides are located within an interior space of the tote and is coupled to the frame. A belt that has at least half the tote's width is supported by the plurality of the belt guides and defines at least a portion of a ceiling of the tote. The belt is movable about the interior space of the tote, such that the aperture can be positioned within the tote in one of a plurality of positions.
B65G 1/137 - Dispositifs d'emmagasinage mécaniques avec des aménagements ou des moyens de commande automatique pour choisir les objets qui doivent être enlevés
