Systems and methods for forming cavity to retain item(s) during packaging

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12428183-B1
Application number	US-202318127412-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Mar 28, 2023
Priority date	Mar 28, 2023
Publication date	Sep 30, 2025
Grant date	Sep 30, 2025

Abstract

A method includes causing, via a cutting mechanism, creases to be formed within a packaging material, causing one or more items to be deposited on the packaging material, causing, via a folding mechanism, at least a first side and a second side of the packaging material to be folded to at least partially form a cavity in which the one or more items reside, causing, via a conveyance mechanism, at least a first end and a second end of the packaging material to be folded to at least partially form the cavity, causing the first side and the second side to be sealed, causing, via the conveyance mechanism, the packaging material to be conveyed to a sealing mechanism, and causing, via the sealing mechanism, the first end and the second end to be sealed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method, comprising:
causing a plurality of first creases to be formed within a packaging material;
causing a plurality of second creases to be formed within the packaging material;
causing one or more items to be deposited on the packaging material;
causing at least a first side, a second side, a first end, and a second end of the packaging material to be folded to form a cavity in which the one or more items reside, wherein a first pin extends and engages with the first end to fold the first end of the packaging material, and a second pin extends and engages with the second end to fold the second end of the packaging material;
causing the first side and the second side to be folded to form a tube-like structure around the one or more items;
causing the first side and the second side to be sealed to one another;
causing the first end and the second end to remain folded as the packaging material is conveyed to a sealing mechanism in a direction of travel; and
causing the sealing mechanism to enclose the cavity along the first end and the second end.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more items are deposited onto the packaging material from a tote, further comprising causing the tote to be transitioned in a direction away from the packaging material at least partially contemporaneously with causing the packaging material to be folded to form the cavity.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein when the one or more items are deposited onto the packaging material from the tote, the one or more items are in contact with a portion of the tote to constrain the one or more items on the packaging material.

4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
causing a plurality of third creases to be formed within the packaging material; and
causing a plurality of fourth creases to be formed within the packaging material,
wherein:
individual first creases of the plurality of first creases are a same as one another,
individual second creases of the plurality of second creases are a same as one another,
individual third creases of the plurality of third creases are a same as one another, and
individual fourth creases of the plurality of fourth creases are a same as one another.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein:
the individual first creases extend between the first end and the second end;
at least two of the individual second creases are disposed proximate to the first end;
at least two of the individual second creases are disposed proximate to the second end;
at least two of the individual third creases are disposed proximate to the first end;
at least two of the individual third creases are disposed proximate to the second end;
at least two of the individual fourth creases are disposed proximate to the first end; and
at least two of the individual fourth creases are disposed proximate to the second end.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein:
the individual third creases include:
a first segment arranged parallel to the direction of travel, and
a second segment extending from the first segment, transverse to the direction of travel; and

the individual fourth creases include:
a third segment arranged parallel to the direction of travel, the third segment being longer in length than the first segment, and
a fourth segment extending from the third segment, transverse to the direction of travel.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein:
the at least two of the individual third creases disposed proximate to the first end intersect the individual second creases disposed proximate to the first end;
the at least two of the individual third creases disposed proximate to the second end intersect the individual second creases disposed proximate to the second end;
the at least two of the individual fourth creases disposed proximate to the first end intersect the individual second creases disposed proximate to the first end; and
the at least two of the individual fourth creases disposed proximate to the second end intersect the individual second creases disposed proximate to the second end.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the first pin engages with the first end to keep the first end folded as the packaging material is conveyed to the sealing mechanism; and
the second pin engages with the second end to keep the second end folded as the packaging material is conveyed to the sealing mechanism.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining one or more dimensions of the one or more items, wherein a location of the plurality of first creases and the plurality of second creases formed on the packaging material are based at least in part on the one or more dimensions.

10. A system, comprising:
one or more processors; and
one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
causing, via a cutting mechanism, creases to be formed within a packaging material,
causing one or more items to be deposited on the packaging material,
causing, via a folding mechanism, at least a first side and a second side of the packaging material to be folded to at least partially form a bowl-like structure in which the one or more items are retained,
causing, via a conveyance mechanism, at least a first end and a second end of the packaging material to be folded to at least partially form the bowl-like structure, wherein a first pin of the conveyance mechanism extends and engages with the first end to fold the first end, and a second pin of the conveyance mechanism extends and engages with the second end to fold the second end,
causing the first side and the second side to be sealed,
causing, via the conveyance mechanism, the packaging material to be conveyed to a sealing mechanism, and
causing, via the sealing mechanism, the first end and the second end to be sealed.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein:
as the conveyance mechanism conveys the packaging material to the sealing mechanism, the first pin remains engaged with the first end to prevent the first end from unfolding, and the second pin remains engaged with the second end to prevent the second end from unfolding.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the sealing mechanism includes fingers, the operations further comprising:
causing the fingers to engage with the packaging material, the fingers preventing the first end and the second end from unfolding; and
causing the first pin and the second pin to retract.

13. The system of claim 10 , wherein:
the creases include first creases and second creases;
the first creases include:
a first segment, and
a second segment that extends transverse to the first segment; and

the second creases include:
a third segment, and
a fourth segment that extends transverse to the third segment.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein:
the creases include third creases and fourth creases;
the third creases that extend parallel to the first segment and the third segment;
the fourth creases include:
a fifth segment,
a sixth segment that extends transverse to the fifth segment, and
a seventh segment that extends transverse to the fifth segment;

the second segment intersects the seventh segment; and
the fourth segment intersects the seventh segment.

15. The system of claim 10 , wherein the one or more items are deposited onto the packaging material from a tote, the operations further comprising causing the tote to be transitioned in a direction away from the packaging material at least partially conte

Assignees

• Amazon Tech Inc

Inventors

• Ochs Garett
• Thomas Terin

Classifications

• B65B2220/14

  Adding more than one type of material or article to the same package · CPC title

• B65B59/02

  Arrangements to enable adjustments to be made while the machine is running · CPC title

• B65B59/001

  Arrangements to enable adjustments related to the product to be packaged · CPC title

• B65B11/52

  one sheet being rendered plastic, e.g. by heating, and forced by fluid pressure, e.g. vacuum, into engagement with the other sheet and contents, e.g. skin- {, blister-, or bubble-} packaging · CPC title

• B65B11/004

  in blanks, e.g. sheets precut and creased for folding · CPC title