Packaging system and method with controlled dunnage dispensing

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020198822-A1
Application number	US-201816061175-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 11, 2018
Priority date	May 30, 2008
Publication date	Jun 25, 2020
Grant date	—

Abstract

A packaging method includes the steps of (a) detecting whether a height (104) of contents (105) in a container (106) exceeds a predetermined height (112), and (b) indicating how much dunnage to dispense based on predetermined criteria, including whether a detected height exceeds a predetermined height that is less than a height of the container. The indicating step includes indicating a quantity of dunnage to dispense selected from a plurality of predetermined quantities of dunnage. If no detected height is greater than the predetermined height, the indicating step includes indicating that a regular amount of dunnage should be dispensed. And if a detected height is greater than the predetermined height, the indicating step includes indicating that either zero or less than the regular amount of dunnage should be dispensed. The detecting step also can include detecting whether any contents in the container have a height above the height of the container.

First claim

1 - 12 . (canceled)

13 . A packaging method, comprising the steps of:
(a) detecting a height of contents in a container, and (b) indicating how much dunnage to dispense based on predetermined criteria, including comparing a detected height and a predetermined height that is less than a height of the container.

14 . A method as set forth in claim 13 , wherein the detecting step includes detecting whether any contents in the container have a height above the predetermined height.

15 . A method as set forth in claim 13 , wherein the indicating step includes indicating a quantity of dunnage to dispense selected from a plurality of predetermined quantities of dunnage.

16 . A method as set forth in claim 15 , wherein the indicating step includes indicating a quantity of dunnage to dispense selected from zero dunnage, a minimal amount of dunnage, and a regular amount of dunnage greater than the minimal amount of dunnage.

17 . A method as set forth in claim 16 , wherein the indicating step includes determining a quantity of dunnage to dispense, where
(a) if no detected height is greater than the predetermined height, determining that the regular amount of dunnage should be dispensed; or (b) if a detected height is greater than the predetermined height, determining whether zero dunnage or a minimal amount of dunnage should be dispensed based on an additional predetermined criteria.

18 . A method as set forth in claim 17 , wherein when a detected height is greater than the predetermined height, the determining step includes determining whether the detected height over a predetermined percentage of a cross-sectional area of the container exceeds the predetermined height, whereby
(a) if the detected height exceeds the predetermined height more than the predetermined percentage, determining that no dunnage should be dispensed, and (b) if the detected height exceeds the predetermined height less than the predetermined percentage, determining that the minimal amount of dunnage should be dispensed.

19 . A method as set forth in claim 13 , wherein the indicating step includes signaling when the detected height is greater than a height of the container.

20 . A method as set forth in claim 13 , comprising the steps of identifying a container and determining a quantity of dunnage to dispense based on the identified container.

21 . A method as set forth in claim 13 , comprising the step of conveying containers past a sensor that detects the height.

22 . A method as set forth in claim 21 , wherein the conveying step includes conveying containers from a sensor to a dunnage dispenser.

23 . A method as set forth in claim 13 , comprising the step of controlling a dunnage dispenser to dispense the indicated amount of dunnage to the container when the detected height is less than the height of the container.

24 . A method as set forth in claim 23 , wherein the controlling step includes controlling a dunnage converter to convert a stock material into a dunnage object.

25 . A method as set forth in claim 24 , wherein the converting step includes converting a sheet of paper to a relatively thicker and less dense dunnage object.

26 - 32 . (canceled)

33 . A packaging method comprising the steps of:
(a) detecting whether contents in a container have a height above a predetermined height; and (b) indicating a quantity of dunnage to dispense based on whether the detecting step detected contents of the container above the predetermined height,. wherein the detecting step includes (i) detecting whether the contents have a height above a height of the container; and (ii) detecting whether the contents have a height above a predetermined height that is less than the height of the container.

34 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Ranpak Corp

Inventors

• Carlson Daniel L
• Deimling Paul F
• Park Kevin W
• Gabrielsen Derek M

Classifications

• B65B55/20 Primary

  Embedding contents in shock-absorbing media, e.g. plastic foam, granular material · CPC title

• B65B61/20

  for adding cards, coupons or other inserts to package contents (adding unpacking elements B65B61/18) · CPC title

• B65B57/12

  and operating to control, or stop, the feed of wrapping materials, containers, or packages · CPC title