Keywords
Citation
Rigelsford, J. (2002), "Feeding system", Assembly Automation, Vol. 22 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2002.03322dad.013
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2002, MCB UP Limited
Feeding system
Feeding system
Keywords: Patents, Feeders, Sorting
Applicant: United Parcel Service of America Inc. (US)Patent number: US6323452Publication date: 27 November 2001Title: Feeding system and method for placing a plurality of objects on a tray of an automated sorting system
A feeding system and method are described that increase the capacity of automated sorting systems without increasing the size or speed of the system. The patent relates to a feeding system for placing a plurality of objects on a single tray bound for the same geographic destination.
The feeding system places a plurality of objects within a single designated destination area of a sorting system to increase the throughout rate of the system. The sorting system comprises a plurality of movable carriages which are controlled by a programmable controller. Each carriage carries a tilt tray and moves between the loading and unloading stations of the sorting system. The geographic destination and dimensions of each of the objects to be placed on a tray is determined by an optical scanner and a measuring device. The controller uses the dimensional information to determine whether more than one object having the same geographic destination may be placed on the same tray. The invention is adaptable for use with other types of sorting systems.