System for monitoring flexible container usage

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for packaging items within a container. The container is supported adjacent an indicator which determines the addition of an individual item into the container. The number of items added to a container is accumulated and the accumulated data for each container during a given cycle is stored. The stored data is then communicated to a processing unit for analyzing and use as a management tool within the packaging operation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Without restricting the full scope of the present invention, various preferred forms of the invention are illustrated in the following drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a combination of a rack for supporting a plurality of plastic bags adjacent to a scale for operation in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the combination of a rack and scale as contemplated by the present invention.

FIG. 3 further shows a rack with associated data accumulating devices positioned thereon.

FIG. 4 shows a container support platform and scale portion of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of a rack and scale portion.

FIG. 6 is a front isometric view of a rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a back elevational view of a rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a right side elevational view of a rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a left side elevational view of a rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of a rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a front isometric view of a rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of a rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a back elevational view of a rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a right side elevational view of a rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a left side elevational view of a rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of a rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view of a rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of a control circuit for the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of a power supply portion of a control circuit for use with the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of an input portion of a control circuit for the use with present invention.

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of a microprocessor and memory portion of a control circuit for use with the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of a buffer and speaker portion of a control circuit for the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram of a display portion of a control circuit for use with the present invention.

FIGS. 26A-26B are a flowchart showing a set of operational steps.

FIGS. 27A-27D are a flowchart showing another set of operational steps.

FIG. 28 is a schematic view of a processing unit in communication with multiple rack, scale, and accumulator assemblies according to the present invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use while packaging items within a container, the apparatus comprising: means for substantially continuously determining a weight of the container and its contents;means for detecting the addition of an item into the container based on changes to the weight; andmeans for accumulating the number of items added to the container in a given cycle.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for indicating to a user when at least one predetermined condition selected from the following group of conditions has been met: the weight of the container and its contents exceeds a predetermined maximum weight, orthe number of items within the container exceeds a preselected number of items.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for actuating a first visual output device, upon an item being placed within the container, and for actuating a second visual output device, upon the predetermined condition being reached.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for storing a plurality of containers adjacent to the weight determining means.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the containers are t-shirts bags, and the container storing means comprises a pair of arms structured to be received within a pair of apertures defined within an upper portion of the bags, the pair of arms extending over the weight determining means, to support at least one bag in a position for packaging items therein.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each arm comprises: a substantially horizontal storage portion disposed adjacent to the at least one vertical member,a substantially horizontal loading portion disposed at a free end portion of the arm, and atransfer portion disposed between the storage portion and loading portion,the transfer portion being angled with respect to the storage portion and the loading portion.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the transfer portion of each arm defines an obtuse angle with respect to the storage portion and the loading portion.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a projection disposed between the arms, the projection being structured to fit within an aperture defined within a tab disposed at a top of a container.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the weight determining means is selected from the group consisting of a scale and a strain gauge.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the item addition means comprises: means for determining when the weight of the container and its contents has stabilized, andmeans for comparing a previous weight of the container and its contents with the weight of the container and its contents.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein accumulating means comprises an accumulator.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for storing said accumulated item information; andmeans for communicating said stored information to a processing unit for analysis.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising means for calculating an average number of items packed within each container.

14. A method of packaging items within a container, the method comprising: providing a container;substantially continuously determining a weight of the container and its contents;detecting the addition of an item into the container based on changes to the weight; andaccumulating the number of items added to the container in a given cycle.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising signaling a user when the weight of the container and its contents exceeds a predetermined maximum weight.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising providing a first signal upon an item being placed within the container, and a second signal upon the maximum weight for the container and its contents being reached.

17. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the steps of: determining when the weight of the container and its contents has stabilized after the addition of an item; andcomparing a previous weight of the container and its contents with the subsequent weight of the container and its contents.

18. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: storing said accumulated information; andcommunicating said stored information to a processing unit for analysis.

19. An apparatus for use while packaging items within a container, the apparatus comprising: a rack, the rack comprising a base, anda pair of arms disposed above the base, each arm having a substantially horizontal storage portion disposed adjacent to the at least one vertical member, a substantially horizontal loading portion disposed at a free end portion of the arm, and a transfer portion disposed between the storage portion and loading portion, the transfer portion being angled with respect to the storage portion and the loading portion.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising at least one vertical member extending upward from the base, the pair of arms extending outward from the at least one vertical member.

21. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the transfer portion of each arm defines an obtuse angle with respect to the storage portion and the loading portion.

22. The apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a projection disposed between the arms, the projection being structured to fit within an aperture defined within a tab disposed at a top of a container.

23. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the base includes a scale.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising an accumulator operatively connected to the scale, the accumulator adapted to record the number of items placed in the container based upon an increase in a weight of the container with the addition of an item therein.

25. An apparatus for use while packaging items within a container, the apparatus comprising: a scale having a support surface for a container;a rack for supporting a container in an open position above the scale support surface; andan accumulator operatively connected to the scale, the scale and accumulator being structured to record a number of items placed in the container upon an increase in a weight of the container.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the rack further comprises a means for supporting a plurality of containers in a storage position.

27. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the rack comprises: a base;at least one vertical member extending upward from the base: anda pair of arms extending outward from the at least one vertical member, each arm having a substantially horizontal storage portion disposed adjacent to the at least one vertical member, a substantially horizontal loading portion disposed at a free end portion of the arm, and a transfer portion disposed between the storage portion and loading portion, the transfer portion being angled with respect to the storage portion and the loading portion.

28. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the scale comprises a signal structured to signal a user upon a preselected maximum weight being reached.

29. The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the scale comprises a first signal structured to indicate successful registry of an item placed in a container, and a second signal structured to indicate a preselected maximum weight being reached.

30. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the scale and accumulator are structured to determine when a weight of a container and the container's contents have stabilized, and to compare a previous weight of the container and the container's contents with the weight of the container and its contents; whereby an item placed in the container will result in a change in the weight of the container, causing the accumulator to register an additional item within the container.

31. The apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising a processing unit in communication with at least one scale and accumulator, the processing unit being structured to receive information about a number of items per container from the at least one scale and accumulator.

32. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the accumulator or the processing unit is structured to calculate an average number of items per container.

33. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the processing unit is structured to control a group of settings for the at least one scale and accumulator.

34. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the accumulator is structured to calculate an average number of items per container over a period of time.

35. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein: the processing unit includes a radio frequency transmitter/receiver; andthe at least one scale and accumulator includes a radio frequency transmitter/receiver.

36. A processing unit for use with at least one scale and accumulator combination, the at least one scale and accumulator combination being structured to record a number of items placed in a container disposed on the scale upon an increase in a weight of the container, the processing unit comprising: means for receiving information about a number of items per container or about a weight per container from the at least one scale and accumulator combination; andmeans for controlling a group of settings for the at least one scale and accumulator combination.

37. The processing unit according to claim 36, further comprising means for calculating an average number of items per container or an average weight per container for the at least one scale and accumulator combination.

38. The processing unit according to claim 36, wherein the information receiving means and the setting control means include a radio frequency transmitter/receiver.