Custom packaging center and packaging for use in the custom packaging center

Abstract

A custom packaging center for custom selecting and custom packaging canned and/or container goods and a novel box for use with the custom packaging center.

Claims

1. A method for creating a customized package of a plurality of food items comprising: a. providing an automated custom packaging center that includes a loading station, an automated packaging station and an automated identification arrangement, the loading station selectively positionable between a loading position and a processing position, the loading position to receive the plurality of food items, the automated identification arrangement comprising a bar code scanner and a scan zone to identify each of the plurality of food items loaded into the loading station by scanning each of the plurality of food items using the bar code scanner when each of the plurality food items is positioned in the processing position of the loading station and within the scan zone, the automated identification arrangement further comprising a processor configured to create an identification code that identifies each of the plurality of food items loaded in the loading station, the automated packaging station configured to support a removable packaging and to position the removable packaging to receive the plurality of food items when the plurality of food items are directed from the loading station and after the automated identification arrangement has identified each of the plurality of food items loaded into the loading station; b. loading the plurality of food items into the loading station; c. moving the plurality of food items to the processing position by repositioning the loading station from the loading position; d. identifying each of the plurality of food items using the bar code scanner; e. loading each of the plurality of food items into the removable packaging positioned within the automated packaging station by directing each of the plurality of food items from the loading station; and f. generating the identification code that identifies each of the plurality of food items loaded in the loading station; wherein the plurality of food items are selected from the group consisting of cans, containers, pet food, canned soup, soup containers, canned meat, meat containers, canned seafood, seafood containers, canned fruit, fruit containers, canned vegetables, vegetable containers, containers of sauces, containers of mints/breath fresheners, containers of gum, containers of candy, beverage containers, spice containers, frozen beverage concentrates containers, containers of yogurt, containers of refrigerated goods, and containers of frozen goods, wherein a bottom flange, a top flange, and a back surface of the automated packaging station define a tray box, the tray box movable between a load/remove position and a fill position, the tray box in the load/remove position is configured to enable the removable packaging to be inserted into the tray box, removed from the tray box, or combinations thereof, wherein the tray box in the fill position is configured to position the removable packaging to receive the plurality of food items after the automated identification arrangement has identified at least one of the plurality of food items.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, further including the step of printing the identification code on at least one medium selected from the group consisting of a label and the removable packaging.

3. The method as defined in claim 2, wherein the automated custom packaging center includes a label dispenser configured to dispense a label printed by a printer, and the method comprises securing the label to the removable packaging.

4. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the automated identification arrangement includes a rotating mechanism configured for repositioning at least one of the plurality of food items to facilitate in the identification of each of the plurality of food items.

5. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the automated custom packaging center includes a display screen, the display screen configured to perform one or more actions selected from the group consisting of 1) providing information about the automated custom packaging center, 2) providing instructions on how to use the automated custom packaging center, 3) providing information about the plurality of food items, 4) providing information about pricing of the plurality of food items, 5) providing status information as to the operation of the automated custom packaging center, 6) providing advertising about the plurality of food items, related food items, brands, store promotions, or combinations thereof, 7) enabling a selection of coupons, 8) enabling entry of discount codes, 9) enabling scanning of coupons, promotion codes, or combinations thereof, 10) providing information as to steps of use for the automated custom packaging center, 11) starting a process for using the automated custom packaging center, 12) providing notification that the plurality of food items have been properly loaded, improperly loaded, or combinations thereof in the loading station, 13) causing the loading station to rotate, closing a cover over the loading station, or combinations thereof after the plurality of food items have been loaded in the loading station, 14) providing notice that a packing process of the plurality of food items has been completed, 15) causing the identification code to be printed on a label, 16) causing the identification code to be printed on the removable packaging, 17) canceling a packaging process, 18) providing error information regarding the automated custom packaging center, 19) providing error information when a packaging receptacle is empty, and 20) causing a box tray of the automated packaging station to open, close or combinations thereof.

6. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the automated custom packaging center is positioned on or integrated with a shelf system.

7. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the automated custom packaging center is a free-standing self-contained system.

8. A method for creating a customized package of a plurality of food items comprising: a. providing an automated custom packaging center that includes a loading station, an automated packaging station and an automated identification arrangement, the loading station selectively positionable between a loading position and a processing position, the loading position to receive the plurality of food items, the automated identification arrangement comprising a bar code scanner and a scan zone to identify each of the plurality of food items loaded into the loading station by scanning each of the plurality of food items using the bar code scanner when each of the plurality food items is positioned in the processing position of the loading station and within the scan zone, the automated identification arrangement further comprising a processor configured to create an identification code that is representative of the identification of each of the plurality of food items loaded in the loading station, the automated packaging station configured to support a removable packaging and to position the removable packaging to receive the plurality of food items when the plurality of food items are directed from the loading station and after the automated identification arrangement has identified each of the plurality of food items loaded into the loading station; b. loading the plurality of food items into the loading station; c. moving the plurality of food items to the processing position by repositioning the loading station from the loading position; d. identifying each of the plurality of food items using the bar code scanner; e. loading each of the plurality of food items into the removable packaging positioned within the automated packaging station by directing each of the plurality of food items from the loading station; and f. generating the identification code; wherein the plurality of food items are selected from the group consisting of cans, containers, pet food, canned soup, soup containers, canned meat, meat containers, canned seafood, seafood containers, canned fruit, fruit containers, canned vegetables, vegetable containers, containers of sauces, containers of mints/breath fresheners, containers of gum, containers of candy, beverage containers, spice containers, frozen beverage concentrates containers, containers of yogurt, containers of refrigerated goods, and containers of frozen goods, wherein a bottom flange, a top flange, and a back surface of the automated packaging station define a tray box, the tray box movable between a load/remove position and a fill position, the tray box in the load/remove position is configured to enable the removable packaging to be inserted into the tray box, removed from the tray box, or combinations thereof, wherein the tray box in the fill position is configured to position the removable packaging to receive the plurality of food items after the automated identification arrangement has identified at least one of the plurality of food items.

9. The method as defined in claim 8, further including the step of printing the identification code on at least one medium selected from the group consisting of a label and the removable packaging.

10. The method as defined in claim 9, wherein the automated custom packaging center includes a label dispenser configured to dispense a label printed by a printer, and the method comprises securing the label to the removable packaging.

11. The method as defined in claim 8, wherein the automated identification arrangement includes a rotating mechanism configured for repositioning at least one of the plurality of food items to facilitate in the identification of each of the plurality of food items.

12. The method as defined in claim 8, wherein the automated custom packaging center includes a display screen, the display screen configured to perform one or more actions selected from the group consisting of 1) providing information about the automated custom packaging center, 2) providing instructions on how to use the automated custom packaging center, 3) providing information about the plurality of food items, 4) providing information about pricing of the plurality of food items, 5) providing status information as to the operation of the automated custom packaging center, 6) providing advertising about the plurality of food items, related food items, brands, store promotions, or combinations thereof, 7) enabling a selection of coupons, 8) enabling entry of discount codes, 9) enabling scanning of coupons, promotion codes, or combinations thereof, 10) providing information as to steps of use for the automated custom packaging center, 11) starting a process for using the automated custom packaging center, 12) providing notification that the plurality of food items have been properly loaded, improperly loaded, or combinations thereof in the loading station, 13) causing the loading station to rotate, closing a cover over the loading station, or combinations thereof after the plurality of food items have been loaded in the loading station, 14) providing notice that a packing process of the plurality of food items has been completed, 15) causing the identification code to be printed on a label, 16) causing the identification code to be printed on the removable packaging, 17) canceling a packaging process, 18) providing error information regarding the automated custom packaging center, 19) providing error information when a packaging receptacle is empty, and 20) causing a box tray of the automated packaging station to open, close or combinations thereof.

13. The method as defined in claim 8, wherein the automated custom packaging center is positioned on or integrated with a shelf system.

14. The method as defined in claim 8, wherein the automated custom packaging center is a free-standing self-contained system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) Reference may now be made to the drawings, which illustrate various non-limiting embodiments that the invention may take in physical form and in certain parts and arrangements of parts wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrated a front elevation view of one non-limiting embodiment of the custom packaging center in accordance with the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the custom packaging of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the custom packaging of FIG. 1;

(5) FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-section views of the custom packaging of FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the custom packaging center of FIG. 1 wherein the box tray is pivoted to the load/remove position;

(7) FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the custom packaging center of FIG. 1 wherein the box tray is pivoted to the load/remove position and the packaging is being inserted into the box tray;

(8) FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the custom packaging center of FIG. 6 wherein the package is fully inserted into the box tray;

(9) FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the custom packaging center of FIG. 7 wherein the box tray is pivoted to the fill position and includes the packaging;

(10) FIG. 9A is a front elevation view of the custom packaging center of FIG. 8 wherein the loading station is partially loaded with container;

(11) FIG. 9B is an enlarged top portion of the custom packaging center of FIG. 9;

(12) FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the custom packaging center of FIG. 9 wherein the loading station is fully loaded with containers;

(13) FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of the custom packaging center of FIG. 10 wherein the loading station is rotated to the non-load position;

(14) FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of the custom packaging center of FIG. 1 that is positioned in a stationary center housing;

(15) FIG. 13 is a front plan view of the custom packaging and stationary center housing of FIG. 12;

(16) FIG. 14 is a side plan view of the custom packaging and stationary center housing of FIG. 12;

(17) FIG. 15 is a front elevation view of the custom packaging center of FIG. 1 that is positioned in a mobile center housing;

(18) FIG. 16 is a front plan view of the custom packaging and mobile center housing of FIG. 15;

(19) FIG. 17 is a side plan view of the custom packaging and mobile center housing of FIG. 15;

(20) FIG. 18 is a front elevation view of the assembled and seal packaging;

(21) FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the non-folded packaging of FIG. 18;

(22) FIG. 20 is a front elevation view of the assembled, collapsed and non-sealed packaging of FIG. 18;

(23) FIG. 21 is a front elevation view of the assembled and non-sealed packaging of FIG. 18;

(24) FIG. 22A is the top half of a logic diagram of a non-limiting operation of the custom packaging center in accordance with the present invention.

(25) FIG. 22B is the bottom half of a logic diagram of a non-limiting operation of the custom packaging center in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DISCUSSION OF NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS

(26) Referring now to the drawings wherein the showing is for the purpose of illustrating non-limiting embodiments of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the same, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-11 there is illustrated a custom packaging center 100 that is designed to allow a customer to select several items of an item such as, but not limited to canned pet food, and to package the selected items in a single package.

(27) The custom packaging center 100 includes a housing 110, a loading station 200 and a packaging station 300. The loading station is illustrated as being positioned on the top front portion of the custom packaging center 100; however, this is not required. The loading station includes a loading tray 210 that is designed to receive a plurality of containers of a food item 400 as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the loading tray is designed to hold up to six containers of a food item; however, it will be appreciated that the loading tray can be designed to hold more than or less than six containers of a food item. The body 212 of the loading station has a generally half-cylinder configuration; however, this is not required. Each end of body 212 includes a circular flange 214; however, this is not required. The body 212 optionally includes a plurality of slots 216 which can be used to orient the food item 400 in a certain manner on the body of the loading tray. As illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the food item is in the form of a container that include a container body 410 and a top flange 412. A removable lid 414 is optionally connected to the flange. The lid can optionally include a tab 416 that is used to facilitate in the removal of the lid from the flange. The flange is illustrated as having a larger radius than the container body; however, this is not required. For such a container arrangement, the slots 216 are designed to receive the flange of the container when the container is positioned in the loading tray. If the container is not properly placed in the loading tray, the container will not properly sit in the loading tray and the processing of the containers in the loading tray will not be able to continue; however, this is not required. FIG. 9B illustrated that an optional diagram 230 can be used to indicate the manner in which the container is to be loaded in the loading tray.

(28) The loading tray is designed to rotate about its longitudinal axis between a load position as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4A-10 and a non-load position as illustrated in FIG. 11. The rotation of the loading tray can be done manually by a user or automatically by the custom packaging center. When the loading tray is manually rotated, the custom packaging center will generally include a lever, knob 220, or some other structure that will enable the user to rotate the loading tray. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and 5-11, the sides of the housing includes two knobs 220 that allow the user to rotate the loading tray. The knob can optionally include grooves 222 to facilitate in the grasping and the turn of the knobs. When the loading tray is automatically rotated by the custom packaging center, the custom packaging center generally includes one or more motors (not shown) that are connected and/or interconnected to the loading tray to cause the loading tray to rotate.

(29) The packaging station 300 is illustrated as being positioned at the front of the custom packaging center and below the loading station; however, this is not required. The packaging station includes a box tray 310 that is pivotally connected to the housing so as to be able to pivot between a load/remove position as illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 and the fill position as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4A, 8-11. The box tray includes a back face 312, a bottom flange 314, two side flanges 316 and two front flanges 318. The packaging 600 is designed to be inserted between the back face and front flanges and rest on the bottom flange as illustrated in FIGS. 6-11. When the box tray is in the load/remove position, the packaging 600 can be inserted into or removed from the box tray. When the box tray is positioned in the fill position, the packaging generally cannot be removed from the box tray; however, this is not required. The movement of the box tray between the load/remove position and the fill position can be done manually by the user or automatically be the custom packaging center. When the box tray is designed to be manually pivoted, the housing can include a lever, knob, or some other structure (not shown) that will enable the user to pivot the tray box between the load/remove position and the fill position. When the tray box is automatically pivoted between the load/remove position and the fill position by the custom packaging center, the custom packaging center generally includes one or more motors (not shown) that are connected and/or interconnected to the tray box to cause the tray box to pivot. The pivot box can be spring loaded to move to the tray box to the load/remove position or the fill position; however, this is not required.

(30) Referring again to FIGS. 1-11, the custom packaging center can optionally include a label opening 120 that is designed to dispense a printed label 650 from a printer 450 that is located in the interior of the custom packaging center as illustrated in FIG. 4A. FIG. 4B illustrates the printer 450 located in a different region of the interior of the custom packaging center. In this arrangement, the printer applies a label directly to the packaging or prints the information directly on the packaging. As can be appreciated, the printer can be located on the exterior of the housing of the custom packaging center. The location of the label opening on the housing of the custom packaging center and the location of the printer in the interior or exterior of the housing is non-limiting.

(31) Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5-11, the custom packaging center optionally includes a display panel 130. The housing of the custom packaging center can include more than one display panel. The display panel can optionally function as a monitor and/or interactive screen. The display panel can be used to 1) provide information about the custom packaging center, 2) provide instructions on how to use the custom packaging center, 3) provide information about the products that have been loaded by the customer into the custom packaging center (e.g., flavor, nutritional value, recommended serving amounts, cost per ounce, etc.), 4) provide information about the pricing of the products that have been loaded by the customer into the custom packaging center, 5) provide status information to the customer during the loading process of the product into the packaging, 6) provide advertising about products, brands and/or store promotions, etc., 7) enable customer to select coupons, enter discount codes and/or scan coupons for products to be packaged by the custom packaging center, 8) provide information to guide the customer during the steps of use of the custom packaging center, 9) start the process for using the custom packaging center, 10) notify the customer that the products have been properly and/or improperly loaded in the loading station, 11) cause the loading station to rotate and/or the closing cover to close after product has been loaded into the loading station, 12) notify the customer that the packing process has been completed, 13) cause a label to be printed on a label and/or onto the packaging, 14) cancel the packaging process, 15) provide error information regarding the custom packaging center, 16) provide error information when the packaging receptacle is empty, 17) cause the box tray of the packaging station to open and/or close, 18) enable a user to obtain information about the food item (e.g., nutrition information, etc.), and/or 19) provide error information to a customer during the use of the custom packaging center. As can be appreciated, the display panel can have other or additional functions and/or uses. The display can be a color, monochrome or black and white display. The display may or may not be a touch screen display. The display can be designed to interact with other devices (e.g., smart phone, tablet, computer, etc.); however, this is not required. The location of the display on the housing is non-limiting.

(32) Referring now to FIG. 4A, the custom packaging center includes an item identification arrangement which includes a product detector and/or scanner to identify the one or more products that were placed in the loading station. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the product detector and/or scanner is in the form of a bar code scanner 500; however, it can be appreciated that other types of product detectors and/or scanners can be used. The product detector and/or scanner is generally connected to a computer or processor 510 that processes the scanned information. The scanned information can be used to generate a label that is printed by printer 450. Generally, the printer is connected or interconnected to the computer or processor 510; however, this is not required. Likewise, the display 130 is generally connected or interconnected to the computer or processor 510; however, this is not required. As can be appreciated, the computer or processor 510 can be used to partially or fully control the operation and/or electronic features of the custom packaging center; however, this is not required.

(33) The item identification arrangement can optionally include a roller 520 that is designed to rotate food items 400 so that bar code scanner 500 can scan the bar code on the food items when the food items are located in the processing position. The roller is typically driven by an electric motor; however, the roller can be driven manually or by some other means.

(34) The custom packaging center includes a product transport arrangement that is used to move and/or guide the food items that were loaded on the loading station to a processing position to be scanned by the scanner and then deposited in the packaging that is located in the tray box. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the body of loading tray 210 is fully filled with food items 400. Once the loading tray is properly and fully loaded, the loading tray is manually or automatically rotated about it longitudinal axis and causes the food items to drop into the scan zone 530 and partially rest on roller 520. Once the food items are contacting the roller, the roller can be caused to rotate, which in turn causes the food items to rotate to thereby allow the bar code scanner to scan the bar codes on the food items.

(35) Once the scanning process is complete, the food items are allowed to drop into the open end of the packaging that is located beneath the scan zone. The food items can be caused to drop by a manual or automatic operation. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, a drop rod 540 is positioned adjacent to roller 520. The drop rod and roller are designed to support the food items in the scan zone during the scanning operation. After the scanning operation is complete, the drop rod is designed to move to allow the food items to drop from the scan zone and down toward the tray box. When packaging is located in the tray box, the food items drop into the opening of the packaging. The movement of the drop rod can be by a manual or automated operation. As can be appreciated, other or additional arrangements can be used to control the movement of the food items from the loading tray to the packaging.

(36) The custom packaging center can include a battery and/or transformer 550 that is used to power the electronic components, motors, printers, display and other energy consuming components of the custom packaging center. When the custom packaging center includes a battery, the battery can be rechargeable; however, this is not required. As can be appreciated, the power source for the custom packaging center can be from a power outlet or other type of power source.

(37) Referring now to FIGS. 18-21, a non-limiting configuration of packaging 600 is illustrated. The packaging is generally formed of paper board and/or cardboard; however, other materials can be used. FIG. 18 illustrates the packaging in a fully assembled and sealed form. Generally, when the packaging is in this form, processed product is located in the packaging; however, this is not required. FIG. 19 illustrates the packaging in a flat, non-assembled form. The packaging can optionally include a sealable primary flap 610 that seals the opening 620 in the packaging once the food items have been loaded into the packaging. As illustrated in FIG. 20, the primary flap can include an adhesive strip 612 to form the seal; however, this is not required. The body 630 of the packaging can optionally include a serrated flap portion 640 that can be opened to provide access to the food items in the packaging without having to break the seal of the primary flap. The serrated flap portion can optionally include a pull tab 642 that can be grasped by the user to facilitate in the opening of the packaging via the serrated flap portion. As illustrated in FIG. 18, the packaging can include a label 650 that includes the information (e.g., bar code, printed item list, etc.) that is representative of the contents of the packaging. In one non-limiting arrangement, a bar code is printed on the label, which bar code can be scanned at checkout. The printed bar code provides information to the scanner at checkout of the contents of the packaging so that a complete package price for the package can be rung up and the contents of the packaging need not be individually scanned. The bar code can also be used by a store for inventory control since the single bar code will provide information to the store about each of the items in the packaging. As can be appreciated, the label can be manually or automatically applied to the packaging. As can also be appreciated, the bar code can be printed directly onto the packaging without use of a separate label.

(38) Referring now to FIGS. 12-17, the custom packaging center can be mounted or placed on a stationary center housing as illustrated in FIGS. 12-14 or on a mobile center housing as illustrated in FIGS. 15-17. The stationary center housing 700 is generally designed to be placed on a shelf or connected to the shelf that is near the food items that are be used with the custom packaging center. The mobile center station 800 is designed to provide mobility to the custom packaging center to allow the custom packaging center to be easily moved to various locations. The configuration of the stationary center housing and the mobile center housing is non-limiting. Both the stationary center housing and the mobile center housing illustrate the optional shelf system 710, 820 that can be used by the user to initially select and store food items prior to loading the food items in into the loading tray 210. The size, shape and configuration of the shelf system and location of the shelf system on the stationary center housing and the mobile center housing is non-limiting, when used, are non-limiting. The stationary center housing is illustrated as including one or more packaging slots 720 that can be used to store the folded packaging 600. The mobile center housing is illustrated as having an optional packaging bin 820 wherein folded packaging 600 can be stored. The packaging bin can include a bin opening 822 to enable packaging to be removed from the packaging bin; however, it can be appreciated that the packaging bin can include a door or other type of access to enable a user to remove the packaging from the packaging bin. The mobile center housing is illustrated as including one or more rollers or wheels 830 to facilitate in the mobility of the mobile center housing.

(39) Referring now to FIGS. 22A and 22B, a process flow chart that set forth one non-limiting way in which the custom packaging center can be used is illustrated. As illustrated in the process flow chart, the custom packaging center can include one or more sensors to sense 1) when packaging is loaded into the box tray, 2) when the box tray is in the load/remove position and/or the fill position, and/or 3) when the loading tray has been rotated to cause the food item to move to the processing position. As can be appreciated, other or additional sensors can be used (e.g., sensor to verify the loading tray is properly and/or fully loaded, sensor to detect whether the packaging is partially or fully filled, sensor to verify the packaging is properly positioned in the box tray, sensor to detect whether food items are located in the processing position and/or properly located in the processing position, sensor to verify the food items are being rotated by the roller, sensor to detect whether there is power or proper power to the custom packaging center, sensor to detect if the food items have been properly or fully moved from the processing position to the packaging, sensor to detect if printer labels need to be replaced, sensor to detect if printer ink for printer needs to be replaced, sensor to detect if the printer is properly functioning, sensor to detect if scanner is properly functioning, sensor to detect if display is properly functioning, etc.).

(40) It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, and since certain changes may be made in the constructions set forth without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The invention has been described with reference to preferred and alternate embodiments. Modifications and alterations will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the detailed discussion of the invention provided herein. This invention is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the present invention. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. These and other modifications of the preferred embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention will be obvious from the disclosure herein, whereby the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.