United Parcel Service of America, Inc.

John H Lecko

Pao-Ter Huang

Jaroslav Janik

Peter Douglas Jackson

Rajan Chandrakant Penkar

Christopher Chunsheng Cai

Joseph P Snyder, Jr

Chunsheng Cai

James S Morton

Jaroslay Janik

A method and apparatus for palletizing rectangular packages received in random size and weight. A 'corner'-based modeling system is used to assist in evaluating possible placements of packages accumulated on a line conveyor, and a placement evaluation process is used to select a 'best' package placement based on heuristic analysis. Statistically-based measurement and comparison is used to assist in the evaluation process.

Method and apparatus for palletizing packages of random size and weight

A method and apparatus for palletizing rectangular packages received in random size and weight. A &ldquo;corner&rdquo;-based modeling system is used to assist in evaluating possible placements of packages accumulated on a line conveyor, and a placement evaluation process is used to select a &ldquo;best&rdquo; package placement based on heuristic analysis. Statistically-based measurement and comparison is used to assist in the evaluation process.

An apparatus for gripping parcels which includes a pair of cooperating side clamps connected by a scissors actuator, configured for movement with a suction holding device. A controller and a trigger switch are likewise used to facilitate accurate gripping of parcels thereby.

Apparatus for gripping parcels

Apparatus for measuring length of accumulated packages

An efficient package sorting system in which a stationary matrix of multi-directional conveyor cells sorts packages to a plurality of destination locations. In a preferred embodiment, the matrix delivers sorted packages to a plurality of lift assemblies that further transfer the packages to receiving conveyors or chutes on different levels. According to another preferred aspect of the system, a selectively elevating stop bar is provided to control side transfer between conveyor cells. A controller is operative to plan a path for each of the objects from the input cell to a destination location, to monitor availability of successive conveyor cells along the path, and to cause an object to be moved to the next conveyor cell along its path only when the next conveyor cell is available. The system may include a plurality of sensors positioned to sense the passage of objects from one conveyor cell to another, the sensors being connected to the controller. The sensor input is used to guide the packages through the matrix, and to optimize the speed at which a plurality of packages can be sorted.

Method and apparatus for sorting articles using a matrix of conveyor cells

Method and apparatus for sorting articles using a matrix of conveyor

An apparatus is provided which provides measuring and accumulation of packages for downstream sorting or stacking. The apparatus provides variable force feeding of packages to reduce chaos accumulation. Reversing of conveyors allows for reduced line compression of packages for ease of removal. An ultrasonic measuring arch is also provided.

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Southbury, CT, United States of America

John H Lecko