The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 02, 2016
Filed:
May. 29, 2015
Columbia Machine, Inc., Vancouver, WA (US);
William Huebner, Ridgefield, WA (US);
Kevin Meckel, Lake Oswego, OR (US);
Patrick O'Connor, Ridgefield, WA (US);
Timothy Hansen, Lake Oswego, OR (US);
COLUMBIA MACHINE, INC., Vancouver, WA (US);
Abstract
A flexible pattern-forming palletizing apparatus includes a conveyor having an upstream end for receiving products along a single lane and a downstream end having a plurality of moveable lanes under computer control arrayed along a width of the downstream end. A diverter is positioned between the upstream and downstream end for moving the products from the single lane into selected ones of the plurality of lanes as the products move from the upstream end to the downstream end of the conveyor. A product turner is positioned downstream of the diverter for receiving products positioned in the plurality of lanes and turning selected ones, where the product turner includes turning devices that move between lanes under control of the computer and can be accurately positioned to optimize case turning for a wide array of product.