EP0471150A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Order filling system with cartridge dispenser
Assignee: Siemens Dematic Postal Automation LP
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Filing: 1991-05-08
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-05-08
Abstract
Abstract An automated ordering system has a gathering conveyor belt (103) and a plurality of product dispensers (105) onto the gathering conveyor belt, the plurality of product dispensers arrayed in a matrix in rows and columns wherein each row of product dispensers and each column of product dispensers share common control elements. The product dispensers are of cartridge type utilizing gravity to eject products from a cartridge (107) suspended above the gathering conveyor belt onto the gathering conveyor belt. A universal product dispenser platform accepts a wide range of different sizes and shapes of cartridges storing products to be dispensed. The universal product platform provides support for an actuator for singulating products mounted to the cartridge.
Inventors
- 👤 James Moody Pippin
- 👤 Jerry Dale Erwin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:35
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/74; B65G47/88; B65G47/8876; B65G47/8884; B65G1/00; B65G1/02; B65G1/04; B65G1/137; B65G1/1373; B65G1/1376; B65G47/8807; B65G47/8823; B65G2205/00; B65G2205/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
An automated ordering system comprising: means for conveying dispensed products to a collection station; means for controlling the dispensing of products; a plurality of means for dispensing products onto the means for conveying, the plurality of means for dispensing arrayed in a matrix of rows and columns in relation to the means for conveying, each means for dispensing in a row coupled together to the means for controlling and each means for dispensing in a column coupled together to the means for controlling.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
42 words
The automated ordering system according to Claim 1 further comprising a plurality of means for verifying the presence of a dispensed product under the row, wherein one means for verifying is positioned below each of the rows of coupled means for dispensing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
92 words
An automated order dispensing system comprising: a conveyor belt; a plurality of product dispensers for dispensing products onto the conveyor belt arrayed in a matrix having at least one column and at least one row; a first relay coupled to each product dispenser in a row and a second relay coupled to each product dispenser in a column, such that actuation of the first relay and the second relay simultaneously causes the product dispenser located in both a first row and a first column to dispense a product onto the conveyor belt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The automated ordering system according to claim 3 further comprising verifying means mounted beneath a first row of product dispensers for verifying that a product dispenser in a first row dispensed a product.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The automated ordering system according to claim 4 further comprising a programmable logic controller coupled to the relays for controlling the operation of only one product dispenser in a column.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The automated ordering system according to Claim 5 wherein the programmable logic controller includes an input coupled to the means for verifying.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The automated ordering system according to Claim 6 further comprising a central control computer, coupled to the programmable logic controller for establishing a sequence for dispensing a product from a product dispenser.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
The automated ordering system according to Claim 3 further comprising: a first order zone on the conveyor belt onto which a product dispenser dispenses an ordered product; a second conveyor belt; a second plurality of product dispensers for dispensing products onto the second conveyor belt; a second order zone on the second conveyor belt into which the second plurality of product dispensers dispenses an ordered product; means for collecting having a third order zone into which the conveyor belts deposit the ordered products.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of controlling an automated ordering system having a means for conveying products, a means for controlling and a plurality of means for dispensing products onto the means for conveying, comprising the steps of: coupling each means for dispensing in a row to a first common control element in a means for controlling; coupling each means for dispensing in a column to a second common control element in the means for controlling, where the column of means for dispensing shares a common means for dispensing with the row of means for dispensing; and actuating the first and the second control elements simultaneously to dispense a product from the common means for dispensing onto a means for conveying.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
A cartridge product dispenser for use in automated ordering systems comprising: a cartridge for storing a plurality of products; a means for singulating products from one end of the cartridge, the means for singulating mounted to the cartridge; a platform for receiving the cartridge; and a means for actuating the means for singulating, the means for actuating mounted to the platform.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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