Manually-assisted void-fill dunnage dispensing system and method
View Patent ↗A packaging system 100 includes a controller 102 , an input device 104 in communication with the controller 102 that identifies one or more characteristics of the container, and a manual input device 106 in communication with the controller 102 that provides multiple input options for selection by a packer. The input options represent relative degrees to which a container is filled by one or more objects to be packaged. The controller 102 provides an output signal indicating a quantity of dunnage to dispense to the container based on the selected input option and the one or more identified characteristics of the container. Once the controller receives the container characteristics information, as well as the selected input option representing the relative degree to which the container is filled by the objects to be packaged, the controller can determine the number and lengths of dunnage strips that need to be provided to fill the remaining void in the container. Once the controller 102 has determined the amount dunnage that needs to be dispensed, the controller can signal a dunnage dispenser 110 to dispense the determined amount of dunnage.
1. A packaging system, comprising
a manual input device that provides multiple input options for selection by a packer, the input options representing relative degrees to which a container is filled by one or more products to be packaged;
an input device that identifies one or more characteristics of a container; and
a controller that provides an output signal indicating a quantity of dunnage to dispense to the container based on the selected input option and the one or more identified characteristics of the container.
2. A packaging system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the manual input device includes one or more of a microphone, computer mouse, a touch screen, a keypad, a push button, a switch, a foot switch, a kneepad switch, wireless remote control device, a slider, and a stylus and stylus-sensitive pad.
3. A packaging system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the manual input device provides about 2 to about 5 discrete input options.
4. A packaging system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the manual input device provides input options between empty and full.
5. A packaging system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the manual input device provides input options that include empty, 25% full, 50% full, 75% full, and full.
6. A packaging system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the manual input device provides input options that include nearly empty, half full, and nearly full.
7. A packaging system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the manual input device includes a linearly variable level indicator with settings between empty and full.
8. A packaging system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the container input device includes at least one of: a bar code reader; one or more sensors to indicate dimensions of a container; a mechanical, optical, or electromagnetic probe; a computer mouse; a touch screen display; a keypad; a push button; a switch; a foot switch; a kneepad switch; a wireless remote control device; a radio frequency identification tag reader; and a stylus and stylus-sensitive pad.
9. A packaging system as set forth in claim 1 , comprising a dunnage dispenser in communication with the controller to dispense the indicated quantity of dunnage.
10. A packaging system as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the dunnage dispenser includes a conversion machine that converts a stock material into a dunnage product.
11. A packaging system as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the dunnage dispenser includes a dunnage dispensing input device to manually dispense an additional amount of dunnage.
12. A packaging method comprising the steps of:
manually selecting an input option from multiple input options, the input options representing relative degrees to which a container is filled by one or more products to be packaged;
identifying one or more characteristics of a container; and
providing an output signal indicating a quantity of dunnage to dispense to the container based on the selected input option and the one or more identified characteristics of the container.
13. A packaging method as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the selecting step is performed manually by at least one of speaking into a microphone, pressing a button, typing on a keypad, pressing a foot switch or a knee switch, touching a touch screen display, moving a slider switch, and clicking a computer mouse.
14. A packaging method as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the identifying step includes reading a bar code, reading a radio frequency identification tag, speaking into a microphone, sensing a dimension, pressing a button, typing on a keypad, pressing a foot switch or a knee switch, and clicking a computer mouse.
15. A packaging method as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the providing step includes transmitting the output signal to a dunnage dispenser to dispense the indicated quantity of dunnage.
16. A packaging method as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the providing step includes transmitting the output signal to a dunnage conversion machine to convert a stock material into a dunnage product to dispense the indicated quantity of dunnage.
17. A packaging method as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the selecting step includes selecting from about two to about five discrete input options.
18. A packaging method as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the selecting step includes selecting from discrete input options that include empty, 25% full, 50% full, 75% full, and full.
19. A packaging method as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the selecting step includes selecting from discrete input options that include nearly empty, half full, and nearly full.
20. A packaging method as set forth in claim 12 , comprising the step of manually dispensing an additional amount of dunnage.
21. A packaging system comprising:
means for manually selecting an input option from multiple input options, the input options representing relative degrees to which a container is filled by one or more products to be packaged;
means for identifying one or more characteristics of a container; and
means for providing an output signal indicating a quantity of dunnage to dispense to the container based on the selected input option and the one or more identified characteristics of the container.
22. A packaging system comprising means for manually inputting a relative degree to which a container is filled by one or more products to be packaged, means for identifying one or more characteristics of a container, and means for outputting a signal indicating the quantity of dunnage to dispense based on the manually input relative degree of fill and the identified characteristics of the container.