Tray insertion system and method

US12409961B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Van Doren Sales, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Jason Skerlong · Wenatchee, US
• Luke Divis · Monse, US
• Adam Goff · Wenatchee, US
• Scott Wilson · Wenatchee, US
• John Sheehan · Yakima, US
• Joshua M. Silver · Sunnyvale, US
• Lance Webb · Hermosa Beach, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 7, 2023
• Grant date: Sep 9, 2025
• Expiry date: Nov 7, 2043

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65B57/14
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus for packing a plurality of filled produce trays into a transport container, such as a box or a carton, without bruising the produce in the process. The produce packing system includes an infeed belt, produce information sensors and a processing assembly. The processing assembly receives information from the produce information sensors to calculate a container packing position. Using this information, the produce packing system clamps onto a filled produce tray from an infeed belt and moves the filled produce tray downward into a transport container at a predetermined height to place the filled produce tray into the transport container.